Memory Lane

Holy crap, guys! I'm so happy to say that I am done with my senior thesis project!

Memory Lane is a collection of clothing hand-stamped with patterns that center on the them of nostalgia.

Click to view on Glossi.com

I started this in fall when I designed my patterns. I then cut my own stamps and printed them on ethically sourced clothing. I thrifted the shirts, and the fabric for the skirts, which are hand sewn. I then found some models and conducted a photoshoot with them in my clothes. I made some illustrations from these photos. Lastly I designed a lookbook for them!

You can now purchase the shirts and skirts on Etsy!

Also, just for my blogger friends, I'm selling totes, too. The totes I made didn't hold up well in the wash, so I decided only to sell the ones that didn't smudge, and at a discount ($8). If you're interested in purchasing the Lights, Fishies, or Dandelion totes, please contact me! I'm also going to take custom orders for these, so please email me at rachelsullivanillustration@gmail.com if you want one!

DIY: A Two-Piece Dress

Hey! Today I'm going to show you guys how to turn a dress into a two-piece playsuit!

This dress was on the short side, even for me, and didn't hit me at my waist. So I decided to give it a little renovation that would add some extra length. 

All you'll need is a dress, scissors, paper, and a sewing machine.

1. First, cut the dress in half at the waist.

 2. Next, hem the top half by folding the raw edge under twice. Mine was knit, so I sewed some paper to stop it from puckering.

3. Once you rip the paper off, you'll have a nice hem.

4. Now, take the skirt and hem the rough edge on it. Mine had elastic in it, so I pulled it taut to keep the puckering on it. 

5. This left my skirt a little bigger than it should have been, so I pinned it to make it fit my waist. 

6. Starting where you pinned, sew diagonally down to the bottom hem of the skirt.

And that's it! Ta Da, now you have a two piece outfit.

Before...

...and after!

Let me know if you try it, I'd love to see your results!

Senior Thesis: Please Take My Survey!

Hey everyone!

So, I have mentioned that I'm doing my senior thesis project this year, and it will be a collection of handmade, hand printed clothes that I am designing start to finish. The theme of the collection is "Nostalgia." I'd really like your feedback on my concept, so I'd be really grateful if you'd all take this survey for me. It's only 10 questions and should take you 5 minutes!

Click Here to Take My Survey!

Thanks so much.

Just Beachy

After last Thursday (some of you may remember I complained about a 9 hour shift punctuated by a shot and cervical exam), I got to have some much-needed fun at the beach! Me, my sister, and Travis all drove up there Saturday and stayed til the evening. I wouldn't exactly call it relaxing, though, as it came with it's own stresses.

We went to Folly Beach in Charleston and got stuck in an extra hour of traffic on the way up. It looked like it was going to rain, so we bought the cheapest umbrella the local Piggly Wiggly had, and then freaked out over the lack of parking. We eventually got to the beach around 2. See how triumphant Em is?

Emma likes to relax on the beach, but Trav and I like swimming, so that's what we did for awhile. The water was perfect, and the waves were evidently even big enough to surf on! Don't let these photos fool you, it was plenty crowded on the beach and in the water. I just made good use of the healing brush tool in Photoshop.

When choosing what swimsuit to pack, I decided I didn't like how any of mine looked, and sewed one up in 2 hours flat. I used a scrap of jersey fabric and some ribbon, and I am pleased as hell at how it turned out. Most of my sewing-on-a-whim projects turn out crappy, but this one actually looked really good, and held up fine in the waves! I've never made anything other than dresses, so I was pretty proud!

I caught a rare photo of the elusive MerTravis.

We had to walk quite a ways to get some overpriced seafood and ice cream, but we did it! Next time we'll pack a picnic lunch.

You can tell these bitches ain't fashion bloggers because they haven't been practicing their jumping photos.

I wouldn't zoom in on this one, Travis and I are ugly kissers for sure.

