tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85314668975210212862024-03-13T11:24:09.150-07:00Tales From the Stitchery The triumphs and tribulations of a home sewer.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-70567365018649959602014-09-14T13:46:00.002-07:002014-09-14T14:03:46.177-07:00One Week, One Pattern - aka the Week of Bathroom SelfiesHappy Sunday, all! I just recently completed my first blog challenge, hosted by <a href="http://www.handmadejane.co.uk/2014/09/my-owop-week.html">Handmade Jane</a> (check out the link to see her week in action). The challenge, in short, was to wear an item of clothing every day for 7 days from the same pattern. Some people chose blouses, skirts, or pants/shorts - I, in my infinite wisdom, chose a dress. Cause I'm smart like that.<br />
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Originally, I decided on the Anna pattern from By Hand London. My decision was based solely on the fact that I adore the pattern and felt it would motivate me to crank out a few more. Um. Yeah. Not so much. <br />
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Having only made 3 Annas at that point, I felt that I'd get funny looks around the office, even if I got incredibly creative with layering. "Nice skirt, Kelli, but why the cable knit sweater? It's 82 degrees out today"... So I went back to Jane and switched up to Simplicity 2444. I already had a few straight up ones made, and a couple of hacked versions, so over the course of the week I finished up a couple more and was off and running. So without further ado, here's my week:<br />
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Day 1 - Saturday<br />
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I was in the throes of an awful flu, but managed to drag myself out of bed around 11am and get prettied up to spend a couple of hours at ManetteFest (a local neighborhood festival). The weather was gorgeous, but I still only managed a brief stroll before I parked myself at the local watering hole and waited for John to finish visiting. This is a hacked version of 2444 - my first Frankendress. After the festival I proceeded to spend the next 12+ hours in bed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKoZ1W6YsC7YL5v0eOH-65pQJTtpbctSucsYKiDCHkoKy9QGBpbt3BhGA2G5WFxJr1Qwl2S6yvPasqN40QZbNxWWJiSo-7wn8byoT69yLYXBgXc5EpawjfovPBs1MB9JXQJjfqkGtsiM/s1600/20140906_113039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKoZ1W6YsC7YL5v0eOH-65pQJTtpbctSucsYKiDCHkoKy9QGBpbt3BhGA2G5WFxJr1Qwl2S6yvPasqN40QZbNxWWJiSo-7wn8byoT69yLYXBgXc5EpawjfovPBs1MB9JXQJjfqkGtsiM/s1600/20140906_113039.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "please hurry up and take the picture" face</td></tr>
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Day 2 - Sunday<br />
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Sunday was a complete wash. I was too sick and spent the day in pjs - here's a pic of the dress that I would have worn. It's my first 2444 and is straight from the pattern, down to the skirt.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixrBebdVAOxoy4QTKbL6t14Ev7FRyN6WpLShnvkn8E_-gj0Ixsk_s4NPgmRaVLsWAreyGoTfL-aEuinFwyENHWgsRWtfNvavzUqbVDBAsytStk75drdyZg1ulbwYUOcrbTgTc9y3ESSs/s1600/20140914_131600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixrBebdVAOxoy4QTKbL6t14Ev7FRyN6WpLShnvkn8E_-gj0Ixsk_s4NPgmRaVLsWAreyGoTfL-aEuinFwyENHWgsRWtfNvavzUqbVDBAsytStk75drdyZg1ulbwYUOcrbTgTc9y3ESSs/s1600/20140914_131600.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accessorized with my comfy quilt</td></tr>
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Day 3 - Monday<br />
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Monday I was still feeling poorly, but made it to work looking at least somewhat alive. This is 2444 with an a-line skirt; I was experimenting with mixing fabrics. The skirt is lined because the polka dot quilting cotton was pretty cheap and too see through to go without. I was working on finishing this up the week before the challenge (I had it most of the way done weeks ago and got bored).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfileS9O65s5Bgeto7nkdXlmedva-l9Ehwhv68sRLgJ2Eb14Ky-Eig39QPd1Q3G-JcQwhVzR1K2p5ul3CFAVp4O5eZpxgF9wURQs3Mirlojb0dXQpNZNWgKMc7xkQvw6S1bLSop7sXno/s1600/14+-+1+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfileS9O65s5Bgeto7nkdXlmedva-l9Ehwhv68sRLgJ2Eb14Ky-Eig39QPd1Q3G-JcQwhVzR1K2p5ul3CFAVp4O5eZpxgF9wURQs3Mirlojb0dXQpNZNWgKMc7xkQvw6S1bLSop7sXno/s1600/14+-+1+(2).jpg" height="400" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of filtering on this one so I look less frightening</td></tr>
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Day 4 - Tuesday<br />
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Tuesday and feeling more human. This is my second 2444 and some of my favorite fabric. I love the colors and the Chinese parasols; it's a bright and cheery dress and I've worn it quite a bit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkH5LRodckpInxfGnIBaDaiHN-jZZiUK874GmevlZNLuVENSRxUrIMEIXTqiEsF_I24vXM43vsi8ub_wv2rKrXjxuwQkU7fkhYIs819zexs0jlNOCzxYlnS302bcQk2ZZabCe8Pe7yxnk/s1600/14+-+1+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkH5LRodckpInxfGnIBaDaiHN-jZZiUK874GmevlZNLuVENSRxUrIMEIXTqiEsF_I24vXM43vsi8ub_wv2rKrXjxuwQkU7fkhYIs819zexs0jlNOCzxYlnS302bcQk2ZZabCe8Pe7yxnk/s1600/14+-+1+(1).jpg" height="400" width="162" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom selfie - adds an extra touch of class to any photo</td></tr>
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Day 5 - Wednesday<br />
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I waited until I got home to get a pic of Wednesday. By mid-week I started to feel too blah again from the flu to really put much effort into the photo, but I love the dress. This is a modified 2444 (I lowered the neckline quite a bit at this point) made with a gathered skirt. It's Michael Miller Eiffel Tower fabric in the bright red color. The shoes are adorable and I got them in a screaming good sale from Miss L Fire - I'll take better pics of them at some point.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMNoGcL22ikjI5nWB5LvkEZ7Zn27_m-k09ia-7YH90T1sQAIoKY143twxBBz-vJe7GeyiEjRalLd5FPSc_MdmxdFbQQP20Xn1PI3078pFnAgpNLemAcBuzGXV6fIZV1cx1zu1bPh-8eI/s1600/DSCN3109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMNoGcL22ikjI5nWB5LvkEZ7Zn27_m-k09ia-7YH90T1sQAIoKY143twxBBz-vJe7GeyiEjRalLd5FPSc_MdmxdFbQQP20Xn1PI3078pFnAgpNLemAcBuzGXV6fIZV1cx1zu1bPh-8eI/s1600/DSCN3109.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, whatever, this shot's fine.</td></tr>
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Day 6 - Thursday<br />
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Thursday was hair cut day - hooray! I recycled the Frankendress and mixed it up with a different cardigan. I also was up to wearing heels at this point in the week - these are also from Miss L Fire.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSfI4hMxbdWIEtmFtmCZz9zd9gOXqVsuDyJioEgV85DZa10Df13g6X-DtIZallmnv8sCtDAw-Q9sFd4KxYhpk0hpGrdqcZqU4KEtHKnwqLIujI6BMs3QVBdpzdwFM_CZXgmFmr-5hdZk/s1600/20140911_170708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSfI4hMxbdWIEtmFtmCZz9zd9gOXqVsuDyJioEgV85DZa10Df13g6X-DtIZallmnv8sCtDAw-Q9sFd4KxYhpk0hpGrdqcZqU4KEtHKnwqLIujI6BMs3QVBdpzdwFM_CZXgmFmr-5hdZk/s1600/20140911_170708.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post styling photo at the salon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4xeB4WBf7UkxSIAjQlCg0voQaM4lKbW6JTzvH-j50F4qOglwus59MMAp2nnL5pfejB-v-sVDnwXEJGD7KeYGQf2yxIVKMDW5f_JkLPnRUsdGSNvjzFSuZ2egVYjoFpLyOokn4pZxWaQ/s1600/20140911_200610~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4xeB4WBf7UkxSIAjQlCg0voQaM4lKbW6JTzvH-j50F4qOglwus59MMAp2nnL5pfejB-v-sVDnwXEJGD7KeYGQf2yxIVKMDW5f_JkLPnRUsdGSNvjzFSuZ2egVYjoFpLyOokn4pZxWaQ/s1600/20140911_200610~2.jpg" height="400" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giggle fit</td></tr>
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Day 7 - Friday<br />
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I managed to get a new, unblogged dress finished up for the end of the challenge. I'll do a write up after I get back from my work conference (and get better pics), but this is my Red Riding Hood themed dress, made up in my 2444 based Frankenpattern.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4AQPv_EHKr-UlcXwvf8g2QZ_sGw1McJOuJ6Yoe-DqujbbB9ny6xxBFLF4NzC6eSkOkiKPAwt1gjBjCNWWSzHwYTZsk5wxTVlqNow4LY6x_LbS6QDhJD9F1XKDqb34QL8p2jKdB-AXG8/s1600/20140913_123401~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4AQPv_EHKr-UlcXwvf8g2QZ_sGw1McJOuJ6Yoe-DqujbbB9ny6xxBFLF4NzC6eSkOkiKPAwt1gjBjCNWWSzHwYTZsk5wxTVlqNow4LY6x_LbS6QDhJD9F1XKDqb34QL8p2jKdB-AXG8/s1600/20140913_123401~2.jpg" height="400" width="206" /></a></div>
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Bonus dress - Friday evening<br />
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I donned the Monster Mash dress for Friday night. Lesson learned, kiddos. PREWASH YOUR FABRIC. In my zeal to sew up this fabric, I did not prewash, and it's now incredibly tight. Not unwearable, but I certainly notice that 1/4" I lost in shrinkage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIfXA_S9wi2djEmF5KUCTbiSk8LYo9DLnBxHkuLsR9QzKUwQYD4mXCHBo8TWGcg4LLuo7BchfzLUzLUzlDFo9J7x9lUDDE26JE1M3mK61UpjgXDcx3ZzqtWzt4Gs5mqVFBL6NNdiYmio/s1600/20140912_182617~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIfXA_S9wi2djEmF5KUCTbiSk8LYo9DLnBxHkuLsR9QzKUwQYD4mXCHBo8TWGcg4LLuo7BchfzLUzLUzlDFo9J7x9lUDDE26JE1M3mK61UpjgXDcx3ZzqtWzt4Gs5mqVFBL6NNdiYmio/s1600/20140912_182617~2.jpg" height="400" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a weird smudge on the mirror, hence the Vaseline-esque filter</td></tr>
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And there we have it! Thanks to Jane for hosting - this was a blast to participate in. I'm looking forward to reading through everyone's successes.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-43206403104611539012014-09-10T20:25:00.000-07:002014-09-12T11:32:44.943-07:00The Love Potion #9 DressWe interrupt One Week One Pattern (OWOP) to bring you an unholy experiment in trying to get the Elisalex pattern to work for me...<br />
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I own three By Hand London patterns, and as you may know, I am firmly attached to both the Anna and Flora designs. Bolstered by all the lovely dresses gracing the information superhighway, I ran off and ordered Elisalex. How could I go wrong with a princess seamed bodice that featured a lovely scooped back and deeply rounded neckline? The drafting wizards at BHL had not disappointed me yet - take my money!<br />
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And then I mocked up the pattern. Oh dear lord. Usually if pattern needs tweaking from me, it's because the front is snug and there's excess fabric in the back. I knew that the Elisalex was drafted to have very little ease, so I cut my normal size 10, figuring that meant I wouldn't have to take it in at the CB and all the waist seams. Yeah, not so much.<br />
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The back was SO tight I could barely get the muslin zipped. But wait, you might say. The front is probably too snug. Nope. The front was huge. I mean, huge. There was so much extra fabric that I was at a loss as to a way to fix it. So with much fanfare and salty language, the pattern was folded, put back in the envelope, and stuck back in my pattern box, prominently displayed for proper glaring.<br />
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A fair few weeks later, and I decided to try out another princess pattern (I will spare you my rant over New Look that missing an entire sheet of pieces). Enter <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b4443-products-5395.php?page_id=155">Butterick 4443</a> - ignore the model's bland photo - I picked this one up because it's a straight forward princess dress (why is the trend a princess front and darted back all of a sudden?), and I liked the strapless and V-neck variations. I mocked it up, and, though it was nothing worth photographing, it at least fit moderately well.<br />
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I was still haunted (yep, haunted) by the ill fit to my BHL dress. It was stubborn obsession, to be fair. So, I took the bodice pieces from it, and overlaid the pieces from the Butterick pattern, and there was my answer. Elisalex's back pieces for a 10 lined up with Butterick's pieces for a 6, while the front pieces were a good 1" bigger. Well, hell. I really really really wanted the neckline of BHL, since Butterick was a bit on the frumpy/boring side.<br />
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Well, you know what that meant.<br />
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<em>Here's where you can envision a montage of me in a frenzy of inspiration and subsequent pattern hacking and sewing a la Pretty in Pink. All to a pop-y 80's soundtrack, of course.</em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXouuLf231JKGd3HPpjP8SUWtYnvta4i-LqVGHIiYjJGbe83hAiYjkdsvNlqKXWj7iXi1pRg9Kx1395iHhuznlxpgHJ_ND-kAMvW3_Pw8svPZbA6ibA4GJt-ovIWLhrXT2RXo4CU305kA/s1600/20140830_162119+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXouuLf231JKGd3HPpjP8SUWtYnvta4i-LqVGHIiYjJGbe83hAiYjkdsvNlqKXWj7iXi1pRg9Kx1395iHhuznlxpgHJ_ND-kAMvW3_Pw8svPZbA6ibA4GJt-ovIWLhrXT2RXo4CU305kA/s1600/20140830_162119+(1).jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cue the Psychedelic Furs</td></tr>
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Basically, this was the most half-assed hack ever. All I did was fold the neckline of the Butterick pattern out of the way, so I could trace the BHL pattern's shape onto my fabric.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHPMhgRyoi-_PM-RrOaU2r-NRy_L0-J2EB0cXFy8axhCGCRIW_bR2www1rJKLmGNo4d3rXEPJ-NndIjJ-OtmrOfH2Y-xMPmOEaAKXMxv1luEHK9zE3ZXDd86TsTVV5qMEJZ9ZgyTWN64/s1600/20140830_162053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHPMhgRyoi-_PM-RrOaU2r-NRy_L0-J2EB0cXFy8axhCGCRIW_bR2www1rJKLmGNo4d3rXEPJ-NndIjJ-OtmrOfH2Y-xMPmOEaAKXMxv1luEHK9zE3ZXDd86TsTVV5qMEJZ9ZgyTWN64/s1600/20140830_162053.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look closely, you can all the extra in the BHL piece in the front (white) and how much is missing from it on the back</td></tr>
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Yep. Science.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c96c_TjKRgoY05EN7NMwr14J6vD93nLLXiTpMBWTNVEd9_aQ3EhZ5wYgHm5ZVUu2mVKmfNT-6DrJuzUMORaSDTWT6GdPBwYpZ-AKI3hkh-1eIJMkthvPC-njB-PHDr_OUhzAtOGbM3E/s1600/20140830_164622~2+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c96c_TjKRgoY05EN7NMwr14J6vD93nLLXiTpMBWTNVEd9_aQ3EhZ5wYgHm5ZVUu2mVKmfNT-6DrJuzUMORaSDTWT6GdPBwYpZ-AKI3hkh-1eIJMkthvPC-njB-PHDr_OUhzAtOGbM3E/s1600/20140830_164622~2+(1).jpg" height="400" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe a little Adam Ant at this phase</td></tr>
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It wasn't a horrid first go, either. The armscye's of both patterns are in completely different places, as are the shoulder seams. After the test dress was sewn up, I did have to take in the side and SB seams a bit (I REALLY either need to start making full bust adjustments or by multi-cup sized patterns and start making size 8 with a C or D cup), and I think I could use a regular 5/8" seam allowance over the bust instead of 3/4"; the shoulder seams needed to come up 1/2" as well. I also want to dip the front neckline a bit more, but all in all, I think it's pretty cute. Especially made up in the obnoxious glory that is my clearanced Valentine fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14cBTSM9shyLKNUMOngfioijv57z0q8N5dmBaDP8q7wQka9P6FRjgGWlFqxUMpW0Sc3IDSnCB4BpklwYPF6lE62A-6TzruXOcSW3SOrKIdTSfG-7oe_zNeutKvCeo_uMz-rPlMS-gXFk/s1600/DSCN3113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14cBTSM9shyLKNUMOngfioijv57z0q8N5dmBaDP8q7wQka9P6FRjgGWlFqxUMpW0Sc3IDSnCB4BpklwYPF6lE62A-6TzruXOcSW3SOrKIdTSfG-7oe_zNeutKvCeo_uMz-rPlMS-gXFk/s1600/DSCN3113.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I don't know what I like more -- the tiny little perfume bottles with Eiffel Towers, or the fact that this fabric has freaking GLITTER in it. I think it's glitter for the win.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TJgpacwvlK0XplEKMkYoG90s24YI4V4JZ_uHfGVpLWngocBRPkUblpGJITI-IuwgCv5r7KpJlnDNq3x3z3u0mNhS_gosWrq-CgHvVeyKVQqn2DfvS_L-znLeTaUKYR3Pjey43m-6p7c/s1600/20140830_162043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TJgpacwvlK0XplEKMkYoG90s24YI4V4JZ_uHfGVpLWngocBRPkUblpGJITI-IuwgCv5r7KpJlnDNq3x3z3u0mNhS_gosWrq-CgHvVeyKVQqn2DfvS_L-znLeTaUKYR3Pjey43m-6p7c/s1600/20140830_162043.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shine on you crazy diamond</td></tr>
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I have since taken the mishmash abomination and transferred it to its own pattern, thus allowing BHL and Butterick to go their separate ways. I used sew-in interfacing as my pattern material, so I'm interested to see how it holds up.<br />
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And now, a display of my enviable modeling skills. Don't hate.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bYBMOQUDq0U8W8UVQXquYAV6fY6ZdQ1aNQVK79ukaO1PiRiok3HcnPd-WoxEY6ip9C2Iao5kqlABPXuUcz64cE5S1SHA1tU4mCkG1-i2lSE7F6H3GGjAetLrCRc7O62Vhhwpu15GZac/s1600/DSCN3112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bYBMOQUDq0U8W8UVQXquYAV6fY6ZdQ1aNQVK79ukaO1PiRiok3HcnPd-WoxEY6ip9C2Iao5kqlABPXuUcz64cE5S1SHA1tU4mCkG1-i2lSE7F6H3GGjAetLrCRc7O62Vhhwpu15GZac/s1600/DSCN3112.JPG" height="400" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a girl and her bike. Totally natural.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LOEZTG_G34-kgLTCCCK9m3kzgb-VpdrHrK2r1-EWL1MBeLlP-5d6DBSLJgPMu6aEIatutUhoD3EBlVbTJOjzAkZlPgIQui5UuCs-ULXVrU2xBEq6L4lhyphenhyphenO2LtJxZwMJctWZ7zCYH_uE/s1600/DSCN3110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LOEZTG_G34-kgLTCCCK9m3kzgb-VpdrHrK2r1-EWL1MBeLlP-5d6DBSLJgPMu6aEIatutUhoD3EBlVbTJOjzAkZlPgIQui5UuCs-ULXVrU2xBEq6L4lhyphenhyphenO2LtJxZwMJctWZ7zCYH_uE/s1600/DSCN3110.JPG" height="357" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ya hate to see me go, but'cha love to watch me leave</td></tr>
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On the next go, I'm definitely taking another 1/2" out of the neckline and the armscye. But other than that, I chalk this up as a success.<br />
<br />
Well, that's it for now, dear readers. I'm hoping to fit lots of sewing time into my schedule, as I have many projects queuing up (including unselfish sewing - yuck). However, I just snapped up the most amazing, fucking fantastic <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0355638/michael-miller-dysfunctional-family-multi">length of fabric</a> from fabric.com. It was sold out for a month, and when I check on it today, it was already down to 67 yards left in stock. I didn't even stop to consider, I just hit the "buy" button. I am actually quite proud of myself for only buying 3 1/2 yards...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LWL_EJgpEQ1dj05e6aJlM9YQp6BGDU6OtmU5zqUPi-o_6_-hge2Y0b8PdBOHWxoINBD_cKU16F69GF9z0beTHslIoE3WjfB7DCDLySUvYsqWBR_6EdMlourOyexpvpC6JfHHYq20oUg/s1600/Large_0355638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LWL_EJgpEQ1dj05e6aJlM9YQp6BGDU6OtmU5zqUPi-o_6_-hge2Y0b8PdBOHWxoINBD_cKU16F69GF9z0beTHslIoE3WjfB7DCDLySUvYsqWBR_6EdMlourOyexpvpC6JfHHYq20oUg/s1600/Large_0355638.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Dysfunctional Family" by Michael Miller</td></tr>
