DIY #2: Modernizing a party dress

Our suggestions: Shorten to mid-thigh and cut off most of the sleeves to create a cute flutter sleeve
Inspiration: any movie with Molly Ringwald, Sweden
Tools: 1980s party dress, scissors, needle/sewing machine and thread, sewing chalk (a pen or pencil will work), measuring tape
Difficulty Level: 2 (Fairly Easy)
Wear with...boots, tights & flats, or gladiator sandals

Here's the dress in the "Before" stage...
Embarassingly '80s, but it has a cute polka dot print!


1. Try the dress on and decide where you want it to hit - we suggest between mid-thigh and right above the knee.
2. Measure and mark (with sewing chalk, pen, or pencil) all around the hem of the dress where you will make the cut, allowing about an 1" if you plan on clean-finishing the hem. (Want an unfinished look? Just cut...and skip the next step).
3. Cut it, then clean-finish the hem by hand or machine.
4. Mark where on the sleeve you will be cutting, allowing about 1/2" for clean-finishing (or, again, if you want an unfinished look, just cut and skip the next step).
5. Cut it, then clean-finish the hem on the flutter cap-sleeve.

And there you have it! A completely wearable,
non-embarrassing party dress!

DIY #1: Adding contrasting buttons to a sweater

Our Suggestions: Take in slightly and add big turquoise buttons
Inspiration: 1940s/1950s comics/superheroes, Minnie Mouse, Karen Walker Fall 2007 collection
Tools: A sweater or knit top with potential, contrast buttons (and of course thread, needle, and scissors), straight pins, and safety pins (for ouch-free alterations).
Difficulty Level: 2 (Fairly Easy)
(1: Easy as Pie, 2: Fairly Easy, 3: Moderate, 4: Challenging, 5: Advanced)
Wear with...a pencil skirt, flats or peep toe heels, and a little red bow in your hair

Here's the sweater in the "Before" stage...
Shapeless, but cute color! A lot of potential.

Here are the buttons...
You can find great vintage buttons at antique
stores, like Mid-towne Antique Mall.

1. Try the sweater on INSIDE OUT and pin (with the safety pins) how much you want to take it in. (Obviously, only take it in if it's too big or shapeless.)
2. Sew along the line of the pins (with matching thread)....Now, turn it right side out and make sure it fits. Make adjustments where necessary.
3. Mark with three straight pins where you want the buttons to be placed, and then sew them on with matching thread. (Sewing a button on is very easy. Make a knot where you want it to be in the fabric, string the button on that thread, sew the thread through the buttons loops several times - attaching it snugly to the fabric, when it looks secure tie another knot and cut the remaining thread.) And there you have it!

It all comes down to being able to see the potential in things!

Pictures of our new space!

Here's how our shop looks as of now...

We painted the backwall.

We now sell jewelry.

We have a mannequin to display "the outfit of the week." (Feel free to strip her down if you want her outfit.)


We have a lot of $5 shoes!

Look for the cute "new" clothes, shoes, and hats that we will be putting out over the next few weeks.

Here are a few
of the shoes
that are in the shop now.

(1960s orange patent leather shoes w/ mod faux flowers,
1940s/1950s navy mesh pin-up girl slingbacks, and
1950s cream flats w/ beading and golden embellishment)

Here's a peak at our inspiration board.
Hopefully, it will help a little with
layering ideas as you're shopping.

Don't forget we are now in booth #136

(near the back!)

We love getting your feedback -
whether it's through email,
blog comments, or face-to-face.
Feel free to comment or suggest
something to us. We want to
make Magpie & Birdie
your dream shop...

love,

Lauren & Emily

July 2008 Updates

We officially switched booths (to #136) in Mid-towne Antique Mall on July 1. Check out our bigger, better location - near the back, by the restroom. We are now selling jewelry - a few pieces at least. We have a trend/inspiration board featuring some photos that we find inspiring, and we hope you do as well. We have a lot of shoes for only $10 or less! We also have a ton of summer dresses - many for $20 or less!

We were fortunate enough to be featured in the July 2nd issue of Sync, a weekly Little Rock publication. Visit Sync's website at http://sync.arkansasonline.com/.

Magpie & Birdie will be providing apparel for the Dr. Sketchy's portion of the Art Party on Friday July 11 at Market Street Cinema (1521 Merrill Drive). I think it starts around 9PM. There will be art for sale, music, etc. There's probably a small cover charge.
Check out the Arts Scene myspace at http://myspace.com/theartscenerocks.

Magpie & Birdie apparel will be featured in the fashion segment of the 5th Annual Outontherock.com Style and Variety Show on Saturday, July 12 at the Rev Room. For more information, visit outontherock.com.