Church Lady Attire for Every Occasion

Loaves and Fishes Sunday is coming, do you have the perfect accessory for your ensemble yet?

Source: MaorZabarHats on Etsy.

Today at the thrift store

"If possible, do not be concerned about what you are given to wear at the change of seasons, whether each of you gets back what he had put away or something different, providing no one is denied what he needs." (Rule of St Augustine, Chapter V, Para 1) 

Our local thrift store is a wonderful example of this paragraph in the Rule of St Augustine. It is operated by our parish, and provides about 10 percent of the operating expenses for our parish school- no small feat given that it is located in one of the poorest counties in the state. Garage sales are not very typical in our area so I am glad to have our parish thrift store for clothing my growing family. Children's clothes in particular are priced low to help families. 

At the start of winter, I calculated that I spent $6 on my older son's winter wardrobe, including parka and snow pants. And as I gathered up the outgrown summer clothes, he asked me if I was taking them back to the parish thrift store for another boy to use (yes- after his younger brother has a turn with them). 

"She is not concerned for her household when it snows—

all her charges are doubly clothed." (Proverbs 31, 21)

From bringing up a baby on a grad school stipend in Boston to living on one income in a rural town, over the last several years I have had the opportunity to hone my thrift store shopping skills. Each week, I'll share what I have been able to find for my family at the parish thrift store to encourage frugality. 

Today, for $2.94, I bought

-a ladies J Crew dress ($2)

-a toddler polo (.25)

-child's Wrangler jeans (.25)

-current issues of Cooking Light and Food & Wine magazines (2@.10)

St. Clare, Seamstress

From First Things, a story in which a conservator at work uncovers an eight-century-old story of a very famous church lady.

Notes from beneath the veil

Glad for distractions this week, I wanted to take a few minutes to post a link to Jen Fulwiler's Lenten experiment with wearing a veil.  Do go read it for yourself - her reasoning and reflection on the experience are both funny and beautiful (as always).

As a life-long seamstress, diy-er, and all-around cheapskate though, I have to admit that my first thought was "that veil would be so easy to make!"  The original came from this etsy shop, and at only $35 is a great deal, but if you'd like one right away for whatever reason, I have some suggestions here.

First of all, if you'd like the same concept, but don't want lace, you can find a nice tutorial on sewing your own infinity scarf here.

If you do want to make one of lace, it's even easier.

1. Go to your local fabric store and find a soft lace with one or two finished edges.  For this basic version, you fabric will be somewhere between 45 and 60 inches wide.  (54" is also a common width.)
2. Determine the length you want the scarf to be.  From the tutorials I'm finding, 54-60 inches seems to be a good length.  Since you'll be cutting along the length of the fabric, this is the amount you'll purchase.
3. Cut the fabric in half lengthwise.  You'll have two pieces, each with one finished scalloped edge and one cut edge.  If you prefer, the pictorial directions at the bottom may be helpful.
4. Sew the short edges together by hand or by machine.  Make the seam as neat as possible, since it will show (at least a little).  Again, owning a sewing machine is not necessary for this project!  You can find tips for sewing with lace in this Church Lady post.
5. You can hem the unfinished edge of your veil if you'd like, but since many laces don't ravel it may not be necessary.
6. That's it!  Oh, one more thing - you may have noticed by now that you have enough here for two veils.  The second one is for a friend.  (Aren't you wonderful!)

What I Wore Sunday

Shamelessly borrowing from promoting Jennifer Fulwiler's article on the topic, What I Wore Sunday is a relatively new Church Lady phenomena that may be of interest.  Basically, there is a host blog to which you can link a photo on the topic from your own blog.  The best part, however, is happening on a deeper level as women are finding support for the idea of dressing well for Holy Mass and that is leading them to prepare in other ways as well.

 Kathryn Whitaker described it well over at Austin Catholic New Media when she said of her own participation in the virtual festival:  Ever since I started the link up, I've found myself consciously thinking about preparing myself for Mass, not just physically, but spiritually. There's been a bit more time to pray when we arrive, I've even scanned the Magnificat App on my iPhone for the readings. I can't recall the last time I did that. When you prepare the body, you also prepare the mind. 

Dweej says, Is it so sad that looking through everyone's What I Wore Sunday posts has become one of the highlights of my week?  I want to say, but I won't. You know why?  Because it makes me feel like we all kind of get to hang out together.  Making this virtual community even more of...well, a community.  And that's what I really love, more than anything else, about this whole internet thing.

And full circle back to Jennifer: I've been making an effort to dress well for Mass ever since then, with varying levels of success. It's never easy to get a family of seven out the door, and there are still plenty of mornings when I need to throw on the first thing I can grab while shouting over my shoulder for everyone to get in the car. But on the occasions that I do make the small sacrifices necessary to transform the way I look on the outside, I find that it transforms me on the inside as well.

