Exciting news!!!

Hola!

Guess who's participating in the 2016 "Rippin' Ain't Easy" competition from Pretty Girls Sew???

THIS pretty girl!

If you couldn't tell, I'm mucho excited: 1. The competition last year was awesome; 2. I'll get to challenge my creativity (wherever it takes me); 3. Blogging shall aggressively commence! I'll take all the support you want to give - voting links will be posted with each submission.

See me and meet the other contestants here: Rippin' Ain't Easy.

Stay tuned for fashion insanity (or just really pretty things on #ThisBody)!




                                           

xoxo
Amazon

Birthday Glow!

Hi All,

In non-sewing related news, I recently had a birthday and what a WHOPPER it was.  From start to finish, my BF went out of  his way to bring in 33 right!

It was a good weekend for pictures but let's talk a little about size wars.  It still amazes me when women are afraid to trust their eyes and bodies.  Yes, we have all committed fashion faux pas' (IS there a plural for that term??) thinking something should fit when it doesn't, but if you're honest with yourself, you can shop in places you wouldn't usually think AND make it work in your favor.  I bought this lovely poncho on vacation in Panama from Zara.  Now, I love Zara as a brand (especially on sale) but I don't often go in because European cut on my this booty doesn't work -forget the fact that it's strictly straight size.  BUT, sometimes I find gems. This was one of those times.  Soft, warm and covered in fringe - it screamed to me!  It doesn't run large but is one of those things that truly fits almost all people (I'm definitely towards the end of the "all people" spectrum at 5'10" - size 20/22).  While in Zara, I also found quite a few jackets and tops that would definitely fit up to an 18/20 comfortably.  This is why we must try! What's a dress to some, may work for you as a cute top.   Learn what brands work for you- plus-size or not! 

The picture gods were SHINING on me!

I L-O-V-E this top and please don't get me started on my boots.  The wind is showing the true perfection of this hi-lo hem.  DRAMA honey!  A moment of true transparency: In my past, I was not a fan of Fashion to Figure -  I didn't like their trend patterns.  Now??  Someone (who shall remain nameless but may be writing this blog), is a TRUE convert.  FTF for the win!  I went in on a whim for a birthday outfit and almost left the contents of my wallet in the store.  I literally wanted almost everything on one wall.  Even though I've made a pledge to minimize my spending by maximizing my fabric stash........they may be my quick and easy fix to keep fancy with fast fashion.  Just a note on my boots - this is my second pair from fullbeauty.com (formerly onestopplus.com).  All I can say is GET THEM!  Comfy and oh so cute!  Had them before fringe and the 70's became the rage and will probably wear them well into my dotage.

As you can see, the birthday glow was real - beyond great times!  Back to sewing!


xoxo
Amazon

City points

Hello there....

How opportune is it that my sister wants to practice her photography just as I decide I need more pictures.  FATE! :-)

Here we have V9100.  Custom fit for a non custom body. Now normally I'm a muslin kinda girl but something told me stretchy fabric, extended boob sizes, additional bodice length--- I'll be fine.

Not sew my friends, not sew (groan if you want, that was clever).

Apparently I'm going for the "forever cold" look here.

Awkward dirndle skirt look isn't a look for me (especially with crazed hair - maybe the hobo chic 2016 line?

Retrospectively, the added length in the torso and lack of respecting my actual measurements were not beneficial.  I also still struggle with fabric appropriateness.  I doubt I'll ever be a "straight out of the envelope" kind of girl (straight bummer).  

I'll leave you with a few more pictures and a promise to try and stick with fabric recommendations in the future (at the very least)!

 

                 

  


















Xoxo,

Amazon

Stop the dilly dallying...

So... I've been M.I.A, on semi-permanent hiatus, gone into space, etc. I've almost written a post every week

...for a year.

 No mas!  I've hesitated in posting (if that's what you can call it) because I have almost no outfit pictures to share.  Then I realized, this is "Amazon Sews and STUFF"! and if there's nothing else I gots...it's STUFF!

Winter cowl made for sissy # 2 - 2 hours of fun with a giant hook. 

                         

Taught myself to knit this past winter...the addiction is real

                           

Obviously have to work on the posing thing - Summer Me-Made outfit

                       

Love both of the following but apparently my waist doesn't....   