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Mom says things like "you're such a wuss" "Benji! Don't pee in the pool" and "I love these pills...I feel so calm and relaxed". MINE MINE MINE. Thank goodness it's reorderable, because I feel that several different dresses are in my future.<br />
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Cheers!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-8502451763173421302014-09-03T12:28:00.001-07:002014-09-03T12:30:58.412-07:00Inspiration not Duplication - Wise on the Prize Dress from ModclothSo this week's inspiration piece is brought your way courtesy of, you guessed it, <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/wise-on-the-prize-dress">Modcloth</a>. Oh, I just can't stay away, darling. No matter how I try, you continue to entice me. I woke up today hit with an awful cold, and if I'm totally honest, I just picked the first oddly printed dress that I scrolled past. Behold!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WryPnBmzWmKCJwGiDbwzR624OEEevtT47vyWupvwCksp8i-UXDhVMrQZhnx5DFhk_y2CE8BHcCGo8hmDRxAk5nx3zFXGSsnUL1qjgh12QpB0bBXyUwonnwUqyvv0nlUN7vJAdcmglOg/s1600/dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WryPnBmzWmKCJwGiDbwzR624OEEevtT47vyWupvwCksp8i-UXDhVMrQZhnx5DFhk_y2CE8BHcCGo8hmDRxAk5nx3zFXGSsnUL1qjgh12QpB0bBXyUwonnwUqyvv0nlUN7vJAdcmglOg/s1600/dress.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wise on the Prize Dress</td></tr>
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And the back view. Just cause. <br />
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I feel quite on trend, having already made an owl-themed project in my <a href="http://talesfromthestitchery.blogspot.com/2014/08/whooooo-dat-dress.html">Whoo Dat? dress</a>. <br />
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That being said, I really do not like this particular dress. The fabric is incredibly busy in an almost anxiety-attack inducing way, and I'm not a fan of either the color combination or the artwork. It's a weird mishmash of folksy and hippy, and the colors on the dress are just too faded for a black background. Not for me. <br />
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And while I'm on a rant about what I DON'T like, what the hell is up the inset waistband trend? I despise inset waistbands (I'm currently trying to draft it out my Cambie pattern). Just like decorative seaming, I feel that the gratuitous addition of pattern pieces detracts from novelty fabric, discourages beginning home sewers, and frustrates even experienced sewers (crooked waistlines at the zipper, anyone?). I don't like them in RTW either, because you're either stuck with perma-sash like this dress, or they cut my torso in an unflattering manner.<br />
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Ah, nothing like a good, therapeutic rant! Now, onto the positives.<br />
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I love the idea of the owl novelty print. I also find the basic shape of the dress appealing (go figure), since fit-n-flare is my go to silhouette. And that's the other nice thing about home sewing over RTW - not only does it save you money, but you're not locked into the vision of the designer. So here we go...<br />
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For the bodice, I have to go with BHL's <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/products/anna-dress">Anna dress</a>. It's got the kimono sleeves, the double pleats at the waist would substitute that attached sash for shaping, and if you use the V-neck version I don't see why you couldn't round it out to match Modcloth's dress. If you're totally not into reshaping a neckline, and aren't hopelessly in love with kimono sleeves, then reach for <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-4463-misses-dresses.aspx#t-0">Simplicity 2444</a>. You can't really go wrong with either choice, and they're both pretty simple to put together.<br />
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Now the skirt. Sigh. I wish I had a handle on math, because I think a self drafted pleated skirt would be the bees knees. I am not, however, so I would either use the gathered skirt from Simplicity 1803, or the skirt from 2444. <br />
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One day, I will master pleats! Sonsabitches!<br />
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Ok, now the fun part. I've already stated, in my subtle manner, that I don't like the stock fabric of the Modcloth dress. In fact, as I have recently made an owl dress, I would be inclined to go with this choice, from fabric.com<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28TyjGQ9WE012pVETLYAWkmOoZHSe2VuVzUram_SV0BGWmBS4Nai72VpLSm6KluyyIlgKDKVV1U7Zg2-EL2n4VS-dC8R463yRs6w9upe9Djav8YGV4Q98MFVeo5n5jPkSKYP0VCqzIa8/s1600/fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28TyjGQ9WE012pVETLYAWkmOoZHSe2VuVzUram_SV0BGWmBS4Nai72VpLSm6KluyyIlgKDKVV1U7Zg2-EL2n4VS-dC8R463yRs6w9upe9Djav8YGV4Q98MFVeo5n5jPkSKYP0VCqzIa8/s1600/fox.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know, right?!</td></tr>
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It has the same idea in the print, but the colors are nice and vibrant, as opposed to the washed out look above. Blech. And how can you not be smitten with the most smug foxes you've ever seen?<br />
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Ok, ok. This is an OWL dress. Well, fabric.com has several choices for owl prints, from folksy to cutesy to sophisticated:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicosL23cTqt0rgzbrjvgPD4aeSbRrX2vLE5LnY-zCWEBRrIs9ZKgI97XfdWVnv8qLc9lI-9j8tOHP7U0heLWVgBPRuOJSLsXrQ9SWdkgvjNgHRizNPtgz330CJ-sYQOrnsvIi_ViHgpdQ/s1600/owl+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicosL23cTqt0rgzbrjvgPD4aeSbRrX2vLE5LnY-zCWEBRrIs9ZKgI97XfdWVnv8qLc9lI-9j8tOHP7U0heLWVgBPRuOJSLsXrQ9SWdkgvjNgHRizNPtgz330CJ-sYQOrnsvIi_ViHgpdQ/s1600/owl+2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badass metallic owls with serious "what are YOU looking at" expressions</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQsmhZnKyEczcFma27RZTCJ8ubVYv0YoQ1PMIK2brXcRedtPbEngLt8qG8qJjpWFybToICcMTYmdk9bJr_J0WMV5eXcVJ-mFJ-8H83PMeTkwNmjL3F-lv6UB4X0KOZZz9FL-59TozJaQ/s1600/owl+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQsmhZnKyEczcFma27RZTCJ8ubVYv0YoQ1PMIK2brXcRedtPbEngLt8qG8qJjpWFybToICcMTYmdk9bJr_J0WMV5eXcVJ-mFJ-8H83PMeTkwNmjL3F-lv6UB4X0KOZZz9FL-59TozJaQ/s1600/owl+4.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folk art owls that are FAR better than our inspiration piece. I mean, seriously.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyxXvov5ahkoNj4OCCrYWm9mrnVkFa1EhCr6hpweMTP6m8X5e1cTgxA8096BRZI2o4W__PcFiOJeowTqm8-53DTD65ZZRkaJHijxXbDOsExPyTTANTTPPOn-aeQcw0zRrqF4zjcy_7vY/s1600/owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyxXvov5ahkoNj4OCCrYWm9mrnVkFa1EhCr6hpweMTP6m8X5e1cTgxA8096BRZI2o4W__PcFiOJeowTqm8-53DTD65ZZRkaJHijxXbDOsExPyTTANTTPPOn-aeQcw0zRrqF4zjcy_7vY/s1600/owl.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who are cutest little owls in all of Owlville? YOU are!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEz7rdvHWrU-ICQioUWQJWzPPx6iBEI63LmdxhhYoUFAGC3wpk8PorFoTRnkwOwLB4Nfrx0cfcGIaOrFoPF1hWz1LZD9ytniIta9DYPVbZL_ZgfhrSWcptN8ySJJbgUU7S8EEgOYl2bY/s1600/owl+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEz7rdvHWrU-ICQioUWQJWzPPx6iBEI63LmdxhhYoUFAGC3wpk8PorFoTRnkwOwLB4Nfrx0cfcGIaOrFoPF1hWz1LZD9ytniIta9DYPVbZL_ZgfhrSWcptN8ySJJbgUU7S8EEgOYl2bY/s1600/owl+3.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is so classy it doesn't even look "novelty" to me. You're welcome.</td></tr>
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Bam. Choices galore. All will give you the same read as the inspiration dress, but are much more suited to individual style instead of being trapped with a generic novelty print. Of course, in researching this I have now become obsessed with that fox fabric. Go figure.<br />
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That's all for now, kids! I'm off to do wait out the remainder of the work day feeling icky and pathetic. At least I have a webinar that will last until it's almost time to leave. It's the little things.<br />
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Happy Wen-Thursday!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-51061332790850558852014-09-01T14:05:00.002-07:002014-09-01T21:48:28.415-07:00The Marie Laveau DressSometimes, there's a project that comes along that is determined to test all the patience you wish you had. No matter how enthusiastically it is approached, how carefully you proceed through the steps; even if you've made it a thousand times before, success will elude you at every turn. You will swear it's been cursed by some gypsy or voodoo queen as you grab the seam ripper yet again, stabbing yourself in the process (I had a dress once where I sewed the right sleeve into the left armscye FOUR times). This dress has been one of those projects. I've had the damn thing on the sewing table for weeks, but everything from stupid sewing/cutting mistakes to everyday life has made this a long and winding road on the path to dress glory.<br />
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<em>Ah, one day my dream of independent wealth will come true, and I will finally be able to immerse myself in a hermitage of sewing bliss... Begone, friends and family! There's a new pattern to try! And I have recently obtained a length of fabulous fabric that cries out to fulfill its destiny! No, not for you, foolish mortal, the fabric is mine, all mine! Now fetch me a vodka and soda! Mhuahahahahaha!</em><br />
<em></em><br />
Well a girl can dream.<br />
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First, the pattern. It's another BHL Anna dress (oh Anna. You sexy thang.). This time, mainly spurred on by the <a href="http://dollyclackett.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/stop-eating-peoples-old-french-fries.html">gorgeous version</a> over at Dolly Clackett, I decided to dive in and try the maxi version. The only fabric I was interested in busting out for this was a lovely, heavy weight linen blend I've had for close to 15 years. It was originally earmarked to be a summer weight 14th century dress, back when I still hung out in the SCA. It's a gorgeous shade of navy with deep purple tones - so I thought it would be the perfect dress for late summer, since we'd had an amazing run of 80+ degree days.<br />
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Oh, the best laid plans of mice and seamstresses...<br />
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The beginning of the project was set spinning off course pretty much as I was cutting the fabric. Big person life got in the way around the Stitchery and kept me from my machine for the better part of that week, and I only sporadically (and distractedly) got back to the dress for short stints. My only long sewing session was interrupted by the thrill of seeing how culottes make my ass look gigantic; fun as that was, it was an entire afternoon away from dressmaking. THEN I hurt my back getting out of bed (because getting older is that amazing) and couldn't sit at my machine for several more days. The most interaction I've had with my sweet Janome has been longing looks on my way out the door, and the occasional loving caress. But I digress.<br />
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As soon as I could, I forced out some time to begin assembly. Then, the mistakes started. The bodice went together as smoothly as ever (once I got to it), but the skirt. Oh, the skirt. Cursed.<br />
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I really should have listened to, oh, EVERYONE in the bloggersphere who said "make sure you mark the skirt pieces, they look pretty similar". <em>Oh, stuff and nonesense</em>, thought I. <em>Surely keeping the pattern pieces with the skirt pieces until pinning is sufficient, as this has worked for me in the past, and I am awesome</em>. Cthulhu tried to be helpful by offering me a marking pencil, and helpful suggestions like "hey, maybe you should cut the notches on this bad boy?". After a haughty scoff by yours truly, he just shrugged and went back to designing cities with non-Euclidian geometry and driving cultists insane. Yeah, I should have known. Always trust the advice of the house demi-god. Just saying.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D5F1kHx-o9Idc3olPg9o2CGXnJUTpxx2JidPLyOq3dBJ9IR9B_a5a_KkPLDBqlCvcEH3fHAHUIdRWjiJt6HW4ZbaDO0DLBIWOxf8AMWE3LMKTuCHbtw2ep76azktvhbCeNKZi3XQzFU/s1600/20140830_134603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1D5F1kHx-o9Idc3olPg9o2CGXnJUTpxx2JidPLyOq3dBJ9IR9B_a5a_KkPLDBqlCvcEH3fHAHUIdRWjiJt6HW4ZbaDO0DLBIWOxf8AMWE3LMKTuCHbtw2ep76azktvhbCeNKZi3XQzFU/s1600/20140830_134603.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didn't mark the skirt, huh? Hand me the seam ripper...</td></tr>
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Not only are the skirt pieces <u>similar</u>, I'm hard pressed to find much difference <u>AT ALL</u>. Really, I'm not sure why they don't just have a CF and CB, then just one other piece you cut 4 panels of for the SF and SB sections. It would save a lot of swearing. Especially when you realize that you forgot to cut the CB section, and scramble in a panic for the remnants you've lovingly stored. Then, you find that said remnant is a good 3 inches shorter, and now the skirt will need trimmed (and only brush the tops of your feet instead of majestically floating just above the ground). Then you decide to start assembling the ^&%*'ing skirt after a cocktail break, and discover that you have flipped the SB and CB pieces, and the only hope of correction is to rip it apart and resew. After you pinked the seams. On a linen blend. Yeah, fuck that. I'll deal with the skirt as is. Lucky for me, Cthulhu has the good grace to refrain from "I told you so". At least out loud.<br />
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In the interests of full disclosure, I did rip it apart. Then I pinned it together and after resewing realized half the pieces were inside out. Yeah. Fortunately there was not a lighter handy or this would have burned.<br />
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And did I mention that in a whirlwind frenzy of pinking, I also finished the CB seam, before the skirt was attached to the bodice and had to rip THAT open? Yeah. Have I mentioned this was a cursed project?<br />
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(The love affair with my Janome, however, is still going strong. Oh Janome, you understand me, don't you? Of course you do. The 7 piece feed dogs on the Superior Feed System are no joke. I may even risk sewing up some rayon I've been too afraid to touch but would make lovely culottes. Maybe.)<br />
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I also tried a <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/11/how-to-insert-a-railroad-zipper/">new technique</a> for zip insertion. It's not too disimilar from what I usually do, but there are some extra steps in the tutorial that turned on a fair few light bulbs for me. There's also a <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/07/how-to-use-a-walking-foot-for-garment-sewing/">fantastic tutorial</a> on using a walking foot that I'm going to try for stitching down bias facing. Craftsy is a lifesaver.<br />
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**SPOILER ALERT. SEW NEW ZIPPER STOPS. TRUST ME. ENCLOSING THE ZIP IN THE BIAS BINDING WASN'T ENOUGH AND THE PULL CAME RIGHT OFF.**<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfkAWyyKYKaqXml_KqGC9T8X6OiI-WU7LCIvzFDgZ_5cbcgELei33LqwFHGEEs04kZBGvwsWXiXNVOiVpr_LYfW2psqF8BYUCrtEo4889gRci9TPE-0nRz8NAXNrYOS7aey3okT8qFXE/s1600/20140830_152844_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfkAWyyKYKaqXml_KqGC9T8X6OiI-WU7LCIvzFDgZ_5cbcgELei33LqwFHGEEs04kZBGvwsWXiXNVOiVpr_LYfW2psqF8BYUCrtEo4889gRci9TPE-0nRz8NAXNrYOS7aey3okT8qFXE/s1600/20140830_152844_HDR.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bias facing action shot</td></tr>
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So after all the frustrations and annoyances, I managed to power through and finally get the dress done. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh the suffering I endure for my art</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vxmfAkqAlGwqYBQcHwJJUWlqWtqJ44ggVfwPhfp6V3b0BTQU24NlcQXzcdp59fnIL-1h2WLZ40MTFiR9Nm9KMQFs6L02TOv3IgnZR-7j-za-V6e90-cTcnNqOL8OOfPezP12i9D49_I/s1600/DSCN3095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vxmfAkqAlGwqYBQcHwJJUWlqWtqJ44ggVfwPhfp6V3b0BTQU24NlcQXzcdp59fnIL-1h2WLZ40MTFiR9Nm9KMQFs6L02TOv3IgnZR-7j-za-V6e90-cTcnNqOL8OOfPezP12i9D49_I/s1600/DSCN3095.JPG" height="391" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, there's vodka in that cup</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d0xA4n3r-GmRSczhy_h_EiMo55K6Ine4V6LaatJPTYtkD5qHxZKYDGqdEMNz8EIvlbhQyDXPuv_9HSlk07ptaI1D8ER_TGDNKU8YK_w9JLbE2Com6CkkCJd9-mG2IsLEMwBH96uj2UE/s1600/DSCN3098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d0xA4n3r-GmRSczhy_h_EiMo55K6Ine4V6LaatJPTYtkD5qHxZKYDGqdEMNz8EIvlbhQyDXPuv_9HSlk07ptaI1D8ER_TGDNKU8YK_w9JLbE2Com6CkkCJd9-mG2IsLEMwBH96uj2UE/s1600/DSCN3098.JPG" height="400" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But it was worth it in the end</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_zsqalUFkabeFXmrPTYf-tX1Myfc7ahlXxXAk7jX8y2ioaVLOQxVsdejURYmAgWiYg3cEhW-MOvGpjtfCZTLVgCMOnr4VkEZ1dSmI9LA-CR3o5r4z-Opq2WbvtV55u8e8zDYgMSQCbY/s1600/DSCN3097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_zsqalUFkabeFXmrPTYf-tX1Myfc7ahlXxXAk7jX8y2ioaVLOQxVsdejURYmAgWiYg3cEhW-MOvGpjtfCZTLVgCMOnr4VkEZ1dSmI9LA-CR3o5r4z-Opq2WbvtV55u8e8zDYgMSQCbY/s1600/DSCN3097.JPG" height="400" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's even elegant from the back</td></tr>
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And I did pick up an adorable new purse from the <a href="http://www.rockitroost.com/">RockIt Roost </a>- the brick and mortar store is here in town and my friend Holly presented me with this saying "it would be so cute with your style of dresses!". Sigh, isn't the kiss lock sweet? I was smitten, and as it was on sale for $20, how could I say no? Nothing takes the sting off a project from hell like fabulous accessories.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBus8OTgyk0E1ANXeE-h3EdD9bWWHbIAjNXBdUOS1N-bJyC8_Pj_0tN_NsOd6Wuma5yMt-VZnkYSvYTe9tObinnVPKfGz-jUgewIJG0jnCwz2rUlpG07ct-ogZziHFoKyRMZO2itIBXlY/s1600/14+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBus8OTgyk0E1ANXeE-h3EdD9bWWHbIAjNXBdUOS1N-bJyC8_Pj_0tN_NsOd6Wuma5yMt-VZnkYSvYTe9tObinnVPKfGz-jUgewIJG0jnCwz2rUlpG07ct-ogZziHFoKyRMZO2itIBXlY/s1600/14+-+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute new purse, you understand me.</td></tr>
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And that's it for this edition of Watch My Projects Turn Me Into An Alcoholic. Stay tuned for more adventures!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And one triumphant pose for the road</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-47883857096097074152014-08-27T12:40:00.005-07:002014-09-12T11:33:04.573-07:00The Sushi Dress - Butterick 5748Here's a quick and dirty post on a dress I made at the beginning of the summer. It's actually one of my favorites, because I absolutely adore the fabric. It's made from a quilting cotton I bought at JoAnn's sometime last year, and the pattern was my second attempt at Butterick 5748.<br />
