DIY | Farmhouse Autumnal Wreath

One of the things I love doing with the change in seasons is swapping out the faux floral wreaths I have in my home and on my front door. I made this one a while back and never got around to blogging about it. Today’s the day! If you saw my wildflower wreath I posted this summer, these instructions are the same!

Although I love bright foliage on the trees, I tend to go for more harvest tones for my wreath materials. I saw these groupings of what look like maybe persimmons and small pomegranates and supplemented it with some faux eucalyptus. 

Here’s what you need to create this wreath:

• wire wreath base
  
• florist wire
  
• wire cutters
  
• assorted foliage
  

STEP ONE | Trim Your Materials

I like to cut the larger groupings down into smaller stems so I can rearrange them into little bouquets before I place them on the base.

STEP TWO | Create Small Bouquets

To ensure the foliage is evenly spread through the wreath, I divide my materials and make little bundles that I will wire on next!

STEP THREE | Affix Bouquets to Wreath

Using your florist wire, start wrapping on the small bouquets, layering subsequent bundles slightly over to cover wire. Continue around entire base until your wreath is complete!

My DIY | Wrap Ruffled Peplum Blouse

Good morning everyone! Firstly - who’s excited for the eclipse this afternoon? Secondly? Raise your hand if you’ve been singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” for the past week or so? No? Just me? 

Today I’m really excited to show you the blouse I made last week - a wrap blouse with peplum and ruffle elements. I did made some minor changes to the construction of the garment, so let me tell you all about it! 

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Sewing Notes | McCalls 7602

I picked up the pattern during one of JoAnn Fabric’s 99 cent sales and I already had the polka dot fabric on hand. I used both the right and wrong sides of the print and I love how the subtle contrast enhances the design of this piece. I don’t know the kind or content it is but I’m guessing it’s a rayon. I was surprised it was so easy to sew! I lined it using a similar navy fabric I picked up elsewhere.

I cut a size 12 with the D cup option and used the tissue paper pattern as is for this piece. 

The first thing I changed was to convert the faux wrap into an actual wrap. I created long ties in the self fabric and attached them to the smaller side seams of each front bodice piece. I left a small opening on one side seam to allow the under side of the bodice and it’s corresponding tie a place to exit the blouse. I also omitted the back zipper, as the wrap allows for an easy way to get this piece on!

Another thing I did differently was to line the entire garment, including the peplum and ruffle. I did this because I didn’t want to fiddle with a narrow hem on so many curved pieces. It also gave the final garment a really polished look inside and out. Unfortunately it weighed down the ruffle a bit so I added some hooks and thread tacks to help it out a little. Also my chest is huge and adding the extra closure helped not show off too much cleavage. 

I would definitely sew this again - maybe in a pretty eyelet cotton for summer or another rayon that could layer with a turtleneck for fall and winter (very 70s school teacher, right??) If you’ve made this piece, I’d love to see your version!

To get a sneak peak of my next project, check out my instagram stories! I’m making a bit of a mini collection this season. I started with these jeans and now this top. All of the pieces sort of work back together and with what I have in my closet. I’m excited!“

What I Wore | Summer Whites

WhatIWore: I’m going a little out of order this week with outfit posts - this is what I wore over the weekend to go to the farmer’s market. The embroidered jean jacket has been on my mind for a while, so this is how I thought to wear it for the cool of the morning (see how I wore it for fall here and here). Not much else to say about this outfit other than this dress is one of Adam’s favorites and I love it too! I don’t wear it enough!

When: August 12, 2017

What:
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’
Lipstick: MAC ‘Chili’
Jean Jacket: Embroidered by Me!
Dress: Vintage/Thrifted
Bag: Frye
Sandals: Clarks (gift from company a few years ago)

Where: Breakfast and Farmer’s Market

DIY | Wild Flower Wreath

New houses (especially new old houses) are loaded with projects. Paint this room or that, demo, structural or “not fun projects” (like HVAC repair) all take a considerable about of time or money or both. Ever since we were under contract with the farm house, I’ve been dreaming of putting my touch on the place with a front door wreath. People! I LOVE MAKING WREATHS! They’re relatively inexpensive and create a welcoming vibe. It’s like saying “come on in and stay a while!” Here’s a step by step on how to create your own.

SUPPLIES

• Metal Wreath Base
  
• Florist Wire
  
• Wire Cutters
  
• Assortment of Faux Flowers and Greenery
  
• Over Door Hook 

A word on flower choice: my favorite wreaths mix multiple blooms in the same color with greenery. I try to select as realistic looking flowers as possible, incorporating in larger and smaller buds in addition to stems that look almost like wild flowers. It’s also better to get more stems than you think you’ll need because a skimpy wreath is a sad wreath. If you’re on a budget, aim to spend more money on the more life like larger flowers and save a bit with the smaller buds. I think paper and fabric petals look better than plastic. While you’re shopping, gather your choices together to get a sense of how they’ll look in the wreath. I’ve been known to lay everything out on the floor of the store to be sure I have what I want! All of these supplies will be in the florist section of your favorite craft store. I personally really like the selection at Michael’s. 

STEP ONE | Snip Your Stems

Divide your bushier blooms into smaller, more workable bunches and remove excess length. Remove any leaves that look too fake. 

STEP TWO | Create mini bundles

Take a little bit a of this, and a little bit of that to create small bouquets, layering vertically.

STEP THREE | Affix to Base

Using your florist wire, attached the bouquet to the base simply by wrapping around the steps a few times. No need to cut the wire.

Now repeat steps two and three until your wreath is complete. How you layer your blooms is a personal preference. While I’m normally all about symmetry, I like a more organic and unexpected layout (like with my sunflower placement!) Now that you’re done, proudly display using an over the door hook

If you’ve enjoyed this post - please share and link back! I’d love to see your creations too!