Pencils and Gold.

Sometimes you just need a pencil skirt.  And it needs to be in gold.  After finishing some orders for a few clients this past month, I had this amazing brocade fabric left over. I had dreams of this bomb gold skirt that I could wear throughout the holidays.  And this is what came out of those dreams.  Cameron and I had way too much fun taking these pics!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Here's to hoping I still fit in the skirt after next week:)

Don't know what that means.. but we thought the wall was too cool to pass up!

Still loving exposed zippers..

He makes my pics look SO much better!

Gotta take one of those hipster we're together but we are so angry right now pics. 

Loves,

Brooke

Voting time my friends!

I know I am a few days late but HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Sometimes I feel like we should celebrate this holiday every six months.  Once a year just doesn't seem to be enough.  Every year I spend months just thinking about what I should be for Halloween.  With my new-found love for sewing I knew this year my costume would HAVE to be home-sewn.  And because I am an avid Project Runway fan I also wanted to do something a little outside of the box.. call it my "Unconventional Challenge" costume.  So I got on Ebay...Ordered the game Twister, and decided to make myself a dress with the actual Twister mat!  It was so much fun to make!  Definitely not the easiest material to sew on.  I quickly learned that you CANNOT back-stitch on a Twister mat!  But I had a blast creating it and I love how it turned out.  I added a bright red zipper down the back, and used matching blue bias tape to finish off the edges.  Check it out and let me know what you think!

Since Halloween, my Twister dress has been entered into BurdaStyle's costume contest!  And it is currently in 3rd place!  How exciting!  So if you like how my costume turned out will you do me a favor and vote for my dress?!  Just click HERE to vote! You can vote once from each device.  So vote from your phone, your computer, your ipad, etc etc etc!!  The grand prize is a new BabyLock sewing machine (goodness gracious I could use one of those!).  After you vote let me know by leaving a comment below or on my instagram account @bybrookedesigns.. If I win I will be randomly selecting one of you to receive a FREE #byBrooke design!  So get those votes in!  Contest goes until Wednesday November 6th.  I've got some stiff competition so every vote counts!

Loves,

Brooke

Currently attempting...

This pattern has been sitting in my sewing box for a few months now...I have made pants before, I have made jackets before.. But throw me into the world of menswear..and well..I'm doomed.  Cameron always hassles me for the fact that I sew for everyone else but that the only thing I have made him is a bow-tie (and it was hideous mind you).  So I decided to dive right in. Go big or go home right?  So here I am.. staring at a suit pattern.. oh boy.  Wish me luck. 

Loves,

Brooke

Wings.

Fall is in full swing here in Nashville.  It is undoubtedly my favorite season in the south!  For many reasons, but especially because Fall fashion is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.  This year I have made a few sweaters for the season. They are over-sized and comfy I think I wear them just about every day.  I found a few patterns that I love.  They are very easy to use but allow for a lot of personal modifications-which the inner designer in me LOVES!  And I'm kind of loving sewing knits this year.  You don't have to hassle with zippers (not complaining one bit about that!).  And once you discover that amazing stretch stitch on your sewing machine..its like winning the lottery-every single day.

I decided to use the same pattern I have been using for my sweaters to make a dress.  I have been a little obsessed with the "mullet" like dresses that everyone seems to love this year, but I didn't want to make one quite so drastic.  For the dress I kept the sleeve of the dress the same, but extended the bodice to hit just above my knees in the front.  Then rounded the edges to make it just a few inches longer in the back. It created a sort of "mini-mullet" type look.  Wow. Mini-mullet. I should never ever say that again.  Overall the dress is comfortable but unique and the medium knit that I used worked perfectly for that pattern.  Take a look and let me know what you think!

Its a perfect dress for walks through a tunnel. 

Sewing gives me wings! 

Fall also equals spray tan time......pale is in right??

Loves,

Brooke

Fall

I am so happy it is finally time for Fall!  Here in Tennessee the leaves are beginning to change, the weather is getting cooler, and I have even more reason to sit by the fire and eat s'mores. And even more exciting is that I can turn in my shorts, swimsuits, and all too revealing (without being at all revealing) summer clothes for over-sized sweaters, soft scarves, and tall boots.  This season is a win win for everyone.  

Another reason to love Fall.. Football season!  We go crazy over football here in the South.  

So what's on your sewing table these days?  I have found so many patterns I am dying to try!  here are just a few!

Think long sleeve..think Christmas..think bright red!

To kick-off the season I wanted to share my very favorite fall recipe.  And a staple food in our house. Cornbread.  It has real corn in it.. so you know it can't be bad!  Hope you enjoy!  

1 (8.5oz) package Corn Muffin Jiffy Mix

1 (8.5oz)  Can of cream style corn

1 (8.5oz) Can of sweet corn

1 (8oz) Container Sour cream

1/2 cup melted butter

2 Large eggs

Set oven to 350 degrees.  Stir together all ingredients.  Pour into a lightly greased 11x7 inch baking pan.  Bake for 35 minutes or until golden on top.  

Happy Cooking and always happy sewing!

Loves,

Brooke

Guest Post Monday!

Well hello everyone!  Am I the only one that thought that weekend flew by?  Hope it was a good one for you!  We are kick starting this week right though with my first guest post!  I am so happy I was asked by Lauren at styleafterhours.com to be a guest on her blog!  So be sure to check out the post HERE to see the full interview.  I also have more pictures of my peplum top and stretch pencil skirt on her blog.. so please take a look!

Have a wonderful week!  More sewing projects are on the horizon.  Can't wait to show you the finished projects!

Loves,

Brooke  

Happy in September

LOVING this announcement...

Fashion week strikes Nashville again!  I think April just might be my favorite month.  Counting down already!!

Check out more details here! 

In the meantime...I just finished an outfit that I'm dying to blog about but it was ordered by a client that is giving the outfit to his wife for their anniversary as a surprise (awww isn't that so sweet!).  So pictures will just have to wait just a few more days!  Keep checking back in.  I am also working on a baby blessing dress for my sweet cousin that just had her first baby a few weeks ago.  I can't get over how tiny everything is when you sew for a baby!!  I am loving this new challenge.  Pics and details to come!  

And for more good news...I have also been invited by Lauren from Style After Hours to guest post on her blog next Monday!  Yay!  She is an amazing fashion blogger from the Utah area so PALEEEASE check out her blog and her amazing fashion tips!!  She is just about as classy as a girl can get!  I can't wait to chat it up with her in the next few days!  

Lauren from Style After Hours

So good things things are in the horizon.  And we haven't even talked about Halloween yet (MY FAV).  Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend.  I am excited to get back to the grind.. and although I do love summer and everything that comes with it.. I am excited to move forward into fall.  Its about time for football season, fireplaces, warm coats, and red leaves.  And of course I cannot wait to start sewing some clothes for the season.  I have a coat, pants, and a suit (for Cameron) on my mind....  Its gonna be a busy year!  

Loves.

Brooke