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On this dress, I omitted the lining, used bias binding for the neckline and arms, and scooped the neckline another 5/8". The hem is serged and left alone (don't you love my couture techniques?), and I have continued with my use of railroad zips over invisible ones.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd82WlHOKl3BG54yujy4Yku1KX1MXPcU01tSG9ANrhIWWF3n12rW7U3fhHT6HoXkQrNLXFs1OZTWRB1cxf3uNzwAnGjzm0e4bw-BiRnxvBndHmAjtKLsOj8u0dPhEYtpLcLaAWFQj3Oo/s1600/DSCN2989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd82WlHOKl3BG54yujy4Yku1KX1MXPcU01tSG9ANrhIWWF3n12rW7U3fhHT6HoXkQrNLXFs1OZTWRB1cxf3uNzwAnGjzm0e4bw-BiRnxvBndHmAjtKLsOj8u0dPhEYtpLcLaAWFQj3Oo/s1600/DSCN2989.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet "no flash" photo. Take that, Ansel Adams.</td></tr>
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And the back, showcasing the best feature of the pattern; the lovely deep back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T_72xJ8MFi7TnEALgp1zuLww7dkBLAXPpVoAPMbzaZ4TTHM2qTXx_PnwrWEeb9iF_MCPnKI7kkhL3maLfhe0fxWtAxCR4-tph1X2JjfLBrlAkjUb0Zp-E-FcFwhZmlHbuZgtdEtONTg/s1600/DSCN2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T_72xJ8MFi7TnEALgp1zuLww7dkBLAXPpVoAPMbzaZ4TTHM2qTXx_PnwrWEeb9iF_MCPnKI7kkhL3maLfhe0fxWtAxCR4-tph1X2JjfLBrlAkjUb0Zp-E-FcFwhZmlHbuZgtdEtONTg/s1600/DSCN2987.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Dance pose</td></tr>
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The hem's even, I promise. Not only did I have a run of forgetting the flash, but I was also taking photos of my dresses after wearing them all day. Cotton tends to get a bit flat after sitting for hours. However, I'm not a fashion blogger (or really any kind of blogger) so my goal is to get pics as fast as possible and get them posted. <br />
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At some point I'll have to get a close up of just the fabric, because it's stunning. I centered the bodice to get as much of one complete dragon across the front as possible. Damn, that's pretty fabric.<br />
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Boom. Sewing post. I had another name for this dress, but then I started to have a hankering for sushi, and that's that. These dresses name themselves. Mmmmm. Sushi.<br />
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Happy Hump Day!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-44868866469440694172014-08-27T10:10:00.000-07:002014-08-27T15:22:54.598-07:00Inspiration not Duplication - Cath Kidston's London Buses DressGreetings, sports fans! <br />
This week's installment of "Oooh I love that! Here, take my money! Wait... it's HOW much? For COTTON?! Yeah, fuck that." is brought to you by my avoidance of anything productive.<br />
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It's been far easier to crawl the interwebs lately rather than sit at the sewing table (my fabric stash is glaring evilly in my direction), which brought me to this <a href="http://www.cathkidston.com/london-buses-sleeveless-jacquard-dress/dresses/cath-kidston/fcp-product/1013115">darling piece</a> by across-the-pond designer, Cath Kidston.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkpdwntNkllw0bEhrjPEQLuA1yVgEJvxkuwnWUMRrrkpDpT2SxgxOT1EGUesuEUrEoaqkCNoZRyFNfQXGQTXkb1ZY3YbToLAjlIMBjTcvQUdmJdtR_UpjACQca_bCK2ti1Omkom0cAMs/s1600/dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkpdwntNkllw0bEhrjPEQLuA1yVgEJvxkuwnWUMRrrkpDpT2SxgxOT1EGUesuEUrEoaqkCNoZRyFNfQXGQTXkb1ZY3YbToLAjlIMBjTcvQUdmJdtR_UpjACQca_bCK2ti1Omkom0cAMs/s1600/dress.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squee</td></tr>
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Oh yes, this is love. Or at least moderate infatuation. Cath Kidston is known for rather quirky prints (dreamy sigh) on fairly simple designs, and not inconsiderable price tags. I am totally smitten with the double decker buses, because I shamelessly adore most things British (thank you Netflix and BBC America, for shows like Coupling, The IT Crowd and Spaced, not to mention Dr. Who, Red Dwarf, the Sharpe series, I could go on for paragraphs). However, I neither want to shell out for international shipping nor pay 65 pounds (and try to convert that to dollars in my head) for this dress. <br />
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So, you know what comes next....<br />
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fabric.com has quite a few prints with a London theme. My favorite is this <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0333374/dear-stella-london-calling-london-motifs-blue">print</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlNE7eaGNPqYJ4WttvbCC2AQvuPGSM0aNdAgPnARd-bo41pDEOZMRW-GWJBqwHRiOtuhlvakM1en5o-B6JLNEg6RZ15uJiomA9yTdMoAIW_tDo8f7PhDPM6AmiusDMsobWKCqXb7pSSk/s1600/fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlNE7eaGNPqYJ4WttvbCC2AQvuPGSM0aNdAgPnARd-bo41pDEOZMRW-GWJBqwHRiOtuhlvakM1en5o-B6JLNEg6RZ15uJiomA9yTdMoAIW_tDo8f7PhDPM6AmiusDMsobWKCqXb7pSSk/s1600/fabric.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I like the blue background, as well as the not-to-scale motifs (giant teacups and mini Big Ben, anyone?). So this would be my fabric of choice - however, if I were inclined to stay as true to the feel of the original as possible, I would go with <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0333378/dear-stella-london-calling-double-decker-buses-white?cm_vc=756b1813-cbc1-43b3-84bd-29889bf8fb7b">this</a> print
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSDuDxKHKc0VO3IJowVvDm2lK7BtYB0gpWPVrj738wAoUHg606dFz2-4cZcOSTtqJzOHxtrg3QRdjG-G2_WdhOuJGbMAaxMGiZzx31HeJEgFhEo4B8M1GdEN0dDzyDVwz-I7nnKTMz6s/s1600/buses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSDuDxKHKc0VO3IJowVvDm2lK7BtYB0gpWPVrj738wAoUHg606dFz2-4cZcOSTtqJzOHxtrg3QRdjG-G2_WdhOuJGbMAaxMGiZzx31HeJEgFhEo4B8M1GdEN0dDzyDVwz-I7nnKTMz6s/s1600/buses.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The people on the bus go up and down, up and down, up and down...</td></tr>
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My only hesitation in this fabric choice is I am clumsy as hell and try to avoid white as much as possible. However, I think this is adorable. And it might be worth a dye bath test run to get a blue background.<br />
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Next, the pattern. This is a basic skater dress, and there are a wealth of options as far as patterns. I would stick to darts over princess seams, just to preserve as much of the motif as possible. McCall's just released a pattern that would be perfect, <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6955-products-48434.php?page_id=108">M6955</a>. Butterick 5748 would be acceptable, but I would rather keep the neckline scooped in the front and high in the back, which is the exact opposite bodice treatment.<br />
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The flared skirt is pictured, but it also comes with a gathered option, as well as a nifty cut-out back.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9LMGzIXgN0Zy6Za3nHtd7J2Q87S6zU79_zIkAFyiX5CCQdLnZhOxtggz4rctVfaqoZYn3SlQ27QOPyoJOZTb4j2h44BooSHU3z7gZxfvz61Qoe0uMSVs3IHscReIjM40CS4AoUd0Wsc/s1600/M6955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9LMGzIXgN0Zy6Za3nHtd7J2Q87S6zU79_zIkAFyiX5CCQdLnZhOxtggz4rctVfaqoZYn3SlQ27QOPyoJOZTb4j2h44BooSHU3z7gZxfvz61Qoe0uMSVs3IHscReIjM40CS4AoUd0Wsc/s1600/M6955.jpg" height="400" width="378" /></a></div>
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It's a very simple pattern, looks to be every bit of its "easy" rating, and would be my solid pattern of choice for this dress. I did buy this on sale for $1.99, and would only need about 2 3/4 yards of the fabric at $9.48 per yard - that's noticeably more thrifty than the RTW option. And that means more money in the budget for accessories! I mean, things for the house. Yeah. That's what I meant...<br />
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And there you have it, yet another pleasant distraction from yours truly at the Stitchery. Happy sewing!<br />
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P.S. <br />
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I did purchase this fabric:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKfX8XGHn3YWZ8Owt3zxHLJ3b8A8-FbgihAchvg_15WXWG8bXb67x7ue4-6DvVJhKzDibdV8pwOxbtpk9R_qStrnwm9B8W46Ww0jxoxPhKlTrTtnp0KgQiOhaCUWZMmWifMjStZ043V8/s1600/fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKfX8XGHn3YWZ8Owt3zxHLJ3b8A8-FbgihAchvg_15WXWG8bXb67x7ue4-6DvVJhKzDibdV8pwOxbtpk9R_qStrnwm9B8W46Ww0jxoxPhKlTrTtnp0KgQiOhaCUWZMmWifMjStZ043V8/s1600/fabric.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMG squee</td></tr>
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With a mind to this Eva Franco dress:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa5w3T8EL_xW0LFKM7vh0-Eujj6PI7dQhPKWKu0yK7fJf0FbANjzo94P7MH3YrDDoXBBKLNbmNn4OktsWP8tFZtDWA10zraVguEY12oiL5DvQhg9sV9CxCJR2UdmG6eP_S_U2m60N4_Y/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa5w3T8EL_xW0LFKM7vh0-Eujj6PI7dQhPKWKu0yK7fJf0FbANjzo94P7MH3YrDDoXBBKLNbmNn4OktsWP8tFZtDWA10zraVguEY12oiL5DvQhg9sV9CxCJR2UdmG6eP_S_U2m60N4_Y/s1600/untitled.png" height="400" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sold out on Modcloth, worn in New Girl and much coveted by the bloggersphere</td></tr>
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Stay tuned! I may get this done by my 50th birthday.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-34017274072697053952014-08-22T13:12:00.002-07:002014-08-23T11:53:56.041-07:00Inspiration not Duplication - Modcloth Guest of Honor Dress in BalloonIt's no secret I love Modcloth. And even though I stopped emptying my wallet buying RTW from them faster than you can say "charge it!", I still crawl the pages when I need a creative kick in the ass. Or to buy accessories. Accessories.......drool....<br />
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So today as I was window shopping the site, I found this dress from <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/guest-of-honor-dress-in-balloons">Effie's Heart</a>. Ok, let's get real. This dress is adorable. Super adorable. I want. I need. I check the price and hit the brakes. As lovely as this dress is, I am not excited in the slightest at the $95 price tag. <br />
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So using this as inspiration, this is how I would make my version of the dress.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc79oOwMoehWmR3dcQ1Qa3lIV5hy9_Kb55iQN-lJfqBWmX18rVkEmsbkfb-aMm9bBW_BjzWgUFnSkynkZozS_rJ1hvO_qbKchIQFazv2u6rzhX9_hFBldiRsf4Wz5fX2iBpmDWWDOprkg/s1600/dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc79oOwMoehWmR3dcQ1Qa3lIV5hy9_Kb55iQN-lJfqBWmX18rVkEmsbkfb-aMm9bBW_BjzWgUFnSkynkZozS_rJ1hvO_qbKchIQFazv2u6rzhX9_hFBldiRsf4Wz5fX2iBpmDWWDOprkg/s1600/dress.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiration piece from Effie's Heart</td></tr>
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First things first -- this dress is a knit. I love to wear knit, but I don't sew with knit because my sanity is precarious enough as it is. So my personal take would be to use this quilting cotton, available on <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0326042/blown-away-balloon-ride-blue">fabric.com</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw9T4zgNzalAgTXv4D2v-hNfZi_4m1TWrQD81r8XbFxYN3WF2-zu2lCMfCtAF-EwZHaPjRl5Q24_aAXDugxuTum00avCEWjPmaRo4Dyjr9JSE-6u8h_xop7xJiyb_UQGcaJMmP3z4lwY/s1600/fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw9T4zgNzalAgTXv4D2v-hNfZi_4m1TWrQD81r8XbFxYN3WF2-zu2lCMfCtAF-EwZHaPjRl5Q24_aAXDugxuTum00avCEWjPmaRo4Dyjr9JSE-6u8h_xop7xJiyb_UQGcaJMmP3z4lwY/s1600/fabric.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have this in the pink color and it's freaking fabulous</td></tr>
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What I like so much about the Guest of Honor dress is the wide straps and slightly squared off neckline. I also like the flared skirt, but that's easy enough to swap out with another pattern, so here's the pattern I would use to tackle the bodice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlVqtyEWo-ULU4k-0TJ8-gouXq7HFrZ1-KRhs6yBxTF_0_BYD_CSEL-OOmpwuLjBKcu1ZY8w-QhwEqk-fuPer-E5_bOLykmrALY8-oMksOf2yZRG5brH4MrdzieXBJCzws7qeK7q9Kas/s1600/1803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlVqtyEWo-ULU4k-0TJ8-gouXq7HFrZ1-KRhs6yBxTF_0_BYD_CSEL-OOmpwuLjBKcu1ZY8w-QhwEqk-fuPer-E5_bOLykmrALY8-oMksOf2yZRG5brH4MrdzieXBJCzws7qeK7q9Kas/s1600/1803.jpg" height="400" width="277" /></a></div>
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Personally, I would use view C (the one with the notch), because it has the squared shape I'm after. The other views are more of a sweetheart neckline, but if you like the attached straps, that's easy enough to change (or leave, whatever trips your trigger). I've made up view C and cut the CF on the fold to eliminate the seam, and it's worked just fine. So for the bodice, I would take view C, cut it on the fold to remove the CF seam and remove the notch, squaring up the neckline even more. I would also leave off the cap sleeves (seen on the model in the hot pink dress). The original dress has a yoke and separate straps, but I try to use as few seams as possible. I prefer a cleaner line, especially when the goal is to showcase the fabric, and I am far too lazy to do a shit ton of pattern matching. <br />
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If I wanted to up the cost and keep the flared skirt of the Modcloth dress, I'd make the 5 gore skirt from Butterick 5882 (the cotton isn't wide enough for a 2 piece full or half circle skirt) otherwise I'd just use the gathered skirt here. After all, it's an inspiration piece, not a copy :) And to be perfectly honest, I'd be inclined to use the highly fabric conservative skirt from 1418, cause I <3 it. I would also keep the cost down by not making the sash. I'm short waisted and I don't like them anyway. <br />
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Projected cost:<br />
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Pattern $0 (I own it but if you buy it it will run anywhere from 99 cents to $14 depending on if you can wait for a Joann's sale), fabric $23.70 (2 1/2 yards @ $9.48/yard), notions $0 - $4 (thread, bias tape, zipper if the stash is lacking) for a total of well under $30 for a new dress. Compared to $95 to purchase a similar dress via retail, this is well worth making up at home. Even if you up the yardage and add the cost of lining (I typically use remnants for my lining), you're still coming in well under half the cost. <br />
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Now go forth and be inspired!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-12251708985464039042014-08-19T21:09:00.001-07:002014-08-22T12:18:54.845-07:00Pattern test - culottes! Friend, or foe? And a bonus sewing machine review.I've been desperately in love with everyone's Tania Culottes projects. As I highly enjoy to ride my bike (but don't enjoy flashing passersby), I've been searching for a clothing solution other than a dress and leggings wacked off to be knee length as appropriate cycling wear. Sadly, the Tania pattern is only available as a downloadble file, and I am a moron when it comes to piecing tiled patterns. Instant gratification or bust, kids! I'd done some preliminary research into mod'ing a circle skirt pattern, when I came across a new addition to the McCall line, <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6965-products-48444.php?page_id=96">M6965</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PlD1VqbzwXpBmiGayzlFmJIa7Lerzw3VBMb0GVuOxF5hsUOkYpe1QuZ5VrqYFVqE9UjpmkjK_Gsgvy-O_mkpH7lUWC0TQZCJgC_V_GAl9hD-gNYKUzsfT44toDUq-peYhyphenhyphen9uBEQG2SY/s1600/DSCN3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PlD1VqbzwXpBmiGayzlFmJIa7Lerzw3VBMb0GVuOxF5hsUOkYpe1QuZ5VrqYFVqE9UjpmkjK_Gsgvy-O_mkpH7lUWC0TQZCJgC_V_GAl9hD-gNYKUzsfT44toDUq-peYhyphenhyphen9uBEQG2SY/s1600/DSCN3071.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's about time!</td></tr>
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Culottes! Oh joy, oh rapture! And three different lengths! I bought two copies of the pattern, since they were on sale for 99 cents, pulled out some drapey suiting I've had for years and years, shoved my current dress project to the side (again), and spent three hours on Saturday working away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavk1_v16tWVIxVWutwRxA_Ybke_ly3TJX4azktf7vz4lqOj1jJhslxOzYQ4_Abs7CDQUNyJGG-yJRlSQWsr3owh1b7rXpA90tLHSzw115p3wbQlhIVy6DWQ0AknQNTwjbnMKMeJREipU/s1600/DSCN3074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavk1_v16tWVIxVWutwRxA_Ybke_ly3TJX4azktf7vz4lqOj1jJhslxOzYQ4_Abs7CDQUNyJGG-yJRlSQWsr3owh1b7rXpA90tLHSzw115p3wbQlhIVy6DWQ0AknQNTwjbnMKMeJREipU/s1600/DSCN3074.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to tell, but there's silver thread in there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6U544Jp1IcrTWI2RFzO99YPdn-y0CCfzVGpui_s11l_LgRzUSN8M6SKpUVULXOpqi9UI5rOzDuO-5fnYFjGPUJvrrT4YMB39UgVqCBY86LH_lim2hw3ygjNemRfzNoNvR6lkyP70YSMg/s1600/DSCN3072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6U544Jp1IcrTWI2RFzO99YPdn-y0CCfzVGpui_s11l_LgRzUSN8M6SKpUVULXOpqi9UI5rOzDuO-5fnYFjGPUJvrrT4YMB39UgVqCBY86LH_lim2hw3ygjNemRfzNoNvR6lkyP70YSMg/s1600/DSCN3072.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pattern layout, on the new (adjustable height) table</td></tr>
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I cut a size 12, because that's what I normally made in bottoms. Unbeknownst to me, even though my weight is similar to when I last made a non-dress project, they came out HUGE in the waist/hip. Of course, I tried them on completely assembled and finished, because I was entirely confident about the sizing. Nope. Whatever, these are for cycling - so I threw 4 darts in the waistband (2 front, 2 back) and called it good. Room in the hips will just make it easier to pedal, right? Right.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsOEciMGgLCShR1un_Pn8Mbbayc9pYwNmbq_quDle76phIaI_L42bS3nFxbUJFppqPeC9PG3R1AZK5nF2S-WExMo7qUtAGR8lgOMiVIQSomoOVgUKw86uQgt50trKjgrxAqcm2yzfW0E/s1600/DSCN3077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsOEciMGgLCShR1un_Pn8Mbbayc9pYwNmbq_quDle76phIaI_L42bS3nFxbUJFppqPeC9PG3R1AZK5nF2S-WExMo7qUtAGR8lgOMiVIQSomoOVgUKw86uQgt50trKjgrxAqcm2yzfW0E/s1600/DSCN3077.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gratuitous crotch shot</td></tr>
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They were incredibly easy to put together, although I managed to spectacularly flub the zipper insertion. Cause I got skills.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewwImLf49mNMkcjvBhSr7Ofy9RZXsjN5yl9RC0cF5NzI1aBECnOBMvGodXoTtfVDXjApZqNbLJ7Awgo-eMHgtOg3lf6V5xe3lx77KJe87jNJM9YackpNxsgOnJC146ZX6lIhxEwoOWeE/s1600/DSCN3079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewwImLf49mNMkcjvBhSr7Ofy9RZXsjN5yl9RC0cF5NzI1aBECnOBMvGodXoTtfVDXjApZqNbLJ7Awgo-eMHgtOg3lf6V5xe3lx77KJe87jNJM9YackpNxsgOnJC146ZX6lIhxEwoOWeE/s1600/DSCN3079.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FAIL action shot</td></tr>
