Thrifty Modest Outfit Thursday...

We'll see how long I can keep this up - but for now -

I thought I could share one outfit a week with you.

  Keep in mind - I'm a 'thrifter' - so most everything

 will be from thrift shops and yard sales.  

In other words - I'm hoping to share that modesty is budget friendly!

So what do we have here?  (And I realize I'm no model!)

The skirt is really a jumper.  I wore a 'new to me' gold 

long-sleeved tee over it to make it look like a maxi skirt.  

Those two alone looked a little boring - so a white dressy 

sweater helped.  The scarf is a narrow long scarf 

that I tied to look like an infinity scarf.  

It could be a little longer - but who's checking?

Gold and yellow seem to be colors that are surfacing right now.  

Gold works with my skin and hair.  Yellow?  Not so much.  

Now I'm not saying we need to try to be 'fashionable'.  

But somewhat current and modest works for me.  

I never run out and get the latest thing to try to fit in.  

But I don't purposely avoid what someone else might wear either -

 if it's God-honoring.  (Hope that makes sense).  

The jumper is probably from the 80s!  I have no idea the price 

I paid for this outfit - but most of my clothing is 

under $4 for a piece - yes really.

The shoes may have been new from Old Navy - 

and I think I paid around $10 for them 'on sale'.  

I loved them - they were comfy - and I knew I'd wear them alot!   

I love modesty and creating little outfits.  

It's a bit of a hobby I guess - sort of like decorating my home. 

Honor God with what you wear today! ~Joyce

From Immodest Maxi Dress to Modest Maxi Skirt...

One of my finds on my recent thrifting trip was a knit fabric maxi dress.  

It was the sleeveless - elastic across the bust kind.  But the colors were wonderful.  In fact, as I walked around the store with it hanging on my shoulder - 

several people commented that those were 'good colors' for me.  

So for $5 - home it came.  I figured I could transform it into a skirt.

Step 1 - cut off the elastic top.

 Step 2 - lay another maxi skirt, that fits, on top for a length estimate... 

 chop some more off the top of the non-elastic skirt portion.

 Step 3 - sew a large running stitch all the way around the top 

of the non elastic skirt portion.  

(tip - I sewed 2 running stitches - one between each side seam.  This made it easier to work with.)  

Pull the back thread of the running stitch to gather the fabric 

till it fits into the elastic portion.  Stitch together - 

with skirt inside out and right sides together.

 Step 4 - The elastic portion was just too deep for my waist - 

so I sewed it in half.  

(folded it down and sewed it onto the seam where the elastic portion meets the bottom part.) 

A new upcycled maxi skirt for me!  In great colors!

  (Sorry - the colors in this photo are very off...

nighttime indoor photography at its finest.)

Free Online Headcovering Femininity Magazine...

Did you know there is a beautiful Christian bi-monthly 

color magazine that features headcovering girls?
I didn't either and I'm in  love!

 You can subscribe to the paper version...

 or read the digital version for free.  

Head over to the Daughters of Promise website 

and see for yourself how awesome this venture is.  

The target group seems to be teens to young moms - 

but I'm 'old' - and much of it speaks to me too!
 
(You'll also find super cute modest outfits, girl-stuff and great articles about following Jesus in real life.)

Below is the 2014 March/April issue.

 

Let me know what you think!

(This is not a paid advertisement - I don't even know the gals involved.)

Modest Warm Spring Outfit...

It's been a while since I did a modest outfit - so why not?  

This is me from yesterday... church and an

 anniversary party for my mother-in-law in the afternoon.
The weather turned cold again - so my challenge was to 

look Springy and be warm at the same time.

 So let's see what we have here...

Brown tiered skirt - Thrifted

Pink turtleneck shirt - can't remember

Brown shoes - Thrifted (yes - really!)

Brown trouser socks - can't remember

Beige shirt worn underneath for warmth - Old Navy

Cream lace vest - Thrifted

Cream and rosy reds scarf - Cracker Barrel - (Birthday gift to myself - 60% off!)

See a common denominator there?  

I'm a thrifty gal from a way back!

 I turned a significant number over the weekend - it may show a bit. :)  

Ahh well - l'm gonna enjoy life anyway.

I highly recommend shopping Cracker Barrel's 60% off displays.  

