DIY Lace + Corduroy Jacket

I shared this project on instagram earlier this year, but wanted to document it here as well.  This was one of our class projects for my fashion design and sewing class. I asked students to bring in old jeans or jackets to replace certain panels with lace.  For this project I used an upcycled gifted corduroy jacket from my friend Delmara.  I thought the almost square shape would be easiest to replace so I cut out that to start.

once the panel was cut and removed I cut the fabric to lay over it and then pinned the lace to the inside of the fabric.  The stitching was placed next to the trim from the original back panel so that my machine wouldn't have to go over the thickest part of the material multiple times. 

you can see the stitching here it's the white thread on the inside of the original trim. 

Here's what it looks like on but I think it would obviously showcase better with an open back dress. 

And here's a peek at the process from my instagram reels.

What should I upcycle next? 

Vera Turns Eight! a wild west themed birthday party.

This year is Vera's 8th birthday one whole year from the last normal birthday party we celebrated. Last year was the first weekend of spring break and ALL her friends from school and life were there, celebrating with us, unaware of what 2020 was going to throw at us.  This year we celebrated with our closestes the people we've home schooled with, the people who've watched my kids while I've worked in person, the people we never stopped seeing, the people we've strengthened our bonds with all year long. This year Vera requested a horse themed party, when I said I could not in fact rent a horse for my house, we opted to keep it wild west, infused with horse piñatas, cowgirl hats and obviously cowboy boots. Aunt Brittany was in town and helped Vera bake corn bread and her birthday cake. I made mac and cheese and Honey baked beans.  

Honey Baked Beans Recipe:

3 cans of adzuki beans, 1 can black beans, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup diced onion, 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, drizzle of molasses. Heated on high for two hours in crockpot and left on warm for another few hours at the party.  

We forgot to put out the coleslaw but had macaroni salad, potato salad, and "horse food" as the kids creatively named it; sliced apples and carrots. Grandma also well stocked the piñatas with mini packages of trail mix, little secrets wafer cookies, and organic lollipops.  She also solidified the theme with 3 bales of straw for our photo booth area.  Thanks Grandma Beth! Anyway, we had a wonderful time outside, with gorgeous weather and playing dress up,  here's to hoping her 8th year gives her a bit more normalcy and she gets to see her friends from school again! 

Aunt  Brittany in the kitchen. 

Giant Cornbread cast iron skillet!

friends. 

Parents.

newest nephew. 

Happy Birthday Vera!

handmade beeswax candles.

Sisters!

serving cake. 

birthday girl.

Papa Bear. 

Time for cake and presents!

Little Lu

Grandma Margaret and her little pink princess. 

eating cake is the best part of opening presents. 

tye dye is life.

And Grandma Margaret got a huge hatchimal egg with a dozen tiny hatchtopia characters.

adorable, really committed with her bandana lewk. 

this cowboy.

and his brother. 

Mother and Daughters and sister.

the tiniest cowboy boots I could find. 

stylish sheriff

Piñata time!

that feeling when you got the most candy you could in the frienzie that is a a smashed piñata.

handmade gift bags to go.

Happy Birthday Vera, I hope being 8 is everything you hoped it could be and that you savor all your 7 year old memories.  I love you and your creativity and all the planning you and your sister did to make this birthday everything you imagined.  Thank you to everyone who joined us and we missed those of you who couldn't, we look forward to celebrating with you again soon!