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For some unknown reason (no, not vodka), I didn't leave enough at the top of the waistband to clear the zipper after the facing was attached. In non-Kelli speak, that meant the zipper was now too long to fold the facing over. Dumb. So I had to trim more off of the top of the zip, then handsew stops into the zipper tape (because the metal stops were cut off). And the whole zipper insertion is kind of wonky - I was really in a rush to get these made. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEt9cOMV0WTbe-oxuHcCeZLQUfr85R3yyRtCFAcqk5Gfb-Aw_lEIAv08_vqGEvF0FM8KwVwrrscE8XUPm90rz85sLn21RPkQkEuQ2KxAtMTFbCE_rsf5-KDbwT220_Q-HlvqlgJR4ruE/s1600/DSCN3089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEt9cOMV0WTbe-oxuHcCeZLQUfr85R3yyRtCFAcqk5Gfb-Aw_lEIAv08_vqGEvF0FM8KwVwrrscE8XUPm90rz85sLn21RPkQkEuQ2KxAtMTFbCE_rsf5-KDbwT220_Q-HlvqlgJR4ruE/s1600/DSCN3089.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close enough for government work, as they say</td></tr>
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I think these will look better in a more fluid fabric, but even though they make me look a bit..um...wide, I still really like these. The biggest problem with culottes is the optical illusion created by all that extra fabric at the hip/thigh region. Your eye is drawn to the width of the fabric, which makes it look like that's the width of your thighs. However, I don't really care. They're comfy as all getout and you can project a movie on the back - bonus! I'd like to make the shorter version for tennis as well. I also think with a better fit and finish, they will be adorable for fall with tights.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOwbBlbH0s0LwGJ3v1P5uezakfPFupxje_Wu06jEtuNmrkOsWqkfqKhjMqHdQlwZJoBq1YHkVZ8x4BoEDiCodi5yNNglTSkjuVrbg_LOIIyi4JxdBjazjsvqDOkgWvjVP2LlZb0cQQGk/s1600/DSCN3086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOwbBlbH0s0LwGJ3v1P5uezakfPFupxje_Wu06jEtuNmrkOsWqkfqKhjMqHdQlwZJoBq1YHkVZ8x4BoEDiCodi5yNNglTSkjuVrbg_LOIIyi4JxdBjazjsvqDOkgWvjVP2LlZb0cQQGk/s1600/DSCN3086.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bam! Baby got back. For days.</td></tr>
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And now for something completely different:<br />
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I sewed these entirely on my new toy, a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Janome-DC4030P-Electronic-Sewing-Machine/dp/B00EA08G3Y">Janome 4030P</a> (the P is for "pink" - this was a special model for breast cancer awareness). Which I love. LOVE. I want to run away to the coast with it and buy it presents. I pet it and sing it lullabies at night. It reminds me - in all the best ways - of my workhorse Kenmore that I started sewing with umpteen years ago.<br />
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<em>That machine would have sewn through aluminum siding if I wanted; I toted that sweet baby with me from college dorm rooms, apartments, and couch surfing, up until the metal housing that worked the needle up and down finally cracked after almost 15 years of abu...I mean heavy use.</em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwEn4wvkn_Xwz08iuEFA6ymXi9cYHZSmUNT6IO-gjLKqszvosTMzkfZ8849N4ou9ef2MV-Ai6OyfAbgFxf_E2gFmGLPfPz2JXBi21FCzLaYm4WepduDaZspUbrrTc3XF0Tak7wZuwsAk/s1600/DSCN3080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwEn4wvkn_Xwz08iuEFA6ymXi9cYHZSmUNT6IO-gjLKqszvosTMzkfZ8849N4ou9ef2MV-Ai6OyfAbgFxf_E2gFmGLPfPz2JXBi21FCzLaYm4WepduDaZspUbrrTc3XF0Tak7wZuwsAk/s1600/DSCN3080.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janome, I <3 you</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, Janome made machines for Kenmore (which have gone the way of the dodo), which may account for the instant amorous deja vu. I've sewn on Vikings for about 11 years now, and while they are superior machines to many, I've found that I long to return to the simpler functionality of a machine like the mid-range Janome. I don't quilt, so 300 decorative stitches go entirely unused, and while automatic EVERYTHING is an amazing feature, I have missed being able to make slight adjustments and really get to know my machine. Vikings are also notorious divas, and will only produce the best stitch quality if you give it expensive thread and take it out on the town so it feels pretty. I had these culottes two-thirds of the way sewn on the Janome before I noticed I had it threaded wrong. Yup, I am so used to being able to wind a bobbin with the needles threaded (one Viking feature I will miss) that I had the thread wound on the wrong tension post. And you know what? <u>Not. One. Missed. Stitch</u>. This machine purred along happily; I only noticed the threading because I stopped to actually pay attention to the threading path. That's my kind of machine.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQcGMS5rKWFB8MaEK-psZYOxFH7K_ihnRsBW25Rh5FbRhL0xGGHrpHeZLJSSPduf24x1CRaTy20JmtaV-Ug7zmHxUf24KgQLYxijP3O-AtStm3PACzp6RIbrI2Bjr9eYuaHo3doYj3B4/s1600/DSCN3081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQcGMS5rKWFB8MaEK-psZYOxFH7K_ihnRsBW25Rh5FbRhL0xGGHrpHeZLJSSPduf24x1CRaTy20JmtaV-Ug7zmHxUf24KgQLYxijP3O-AtStm3PACzp6RIbrI2Bjr9eYuaHo3doYj3B4/s1600/DSCN3081.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Threading guide. Apparently, only a suggestion.</td></tr>
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So this is the correct path. I still had wound around the shiny metal tension knob you see at the top. Did I mention my amazing skills? Spongebob Cthulhu was mightily amused.<br />
<br />
Plus, it's pink and I think it's adorable. Now, if pink isn't your thing, it is offered as the DC4030, no pink faceplate. Although I think it's discontinued. But that's what the internet is for.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0CGRnB_ez3ICbT5GNeDSkBGNYOGiQxo8f8tb_j-f6PZWdfQ7pvX-x7iewmOz9JIgJC4gjkHJ7BeNKbCxS9fGU4AjiSX9PfmCBqr63aRFAF9A5nBJaxodkMrjUzkkSB91iLz23xf9eEA/s1600/DSCN3075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0CGRnB_ez3ICbT5GNeDSkBGNYOGiQxo8f8tb_j-f6PZWdfQ7pvX-x7iewmOz9JIgJC4gjkHJ7BeNKbCxS9fGU4AjiSX9PfmCBqr63aRFAF9A5nBJaxodkMrjUzkkSB91iLz23xf9eEA/s1600/DSCN3075.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sigh.....so cute</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4s6KPjlD9yORPi2XQCcCE_MtHVy5zVbW06RocPGVdbVkAv5jQy2bJb4OMrqmjHY2wL7MOGHZ32-nguahCxFAi0ykxDnjtED0E_0jJswL7_q_iFMHSKDEt7w6VcEUYAW1qhX1ismbNVM/s1600/DSCN3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4s6KPjlD9yORPi2XQCcCE_MtHVy5zVbW06RocPGVdbVkAv5jQy2bJb4OMrqmjHY2wL7MOGHZ32-nguahCxFAi0ykxDnjtED0E_0jJswL7_q_iFMHSKDEt7w6VcEUYAW1qhX1ismbNVM/s1600/DSCN3082.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at those sexy, accessible inner workings. Take that, Viking!</td></tr>
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See that lever with "2, 1, 0"? That's to adjust the pressure foot pressure. Aw, yeah. Momma like. Momma also likes the ability to open that up and actually clean the inside. No Viking I've used or could remotely afford has that.<br />
<br />
So that's it for now. I have my linen maxi dress halfway done - things at the Stitchery have been in a state of mild upheaval recently and I haven't been able to sit down and work. Hopefully that will be remedied soon and I will have a lovely new dress post soon - I'm having machine withdrawals!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-43699916691091528082014-08-13T16:04:00.000-07:002014-08-13T22:23:03.379-07:00The Just Whistle DressThings have just been non-stop hectic around these parts. I, for one, am delighted that we've actually gotten some rain and cooler weather today. I guess that means I'm becoming a true Pacific Northwesterner!<br />
<br />
The intense (for these parts) heat and humidity have pretty much sapped my motivation for sewing. I have a couple of completed projects, and my Anna maxi dress cut out, but I just couldn't bring myself to sit indoors with fabric piled on my lap. And with the One Week, One Pattern challenge looming, I need some chill and rain to get me behind the machine again! I also got my new toy - a Janome DC4030 - that I'm desperate to test drive. My Viking is a great machine, but it's really aimed at quilters, which means it's large and has about 100 stitches I will never use. I'm going to try out a smaller machine and see how I like it; this will also give me an extra machine to take to classes and have mini sewing bees. Well, after the drum kit vacates the corner of my sewing room that is...<br />
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I've been busy, if not overly social, the last week. Which I'm totally OK with. I've gone biking (I REALLY need a good skort/culotte pattern for riding), been to the gym (my tennis game needs some serious work), and a bit of brewery time with friends (trivia at The Pig!), and it's been lovely. But with the pledge to eat at home at least three nights a week going strong, the heavy duty bar time has dropped - no regrets there, I've already lost 3 pounds!<br />
<br />
The Seattle Cider Summit is coming up in a few weeks, and our intrepid band of heavy drinkers is gearing up for a hop across the Sound and day spend sampling the areas finest cideries. Should be a blast - if I can remember to buy my ticket... <br />
Then shortly on its heels in the Pumpkin Beer Festival, mmmm, pumpkin spicy deliciousness. Night Owl from Elysian Brewery is truly heavenly.<br />
I've also discovered a magnificent offering from Smirnoff. They have a low-cal line of vodkas, and I found a mango-passionfruit that is DELICIOUS. At roughly 50 calories per shot, it's a pretty dangerous concoction!<br />
<br />
On a non-alcohol related front, I did manage to finish Anna #3. A few months ago, I ordered a gorgeous Michael Miller print from fabric.com - Eiffel Towers in a black and white color combination. Mostly prompted by the impending OWOP deadline, I decided last week to make it up in an Anna variation, instead of my umpteenth 2444 variant.<br />
<br />
This is such a simple and well-drafted pattern that I don't have any real construction notes, other than replacing the facing with bias binding (my standard deviation). I also used one of my favorite skirts, the Simplicity 1418 flared skirt with two big pleats front and back. Aside from the 5 gored Butterick skirt, this is my firm go-to, as it's fairly conservative on usage but looks impressive. It's also incredibly easy to put together, which is a huge plus!<br />
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Again, the seams are pinked and the hem is serged. I left the hem alone because I think I want to go back and finish it with a bias bound end as an ornamental treatment. Jury's still out, though.<br />
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I wore this to the office yesterday, still unsure of what to name my newest creation. Then I heard the news of Lauren Bacall's passing - she, along with Audrey Hepburn, has been one of my style icons most of my life. Classy but ballsy, gloriously feminine with an edge, she was a true example of a woman of strength and elegance. The lines of Anna's bodice have always evoked an air of the 1940's to me, and suddenly it could be no other name the Just Whistle Dress.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrzsNFraOaP9r0VlITWnPW-vsP-XlmP7-Q2vgOjhD3asE9x-hhOF4A2SkOq0bl-7MMkId5uTvqAd76QSt-WKMgtw-Ufx5-PUzEgHyrtW7D1CKoIiSlmXAruIOce7_4YBOq4gvNfn6QNk/s1600/DSCN3070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrzsNFraOaP9r0VlITWnPW-vsP-XlmP7-Q2vgOjhD3asE9x-hhOF4A2SkOq0bl-7MMkId5uTvqAd76QSt-WKMgtw-Ufx5-PUzEgHyrtW7D1CKoIiSlmXAruIOce7_4YBOq4gvNfn6QNk/s1600/DSCN3070.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know how to whistle, don't you?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbSF8-qJnhVyUad9IyKpu3F-MVI3BzIJm-fu3uePR6xUzHwASWWpOBi4hzzc-9edEBbtLIvtNDfmNtvzpZUDjwCI5gaXqnRrpbF_3D1ZevwYdSu4gJfE-1MnM5Cq-oyvm2EFImkT74ms/s1600/DSCN3069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbSF8-qJnhVyUad9IyKpu3F-MVI3BzIJm-fu3uePR6xUzHwASWWpOBi4hzzc-9edEBbtLIvtNDfmNtvzpZUDjwCI5gaXqnRrpbF_3D1ZevwYdSu4gJfE-1MnM5Cq-oyvm2EFImkT74ms/s1600/DSCN3069.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You just put your lips together, and blow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Yeah, totally not giving up my day job to model.<br />
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Now go watch a Bogey and Bacall film, people!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-64903124525434548332014-08-08T18:49:00.001-07:002014-08-08T19:14:01.794-07:00Bride of Frankendress; Frankendress II, the Frankendressening; or... The Monster Mash DressWell it's another gorgeous Friday here in the Pac NW. As a matter of fact, it's been SO beautiful for the last month that I think we're all getting twitchy for some rain and gloom! But I'm enjoying the sunshine while it lasts; fall will be here soon enough and hibernation season lasts a hell of a lot longer than summer. Note to self, start stockpiling tights....<br />
<br />
I just ordered a new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lifetime-Adjustable-4428-Folding-Utility/dp/B003YJPC2A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1407528777&sr=8-3&keywords=sewing+table">table</a> for the Stitchery off of Amazon. It's awesome, it's a portable folding table with legs that adjust up to 48" - at $40ish, that's the cheapest cutting table I could ever get my hands on! And if the drums find a new corner to call home, I'll have it set up all the time, and my little studio will be complete (here's where I rub my hands together in anticipatory glee).<br />
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I also hit up one of my local Jo Ann's Fabrics on Thursday. They are having an amazing pattern sale - $1.99 Butterick and 5 for $5 Simplicity. I've been wanting to pick up a couple of different styles to round out my dress wardrobe (and get a backup for Simplicity 2444), so that's what I did.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mziGqMWdR18AMsRWCTCNJIS5Vnd_dpoFT_9mR4tCW0XXn-mX-JHWZBAuFtZKC9Tcm2RDuZkjMMtMiFuTFmapV7GYx3jxqOtvHijUPRmQ4UhGtehL_mdiVy3omz4ESTedu9eVUkR2HDs/s1600/DSCN3058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mziGqMWdR18AMsRWCTCNJIS5Vnd_dpoFT_9mR4tCW0XXn-mX-JHWZBAuFtZKC9Tcm2RDuZkjMMtMiFuTFmapV7GYx3jxqOtvHijUPRmQ4UhGtehL_mdiVy3omz4ESTedu9eVUkR2HDs/s1600/DSCN3058.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
The two Butterick I picked are retro reprints - I chose <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b5880-products-44958.php?page_id=147">B5880 </a>for the skirt pattern but I actually am getting psyched about trying the bodice. <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6582-products-1037.php?page_id=371">B6582</a> is one I've been stalking for a few years, but was always sold out. I want to try a version of view C (with the full skirt) in a plaid suiting fabric I've had forever.<br />
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I haven't spent much time at my machine this week. I did finish one dress and have another about halfway finished, but I've been fighting back a summer flu, visiting a bit, and football season is upon once again (can I get an amen?), so other pleasant distractions have been taking my time. Which is fine - I'm a bit on the introverted side, and if given my druthers I'll hole up for weeks on end, happily stitching away. So it's good to get out, even if I'm drug kicking and screaming once in a while.<br />
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And without further ado, it's dress time! I first saw the fabric online at <a href="http://fabric.com/">fabric.com</a>, but it sold out almost instantly. Much to my joy, as I was wandering through <a href="http://www.pacificfabrics.com/">Pacific Fabrics</a>, I found a bolt with a few yards left. Score! I should have bought all of it, but I kept to 2 1/2 yards - at $12.99/yard, that's a hefty purchase for me. Usually I stick to Jo Ann's, and only on sale. But this fabric was a MUST.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_K-NZMxDsCySrccuKWw3X88W0abvNyWzUA2Ft3qd_oa21ItD2fsnUr1I6OXWwcSunwzGMZD0zq68V_V19JhTyu9zdGVYSX3F2FvULDp4MG7XuJ_um06llDjQKWILR5Tiu9oVoP2bTJA/s1600/DSCN3039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_K-NZMxDsCySrccuKWw3X88W0abvNyWzUA2Ft3qd_oa21ItD2fsnUr1I6OXWwcSunwzGMZD0zq68V_V19JhTyu9zdGVYSX3F2FvULDp4MG7XuJ_um06llDjQKWILR5Tiu9oVoP2bTJA/s1600/DSCN3039.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sooooo awesome...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I wanted to give the Frankendress pattern another go, so that's the one I used (Simplicity 2444 for the front, 1803 for the back). As I had a lot less fabric, I grabbed a 1/4 circle skirt pattern and went to work.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgBA6dmEAZVwIAoELs5yUAlVZ5cAEc7g_3XQov_EH4AIS0LfkxO8l4RB3WFiTq_x8olVaftYwboL8nRR3A8edUOWgRtO2sxZczM0AuimDXhPKsQJ4XmMB9X7hroamUJ4FdjRAecAtLzc/s1600/DSCN3042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgBA6dmEAZVwIAoELs5yUAlVZ5cAEc7g_3XQov_EH4AIS0LfkxO8l4RB3WFiTq_x8olVaftYwboL8nRR3A8edUOWgRtO2sxZczM0AuimDXhPKsQJ4XmMB9X7hroamUJ4FdjRAecAtLzc/s1600/DSCN3042.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end result of just the right pattern placement</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Construction was pretty much the same; I removed the excess from the arm on the back piece by laying 2444 over the cut 1803 and trimming, bias tape binding for the arms and neckline, standard zip, and the hem is serged, then folded once and topstitched. Pinked the seams for finishing, and I think I want to try binding the waist seam on another day (or 100).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g_TTVBjYexOsxLD52zbcFWR7I4N0I2ShJVJDAfzTg0JdqMzHVax6HaqGbYOvFUOJ1LgOAZ2_XNq83aDBh-hvulAPHFI15pXwa8jGP__uIl_PPVFEixs-xg3NMzSgrEX9_E3npgkVqPg/s1600/DSCN3052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g_TTVBjYexOsxLD52zbcFWR7I4N0I2ShJVJDAfzTg0JdqMzHVax6HaqGbYOvFUOJ1LgOAZ2_XNq83aDBh-hvulAPHFI15pXwa8jGP__uIl_PPVFEixs-xg3NMzSgrEX9_E3npgkVqPg/s1600/DSCN3052.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karloff's face, front and center</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkUKd7m2y8iw6Sn_VEPwBiWzWUL6giQ16lep_YTk9rn3573DnZjBymC207SiSd5NZ2xxOZ2Wc-npdZe5MpyJGxJWWtDtzh_kuepm1BcHkQmG8LZF4RDInI0wXo_ld-7-Ff34rB-tHXX0/s1600/DSCN3050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkUKd7m2y8iw6Sn_VEPwBiWzWUL6giQ16lep_YTk9rn3573DnZjBymC207SiSd5NZ2xxOZ2Wc-npdZe5MpyJGxJWWtDtzh_kuepm1BcHkQmG8LZF4RDInI0wXo_ld-7-Ff34rB-tHXX0/s1600/DSCN3050.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Creature's innards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMDTX9FXSSdUT_KfWEqM9u9iTtRBUMilEgQ89QCD16pq6SR0HEf2ESG-q1ft94ZfEquRwOHvMaSBdzK2BjYHH3e9gTF0c4v2-Ta5O02pqRcnJalvVAEHAMRb4MhNVx_gqq2KeKL9uUiY/s1600/DSCN3051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMDTX9FXSSdUT_KfWEqM9u9iTtRBUMilEgQ89QCD16pq6SR0HEf2ESG-q1ft94ZfEquRwOHvMaSBdzK2BjYHH3e9gTF0c4v2-Ta5O02pqRcnJalvVAEHAMRb4MhNVx_gqq2KeKL9uUiY/s1600/DSCN3051.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up of the bias tape finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When it was finished and I zipped it up in elation, I discovered one big fuck up. I used the wrong skirt.<br />
<br />
Yep, I was hurrying and the one I grabbed was for a slightly flared A-LINE. Fuuuuuuuck! Now, I should have known something was wrong, because I have a hunk of fabric left over that is big enough to the half of the front of a man's shirt (which is what it's currently earmarked to be). But no, off I went, in a helluva hurry to get this done and COMPLETELY FINISHED THE DRESS before I found out. It wasn't bad, but not at all the shape I wanted. So I pulled out my scrap pieces to see if I could piece together another section and maybe pull off a slightly gathered skirt.<br />
