Project Runway inspired wardrobe two new pieces finished!!!

Here are some glimpses of three finished pieces of my Project Runway inspired wardrobe.
I have completed four tops and three bottoms. None are stellar but each has taught me something about fitting and embellishments. I am also getting a better idea of what will work with my body type.
Here is my gingham blouse with embellishments and my linen skirt with embellishments.

 I added a yoke in the back that I had appliqued on and I added gussets down the side seams to add room and interest to the rather basic blouse.

used my circle foot attachment to sew these

I faced the front of the blouse with the same fabric that I sewed around the hem as a bias trim.

I made the view of the skirt with the curved hem. I added top-stitching and an embroidery design to the skirt on the bottom. I wanted to keep it very casual like the top. I was just trying out this pattern and wanting to add embellishment since I have learning a lot about machine embroidery for the past year. I am learning how to fit items better since I got a 'body double'.
I recommend doing the same if you want fitting to be so much easier. I am realizing that I pick out the wrong styles for my height and body build. I love loose wide tops but that isn't the most flattering look on me. I need more width at the bottom of an outfit. I am still sewing out of my stash. No fabrics purchases until I have depleted it. That still may take some time but I have two new dresses cut out. One is actually going to be a bathing suit cover up. The other is more dressy.

hem detail and embroidery design

skirt and top together

Hair do update growing hair out into a Bob, July update

Feb 2013

The above ladies are my Bob 'Mentors'. I admit that I am not a Hollywood star nor nearly as young but I do have hair. I also did not anticipate the effect humidity would have on maintaining this haircut. Mine is a big frizz ball by 11:00 am. I am using anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner and flat-ironing it each morning. I am thinking about going curly because why fight the natural tendency of my hair to curl. Maybe I can do my hair like the last picture. She has a fuller face and about the same volume of hair as me. What would you do?

July 2013