I know our own Gianna has posted a link and it seems like a natural for the other Church Ladies to do it as well (since they're all adorable and take great care in dressing for Mass).  Anyway, check it out.  It a fun idea with a worthy goal.

Fashion Friday: A Blouse fit for a Church Lady

Source: The Sartorialist

Fashion Friday: A Simple Scarf Slant

Usually the tips here relate more to the various domestic arts, but I recently ran across this very simple fashion tip and thought I'd share. 

Before putting on a wide scarf, dangle it by one corner. The fabric will slant into a parallelogram, causing a cascade of fringes (at right), instead of a bunch (left).

Frou-Frou Friday

Via the Knitty Blog comes this article from 1961 on the British Nylon Fair. The article itself is amusing, noting the growing number of "problem grandmothers" who no longer knit, but the real highlight for me was the included newsreel footage of the fair's fashion show. Midcentury fashions are some of my very favorites, and the video doesn't disappoint, with shots of lovely ballgowns and sportswear that would be considered just a bit dressy these days. The highlights for me: the floral gown with built-in wrap at 8:20, and the gold-colored lounge set with the oversized sash at 6:28.

The best of the narration: "For the morning after the night before ... jersey dresses, in colors to gladden the saddest hangover."

Secrets of the Habit

Msgr. Charles Pope posted an interesting article this week about the basics of a nun's religious habit: it's purpose and meaning, why there are so many different versions, and why we so seldom see them anymore. Of special interest is a link to photos from many different orders and a short video of someone explaining all the different pieces and their meanings.

The Value of Handmade

This week, TechKnitter blogs about overcoming our throwaway mentality when it comes to clothing. Our era of mass production has made it seem almost ridiculous, but it wasn't that long ago that people would specifically mention items of clothing in their wills.

When asked why she kept old clothes which no longer fit, my grandmother (born in Austria in 1902) used to reply with a German proverb that "clothes outlive their people."

Today, clothes don't have that resonance. Clothes are not really considered valuable. That, too, is something I think about when knitting: after all, it takes a certain thickness of skin to be a confirmed hand-knitter in the day of cheap ready-made sweaters and expensive yarn. However difficult life was for the old-time knitters, the usefulness of their craft was never at issue. So, while we think about knitting's value while we knit, that's one thing the old-time knitters did never concern themselves with: they and everyone around them knew it was valuable.

Read the rest, including the story of two old sweaters staging a jail break. It's a cozy reflection in these chilly days.

As further proof that a well-made item can long outlast its wearer, I submit this news story, about a 150-year-old Fair Isle cap that was just recovered.

An Ode to the Apron

Related to Lucy's post of yesterday, I've been thinking of adding another apron or two to my collection. My current ones fall a few inches shorter than most of my skirts, leaving an exposed edge at exactly the height of a young toddler's face. I'm thinking of something color-blocked like the adorable Anthropologie apron above. I may widen or ruffle the straps a bit, too, to give me some coverage there, though I like an adjustable length there, so I'm still working out the details.

Meanwhile, have a look at Jennifer Fulwiler's article on the positive effect, both practical and symbolic, that an apron can have, especially for mothers of young children.

Donning an apron is a simple act that sends a surprisingly powerful message, especially if you’re a mother. It’s a symbolic gesture that indicates that you’re seeking to thrive now, here in the midst of the toil that comes with nurturing new souls; that you see the work of serving others not as a temporary phase, but as a key aspect of a well lived life. Taking the time to fasten the strings of an apron around your waist sends a message (to yourself, as much as to anyone else) that it’s worth the effort to protect your clothes so that you can look nice at the end of the day—that self-care has not been shoved to the backburner just because you have children.

(Read it all.)

Warm, Washable, Winter Skirts

As my first winter with a small child approaches, I have been on the lookout for that ever elusive item: a washable, lined skirt for winter. As much as I love my wool skirts, they have been restricted to office wear as they simply can't stand up to little hands who love to rub bananas on everything.

If you're willing to be flexible about lining, jean or corduroy skirts are fairly easy to find at thrift stores. I've also found the washable suit separates that some department stores sell to be perfect- they come in prints and solids and are sold separately, so I can only purchase the skirts. What are your favorite places to look for winter skirts?

Image source

Necktie First-Aid

I have no particular plans to make a tie, but I certainly found this necktie tutorial from the Purl Bee useful when I needed to repair one of my husband's. The back stitching had formed an odd pucker, and it was very useful to see just how that seam is made, in order to redo the trouble section.

Hint of the Day: Brooches

Save small scraps of interfacing or heavy fabric from sewing projects in your jewelry box. Use them behind brooches to prevent sagging or damage to delicate garments.

In keeping with the drawer-organizing theme...