                          

                          

Outfit posts soon to come (breaking out the welding torch and "how to build an iPhone/camera holder for dummies".

Xoxo

Amazon

Happy New Year!!

That's all!  :-). 

See you all with goodies soon. 

Amazon

Carpetbag Cosby Cape

Hi Lovelies!

Self-imposed Sewing slump is over!

Getting right into the swing of things with this oh-so-cute cape from Vogue.  This cape has been on my timeline for at least two years.  After seeing my sewing mentor Erica B. whip it up (yes I can call her my mentor if we're sewing bff's in my mind), I fell in love!  Fashion at it's finest!

                                  

I've since seen two of my other favorite bloggers Mimi G. and Heather from Closet Case Files do serious justice to the basic pattern while adding their own personal touches (sorry but I'll have to add direct links to their sites later---this blogger app kind of sucks).

                 

                                   

After one year, trashed attempts, tears and absolute confusion I have finally, FINALLY completed this lovely thing.  

WARNING: the item you are about to see represents the colorful, personal and sometimes slightly wacky style of one Ms. Tiffany McGuire.  Viewer discretion, sunglasses and reruns of the Cosby show are advised.

Fabric: Some kind of fabric that looks like wool but feels like yarn strands sewn together (technically it is a whole bunch of acrylic yarn strands sewn together and felted along the back). My boyfriend lovingly pointed out that it looked like a Dr. Huxtable sweater.

                                     

Pattern challenge: Not to look like a striped M&M.  This pattern has MUCHO volume.  I mean MUCHO!  I took 2 inches out of the center back seam and it's still voluminous. Pretty easy in concept but lots of hand sewing and puzzle piecing for my not so experienced self.  I wanted to line it but as that's what got the first attempt frogged and trashed, decided to stick with the instructions... this time.

Details: 

In seam pockets

Metallic seam bound hem (inserted upside down...don't ask)

Snap closures (thanks for the tip Mimi G)

 

                                                    

                                                  

                                                  

Warmer temps promised this week so pictures of a modeling ME will follow soon!

Xo

Amazon

Hiatus over!!!!!

And what a hiatus it was!

We're going all out sewing....stay tuned!


Xoxo
Amazon

p.s.  Huge apologies for any unanswered comments and emails.  There have been trips, surgery and rehab over the last few months but everything should be golden going forward. :)

Let's talk Pants people...

Friends,

I'm sure some of you can relate...big butt + thighs + smaller waist = God's sun smiling down onto the crack of your BEE-hind without the aid of a good belt.

This is DEFINITELY a worldwide epidemic!  I googled "small waist big butt jeans" and found countless  posts and pics (no comments on the unsmallness of my waist please.  Thank you. :)) 


Why oh why does it have to be like this...

Please ignore my crude illustration...Photoshop, Illustrator and I have not come to a mutually beneficial agreement (aka...I suck at it)

Rather than this...

Find HERE

Look at that  pant WAIST!  Gives me something to dream about!  One day, it shall be like this for us all!!! Anywhoo...I digress.  Long story short, I'm tired of having to wear a belt ALL the time.  Sometimes I like belts over my tops and it's very awkward when you have a belt for your pants, belt for your shirt AND a kangaroo tummy  (for those of you who don't know...see below for kangaroo tummy):

So I'm venturing into the pants world.  Pray for me you guys. Hopefully I come out of this with all my hair and the most wonderfullest pair of pants in the WORLD (at least for me)! 

I leave you with some real life examples of perfect pant fits (from the front...crotch fit is JUST as important!!)...

Ms. Mimi G

 

 

 

 

Lady Cotton & Curls

Ms. Erica B.

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned....

xoxo
Amazon

Don't beat me...I'm back...really...

Hi Friends!!!

My sincerest apologies for ditching like a truant high school student in July...

I've been on the other side of the world (China--go there....GORGEOUS)...sick with a sinus flu thingy...celebrated 30 (woohoo) and finally found my sewing mojo!

Cutest Yeti EVAH!

Aren't I a cute Yeti??!?!?  