I'm not one for tying my scarves like everyone else...
 I flip 'em and knot 'em and do all sorts of contortions
with 'em till I'm OK with the result. Weird I know.

But a new (and NOT thrifted scarf) for $7.20 works for me!

Linking to Modest Monday

A Modest Wedding...

We attended a beautiful wedding this past weekend.

  I loved everything about it.  But I for sure wanted to show you the 

bride's modest wedding gown.  It was handmade, simple and gorgeous!

This wedding was not outrageously extravagant - 
but loveliness was everywhere (just perfect!) ...

The Lord bless you my friends...

To see more of this lovely wedding... visit the post at my other blog - Quilted Nest Antiques.

My Go-To Winter Modesty Essential...

I stepped into my local Kmart this week for a quick purchase.  

As I sped by the footwear section - I did a double take.  

They have an amazing selection of cute ladies' right now.  

And in our store at least - they have a BOGO going on.  

So you could get 2 pair for about $40.  Not bad!!  

Sadly - I don't need any...
(nope - not being paid - just spreading the word!)

Tall boots and knee hi's are my thang for winter skirts.

  (Sometimes I layer tights or leggings too!)
Linking to Modest Monday

Sports Running Skirts and More...

I continue to be of the mind that if there is an activity 
that we can't do modestly - perhaps we should rethink 
if we really need to be doing that activity.   
The Christian life is, after all, a day-to-day dying to our own whims and desires.
   That said - I also believe there are many modest outfit 
options for seeing us through an assortment of sporting activities.  
Take a peek at this sport company's approach to modesty...

Source 
I'm thinking a full light knit skirt with leggings

 underneath should get us through most activities!  

And it's a cute look to boot!

Shipping to the USA is not a great-looking option - 

but this would not be a hard look to recreate.

Be encouraged!  ~Joyce

Linking to Modest Monday

Mending For Modesty & Putting Elastic in Sleeves...

Years ago - mending was more of a 'thing' than it seems 

to be today.  Thrift stores did not abound to keep our 

closets full of nice clothing at budget prices....

 so we mended what we had!  

Well recently - I did some mending of my own -

 but for a different reason.

I find modest and dressy shirts hard to find. 

I've had this white one a number of years and love it!  

The drawstring neck can be tied to a level I'm comfortable with.

  However, we have a new puppy who has some

 challenging behavior issues.  

We've learned she's very 'dominant' and training has been hard work - ahhhh!!!  

One of her issues is jumping and biting - at the same time!   

She 'play bites' (as they call it) hard and fast! 

(Picture bruised legs, arms and tattered clothing...a naughty puppy!)  

When she put a big tear in the sleeve of this shirt - 

I was determined it wasn't going in the trash.

Thankfully - she tore the sleeves near the bottom of their 

 original 3/4 length.  I cut that part off - 

and now the sleeves are a little shorter. 
The original shirt...(I like it with this vest apparently.)

To put elastic in sleeves... simply turn sleeves under and stitch a casing 

the width of your elastic.  Allow an opening and feed elastic through

 with a safety pin on the end...having measured the elastic to what is

 comfortable for your arm. 

Stitch the elastic closed - then finish stitching the casing closed.  

It it easy!

All for Jesus ~Joyce

Sweet Singing - In God Honoring Attire...

Sometimes you just need to 'see it' to be newly 

challenged to follow the Lord in every area.

Enjoy this singing video by a family that practices 

both headcovering and modesty.  And the songs? 

Precious songs of total surrender to the Lord and His Ways!!

Were you encouraged or newly resolved today?

Bless you!  ~Joyce

Riding Bicycle in a Skirt...

In my area - its not uncommon to see conservative Christian women  riding bicycle 

in a skirt.  But there are some challenges.  Namely - the skirt getting caught on 

bicycle parts when too long... or of course riding up as you move your legs.

But I'm encouraged to find this.... A company has come out with a 'bicycle skirt' 

that unzips for pedaling - and reveals not a slit (yeah!) - but more fabric!   
Altho - a fuller skirt to begin with would solve the problem. 
But at least this is a step in the right direction for mainstream society. 
And I love the charming photos! 

Source

And this dear blogger did a post on bicycling in skirts that I love as well.  