<br />
Nope. Not enough. Engage pout. Briefly consider giving the dress away. Pout some more. And then some more. Heavily consider the need for cider. After all, this is traumatic.<br />
<br />
Ugh, enough of that. Man up, Nancy!<br />
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Solution #2 - godets.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KA1bMzYBjkv4rApqfzZd6J77bmA1uwDfejymUDow6iS3XeTTtt1vtPq7EvLUIj09rDeRQ8pQNdsB06QYmNQCGNCp6UH3WOmG7vn3kaPA_drDjcNEWEBMBGrTqL-vfJaTuSYqRGDdJWU/s1600/DSCN3057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KA1bMzYBjkv4rApqfzZd6J77bmA1uwDfejymUDow6iS3XeTTtt1vtPq7EvLUIj09rDeRQ8pQNdsB06QYmNQCGNCp6UH3WOmG7vn3kaPA_drDjcNEWEBMBGrTqL-vfJaTuSYqRGDdJWU/s1600/DSCN3057.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for Godets</td></tr>
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I had enough fabric to make 4 godets (gores, gussets, etc.). However, because the skirt is a 2 piece, flared a-line, I would have needed to make splits in the existing skirt pieces for insertion points (too risky in a completed garment). I didn't want to do that, so I just cut 2 fairly narrow triangles for the side seams. I ripped the seams open - stopping just short of the waist seam - pinned them in place, and stitched 'em in. Super fun, considering the existing seams were already pinked. Sigh.<br />
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After it was all assembled, I tried it back on, and was much happier with the result. And here is the finished product - The Monster Mash Dress.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA5vRkscK5uzZID6bYCTf6Uz_9ElkO8nccwpLOqXaBnyIUoletoFCnLbhRLF8fH7QHkAtEnCVR2YZ3ITCscHPmeNeFR5XVPgveVOs4chwBWsy33EQqko92yWhcsXYSmqQTseiyqVDqvc/s1600/DSCN3064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpA5vRkscK5uzZID6bYCTf6Uz_9ElkO8nccwpLOqXaBnyIUoletoFCnLbhRLF8fH7QHkAtEnCVR2YZ3ITCscHPmeNeFR5XVPgveVOs4chwBWsy33EQqko92yWhcsXYSmqQTseiyqVDqvc/s1600/DSCN3064.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monster Mash dress + the clunkiest shoes I own</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWDh9xErSqhnvfy3lY3gnE-eIAWoiasno-zhE89oQicE1-YjDTrJrulC1jSj7X_4puA1m4h4DQLmrbxdRUXUVpNEPMOPwwDRZWQzonWp_Q962GSEDYa_D0aKqR9a5pw21ILTxVHEjdD4/s1600/DSCN3066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWDh9xErSqhnvfy3lY3gnE-eIAWoiasno-zhE89oQicE1-YjDTrJrulC1jSj7X_4puA1m4h4DQLmrbxdRUXUVpNEPMOPwwDRZWQzonWp_Q962GSEDYa_D0aKqR9a5pw21ILTxVHEjdD4/s1600/DSCN3066.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extreme godet closeup</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwSTQcNxyznuQNvcbABmPeUwmo0-GGIKMVaK-usEwG6FAX4gW2xAIAr4vAqAN9T5MmA4zIKQRRvQA63WLppE45GttAXGprx_QKE1JfzSxGC8LUCdIFMBNiANawcgkKhK5ohxbJM6i3Mk/s1600/DSCN3065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwSTQcNxyznuQNvcbABmPeUwmo0-GGIKMVaK-usEwG6FAX4gW2xAIAr4vAqAN9T5MmA4zIKQRRvQA63WLppE45GttAXGprx_QKE1JfzSxGC8LUCdIFMBNiANawcgkKhK5ohxbJM6i3Mk/s1600/DSCN3065.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My flushed-from-a-summer-flu-yet-very-pleased face</td></tr>
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<em>**The back is a touch more snug that I like, as I took out the extra 1/4" I used in the first Frankendress, which I now know I need to leave in. I still adore this dress, though.</em><br />
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That's all for now - hopefully by my next post I'll have had a chance to test my newest purchase, the Janome 4030! Mhuahahahahahaha!!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-31505048696377725822014-08-03T12:50:00.006-07:002014-08-05T11:41:34.569-07:00The FrankendressSigh. Ever had a weekend that was so relaxing yet productive that you wished there was at least one more day? That is this weekend.<br />
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Friday night was an early start in downtown Bremerton at the monthly First Friday art walk. We stopped by several businesses, including one of my favs, the Rockit Roost. They were having a big fundraising event to kickstart their pub project -- Chuck and Hannah are super and I love their dedication to this town. I bought a couple of raffle tickets and the most amazing bottle of beer; it seriously tastes like tangerine soda. But the drinking of said libation wasn't until later...<br />
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Then it was off to Melissa's birthday party. She had several local bands playing and it was a blast, even though I was wiped out from my week. I hung until after 1 (cause I'm such a rockstar). All in all it was SO much fun. I, as the only sober one, was in charge of cake cutting. I hope it was satisfactory!<br />
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Saturday late morning was a lovely bike ride, then shopping. Dinner was chicken satay on the patio with my delicious beer and the Cure on the internet radio. Then we walked to the Hi Fi for a drink - cider for me of course, met up with some friends and retired to the casa for visiting (and lots of cider drinking). A perfect day.<br />
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And now, dress stuff.<br />
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For far too long, the main issue that kept me from really jumping into apparel sewing was my lack of pattern-drafting skills. Online instructions did me no good (visual, hands-on learner), local classes on drafting were only offered as part of fashion design degrees, etc. Then I stumbled across a few blogs of some incredibly talented and creative home sewers, who laughed in the face of packaged patterns and boldly blazed paths into the land of mash-ups and alterations.<br />
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"Awesome. I can totally do THAT" I said to myself. And I was off and running and haven't looked back since. However, there is a bit of difference in mixing bodice and skirt options and my latest creation...<br />
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One of my favorite RTW dresses is this <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/daytrip-darling-dress-in-abstract">Emily and Fin </a>dress that I bought from Modcloth. Ah, Modcloth...the reason I give my dresses cutesy names...and the big reason I started sewing for myself. Gorgeous, but pricey. Still my favorite place to shop for accessories, but I just can't fully indulge my love of novelty print dresses at RTW prices. But I digress.<br />
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This dress ticks every box for me: fitted bodice, full skirt, scooped back, boat neckline, interesting fabric. Love at first sight. I bought it for my 41st birthday, and it was even prettier in person. As I am not going to drop $80+ every time they release an amazing new frock, I wondered if I could make a dress that was inspired by this design (Emily and Fin, you complete me). I didn't have anything stock like this, but after digging through my pattern stash, I found I had several pieces that would work.<br />
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To the laboratory!<br />
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First things first, the RTW dress bodice. It's fabulous; beautifully rounded back, flattering neckline, and fitted at the waist with four sets of darts. For the front, that's a no-brainer, because that's Simplicity 2444 straight up. <br />
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The back of the bodice took a bit more thought, because I wanted to use existing patterns in my stash. I had several scooped back options, but I decided to go with Simplicity 1803 to stay in the same pattern line (both are Project Runway). A quick layout and I confirmed the shoulders would match. The back shoulders were a bit wider set, but that didn't concern me over much.<br />
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Done and done.<br />
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Now the skirt. This was an experiment, and my inspiration dress had a stunning skirt that's got about a million tiny knife pleats. Hell no. Knife pleats can get on the bus to Fuckoffsville with facings. Enter Butterick 5882 - the 5 gore 1/2 circle skirt. All the fullness, a fraction of the work.<br />
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*cue the lighting*<br />
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This project went together in just 3 days, from layout to cutting to sewing. It would have been faster, but I was a terrible mood that week and kept making stupid mistakes that I will not go into here (but it involves a lot of re-sewing). I did have to trim a bit off the armscye on the back piece, because it was a higher one that 2444, and if I matched the underarm, not only did the waist not line up but everything else would have skewed. I did this by taking the pattern piece for the back of 2444 and laying it over the dress piece, then just cut the excess off. Pinked seams, serged hem, bias faced armscye and neckline, 1/4" waist seam, and...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAFRqJaG8s8VlD8t-b2mzAARS1wKXGD1vvVnldd2QkA0KOPJPdJaHKkVkrxbrUif741kM5CsIjBKzUK_d_8CpC1uu4CYi5czneXlpsQ8zdtAUEO0qMXE3eK9_WLtxAZ-H36LTzPoWt7U/s1600/DSCN3032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAFRqJaG8s8VlD8t-b2mzAARS1wKXGD1vvVnldd2QkA0KOPJPdJaHKkVkrxbrUif741kM5CsIjBKzUK_d_8CpC1uu4CYi5czneXlpsQ8zdtAUEO0qMXE3eK9_WLtxAZ-H36LTzPoWt7U/s1600/DSCN3032.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's alive! ALIIIIIIIVE!!!!!!<br />
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The unexpectedly cool thing is that, because the shoulders on 1803 are wider and slightly off-set, they pull the front of 2444 (which I have already trimmed to the size 4 line because I don't like super high necklines) into the same moderate boat neck of the E&F dress. But other than the skirts being slightly different, I am thrilled with this project. The fabric is light, but has enough of a stiff hand to flare on its own, and the colors will transition nicely into fall and winter. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHzs0wY_ybUNM8PJIYa99mPNykPfPQayxj5Glo2CvR9cejKnQJTtaUVlhALC2kXyNuo1LjbznJrGL4uLBYgpY-zCXNx6O51Dq8tUTsNPP-isGK4bBbn20I1Btz6m_A6sV_w8lwkeTAdg/s1600/DSCN3028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHzs0wY_ybUNM8PJIYa99mPNykPfPQayxj5Glo2CvR9cejKnQJTtaUVlhALC2kXyNuo1LjbznJrGL4uLBYgpY-zCXNx6O51Dq8tUTsNPP-isGK4bBbn20I1Btz6m_A6sV_w8lwkeTAdg/s1600/DSCN3028.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No flash back view</td></tr>
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I will definitely make this again. The only changes will be to open up the armscye a bit more and remove the extra 1/4" I added to the CB seam (because 2444 is much more fitted in the front, I thought it may be too tight with the back from 1803 as-is). But even as it stands, this monster's got swagger.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReu-OeFhQ92QQX2mhY7bHxc4rlb61NaSx0pRGyktuHAVY06LV9VK39_OAAXZn9D9vFWL6LF3IsXoiGYwybG5sCI1jMZ0mfdVgQLxnRx3KPHmnJ-FHaiCR8-A1USmeDoi_4gXaW5w3Emo/s1600/DSCN3029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReu-OeFhQ92QQX2mhY7bHxc4rlb61NaSx0pRGyktuHAVY06LV9VK39_OAAXZn9D9vFWL6LF3IsXoiGYwybG5sCI1jMZ0mfdVgQLxnRx3KPHmnJ-FHaiCR8-A1USmeDoi_4gXaW5w3Emo/s1600/DSCN3029.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rawr</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAFRqJaG8s8VlD8t-b2mzAARS1wKXGD1vvVnldd2QkA0KOPJPdJaHKkVkrxbrUif741kM5CsIjBKzUK_d_8CpC1uu4CYi5czneXlpsQ8zdtAUEO0qMXE3eK9_WLtxAZ-H36LTzPoWt7U/s1600/DSCN3032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAFRqJaG8s8VlD8t-b2mzAARS1wKXGD1vvVnldd2QkA0KOPJPdJaHKkVkrxbrUif741kM5CsIjBKzUK_d_8CpC1uu4CYi5czneXlpsQ8zdtAUEO0qMXE3eK9_WLtxAZ-H36LTzPoWt7U/s1600/DSCN3032.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One more pose, just because I like this one</td></tr>
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Well, that should do it for this entry. It is positively glorious outside today, and I have coffee to drink while the breeze blows summer air through the house. I have my next Anna ready to start (September is too close and I have a challenge to meet), and another Frankendress in the planning stages.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN6oSVIcyzcGYnMgpFRvcg3EY7cxVEeA1dgBBWumfjf8jXWPkLeneazRNwS63Wlk7iH9_10sgAgHJn-E1zhMrOheAM-4KWW__cn3v2pwFQtvLZkcnXADQSpgEwfdNghJ6PqVX08VVZaA/s1600/DSCN3038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN6oSVIcyzcGYnMgpFRvcg3EY7cxVEeA1dgBBWumfjf8jXWPkLeneazRNwS63Wlk7iH9_10sgAgHJn-E1zhMrOheAM-4KWW__cn3v2pwFQtvLZkcnXADQSpgEwfdNghJ6PqVX08VVZaA/s1600/DSCN3038.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountains. Your moment of zen.</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-26443876292820888712014-08-01T16:08:00.000-07:002014-08-02T18:18:16.446-07:00Whooooo Dat! DressHappy Friday, all! Can you believe it's August already? It's another unexpectedly gorgeous day here on the Sound - although our days are getting shorter and the nights necessitate sweaters - all signs that Fall is on the way...<br />
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Today's less than energetic post is brought to you courtesy of The Longest Week Ever. Seriously, the greatest cure for insomnia is training in new division at work - I'm learning loads of new information and it's exhausting. Interesting, necessary, pretty cool, but exhausting. Last night I had to force myself to stay up until the wee hour of 9:30 (thank you, online fabric browsing) then I crashed out hard for the night. There's still a bit of residual tiredness hanging on today, but there's a birthday party tonight and cycling in Seattle tomorrow...no rest for the wicked!<br />
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Enough of that, on to the dress. Months and months ago, I came across a stupidly adorable fabric while cruising the quilter's section of my local JoAnn's (boo on you, boring apparel fabric). As they were having yet another 30% off sale, I snagged it to add to my fabric hoard. Every few weeks I would pull it out, mull over a pattern, then put it back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZRmzxJ8m4w/U9wc2hUrI2I/AAAAAAAAArE/w3e4-IBNbxg/s1600/14+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZRmzxJ8m4w/U9wc2hUrI2I/AAAAAAAAArE/w3e4-IBNbxg/s1600/14+-+1" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet little owls and music notes - behold the cute</td></tr>
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<br />
Enter the Anna Dress. Let's take a moment to sigh wistfully over her splendor, shall we?....<br />
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This is only the second time I've used this pattern, and I absolutely adore the bodice. My first test was the boat-neck style, so for this I wanted to try the V-neck (I've committed to using the Anna dress for the OWOP challenge, so I am pushing myself to try and style it differently on each go). Because of the horizontal pattern of the fabric, I didn't want to use a 1/4 circle or gored skirt, and I've made several gathered skirts lately, so I went with the 4 pleated flared skirt from the Almost Fail project - Simplicity 1418. The pleats in the skirt actually match up with the front pleats and back darts in Anna with surprisingly little fuss, and the shape of the skirt holds up to horizontal stripes without any odd distortion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdtOi1NW88VSLtMn_ZHVS8sBOJlYmNuxs8EmjQsbBvQfiGBbbBrD9-QRYyrCTrt1B5WGWwFe_-JO3CcZAYQBs1aVnjL-XakcXSLuUIg6rrxtnE4187rtqLjbif2ZuwC9aGd8irwfmIcE/s1600/DSCN3017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdtOi1NW88VSLtMn_ZHVS8sBOJlYmNuxs8EmjQsbBvQfiGBbbBrD9-QRYyrCTrt1B5WGWwFe_-JO3CcZAYQBs1aVnjL-XakcXSLuUIg6rrxtnE4187rtqLjbif2ZuwC9aGd8irwfmIcE/s1600/DSCN3017.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bam! Success.</td></tr>
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As this is such a simple pattern to put together, I didn't need the instructions at all for this one. The kimono sleeves are rolled a 1/4", pressed, then rolled a 1/4" again, pressed and topstitched. The neckline is finished with bias tape that is clipped, turned, then topstitched in place (fuck you, facings). For the V portion of the neckline, the bias binding overlaps slightly, then I clipped straight into the V to accomodate stretching. This also helps it stay where it belongs instead of creeping to the outside like facing ALWAYS DOES.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrptax95svub36jt4hslKX-bI8CgPOhNn-pyI0w-i6SaVqwbBPIsawVNwZSu4RJ6XVDeXgckWRQarBod7Nmy31X_3LVuI8tHs7gUIlN6FTZxWX7hmnXDZK0GaAG6mfarSuE7B9_-TbDg/s1600/DSCN3015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrptax95svub36jt4hslKX-bI8CgPOhNn-pyI0w-i6SaVqwbBPIsawVNwZSu4RJ6XVDeXgckWRQarBod7Nmy31X_3LVuI8tHs7gUIlN6FTZxWX7hmnXDZK0GaAG6mfarSuE7B9_-TbDg/s1600/DSCN3015.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I swear, I'm smiling right AFTER the timer goes off...</td></tr>
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The seams are pinked, the hem is serged, then turned and topstitched. All in all, super simple and straight-forward. After my pattern test, I did take about 1/3" from the center back, which tightened up the excess pretty much perfectly (yay, sway back). I also used a 1/4" seam for the waist, just for personal preference only - I like my waist to sit a teeny bit lower, and lowering the shoulder seams isn't the appropriate solution since everything else is bang on.<br />
<br />
And let's pause for a moment to appreciate the shoes. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsjhJ6kZ-r3iMtUAfBeV6nTDBi1QscGMPr-KSd1XnTIdpB07TSOQ6UQcZTgPRvsvv4k3qsLdQwyYQUXJRNuQhxyQ3jnHlFfhZNEyNxx-kF-vXNARxt07SdNukTX0YwBYyisQny9UhZuo/s1600/DSCN3020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifsjhJ6kZ-r3iMtUAfBeV6nTDBi1QscGMPr-KSd1XnTIdpB07TSOQ6UQcZTgPRvsvv4k3qsLdQwyYQUXJRNuQhxyQ3jnHlFfhZNEyNxx-kF-vXNARxt07SdNukTX0YwBYyisQny9UhZuo/s1600/DSCN3020.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss L Fire purchased from Amazon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What do you think, Spongebob Cthulhu?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtSwtWdiFCEYTOgs0KjUcQaJWPqQmycefBGTI3FRgD33pectaAU_xjRsLeEx3ebqLaGvnyLRSmtgd58cqdQYQ8LuadzPmoIe18YKob4GJ9AYFcDIVZwW7PLF6FiIp8VcAIh_RYJbtfhY/s1600/DSCN3027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtSwtWdiFCEYTOgs0KjUcQaJWPqQmycefBGTI3FRgD33pectaAU_xjRsLeEx3ebqLaGvnyLRSmtgd58cqdQYQ8LuadzPmoIe18YKob4GJ9AYFcDIVZwW7PLF6FiIp8VcAIh_RYJbtfhY/s1600/DSCN3027.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spongebob Cthulhu says "they're rad"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
He approves. Damn straight, they're fabulous.<br />
<br />