This vest and I were NOT friends for a long time.  In fact, we still ain't friends (yeah, I said ain't).  Three months of labor (ok, ok...2 of the months may be attributed to procrastination).  Finally done though.  It came out much cuter than I thought!

But alas...it shall probably not get worn again.  As diva as I like to be, this vest just isn't me (like my Kanye rhyme?  Haha).  I'm just proud of myself for making it.  Hours and hours of hand sewing (didn't want to mess up my machine with all that flying fur)...here are the details:

Shell:  Faux fur (duh right? hahahaha)

Lining: Quilted Silk (handstitched to faux fur)

 I think I love the inside more than the fur hahahaha.  Look how pretty that gold is...

yes...I am minus a few quarts of blood with all that daggone pinning

 

 

 

NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE CREATION OF THE DIVA YETI

Time to start checking off the list! :)

XOXO

Hello Lovelies!


Went shopping with the BFF yesterday and found a few terrific sales pieces (i.e. the Ralph Lauren denim skirt I've been stalking since spring) and a few things that really made me ask..."Which fat girl was measured for THIS?".

 
I'll talk about my shopping bonanza in an upcoming post but for now...
 

ITEM #1:

Can someone PUH-LEASE tell me what this is about?

 

WHAT IS THIS in a size 3X??? Is it just me that feels something's dreadfully wrong with tight sleeves and empty pastry bag shoulders? How is this even constructively possible?

I mean COME ON! Who are these people fitting? We all know that 99% of the time, cheaper seams/brands/materials = bigger size than normal. I'm fine with that, I don't have size sticker shock or anything. I never hesitate to grab a 3x for those brands I know full well are going to be one wear and done (I'm a 1x/2x or 20/22 in "quality merchandise" depending on the designer).

SMDH!

On to the next one...

 ITEM #2:

 
I LOVE sales.  Who doesn't?  I love buying black dresses on sale.  Again, who doesn't?
I'll tell ya what I don't like...unnecessary accessories designed to enhance the the garment but are mysteriously inappropriate for said garment...

 

(I apologize for the lack of clarity in this picture but it was 1050 degrees Fahrenheit in the plus size dressing room...nevermind that the BFF and I were tee heeing every 5 seconds)

 

This my friends, is a size 20 dress.  HOWEVER...they must have made it and mixed it up in the Misses section as well because you cannot tell me that belt is not a size 12.  How is it that on a plus size dress I have exactly 1.5 inches of decorative belt for my dress?  I have earrings longer than the amount of belt left over.

 HHHhhhhh!

Now this was a pretty cute dress.  Knit, well fitted, not clingy in the least, cute pleats...you get the picture.  I had no hope of fastening this belt and eating, sitting, walking, or breathing if purchased.  Please also answer this question...

 

In the broad scheme of things, why create such a tiny belt for the 4"inch high waistline of the dress?  It's a waist thong people!! What am I going to do with that?  I know, I know...I have 10,000 belts I could've used but I said no on straight principle.  Some of these designers need to THINK!

 

Side note:  I think I've found my dream jeans...

 

Michael Kors

Although this picture shows why you have to try things on for yourself, these jeans are PERFECT!  They reach PAST the Amazonian ankles of my 5'10" self and hug the curves (not squeeze like a denim boa constrictor).  I've gone all day without even wearing a belt!!  For those of you who don't understand:  Junk in the trunk + smaller waist= everyone seeing what Cacique from Lane Bryant really means.

 

Love them, they're on sale @ Macys. Will be buying another pair!

 

xoxo for now!

Amazon

Who said anything about a schedule?

Oh blog friends...

Why do I set these ever so lovely goals??  I even have a "sewing journal" to document plans and schedules.  What good is all this when I start 4 things at once and have the NERVE to cut out another 2 things behind them....smh @ myself.

I mean...do I really need this for fall/winter?

Hhhhhhhhhhhhh....

Someone direct me back towards the path of outerwear...

Falling into Fall (it can't be helped)...

Hello Daaaaahhhlllings...

So while I'm still sewing some summer stuff for fun, one of my favorite sales hit this week...the big three Super online sale!  I killed it....and when I say killed it....

I mean KILLED it!