Her ideas?  Wear leggings underneath...

 Or maybe padded bike shorts which no one can even see!  By the way - 

you can do most anything in a fuller skirt that falls just below the knee.  

Plenty of room to move, full enough for layering, and isn't too long to be dangerous. 

Now - go bike your heart out and be modest too!

 

Source

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty... 2 Cor. 3:17 

- a freedom to please our Savior!

~Joyce

Modesty and Special Occasions...

Modesty - does it apply to special events such as weddings, formal dinners, graduations, etc?  A similar question might be - 'As a Christian, are there some times in scripture when God say it's OK to not love your neighbor?'  Neither mandate has an exception clause.  But I do understand that it can be hard to find modest 'dressy' gowns and dresses.   May I offer a few suggestions (you may have more!)....

1.  Wear a pretty lacy shrug or wrap to help cover what would otherwise be 'bare'.  

2.  Layer something pretty underneath- sometimes this is an attractive option.

3.  Shop a thrift store for something vintage that would still look cute by today's standards (sometimes vintage is more modest).

4.  Sew your own or have it made.  (often times - formal wear is more simple with straighter lines anyway - easier sewing!)  This sweet gal (who happens to be the daughter of a friend of mine)...

 

...is just adorable in her handmade turquoise gown.   All it took was some pretty fabric - a seamstress friend - some pretty lace and I think she's just as cute as a button!  (Oh to be that young and beautiful!)

Let's honor the Lord with our bodies in every occasion of life.

With the Spirit's help -we can stay the course ~Joyce 

 

Linking to Modest Monday 

Sewing For Modesty...

Lately I've been frustrated with my tired wardrobe -
 so I decided I would try to actually make something (it's been years!)   
I don't consider myself a seamstress - so this was a simple effort.  
If I can do it - I'm thinking most everyone can.  
Sewing is a great way to gain modest clothing for your closet.  
(Shopping at the malls can be a real challenge!)

  I had a simple skirt in my closet (the plum piece on the left below) 

I used as a pattern.  But first - I needed some fabric.  

These were my 'on hand' viable options.  I loved that brown daisy 

dotted swiss - but decided against it in case I messed up. 

 The red teeny gingham fabric is actually vintage curtain panels - 

so I had some ripping to do to get enough fabric.

Isn't it adorable?

Essentially - I just laid the skirt onto the fabric and cut it a 

little larger on each side.  Just 2 side seams folks! 

I did this times 2 - because I added a lining.  

(Out of old solid cream curtains I found for almost nothing!)

I wanted to mimic the drawstring waist of the original skirt.  To form the ties - 

I just eyeballed it and folded the fabric onto itself to cut a straight line...

It worked!...

 My original skirt was almost maxi length with a plain hem.  

I chose a slightly shorter version and added a ruffle.  

   This would be me - slightly graying hair and all.  

I love how green it is outside right now - 
we've had lots of gentle spring rains.

I think I'm gonna love this skirt. And it cost well under $5.

And who knows?  I might do me some more sewing!
(Need to work at making some peasant blouses.  Cute modest shirts are hard to find!)

Linking to Modest Monday

My Fav Modest Fashion Blogs...

Thought I'd share with you my hand's down favorite 3 blogs showcasing cute modest outfits.   
(Nope, I don't believe being modest requires being less than attractive.  Sensual? no - Cute? yes.)  
Only one of these gals practices head covering of any sort - (and just for church) - 
but I appreciate their conviction to dress in a manner
befitting a daughter of the King. 

Kristina is full of upcycling skills, has a sweet family and supportive husband,  
designs clothing, has a book, speaks on modesty, and is just plain adorable...

Enjoy her blog at Kristina J...

 Kellie also designs clothing (and more) and has an online shop. 
She's actually an amazing seamstress.  Her blog Accordian to Kellie 
is one of the best looking in all of blog land in my opinion.

Olivia is a busy, busy sister who amazes me with what she finds time to do.  
She makes many of her own jean skirts - and without a pattern many times.  
(She did create and sells a jean skirt pattern tho!)
Her blog Fresh Modesty was the first that I found from a young woman 
committed to living out her faith through her wardrobe.  
She talks candidly about what she believes - love that!

Enjoy!

Grace and Peace to you this day ~ Joyce