Apologies for the animated gif, but it does get the idea across well.

I recently ran across this product online, and while it might cross the line into OCD territory, I can't help but appreciate the simple genius of it. It's available for $25 at The Container Store, though I'm pretty sure some sturdy cardboard and packing tape would also do the trick (and be custom-sizeable for your drawers!).

Lucy Learns to Sew: Project 3

Pattern:
None, really

Fabric:
XL Skirt ($4.50, Goodwill)
Small amount of navy batiste (sunk cost from another project)

Other Notions:
Zipper (re-used original)
Interfacing (.50)
Hook and Eye: (1 @ $1.29 a dozen)
Negligible amount of white and navy thread
Sash from summer dressing gown (free)

Total Cost: $5.13
Time: About 2 hours
New Sewing Techniques: adaptive reuse

I found a brand new Coldwater Creek skirt at the thrift store awhile ago. It was made from an excellent quality fabric, but was too wide at the waist and too long.


I originally planned to turn this skirt into a tiered skirt, but after I trimmed off the beads and cut the skirt yoke pieces, I realized there was more fabric than I needed for a skirt and a lot of nicely finished seams. As an architect, I have long been intrigued by adaptive reuse. I saw the potential for a maxi dress- perfect for summer road trips and barbecues.

I turned the yoke upside down (the hips now became the bust). I cut out about 1/4 of the remaining fabric divided evenly over one seam, then gathered the remainder gently. I liked the current hem length, but needed a few extra inches at the top, so I raided the scrap bag for some navy fabric, echoing the skirt's original waistband. I folded it double and reinforced it with interfacing in between the fabric layers. I attached the band to the bodice and the assembly to the skirt, and worked in a few back darts. I sewed the new side seam, replaced the zipper, then made straps from the surplus skirt fabric. A few sash loops, a hook and eye, and this project was ready to go!

If you are starting without a pattern, this helpful tutorial demonstrates how to turn an ill-fitting skirt into a dress; the book New to Old is also full of adaptive reuse ideas with minimal sewing- always key in my book!

Spring Scarves

Long have I admired silk scarves and the women who wear them. My mother owns quite a collection that I always secretly admired as a little girl.

Today I own a couple scarves of my own, but always feel rather silly when I try to wear them - something like Lady when Jim Dear gave her to Darling for Christmas: a silly puppy with a bow bigger than my head.

Any fashion-savy lady will agree scarves are the perfect way to add color, pizazz, and style to an outfit. They are perfect for spring - a little bright color to match the excitement of the season, but also just a little warmth against the still-nippy air. Furthermore, scarves can be a delightful way to remedy the ever-so-slightly-immodest neckline of your favorite blouse.

Then there's the the scarf for your hair, your bag, or perhaps around your waist. So many options!

So how do you look like Grace Kelly and not like an over wrapped Christmas present?

My mother passed along this wonderful video from the clothing retailer and purveyor of fine scarves, Talbots. The fashion consultant in video demonstrates the basics of scarf wearing. She sure makes it look like a cinch.


Take a look and consider adding some classic, colorful scarves to your outfits this Eastertide!

It's Holy Week...

... do you know where your Easter dress is?

This has been a Church Lady Public Service Announcement.

Lucy Learns to Sew: Project 2

The progress continues,

Pattern:
Simplicity New Look 6872, Option B ($3.99, Joann)

Fabric:
2ish yards, won at parish raffle

Other Notions:
Interfacing (1/2 yard @ .99)
Red thread (1/4 spool @ $2.29)
2 yards of 1 1/2" Ribbon ($1.17)
Hook and Eye: (1 @ $1.29 a dozen)

Total Cost: $6.22
Time: About 4 hours, at least half of which was because I sewed by hand
New Sewing Techniques: interfacing, zipper

Comments: I picked a trendier cut for this skirt because the fabric looks very dated, so my net effect is "vintage."

What Not to Wear: When in Rome edition

Deciding what to wear to an evening wedding is challenging enough; imagine how daunting it is to choose proper attire for a papal audience.

Even the most seasoned president, prime minister and ambassador must struggle with deciphering proper protocol. But women, whether they are government leaders or the first lady, have to grapple with a lot more when they meet the pope.

The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See has a Vatican protocol primer that walks people through what is considered the proper dress code.

For men: black or dark suit, aka business attire, with a dark tie.

For women: black skirt or dress that reaches at least the knees, black top with mid- to long-sleeves, no pants, simple jewelry, dark closed-toe shoes, and a black hat or veil is optional.

A museum employee told CNS that dressing decently is a common courtesy; one is after all a guest in "a place deserving respect" when visiting the museums or a pilgrim in a place of worship when visiting the basilica.

Clothes do indeed make the woman and the man, and they can also make or break a visit to the Vatican.

[full Catholic News Service article]
[image source]