Details (from top left):

Bodycon dress: HERE
Coat 1: HERE
Two-tone cape: HERE
Coat 2 (my FAVORITE!): HERE
Maxi dress: HERE
Tapered pant: HERE 
Fur vest and jacket: HERE

Wide leg pant: HERE

Now honesty being a bug in my big girl drawers...HOPEFULLY I can complete at least 4 of these items.  I'm more determined to set and stick to a schedule this go round (these pieces would be long lasting staples...fingers crossed).

Let's see who wins this battle. :)

xxxx
Amazon

Left the sunshine..gotta substitute...

Hola Everyone!

I've been back from vacation for a week and am still struggling to pep my step...ugh!  I WILL say I was bitten by the sewing bug yet again (thank God!  I was scared for my sewing machine's life).  At this point I'm just sewing up random things in whatever fabric I have handy before summer ends.  I'm beyond Frankenstein at this point; it's reached "fat girl on a rampage" level now.

Here's the first victim:

McCalls 6559

This pattern is breezy easy and more importantly NOT A SLEEVELESS MUUMUU!  I had some lovely double knit in daffodil that called for a figure gracing ensemble...well this was it! Unfortunately I didn't get a shot from the back but it's slightly racerback (my fav!).

 

 

I LOVE IT!

B-U-T...

I could've sworn I added 2 inches to the hem so that it was floor length...WRONG! I really wanted a no non-ankle showing look but I guess we'll try next time.  This has to be one of the most comfortable dresses I've ever made (subcounciously my body agrees because my stomach didn't even TRY to hide itself smh).  Anywhoo...Love it and expect to see at least 2 more before (crying inside) summer ends.


Details:

Dress: DIY--Mcall's 6559; double knit in "daffodil"
Shoes: imports from Grenada (now officially retired)
Belt: Ashley Stewart
Bag: Louis Vuitton
Jewelry: Bracelets: imports from Trinidad; Ring: Tiffany & Co.; Necklace: Ashley Stewart

More to come...

Fatkini time...Big Fat Summer Challenge finale.

Hola mi gente!

We'll chat details later on but here's my final post for the 2012 Big Fat Summer Challenge (coming all the way from Barbados at that--sorry it's the hotel room and not the pool or beach)..

This is a straight idea steal from Mizz Chastity Garner of "The Curvy Girl's Guide to style" (I'll post her link as soon as I get to a real computer--currently fumbling and finger cramping on an iPhone--no daggone time "smooth over some bumpy parts" haha).

Na-choo-rAL light (of the fluorescent variety)

xoxoxo

Cropping it before Crop Over...BFSC (the good and the ugly)

So I'm headed to the lovely Barbados in a few hours...wanted to get this post out while I have the chance.  :)

The lovely crop top (second to last thing on my Big Fat Summer Challenge list.  HHHHHHH!  THIS mess was a challenge.  Had to find something that covers 2 out of the 2 1/2 back/belly rolls, doesn't cling, looks nice and fits the purpose.

In steps our friend ASOS.   Following the example of a few of our fashionably curvy divas, I ventured into the world of straight sizes...

Someone rescue me!

Apparently both of my goddaughters are professional photobombers...Isn't she beautiful though?

I have to tell you...I loved this outfit.  I was sufficiently covered and comfy.  What do you think?

Let me share this with you though...

If plan to go to the movies with your beau and reach in for some sugar while on the concession line, make sure you put a pretty bra under that there crop top ok (thank you lady in the pretty gold dress for pointing out that I, Tiffany McGuire, flashed the right side of the room with black satin).

That's all.

Baby girl semi-posing + a shot of the full length of my skirt

I love this skirt but boy am I glad I hemmed the heck out of that polyester.  Bad enough it's hotter than a winter weight sharkskin suit, it also frays like all heck.

Top: Asos
Skirt: DIY
Bracelets: Misc (gifted and purchased)
Belt: Ashley Stewart

Crop top # 2...not so great...

I liked it in the mirror, got compliments on the outfit but in pictures there are a whole lot of reasons why this top is not for anyone over a 36 C...

Ahh well:  E for effort!

Top: ASOS
Skirt: DIY
Shoes: Steve Madden
Bracelets: Miscellaneous (gifted and purchased)
Handbag: Louis Vuitton
Belt: Onestopplus.com

One more to go!  Pray I finish this two-piece in time....