What I love so very much about Anna is that, even though it is easy to put together, she gives you such a sophisticated shape. It's similar in fit to my beloved 2444, but the kimono sleeves and neckline variations make it a completely different look. Next up is the maxi dress variant with a gorgeous linen blend that has been in my hoard for years!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz25mOaEP3iaScmkk7W4rQSqIUrA-yKoHFkD82QIHT0dIPqueVrfZWFBr0R4UylH87tuWR9ngVzOeMz3h8BrRYhC6pHIldZIbtIRwiWjW8PihXhTgtRdZa-ApxAzscA9uu41_P2U16CI/s1600/DSCN3016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz25mOaEP3iaScmkk7W4rQSqIUrA-yKoHFkD82QIHT0dIPqueVrfZWFBr0R4UylH87tuWR9ngVzOeMz3h8BrRYhC6pHIldZIbtIRwiWjW8PihXhTgtRdZa-ApxAzscA9uu41_P2U16CI/s1600/DSCN3016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Offset pattern again--sorrynotsorry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-45626090365049295602014-07-28T13:26:00.004-07:002014-07-31T12:41:10.906-07:00The Almost-Fail Dress, aka Simplicity 1418Happy Monday once again - today's bonus post is about a project that I'm still not quite sure about. During my marathon sewing in July, for some unknown reason I decided to test out a brand new pattern (Wile E. Coyote's got nothing on MY genius), and grabbed another Project Runway special from Simplicity. I'd made several Flora dresses already, and wanted a slightly differently sundress design to wear in Texas, and I thought that <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-11717-misses-dress-with-bodice-variations.aspx">1418</a> would fit the bill perfectly. After all, it was JUST a simple princess seamed bodice with straps. How hard could that possibly be?<br />
<br />
Famous last words.<br />
<br />
I'm no stranger to princess dresses. In my 20s and early 30s, I made dozens of them while participating in the SCA, dressing in 14th century, gothic gowns. Even more, I drafted my own pattern using the T-shirt and duct tape method for the perfect fit. Which should have been a HUGE clue...<br />
<br />
Because I'd worked for years from a homemade pattern that was drafted to me and only me, I'd forgotten about how fiddly all those seams can be. Even more so when you have a slight sway back and larger bust size. Needless to say, the pattern was, at first blush, nothing short of DISASTER. The back was huge, the bust was snug and the waist was baggy. And the straps, ooohhh, the straps. <br />
<br />
Now, I did go rogue and ignore the instructions. Because, well, I just did. I also used bias tape for the facing and just top-stitched the straps in place after what seemed like an hour of pinning, checking placement and repinning (this is a technique I've seen in photos of vintage dresses, so nyah nyah). <br />
<br />
After wasting a day of vacation sewing, I was totally disgusted with the sloppy fit, and into the "fail" heap it went.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a highly productive week, and I decided to give the dress a second look with a less stressed eye (and after a refreshing vodka and soda). I really loved the fabric, and the plus of a princess seamed dress is that you have all those seams to make tiny alterations. I took in the back and sides about 1/2", and the front seams a scant 1/4" from the underbust to the waist. "There!", thought I. "That should do it". Will I ever learn that vodka-empowered boldness isn't the best course of action? Probably not.<br />
<br />
It's really snug. I mean, really. But, I kind of like it. It's definitely not a dress for work, but I did take it on vacation it was fine. Not a total fail, but not one for the win category either. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPAro2X4-Bb0s8Tj_MZkREgb9Du-XMRyUzcwI6vFRzPev_CcEyu7FRFW8G2YLMZjJTo9kydUADFX7x3byIbQDErzvLfalZoW0eOMk9T-TAVr_fr3CNqxRZMYS40tyoitXViceojIK_sw/s1600/DSCN3010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPAro2X4-Bb0s8Tj_MZkREgb9Du-XMRyUzcwI6vFRzPev_CcEyu7FRFW8G2YLMZjJTo9kydUADFX7x3byIbQDErzvLfalZoW0eOMk9T-TAVr_fr3CNqxRZMYS40tyoitXViceojIK_sw/s1600/DSCN3010.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Argh!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
However, I love the skirt pattern. It's the same piece for the front and back (I kept looking for the missing skirt piece until I realized there wasn't one), with two deep pleats. This means it's fairly fabric conservative but nicely flared. <em>**It is a side-zip dress pattern, so I cut it the back piece on the selvedge rather than the folder...presto! back zip!</em><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpxSPdO42XM9Rp4T4TLhg91OawjCKYWwbzeVr-KOpGnxX9xA8yFxjP6ulq2Qb4UsXoHOtK__JCOETx2q5ZBctGRdSZ2XoKEf5jnRQDhzMY8lhmUqm9nIoAwGfmMkXB42endp7UPh9h9I/s1600/DSCN3007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpxSPdO42XM9Rp4T4TLhg91OawjCKYWwbzeVr-KOpGnxX9xA8yFxjP6ulq2Qb4UsXoHOtK__JCOETx2q5ZBctGRdSZ2XoKEf5jnRQDhzMY8lhmUqm9nIoAwGfmMkXB42endp7UPh9h9I/s1600/DSCN3007.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rumpled back - I don't iron</td></tr>
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I also set the zip in a bit too low, but I'm too lazy to put a hook and eye at the top. And the zipper is slightly too short, meaning it either goes on over my head or I do an interesting shimmy getting it pulled up. Oh well. On a side note, I forgot how much I love my orange Steve Madden shoes. These need more wear.<br />
<br />
All in all, I do like the pattern and see a lot of potential. I'm a fan of the Project Runway line of patterns (I am deeply, madly enamoured of 2444) so I'm not ready to give up on this one yet. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAOBVd_4P2Ym5_cCFCrRObn-IXX-ZjyTMXmY55HMnQH8IDsv3TpjBSC6DdkZZd1ve0O0RbIg8-Eo6hnemZS-HUvKD9IHqbycrbKjm3h6Hz9GIfqbbYfi73SdOmMGYF2Tkb2GyJ-REsgg/s1600/DSCN3011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAOBVd_4P2Ym5_cCFCrRObn-IXX-ZjyTMXmY55HMnQH8IDsv3TpjBSC6DdkZZd1ve0O0RbIg8-Eo6hnemZS-HUvKD9IHqbycrbKjm3h6Hz9GIfqbbYfi73SdOmMGYF2Tkb2GyJ-REsgg/s1600/DSCN3011.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, I guess it's not THAT bad....</td></tr>
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If I ever get so inclined, I think I'll let the side seams out a touch. I don't have a lot to play with, because I pinked my seams so they'd be neatly finished (thank you, vodka). Or maybe I'll just wear a cardigan. After all, this is the Land of Layers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-69944783379796143682014-07-27T20:54:00.004-07:002014-07-28T10:28:04.068-07:00A Tale of Two Floras (and some cider)Hello, darlings! Hopefully everyone had a magnificent weekend! The weather here has been lovely all weekend - the summers in Washington are nothing short of magical.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGAhVSACvCQfUJ_CKizuxTT8LzpgWpomYAuVQlm9P7chkHsjs5OR-8AVQ0keo_Bbs_k4Kop2QtQ83bkEVVarg7g6LonRdqlOfFnJ8H4X8y3oaRXWTjNDmWPIFQn2k5CRg3R-Vup9d9XM/s1600/sunday+morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGAhVSACvCQfUJ_CKizuxTT8LzpgWpomYAuVQlm9P7chkHsjs5OR-8AVQ0keo_Bbs_k4Kop2QtQ83bkEVVarg7g6LonRdqlOfFnJ8H4X8y3oaRXWTjNDmWPIFQn2k5CRg3R-Vup9d9XM/s1600/sunday+morning.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shhhh, don't tell California...</td></tr>
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Friday after work, we decided to stroll around downtown. Anthony's restaurant has a great happy hour, and a stunning view of the waterfront. A drink and some food later, and we took a stroll down to the pier to look at boats and enjoy the scenery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaVpKm4o052ek-ImBHRvzryx-lbI1pF9ERkZpETn14VzQLtZbHXo6ojh-i8DGU9Ey5Aes-y3GE4wB7vOF1FHhPL4MpN5muT2QjmHxxx3EheyhmZBndo8pIZMKsdrbWrm02L_g4ahfbXo/s1600/waterfront+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaVpKm4o052ek-ImBHRvzryx-lbI1pF9ERkZpETn14VzQLtZbHXo6ojh-i8DGU9Ey5Aes-y3GE4wB7vOF1FHhPL4MpN5muT2QjmHxxx3EheyhmZBndo8pIZMKsdrbWrm02L_g4ahfbXo/s1600/waterfront+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We kicked around for a bit more, then called it a night. I found the most amazing hard cider from Crispin - a magnificent blackberry-pear concoction that is a bit too easy to drink... So two ciders in, and I felt productive enough to decide that rearranging the entire first floor to relocate my sewing room was a FINE idea, and proceeded to demo the necessary rooms before hitting the hay.<br />
<br />
Saturday came far too early (5:30 am to be exact). Jackie-boy had a golf tournament and I wanted to practice on the racquetball court. I dropped him at the course, spent about an hour running around the court, then headed home to spend the next 4 hours on moving. Ugh. Exhausting, but worth it -- I'm delighted with my new space.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRxdQVMQ55za2Vz3Uutke-cbcSVyp5n_YR3GJsPOhlFmh5urcUmxFg-gLg_vflOaZLaJ-6IUdqTb2_3rjEkhtColvPfZkEBWJ1MKoKOes8pF9UAquq1Ai3uxa2d5HCA6fNTyeQxiBAzg/s1600/DSCN2984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRxdQVMQ55za2Vz3Uutke-cbcSVyp5n_YR3GJsPOhlFmh5urcUmxFg-gLg_vflOaZLaJ-6IUdqTb2_3rjEkhtColvPfZkEBWJ1MKoKOes8pF9UAquq1Ai3uxa2d5HCA6fNTyeQxiBAzg/s1600/DSCN2984.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I claim this dining room in the name of The Stitchery!</td></tr>
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I was DONE by the afternoon, but I did my best to rally and met up with my brother and his girlfriend for a delicious bloody Mary. Then we headed north to another favorite brewery, <a href="http://www.slipperypigbrewery.com/">The Slippery Pig</a>. It was a short, but pleasant visit, and there was even an impromptu acoustic guitar performance by one of the patrons. Then we headed home and I crashed out hard.<br />
<br />
Today was spent finishing up redecorating (after much sleeping in), doing some shopping, and generally puttering around. We spent a late afternoon/early dinner at <a href="http://derblokken.com/">Der Blokken</a> (their moto is "woman owned, woman ruled, woman brewed" - that's damn fantastic), where the lovely Katie made me the most <strong>heavenly</strong> cocktail of chamomile tea, honey, and rosemary infused vodka. Sigh...<br />
<br />
I do have two new projects cut out and ready to start sewing, but since I threw my poor sewing corner into complete disarray for the better part of 3 days, I don't have anything done yet. To that end, I have a couple of projects from last month to share - my very first and my most recent Flora dresses.<br />
<br />
I already blogged about how much I love the Flora pattern in my Hera dress post. It's taken a back seat at the moment to the Anna dress, but I do plan on making this up again and again. It's such a special look, and I adore it. I have some 60" wide fabric earmarked to make it up with the pattern's skirt. But it is hard as hell to get away from circle skirts.<br />
<br />
For my first go, I decided to toile the pattern up in a fabric that had been hanging out in my stash for several years (yep, I'm a fabric and pattern hoarder). I've been in love with the idea of an Alfred Shaheen dress for quite some time, but I've never been able to commit to a pattern. Flora seemed to strike an inspirational chord; my fabric was only 45" wide, but I had a ton of it, so the 5 gore circle skirt from Butterick 5882 seemed the ideal choice for a mid-century look.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw4p53klldv9CvuPdwPBQFjFUA5clk6jlVtzsR41qDCW2RtazUz-qKXPVzEfhtTLkMtZj9M7_F7AvNvU1oIEsPNkrus-Y96e3lK9MQMkWx55TzcBK4weyeW-_zF41Cuvw3Xipf_-RiDA/s1600/DSCN2991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw4p53klldv9CvuPdwPBQFjFUA5clk6jlVtzsR41qDCW2RtazUz-qKXPVzEfhtTLkMtZj9M7_F7AvNvU1oIEsPNkrus-Y96e3lK9MQMkWx55TzcBK4weyeW-_zF41Cuvw3Xipf_-RiDA/s1600/DSCN2991.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shaheen dress, floppy hat optional</td></tr>
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As this was the first go at this pattern, I hadn't dialed in the fit. There is about 1/2" too much fabric in the back, and the darts under the bust needed to be taken in a bit. But even so, straight out of the package at a size 10, this was love.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zkPfec9HBjDLt6m0obg0apM042IvvZF3YIfzXtxNvQV-mkxqLD8igxo35suWiMAssfvUyl6J2CbZhtlRVhLtJDCsv5DaLZeawjsYSusUHlzRp-Zc3ye0pKN4Nmp2rWFJywxn05OOiKQ/s1600/DSCN2992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zkPfec9HBjDLt6m0obg0apM042IvvZF3YIfzXtxNvQV-mkxqLD8igxo35suWiMAssfvUyl6J2CbZhtlRVhLtJDCsv5DaLZeawjsYSusUHlzRp-Zc3ye0pKN4Nmp2rWFJywxn05OOiKQ/s1600/DSCN2992.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back is straight, my posture sucks</td></tr>
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The circle skirt did a bang up job. If I could wrench myself away from one-directional novelty prints, I would use this a lot more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8-0BK6CWBjMjlXINvbzbnjpzIvbAysI7nJiQn1gADXEXzK9s7RHWNoSAkWg_Lwn_ygbBNizps7CgZZqJ3RzSVixbBrVBDJxry9Cq1lz9qkq24S4Ma5TtY-GNwxCAbmkXDwlORg1gGZo/s1600/DSCN2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8-0BK6CWBjMjlXINvbzbnjpzIvbAysI7nJiQn1gADXEXzK9s7RHWNoSAkWg_Lwn_ygbBNizps7CgZZqJ3RzSVixbBrVBDJxry9Cq1lz9qkq24S4Ma5TtY-GNwxCAbmkXDwlORg1gGZo/s1600/DSCN2993.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twirl-approved</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The bodice is lined in pink cotton, the skirt is unlined as this is a dress that was ear-marked for Texas. And I know from experience that this skirt, when lined, is HEAVY.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78c_U_nwtwG_piD9biu3xgkka3j5KkRvM63bTcdHc3z5939apv-zwxTvnKalcYpyo7uwxVpoPRAK4mNr2tqIm_Ly9XSMcVTkz3t1KMh7Zo4tCRbjpO4jCeCHTtsfsmfL5kB1kP3yeMoI/s1600/DSCN3000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78c_U_nwtwG_piD9biu3xgkka3j5KkRvM63bTcdHc3z5939apv-zwxTvnKalcYpyo7uwxVpoPRAK4mNr2tqIm_Ly9XSMcVTkz3t1KMh7Zo4tCRbjpO4jCeCHTtsfsmfL5kB1kP3yeMoI/s1600/DSCN3000.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The lining is tacked at the waist at the seams only. It's a technique used in the Gertie pattern, and I think it works great. The lining is hand-sewn at the zipper with my usual meticulous care and attention to detail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzkho4SCRfZvQOiJw-K3w0Yc8of1ZdEARRvDGmQMrEBdLCKwrnGgbf8nEQehcByeHEiu4VaSm2uIGPfxwVfUT3b7Aqub2Z5q39dlOJyy60JOX11ffVMvwsEmqec_t_AsfDwkUpid4Qs0/s1600/DSCN3001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzkho4SCRfZvQOiJw-K3w0Yc8of1ZdEARRvDGmQMrEBdLCKwrnGgbf8nEQehcByeHEiu4VaSm2uIGPfxwVfUT3b7Aqub2Z5q39dlOJyy60JOX11ffVMvwsEmqec_t_AsfDwkUpid4Qs0/s1600/DSCN3001.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frankenstein couldn't have done it better</td></tr>
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Flora #1 in the bag. I adore this dress and would wear several times a week if I could. But I can't, so off and running on another make I went.<br />
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I came across this gorgeous fabric while wandering through Joann's Fabrics and decided then and there that it was destined to be another Flora.<br />
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At this point, I already had the Hera dress in the "done" pile, and was feeling pretty confident about the pattern. I had it cut out already, and it went together effortlessly in the space of one evening.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN5C0yUgwNQKs_MCWSKkbqryVy-uy9CljUiXhZe61OmjLCUb4vtdbLjeYU2iNEuZx0cAj4xrMXKueoX-FEAeKwRj7fSa7sxpxlZD2f0ZxJIqne_UgD6cW3VIdW3hSGs7Wlh2Beok8xU8/s1600/DSCN2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN5C0yUgwNQKs_MCWSKkbqryVy-uy9CljUiXhZe61OmjLCUb4vtdbLjeYU2iNEuZx0cAj4xrMXKueoX-FEAeKwRj7fSa7sxpxlZD2f0ZxJIqne_UgD6cW3VIdW3hSGs7Wlh2Beok8xU8/s1600/DSCN2997.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vineyard dress, Bettie Page shoes and hair accessory from Dame Deville</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaf3kY9mTHWNHoqWiI5ivBeSufYKWDmtfB4eTmH6eiv2Q9MINvXAlrYEiMRE77XZH0yZjGn8AkXSkRTjjB_vweLSbO-HkEt_B9widtz7dRIIGEOdjamJfi9pBNboX7VPN6TK1dPYvL1E/s1600/DSCN2994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaf3kY9mTHWNHoqWiI5ivBeSufYKWDmtfB4eTmH6eiv2Q9MINvXAlrYEiMRE77XZH0yZjGn8AkXSkRTjjB_vweLSbO-HkEt_B9widtz7dRIIGEOdjamJfi9pBNboX7VPN6TK1dPYvL1E/s1600/DSCN2994.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pattern matching? What's that?</td></tr>
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The bodice fits MUCH more closely than the previous two dresses, but that is intentional. I prefer a more snug fit as I think too much ease (really any ease) looks sloppy. This may also be a holdover from my days of Italian Ren gowns....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVbizRSlXKWoZPkV-hQULjL4OkisCLf2hTxLDFwhRavcYg4e5z1vTCP3VLug0YAk8ucK6MZsCLIgK_HLZwgNMZ5ds0RLdwEKVRpODNeb7ZgpEw6tUmzutrZqTlHu_F6ranXNtdGMqaW0/s1600/14+-+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVbizRSlXKWoZPkV-hQULjL4OkisCLf2hTxLDFwhRavcYg4e5z1vTCP3VLug0YAk8ucK6MZsCLIgK_HLZwgNMZ5ds0RLdwEKVRpODNeb7ZgpEw6tUmzutrZqTlHu_F6ranXNtdGMqaW0/s1600/14+-+1.png" height="400" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">let's jump into the wayback machine</td></tr>
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Again, I only lined the bodice, using a quilting cotton that I've had for probably 6 years. The lining is topstitched in place, which keeps the straps a bit more stable. The straps are lined in the same fabric as the dress, because I think it's a neater finish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFioTlA7YLtetbcmzKFWQLMykI9B0VSSr4jvYEJaK2rmExzKRWYa2-pdthrST8MJ5xYr8gOQJJthVyZD_wg9NSTRFFDXU1JENCRGwpz6yjHZ1haEzF8En82qOPj7h8sWcYPc9xGURzSqw/s1600/DSCN3006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFioTlA7YLtetbcmzKFWQLMykI9B0VSSr4jvYEJaK2rmExzKRWYa2-pdthrST8MJ5xYr8gOQJJthVyZD_wg9NSTRFFDXU1JENCRGwpz6yjHZ1haEzF8En82qOPj7h8sWcYPc9xGURzSqw/s1600/DSCN3006.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And, as usual, I used a regular zip and inserted it using an invisible zip technique.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpnSgeixuxE-cBfEaGtVpaOytPRgy3q-k68qD7Xvpa4PatES7oMBvjixxuvV1-oXHKWrmf9E_VyxCPou88AUimVnvIIq-usVoucQvwqbhdmb5F_NfdRrFGZ0BVSmSdzTK1Kg7yNfKQ08/s1600/DSCN3005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpnSgeixuxE-cBfEaGtVpaOytPRgy3q-k68qD7Xvpa4PatES7oMBvjixxuvV1-oXHKWrmf9E_VyxCPou88AUimVnvIIq-usVoucQvwqbhdmb5F_NfdRrFGZ0BVSmSdzTK1Kg7yNfKQ08/s1600/DSCN3005.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cause I can, that's why</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO5KyV1sONSVW4P03uWiog4u3T7ku_9DouiN4tONJUrqKZfJVifVrTyBgxVlTaxGCtLHUi06vI0qGYFFxQJ0C2hgzIg6p74H6qhc1Mme9KLU-I1nZxKlQwksD_K-P4t4bxKHnxutA2Oo/s1600/DSCN2999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO5KyV1sONSVW4P03uWiog4u3T7ku_9DouiN4tONJUrqKZfJVifVrTyBgxVlTaxGCtLHUi06vI0qGYFFxQJ0C2hgzIg6p74H6qhc1Mme9KLU-I1nZxKlQwksD_K-P4t4bxKHnxutA2Oo/s1600/DSCN2999.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">note to self...turn on your flash</td></tr>
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And there you have it. Two lovely Floras and a weekend wrap up. Tomorrow's Monday, kids, hope everyone is ready! I'm not, so I'm going to drink another cider and stare out the window at the glorious sunset. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-46095081344571523892014-07-23T12:35:00.004-07:002014-07-23T12:41:19.163-07:00The Hera DressHappy Wednesday! I hope everyone's week is going smoothly - I'm transitioning to a new department at work, so things are a bit busy. But it beats being bored, so I'll take it!<br />
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The first half of the week has been pretty uneventful; I've made a couple of trips to Joann's Fabrics, went on a bike ride on Monday to take advantage of our fleeting gorgeous weather, made it to the gym yesterday and just general kicking around. Nothing terribly exciting, although I did start the daunting project of reorganizing my sewing corner.<br />
