kick off your shoes and jump around like a firecracker

extra boozy points for anyone who can name that song.

this fourth of july, i decided to go a bit less literal.  i’ve tried the red, white ‘n blue route before, but the outfit usually ends up doomed to the costume section of my closet (there’s also a cow print skirt in there for when i have to audition for the role of Hooker With A Heart Of Gold).  however, italian fireworks are very much my friend.  so when i saw this symphony of italian stretch cotton color online at mood fabrics, i gleefully jumped into four yards of starburst.

i had previously pounced on a double face neoprene as well, found in-store before my dash to dallas.  when the two met in my hotel room, sparks flew.  one can never stand in the way of true love, especially when one of the star crossed lovers possesses the overpowering personality of neon.  i put the Do Not Disturb sign on the door and left them alone for awhile.  

i must tell you now that this neoprene has the smoothest of touch.  absolutely slippery against the skin.  barry white, stand back.  the front desk received several complaints that day.

chastised, Neon decided to show its demure side.  the grey tone brought the noise level down just enough to make everyone happy (including those debating with me on facebook & instagram).  this split personality yardage was the perfect candidate for by hand london’s newest (fabulous amazing holy cow get in nownownow) pattern, the victoria blazer, the third lover in this threesome.   how amazing are those style lines?!  i adore that neckline dart! and once again, a perfect right-out-of-the-envelope stunner.  not a SINGLE adjustment.  unless you count the fact that i took advantage of the schizophrenic fabric to go for lining and shell all-in-one...  i will most definitely be making another with full on lining.

lemme just gush screamtype for a couple sentences more: THE DELECTABLE LADIES OF BY HAND LONDON ROCK MY WORLD.  THEIR BRILLIANT HANDS SHOULD BE DIPPED IN GOLD.  GOLD, I TELL YOU.

okay, let’s chat about the stretch cotton, we don’t want it to get jealous.  this italian can confirm, jealousy in a relationship is a killer.  i’d snagged simplicity 2212 on a joann’s grab-every-blue-envelope-sale-run, and the stretch was perfect for its figure hugging curves.  it's a medium weight, and it feels substantial on the skin (read: no underoo lines).  not a single little bit of color bleed in the prewash!  i spent a good five hours laying out my pattern pieces–although i knew i didn’t have enough to match up the print on this 14 piece pattern, i didn’t want any twinning going on.

or any firecrackers exploding in the wrong areas.  mount crackatoa is dangerous.  safety first, yo.

 happy fourth to those stateside!  may you be covered in color!

this eye searing ensemble was made using my monthly fabric "allowance" as part of the Mood Sewing Network.