It was a really pretty trip, even though I ended up exhausted. I think I'm catching the cold my Mom and Dad have been bedridden with for the last week, so hooray. The stress and long hours from last week paired with the vaccine I got and the blood they took probably did me in. I'll try not to die! I'm home now, but I accidentally took Travis's wallet with me, so I'm not even done driving for the day. Ugh double UGGH.

Pink Dress: AA

Jellys: ASOS

My suit: Handmade by me

Travis's Clothes: H&M

Emma's suit: Victoria's Secret

I Made A Dress: Gemstones

Omg guyz I made another dress. And get this: I took my time. Even more astonishing, it helped?!

I am actually hella proud of this one, I tried a new skirt technique that it turns out I love, and I (drumroll) hand printed the fabric! Go ahead, tell me it's great! I know it!

So this is a preview of what you'll be seeing a shitton of from me this year, as it's how I'll be doing my senior thesis. Assuming I get it approved but don't worrydont worry itll be fiiiiiiiinnne. So I will go ahead and tell you my biggie mistake with this one. I used too short of a zipper and it's pretty hard to pull it on over my boobs.

I was giving Kit a hug because he told me he really like the printing work and color scheme.

Also you guys is it weird or what that I am making money?? I am not complaining, no way, it's just a really different feeling for me! I am so lucky to have my internship and have people paying for my art. Thank you guys so much for being so supportive!

Speaking of money though, I like, can't stop buying things. I've recently discovered the sale section at Asos, and I've been creeping through etsy as well!

Okay enough photos now! I am going to try my hand at some crop tops and tanks that I'll hand print to sell.

dress: handmade by me

shoes, shirt, bag, hat: thrifted

necklace: forever 21

How are you guys doin? Let me know!

Oh and you can get 15% off in my store with the code FOURTH until Thursday!

I Made A Dress: Dinosaur Edition

I swear I found like one picture of me smiling in this whole shoot (and I didn't even include it here)! I think I was pissed off about something. Grumbly grumbling to myself like "These pictures aren't gonna turn out good ugh ugh UGH."  But they turned out okay in the end.

I've been collecting sheets from Goodwill to turn into dresses for my senior thesis (and for myself really) and when I found this one it opened up a whole other world for me! KIDS bedsheets. I almost bought a spongebob one.

I feel like I keep sewing and sewing and I'm not getting any better at it. My Mom told me I have to slow down. Story of my life. I've got a bit of a reputation around school for being the fastest worker. It kind of pisses people off because I'm always finished hours ahead of everyone. But it really can come back to bite me, this impatience! I'm going to try making another over the course of the weekend and really try and slow the hell down. I made this one in, what, 4 hours?

Right now I'm feeling like I want to get off my butt and do amazing creative things, but I'm just so tired. Don'tcha hate that! Travis has been in Italy for 2 weeks now and I miss him a lot! We can only skype every so often because of limited internet access where he's staying. I'm ready to snuggle with him again!

dress: handmade by me

brooch: handmade by me, available here

necklace: handmade by me

shoes: BAIT

I also re dyed my hair! Not with the bright stuff yet, just the red base. This auburn is nice and vibrant, though, not like the last one I used!

Follow me on facebook and bloglovin!

Pastel Princess

 I redid my hair!

I used Manic Panic's Electric Lava, and I really like how it turned out! I want a more orange color than this, but I love how bright it is, and I'll get it right next time. When it fades out I'll post a review and some more details on how it worked for me.

 Now, about the dress. I made it! I recently did a new blog header for KiKi of Cats in My Closet, and she has the cutest clothes. This dress is inspired by her yellow one with the ruffles that I included in the header! Check her out for real. I made it out of a bed sheet I got from Goodwill, and I think it turned out great! I love how my new hair looks with pastels!

 This dress makes me feel like a freaking princess.

 dress: handmade by me

shoes: bait

necklace: modcloth

Remember, it's the last day to enter the Flock Together giveaway!

A $75 Modcloth gift card is up for grabs!