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I'm set up in the breakfast nook off the kitchen, which is great because it has a ton of light. I also like being on the main floor of the house, close to everything (I watched WAY too many scary movies in my teens to be sequestered upstairs). The space is a good size, but I'm not using it in the most efficient way, especially since it's also an office space. So last night I pulled out a stash of my "everyday" patterns (the rest are boxed up and stored), and I've started going through my fabric horde to plan the best method of storing. Next step, figuring out shelving and reconfiguring furniture.<br />
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Sigh. At least it's raining again, so my motivation for indoor projects will be higher. I need to get this sorted out, especially because I've signed up for the One Week One Pattern challenge from <a href="http://www.handmadejane.co.uk/2014/07/owop-2014-sign-up-now_8.html">Handmade Jane</a>. This will be my very first sewing challenge, so I'm pretty excited about it. If the vacation project reinforced anything, it's that I work better under pressure!<br />
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So today, I'm posting yet another dress I cranked out for the Great Vacation Project, to try to incorporate some of my backlog of already-sewn pieces. <br />
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Several months ago, I grabbed this fabulous peacock fabric at one of Joann's many 30% off sales...<br />
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It looks a bit brown, but it's a subtle gold surrounding the feathers. I kept in my stash, waiting for the right project. After a wildly successful test of the <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/products/flora-dress">Flora dress</a>, I knew I found it.<br />
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Once again, the ladies at By Hand London offer a FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC sew-along on their site, that outlines both the v-neck and tank versions of the pattern. I skipped the paper instructions altogether, just followed the online tutorial. Easy-peasy. I especially love the instructions for inserting the tabs - I think any of the large commercial patterns that try to pull that off would give someone a stroke. These instructions were a breeze.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KsoXgLrYm7FvUBi4iPsb1cjurUY7Ktr2WwzE4N9e8Kyr5EaH5faizPq6aMbHzexUUsaKiogV5trLin1sH9Fuwml_rwDwNvUEfsBHs0hcAgtlgGBGLKQE_0K1EyngTjNg0SOoRB_EPD0/s1600/14+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KsoXgLrYm7FvUBi4iPsb1cjurUY7Ktr2WwzE4N9e8Kyr5EaH5faizPq6aMbHzexUUsaKiogV5trLin1sH9Fuwml_rwDwNvUEfsBHs0hcAgtlgGBGLKQE_0K1EyngTjNg0SOoRB_EPD0/s1600/14+-+2.jpg" height="320" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wanna-be Mad Men pose</td></tr>
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Because I only had 2 1/2 yards of the fabric, I made a 1/4 circle skirt cut on the straight grain. My rationale is that it was more important to me to have the feathers in the correct orientation - I'm happy with it.<br />
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Some quick notes about the process... I self lined the straps so it wouldn't matter if the underside ever showed. The bodice is lined with a remnant of inexpensive quilting cotton, and the lining is tacked at the waist seams and whipstitched (haha, my handsewing suuuuuuucks) at the zipper tape. The zipper is, once again, a normal zipper inserted using the invisible zipper method.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNa25WjvI4r7DfKNQRwRfJ_wQo0raMmnwA6wwS-5XQ8e2kWyJ4Av0AZWCz7nSbfPTa2fQzkCvh9aLJHZ0nnYxlKBsXtfkRGcsD2qXc9h2vbuMQTyUDHMHuFahfGJdMSRIIqSlW7JIvlo/s1600/14+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNa25WjvI4r7DfKNQRwRfJ_wQo0raMmnwA6wwS-5XQ8e2kWyJ4Av0AZWCz7nSbfPTa2fQzkCvh9aLJHZ0nnYxlKBsXtfkRGcsD2qXc9h2vbuMQTyUDHMHuFahfGJdMSRIIqSlW7JIvlo/s1600/14+-+1.jpg" height="320" width="187" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NO idea what face I think I'm making</td></tr>
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The wrinkles in the back are from sitting, not stress wrinkles. Promise.<br />
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I serged the hem and left it at that. Super lazy, yes, and I was going to finish the hem after vacation. But suprisingly, I get a ton of compliments from people that think it's a decorative stitch, so I'm just leaving it alone.<br />
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<em>And thank you to my co-worker for snapping pics of me during our lunch hour.</em><br />
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So there you have it! A quick update to break up the mid-week slump - the dress is a bit rumpled from sitting most of the morning, but it really is a lovely dress and a gloriously fun pattern to work with. This is the second of four Floras I've made up so far, and I'm really enjoying working with it. I have experimented with an unlined bodice finished with bias tape, but that's for a later day.<br />
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Halfway to the weekend!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-5845586476428603442014-07-21T13:36:00.003-07:002014-07-21T15:01:50.477-07:00The Anna Dress - Pattern TestHappy Monday, all!<br />
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Back to the grind after a hectic weekend. Saturday evening, we went to a 90's grunge tribute show at one of our favorite spots, The Manette Saloon. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BQSIcBJjAWGbxTnw7zYO6jOnMOUSIeGSJeJZ-bRqs6i3cLfJLzNFaiLa3gda-K-Q52Y2ipTJ6O3Uz9it7saUYJhJtgcv_fdtwENx7paFUrdefM8ynGC995HRHqZSEgwa-rbpVqUw_04/s1600/grunge+getup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BQSIcBJjAWGbxTnw7zYO6jOnMOUSIeGSJeJZ-bRqs6i3cLfJLzNFaiLa3gda-K-Q52Y2ipTJ6O3Uz9it7saUYJhJtgcv_fdtwENx7paFUrdefM8ynGC995HRHqZSEgwa-rbpVqUw_04/s1600/grunge+getup.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My attempt at the grunge look - plaid + stripes + red lips and loads of eyeliner</td></tr>
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Even though it was stiflingly hot, it was a total blast and made me feel like a college kid again. We missed the STP cover band because the show started on time (who does that?), and left before Pantera because I was beat. But we did get to see the fantastic Alice in Chains tribute by the Seattle-based band Silvergun. I kept closing my eyes (not overly smart in a pit, but whatevs) because they were so good I felt like I was listening to Layne Staley. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FFiIP_qo7uUSGCbkQRVPNWEbaUrY_dTET7ajhkhKFfzwr0VsMF-pzGRiPYEqRyWwHEXbgFnkLxo6hivuvvOJqoC4oJj_MLebrm5LPDffcC27qPxYdIT3wbj4Hg8UV784316MlzZhZB8/s1600/AiC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FFiIP_qo7uUSGCbkQRVPNWEbaUrY_dTET7ajhkhKFfzwr0VsMF-pzGRiPYEqRyWwHEXbgFnkLxo6hivuvvOJqoC4oJj_MLebrm5LPDffcC27qPxYdIT3wbj4Hg8UV784316MlzZhZB8/s1600/AiC.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silvergun, aka Alice in Chains</td></tr>
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Then the guys from Bad Habit Bremerton took the stage and blew the place away with their tribute to Nirvana (complete with thrift store sweater!). And if that wasn't awesome enough, my friends Becca, Melissa, and I were pulled up on the stage to back-up dance for the last few songs of the set. It was so much fun, I was an exhausted, sweaty mess by the end and I was thrilled!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3-DwPuNPcWDD2ImjOLYmMnTDJQE6dzjos_FeWdns2HR-4SHGk6xiJ5WT0aXvCjWVqPmW_jle95ZjjRkRBTk3EOn02m6RwCBE-pCkuGMAlwCu6fjfPWrWM2P_QhZI_-2qygv0Zp9ZqiA/s1600/back+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3-DwPuNPcWDD2ImjOLYmMnTDJQE6dzjos_FeWdns2HR-4SHGk6xiJ5WT0aXvCjWVqPmW_jle95ZjjRkRBTk3EOn02m6RwCBE-pCkuGMAlwCu6fjfPWrWM2P_QhZI_-2qygv0Zp9ZqiA/s1600/back+up.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nirvana back up dancers. I wish I had pom-poms.</td></tr>
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Sunday was spent doing Sunday chores, although we did go take advantage of our new memberships to the Athletic Club. To anyone I've ever told that swimming laps isn't hard enough cardio, I am deeply, truly sorry. Everything hurts. Owie. But it was fun, and it felt great to be active again.<br />
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I also swung by <a href="https://www.pacificfabrics.com/locations/3/">Pacific Fabrics </a>and picked up a couple of really cool lengths of fabric - Little Red Riding Hood and an absolutely gorgeous map print accented in teal. Oooooo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YWOQXkSzTuJYyP5Y_nLX1NVl0ru9eWOZTh1W0BVAAZ3OHrCo_9YH2ctwX1Uvy46WgiP9enIcMWhKCZE5Ll2YbJEy5Rs9M3xBsmVtAdgYpUujeLesWqjv1DHCinUrGwpUsdxLHuJkZCw/s1600/new+fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YWOQXkSzTuJYyP5Y_nLX1NVl0ru9eWOZTh1W0BVAAZ3OHrCo_9YH2ctwX1Uvy46WgiP9enIcMWhKCZE5Ll2YbJEy5Rs9M3xBsmVtAdgYpUujeLesWqjv1DHCinUrGwpUsdxLHuJkZCw/s1600/new+fabric.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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I like the staff there; they're friendly and helpful and the store is chocked with designs I can't get from JoAnn's. It's a bit more expensive than online shopping, but for instant grafication an support of a local business you can't go wrong.<br />
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Backing up, Saturday afternoon was spent on my newest pattern acquistion, the long-awaited and coveted Anna dress from By Hand London.<br />
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I had anxiously waited for this pattern after discovering the joy that was the Flora dress (but I'll get to that review later). <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/">By Hand London</a> is an independant pattern company that offers some of the coolest, unique patterns I've come across. And I have a LOT of patterns. After seeing some of the gorgeous creations gracing the internet, I was obsessed with obtaining it for my own. Not really thrilled with the idea of international shipping, I found it for sale through <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/">patternreview.com</a> - score! Alas, the pattern was sold out on their site, and everywhere else. EVERYWHERE. I was a bit dejected, but placed my order and reserved a spot on the wait list - pouting all the while.<br />
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Then the Great Vacation Project took over, and thoughts of <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/products/anna-dress">Anna </a>took a backseat to cranking out a ridiculous number of dresses in 1/2 a month. A project I completed successfully, but it did occupy ever spare moment of time until we left.<br />
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After I returned from vacation, I decided to check my online shopping cart at Pattern Review, and not only was the dress back in stock, but it had already shipped and was scheduled to arrive the next day. I was overjoyed.<br />
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The pattern arrived, like the other two By Hand patterns I own, beautifully presented in a sturdy folder with a little story of the design name on the back. I checked the measurements against the Flora, decided on my normal UK 10, and - of course - cut the pattern because I'm too lazy to trace. One day...maybe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60dUeibO5qVAOUxTkiGrP25bBZF2Ki3O00yiqqiH4iX9HYhmF9DuxNRgRZR8c8FOGbcXFTI3UJMiIqL6FJQXQ4eEi0WN5rWGBm_DEExK4ht-48XbqxySNSj5YUzwrBFnvG03h5GMgU2U/s1600/pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60dUeibO5qVAOUxTkiGrP25bBZF2Ki3O00yiqqiH4iX9HYhmF9DuxNRgRZR8c8FOGbcXFTI3UJMiIqL6FJQXQ4eEi0WN5rWGBm_DEExK4ht-48XbqxySNSj5YUzwrBFnvG03h5GMgU2U/s1600/pattern.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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I had lovely chocolate brown damask I bought from the clearance section of my local <a href="http://www.joann.com/">Joann Fabrics</a>, and decided to use that for the mock-up. My theory is this - if I'm going to toile a pattern, it should be wearable. I believe the fabric was clearanced and then another 50% off, so the investment was less than muslin or a sheet. Fabric also depreciates in value to me; if I've had it for a while, it is somehow less of an investment than brand new fabric (cost of the purchase never figures in). And this yet another example of why I failed Economics in college.<br />
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I decided that I only wanted to test the bodice and save the skirt for later, as I didn't have enough fabric to use the skirt pieces properly. I laid out the pattern pieces and jumped in.<br />
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After the fabric was cut, and the darts and pleats were marked, I put the pieces aside for the evening, ready to come back to it on Saturday. Then I saw that my fabric pen had vanished, leaving me a trail of pins, but no stitching lines. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2v_TxKntn9Odn-zVF4i0eUo4peu1-keOcpnZp3EHqApnaGC0VWtvZpsqreHlbrHx7G1cZpq5rJVuslH8VNWkQh2aee9z8t5vu_z7YivWPFEIU9-Yg7Hv04Pwqa5GgPOrRT5zpKuDypJc/s1600/marks+disappeared.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2v_TxKntn9Odn-zVF4i0eUo4peu1-keOcpnZp3EHqApnaGC0VWtvZpsqreHlbrHx7G1cZpq5rJVuslH8VNWkQh2aee9z8t5vu_z7YivWPFEIU9-Yg7Hv04Pwqa5GgPOrRT5zpKuDypJc/s1600/marks+disappeared.jpg" height="299" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um,where are my markings?<br />
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Balls. So I pulled the pattern out again, and remarked everything with chalk.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp18UjzpXy2y2hhlkdfC5FtLDfsP7f58uP5P6yYVAnC4rXouRtOjfBMl6HOTtvuGHf1V2MF3_b_TxunZMNtbT01AMFNzWUhgQsMy-a7aeSfwBka7u-LWO5tM6LfNZhuQwzESXlZZC0r7o/s1600/marking+darts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp18UjzpXy2y2hhlkdfC5FtLDfsP7f58uP5P6yYVAnC4rXouRtOjfBMl6HOTtvuGHf1V2MF3_b_TxunZMNtbT01AMFNzWUhgQsMy-a7aeSfwBka7u-LWO5tM6LfNZhuQwzESXlZZC0r7o/s1600/marking+darts.jpg" height="299" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$*%!</td></tr>
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Yes, I cut the darts out of my pattern. It makes my life easier (I do reinforce them with tape so don't go too crazy, internet).<br />
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The bodice went together without a hitch. I ignored the paper instructions, because By Hand London offers a killer online sew-along. I read over the steps for the slash neck top, didn't see any major issues, and went on my way. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOHDRS4RMGk9QItu3QLzXQnFTJFfQq9C0bOTaaOOwSv4sUdbtAvshyphenhyphen55Ss8JCSke3CEmq-StuFJiq_I596TFA5DLRpOQxY183wpZPPM0j-PlmNQPAqTK5P2skt3o7RKVP5jpzbFKbKfE/s1600/pleats+pinned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOHDRS4RMGk9QItu3QLzXQnFTJFfQq9C0bOTaaOOwSv4sUdbtAvshyphenhyphen55Ss8JCSke3CEmq-StuFJiq_I596TFA5DLRpOQxY183wpZPPM0j-PlmNQPAqTK5P2skt3o7RKVP5jpzbFKbKfE/s1600/pleats+pinned.jpg" height="299" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bodice pleats pinned - this is before the lines were re-drawn in chalk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga6hFw__cnoYoznNWScT8hItV9LZEF6vu6UMWqLp6exZlLnR7Lj8SSXQah7hELGkK3oXbfEOy75d5YhkXxlYJLuCnw9FOJdbvPyhp_LEzgVllCzUSq8yUer4mC4P8vyNAl0VxraqQJhA/s1600/pressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga6hFw__cnoYoznNWScT8hItV9LZEF6vu6UMWqLp6exZlLnR7Lj8SSXQah7hELGkK3oXbfEOy75d5YhkXxlYJLuCnw9FOJdbvPyhp_LEzgVllCzUSq8yUer4mC4P8vyNAl0VxraqQJhA/s1600/pressed.jpg" height="299" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darts and pleats sewn and pressed - already looks amazing</td></tr>
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The neckline is finished with bias tape because my hate for facings knows no bounds. Burn in hell, facings. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FMUUmK3pfJta2a2KNeSebc80kgfTKs0V06mipQE0pjBkMHf40TPHf3AL_ZkLJo58DNQIM8OzDRcmSSECc0Zu3XngYj6wA_TdimjOTnJA8WaRi4J83X1D9n4VeRduHGjpHzj6rECuuKY/s1600/neck+binding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FMUUmK3pfJta2a2KNeSebc80kgfTKs0V06mipQE0pjBkMHf40TPHf3AL_ZkLJo58DNQIM8OzDRcmSSECc0Zu3XngYj6wA_TdimjOTnJA8WaRi4J83X1D9n4VeRduHGjpHzj6rECuuKY/s1600/neck+binding.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nifty Wonder Clips and a pic I forgot to rotate</td></tr>
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Of course, as I was so hot to whip this baby out, I forgot that facings take up a 5/8 seam allowance. Since I didn't remove the excess fabric, the neckline is a bit higher than I want (and than the pattern is drafted for). Well, moving right along...<br />
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After the bodice was finished, I took the remaining fabric and decided to gather it into a skirt. I used two pieces that were the width of the fabric, splitting one piece in half for the skirt back. After sewing them together, I started what SHOULD have been the simple process of gathering. Yeah.<br />
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For some reason, my thread kept snapping as I gathered. I don't know if it was the weight of all the fabric or a defect in the thread, but after it happened twice I was a bit pissed off. So I decided to gather it in three seperate sections, using matching the side seams with the bodice. That worked, but the tremendous amount of fabric created issues beyond gathering.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1n_GKh734RGELe0PkTxHakb5zUObIrtVSev2roYsKMduA8REDftzM4vxA2ychu8JBRGPsWMCHvVhnWvD91zCnwrcpcUkRkQVE957qLs11TxuweogtD8GaiRnlCDZBG73lM281posjE8/s1600/skirt+gathered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1n_GKh734RGELe0PkTxHakb5zUObIrtVSev2roYsKMduA8REDftzM4vxA2ychu8JBRGPsWMCHvVhnWvD91zCnwrcpcUkRkQVE957qLs11TxuweogtD8GaiRnlCDZBG73lM281posjE8/s1600/skirt+gathered.jpg" height="299" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINALLY gathered and pinned</td></tr>
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Annoyingly, even after carefully pinning, the waist seam skewed on me after the zipper was inserted. Oh well. It's a minimal difference, this was a mock-up, and the print is busy enough that I don't care enough to rip it all out.<br />
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The seams are all pinked (my new favorite method of finishing), the neckline is finished with bias tape, and the hem is serged, then turned up once and machine stitched in place. This is because I have no patience and my hand sewing is atrocious.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUuMcoSkH0XqfTfYc4TzG4NRe63sG16_kHjEEO2A7AdmX_sFvNKIbzubVA1OiSPx9oxFNU_gLPidC3DUpVl-2GG2tgjMihzAaMkacDUBfLVLO0ueqcXXUkl4yYtLPF5oANRNVqz9hQvk/s1600/pinked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUuMcoSkH0XqfTfYc4TzG4NRe63sG16_kHjEEO2A7AdmX_sFvNKIbzubVA1OiSPx9oxFNU_gLPidC3DUpVl-2GG2tgjMihzAaMkacDUBfLVLO0ueqcXXUkl4yYtLPF5oANRNVqz9hQvk/s1600/pinked.jpg" height="299" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, I admittedly ran into several issues with this project, but they were all entirely operator error. This pattern is marked as a beginner, and I firmly agree with that rating so don't be scared off. It's a simple 2 piece bodice with kimono sleeves, back darts, and front pleats rather than front darts (SO cool) - but even though the pattern is simple and all the techniques used are basic, you get a very sophisticated look. And the sew-along tutorial is fabulous, even for a hands-on learner like myself.<br />
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The next time I make this, I will be making my standard adjustment to the center back seam and removing some width. The front is perfect, but I do have a bit of excess in the back (normal issue).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha6cXFAu4ocdcNefp9v9LHxFKdM3uRXTg6ooIrv1n6UPOlrfnXGLZEnSxIqc4Wx5m2lIzxQbT2ZclWGmvasfyl9iWc3vQS7hIkH_Keu07dJLz0NubVpEGj8D5urGp51LOkB3LsFEPPB0/s1600/finished+anna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha6cXFAu4ocdcNefp9v9LHxFKdM3uRXTg6ooIrv1n6UPOlrfnXGLZEnSxIqc4Wx5m2lIzxQbT2ZclWGmvasfyl9iWc3vQS7hIkH_Keu07dJLz0NubVpEGj8D5urGp51LOkB3LsFEPPB0/s1600/finished+anna.jpg" height="400" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna <3</td></tr>
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I was initially concerned that, because I had waited so long for the pattern that the finished product would in no way measure up to the dresses I had daydreamed of making. Boy, was I wrong. I love this pattern. Love. My biggest issue is whether to make another slash-neck version immediately, or try the v-neck style next. And that's a pretty good problem to have, sewing-wise.<br />
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Until next time, cheers!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-88141406808186831352014-07-19T14:20:00.004-07:002014-07-21T09:50:55.651-07:00Working through the backlog - Happy Trails dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I recently returned from 10 days in Texas - which was wonderful, if not hotter than the hinges of hell. My goal for the trip was to sew my entire wardrobe, and wear only handmade dresses for vacation. After 2 1/2 weeks of sweatshop-like sewing, I completed 14 dresses. I do plan on posting step-by-step dress creation on this page, but for now, there will also be the liberal posting of ones I've already made, peppered with my uber witty commentary.<br />
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One of my favorite dresses was made from a pattern out of Simplicity's Project Runway line, pattern <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-7502-misses-miss-petite-dresses-project-runway-collection.aspx">1803</a>. Specifically, I was drawn to version C of the bodice. Of course, because I can't ever do anything the normal way, I didn't use the cap sleeves or the notch in the center. So off I went on another pattern hack...<br />
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The interesting thing about this pattern (to me, anyway), is that it uses a princess seamed front, and darts in the back. The pattern is also drafted to be cut with a seam down the center front and has a nice scoop in the back. <a href="http://www.joann.com/">Joann Fabric</a>'s was having a 5 for $5 sale on Simplicity, so I grabbed the pattern and toiled it up in my normal size 10 - I cut the front bodice piece on the fold instead of using a center seam (cause no way, Jose, that's more pattern matching). I was confident that it would fit right out of the package like 2444 did.<br />
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Boy, was I wrong, because it was too big. HUGE, even. Of course, I looked at the finished garment size after the fact - cause I'm smart like that - and saw there's a ridiculous amount of ease in the pattern. So it was back to Joann's to grab another one, because spending another dollar was well worth the aggravation I was saved from trying to fix an already cut pattern (have I mentioned I'm an instant gratification junkie and cut my patterns rather than trace them?).<br />
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<em>Note: I did save the mock-up by slapping a second set of darts in the back, taking in the side seams, and taking in the front princess seams from just under the bustline to the waist seam. I did all of this without ripping the skirt off, because I am lazy like that. I'm at peace with it.</em><br />
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Luckily, the size 8 did the trick, with one minor change...<br />
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I've discovered over the years that I have one major problem area when sewing - the small of my back is very narrow. What this does is create a lot of excess fabric in the back that I corrected in my younger days by taking in the side seams, then getting pissed when there were stress wrinkles under the bustline. Now I just remove 1/3" to 1/2" from the center back seam, depending on the pattern, and that works brilliantly. <br />
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After defeating the toile monster, I grabbed my chosen fabric - a fairly obnoxious but adorable Western print, complete with Stetsons, horses, ads for the county fair and cowboy boots. I did the same pattern adjustments, including the center front, cut the neckline in a size 6, used the simple gathered skirt from the pattern, and bound the neck and armholes with red bias tape. And my Happy Trails dress was born!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_v0twn5Vu5xTYA7fDY5PfJgVPf3jN42cKUpKE6yPRMvjvGXv0WvwchsJDYw89qg1yMItHyWwazqrAtsHBMdAkVbT3Jqy63c1Oqu47Njo2CgN089GAef9TDMryESq2NiRuPuyktD_g_Q/s1600/cowboy+dress+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_v0twn5Vu5xTYA7fDY5PfJgVPf3jN42cKUpKE6yPRMvjvGXv0WvwchsJDYw89qg1yMItHyWwazqrAtsHBMdAkVbT3Jqy63c1Oqu47Njo2CgN089GAef9TDMryESq2NiRuPuyktD_g_Q/s1600/cowboy+dress+1.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">super pleased face</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IfmkSP0aVE1TC4sUIAkTnCrm0oZaKiraZeomyHsPP4DDKL-VAX_6K9-AdeRK2MoMurdOb0BCcd7pO5Y0sYYm1xMnI5B0JAxBwP-QIk2rJyugAGZZgBYAbA5jjQOZv64CrXtQWwxZ9U8/s1600/cowboy+dress+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IfmkSP0aVE1TC4sUIAkTnCrm0oZaKiraZeomyHsPP4DDKL-VAX_6K9-AdeRK2MoMurdOb0BCcd7pO5Y0sYYm1xMnI5B0JAxBwP-QIk2rJyugAGZZgBYAbA5jjQOZv64CrXtQWwxZ9U8/s1600/cowboy+dress+back.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ta-da! no thought to pattern matching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The back's a bit flattened from sitting at my desk, but all in all, I'm pretty damn happy with the result.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1QH5ljQPdwlcEMM-4f03eEetyy1KykK_5IQjxtL_5aWPxjIyyh034aM_0S3Bm9kcTwoyWuqknJ1bEowLml_51uDb0FKTH-6hK3ZmchntBn-BlXAFb5rv3sYdD9jf8rzSCqB32tA-GMM/s1600/cowboy+dress+sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1QH5ljQPdwlcEMM-4f03eEetyy1KykK_5IQjxtL_5aWPxjIyyh034aM_0S3Bm9kcTwoyWuqknJ1bEowLml_51uDb0FKTH-6hK3ZmchntBn-BlXAFb5rv3sYdD9jf8rzSCqB32tA-GMM/s1600/cowboy+dress+sweater.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cardigan and gold BCBG shoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I got quite a few positive comments while wearing this in Texas (and who doesn't love that?), and it was loads of fun to wear. While on vacation, I wore this during a marathon dash to San Antonio, which included a drive-by of the Alamo and a quick 20 minute jaunt down a section of the river walk.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice33ToUin1K3v28VCcUSQN8n38-3ygeyqlhhoCCImBjOwtsZJFcMzEhKTsfScDFqWWDIjme8RZC8JKUqhB4_O6FZUG_-s3OHxtgeXwc6SmRhRIWQqbKlICfYN2UJOxitAYner_WAMIM4/s1600/cowboy+dress+san+antonio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice33ToUin1K3v28VCcUSQN8n38-3ygeyqlhhoCCImBjOwtsZJFcMzEhKTsfScDFqWWDIjme8RZC8JKUqhB4_O6FZUG_-s3OHxtgeXwc6SmRhRIWQqbKlICfYN2UJOxitAYner_WAMIM4/s1600/cowboy+dress+san+antonio.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River walk selfie</td></tr>
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Also, a blurry pic of the Alamo as we drove past (our flight was leaving Austin in a few hours).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawz2wlE14KnpmpLeDDPksT868rNr5OCU7vII65S7iGn8t_x8KAuvg1-sV4kRtbFrpvBu8TsP_OpKpOA3BXeQuOh2IQADtqdS7nRzYA3Z-YpS3d-s24WcMgmKPV0MZaplXd2oul0QXkek/s1600/alamo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawz2wlE14KnpmpLeDDPksT868rNr5OCU7vII65S7iGn8t_x8KAuvg1-sV4kRtbFrpvBu8TsP_OpKpOA3BXeQuOh2IQADtqdS7nRzYA3Z-YpS3d-s24WcMgmKPV0MZaplXd2oul0QXkek/s1600/alamo.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Look kids, Big Ben...Parliment"</td></tr>
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And a gorgeous part of the river walk<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZayS_q0Pwbmwf3qkbtfHtAZpbNxlwzUlLrh1EBq1u3Lybsb5FM86kbyivtOWNS1aajsfrtQBJizfpsLOS2AUXwlL5CIHgmr4x3mY4QT81TNd6uR6cqZ43wc_h8snRaXpHSHwAc_DXycU/s1600/river+walk+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZayS_q0Pwbmwf3qkbtfHtAZpbNxlwzUlLrh1EBq1u3Lybsb5FM86kbyivtOWNS1aajsfrtQBJizfpsLOS2AUXwlL5CIHgmr4x3mY4QT81TNd6uR6cqZ43wc_h8snRaXpHSHwAc_DXycU/s1600/river+walk+1.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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So that's that, as they say. Now I get the joy of dashing off to put new tires on my car (yay). Last night was a fairly chill evening close to home, with a stop by one of my favorite <a href="http://www.silvercitybrewery.com/brewery_website/">breweries </a>for an amazing chocolate coffee porter.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRok7-y700GSDqZ1CE5MR67hsqLqkn8HGucf9xDZuEOwo9Ws1W7_1T-EnP8Pkwuk3n08uOnPlWSaLJrt4eYOqnZG9-Uh9j30S8e-Ako_kIBmSZHEZjbeuP-BpWv87nTTR_Hy8Qlpthy4/s1600/chocolate+coffee+porter+drinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRok7-y700GSDqZ1CE5MR67hsqLqkn8HGucf9xDZuEOwo9Ws1W7_1T-EnP8Pkwuk3n08uOnPlWSaLJrt4eYOqnZG9-Uh9j30S8e-Ako_kIBmSZHEZjbeuP-BpWv87nTTR_Hy8Qlpthy4/s1600/chocolate+coffee+porter+drinking.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm, beer</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCmdvZxe8Y0PSe2oI809Np-VGqhozVrc8gOAjybCBWgoueAChMJ9ye1ZxogDBHVt9Cf5IYe_V_FjY1uXAlWzmPTD5OLiNG1SkbYfx_dpmJ2pMstnJ8O5z6RTeLBmkswNkQ7FsOm32anI/s1600/chocolate+coffee+porter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCmdvZxe8Y0PSe2oI809Np-VGqhozVrc8gOAjybCBWgoueAChMJ9ye1ZxogDBHVt9Cf5IYe_V_FjY1uXAlWzmPTD5OLiNG1SkbYfx_dpmJ2pMstnJ8O5z6RTeLBmkswNkQ7FsOm32anI/s1600/chocolate+coffee+porter.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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And on that note, I'm outta here! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-61134963029959580372014-07-16T19:29:00.004-07:002014-07-18T12:57:54.690-07:00Everyone's got to start somewhere...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My first dressmaking tale is one of two tragic projects that never quite lived up to their potential, later joined in a union of new dress bliss. Let's begin....<br />
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A little over a year ago, I saw a new line of patterns emerge in Butterick's retro line - Patterns by Gertie. <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b5882-products-44960.php?page_id=147">B5882</a> immediately earned a place in my heart; I was enamored of the pleated, boned bust and multi-piece circle skirt. It would be mine. Oh, yes. <br />
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I decided to make this for my 40th birthday and proceeded to buy the obscene amount of fabric required (in progress shot below). Much swearing later and ripping of stitches later.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwzg-cIiyVHZUIfdUmW4Pg7cM8OPP5P-PKpwRkTKBEYaFP-q6itwnNfq4I1f6nFpmljf75Bs56TcJApUpS_e4fljW-WTMnNd9YcT1bDqHhiFEJCiXCQm7mCcNX8XSQbfLQdhlphpdmQs/s1600/old+dress+action+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwzg-cIiyVHZUIfdUmW4Pg7cM8OPP5P-PKpwRkTKBEYaFP-q6itwnNfq4I1f6nFpmljf75Bs56TcJApUpS_e4fljW-WTMnNd9YcT1bDqHhiFEJCiXCQm7mCcNX8XSQbfLQdhlphpdmQs/s1600/old+dress+action+shot.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The instructions, like most of the Big 4, were a tad difficult to follow (to say the least). I used plastic cable ties for the boning and twill tape for the casing, as this is what I used in the past in Renaissance gowns. FAR superior to the store bought boning in its own casing. Yuck.<br />
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The dress was fully lined, weighed a ton, and I was very pleased with myself. Then I put it on. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkf4wSMJnt2s99VaxnjLjY3xhduurFsr6sGG-ruHDxndPgluJVNXK37isHbEGE3PztDeQVnIRcQWPQ2xppAjh9sbGVUWOTcwis_2fB5n-3ObC3G5J5U7b4URCP4cYkgojQnSHw1KVLqI/s1600/birthday+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkf4wSMJnt2s99VaxnjLjY3xhduurFsr6sGG-ruHDxndPgluJVNXK37isHbEGE3PztDeQVnIRcQWPQ2xppAjh9sbGVUWOTcwis_2fB5n-3ObC3G5J5U7b4URCP4cYkgojQnSHw1KVLqI/s1600/birthday+party.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Meh. The bustline hits in the exact wrong place. Rather than being cut beneath the bust like <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/aisle-be-there-dress-in-lily">this </a>dress (which I own), it cuts it in half, then the pleated insert takes up the rest. Which, if you have any sort of bust at all, just perches on top of what should be lovely cleavage. In my opinion, highly unflattering. I also think the bias cut trim that creates the straps needs to be wider. Not a total fail, but not a success by any means. And so the dress was banished to the land of Don't Really Want to Wear Again.<br />
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I took the remaining fabric and whipped up a quick gathered skirt that I wore a few times, then grew bored. It, too, was banished.<br />
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Then I saw a dress from the always fabulous <a href="http://dollyclackett.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/beauty-doesnt-last-forever-it-can-be.html">Dolly Clackett</a> (the link goes to her make-up), and inspiration struck. Could these two sad, lonely projects be saved?<br />
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I used <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b5748-products-22646.php?page_id=147">B5748</a> a few times before - I'm particularly smitten with the scooped back. At a straight up pattern 10, I knew the gathered skirt had plenty of fabric. I pulled the dress and boring skirt from exile and went to work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1lgxPIsC4wgfdXrCVGj3eq_eP3rPOZQ1V7qDQG8TuCzJh_ziJdvtFkKLm1eSl1Q3EUVWLUr3IoFr0erbyPZ8SqVviuGdCtR3kAjBJnWAjQeVggjtnddv9OE7jn_GldfPZjInwvwD_Is/s1600/old+skirt+new+idea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1lgxPIsC4wgfdXrCVGj3eq_eP3rPOZQ1V7qDQG8TuCzJh_ziJdvtFkKLm1eSl1Q3EUVWLUr3IoFr0erbyPZ8SqVviuGdCtR3kAjBJnWAjQeVggjtnddv9OE7jn_GldfPZjInwvwD_Is/s1600/old+skirt+new+idea.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Skirt and pattern.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4qSFY63fyuIO1wltBhZEnjYx13vE7sYQ-fJJuaPLzAL5Z3cJTEYfEP8JUJRe5tYqDyU0-CNJhrCIDS2lrNiwAogsH-_OlklndwsjK55PQqC2s6Y7kGn6ZO6lhkU2-sWHy5favLPK4to/s1600/original+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4qSFY63fyuIO1wltBhZEnjYx13vE7sYQ-fJJuaPLzAL5Z3cJTEYfEP8JUJRe5tYqDyU0-CNJhrCIDS2lrNiwAogsH-_OlklndwsjK55PQqC2s6Y7kGn6ZO6lhkU2-sWHy5favLPK4to/s1600/original+dress.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Never-quite-reached-potential dress.</div>
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Then, I had to removed the bodice (this pic shows the zipper I smugly thought I could salvage, but was WRONG, so that had to be ripped out too). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERexeymhTZFZdztdAABy4CIbOlQSqpr8FGkdQmFqD8lur-ovgSNJ81SeYk7-yGPm0_cHcKE9uyp2uNKxgmFsufERAmQqrc6kcCIap01S-oL7Ie_167kPNUmdSY7P10FPtyzlMm8nr0bU/s1600/old+bodice+removed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERexeymhTZFZdztdAABy4CIbOlQSqpr8FGkdQmFqD8lur-ovgSNJ81SeYk7-yGPm0_cHcKE9uyp2uNKxgmFsufERAmQqrc6kcCIap01S-oL7Ie_167kPNUmdSY7P10FPtyzlMm8nr0bU/s1600/old+bodice+removed.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Next, I had to deconstruct the gathered skirt. In my infinite patience and mild mannered way, this meant taking my shears to the skirt and cutting off the waistband, then hem, and either side of the zipper. I left the lining in the skirt that came from the dress, but did not line the new bodice because the fabric didn't need it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NQ4zM7RDjtAHe6Rmot9ClArQ0Lgq8YwVS7nchumGSf8qYEOV_lC62CnKdplYWaG4Hjg4IfIEbtp18UDFTn5nEy1LmcaEG5A5NSDUnngvom1bGVus2y4_LO5cA76b57ZOBsZbfKkKarI/s1600/new+bodice+layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NQ4zM7RDjtAHe6Rmot9ClArQ0Lgq8YwVS7nchumGSf8qYEOV_lC62CnKdplYWaG4Hjg4IfIEbtp18UDFTn5nEy1LmcaEG5A5NSDUnngvom1bGVus2y4_LO5cA76b57ZOBsZbfKkKarI/s1600/new+bodice+layout.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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New bodice action shot.<br />
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As the new bodice wasn't lined, I needed to remove the excess fabric at the armscye and the neckline (the pattern is drafted to account for the now non-existent seam allowance). I staystiched these areas at 5/8", then trimmed it down to almost the stitching line. Then I used bias tape to finish the edges. I used a normal zipper but inserted it using the method for an invisible zip, because in weird way it's my favorite method. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTc7ZYsTtJyrJunIuUCsMOOiQ2EsbX1X9YisefNwBgfBWNVA-OHEOaicOIHScym2yx1ZCe-k2UgniyNWMaLFmDCXuUC7AZrcDp7Jd0efmgiz9t46tIUZV0u0stBif0_aJlXvCC2Ex5WI/s1600/inserting+the+zipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTc7ZYsTtJyrJunIuUCsMOOiQ2EsbX1X9YisefNwBgfBWNVA-OHEOaicOIHScym2yx1ZCe-k2UgniyNWMaLFmDCXuUC7AZrcDp7Jd0efmgiz9t46tIUZV0u0stBif0_aJlXvCC2Ex5WI/s1600/inserting+the+zipper.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Don't judge me. Or do. It's fine.<br />
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Oh, that's right. This is also a side-closing dress. I despise side zippers, even in ready-to-wear (forever now known as RTW). Sooooooo, I just moved the zip to the center back. This was actually a cinch, because it already has a center back seam, which accounts for the seam allowance needed to install a zip, so there's no funky drafting involved (normally I would just add 5/8" to the center back to achieve this).<br />
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The whole project took about 4 hours from start to finish. B5748 is one of my favorite bodice patterns, and I've paired it with several different skirt variations. But the bias cut, 5 paneled skirt from B5882 is my favorite version. Fully lined, it almost can get away without a petticoat. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFnQIfoNQOvOJPPTElwu3xBoVZlXHVMStOjhUETty2yUn3gvce7649qOxJaClvK8wTTA6apUWu00jUT0Y_hs-1N9OLDfymBZ8F7ucul6voVVX7XqyGfl5wNTOOkBbGJyu7l8KcbOzS6o/s1600/dress+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFnQIfoNQOvOJPPTElwu3xBoVZlXHVMStOjhUETty2yUn3gvce7649qOxJaClvK8wTTA6apUWu00jUT0Y_hs-1N9OLDfymBZ8F7ucul6voVVX7XqyGfl5wNTOOkBbGJyu7l8KcbOzS6o/s1600/dress+front.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sassy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmSXhJrcxDfWoZZVDb2mfqkzcWsP7Ro4R263UWikUKG59-C-NRu5s9ifVa8jSCGACdDiAwfCwumbzkFqtbIstWz58hT51UG5wwuSJWzbCd4Kj74uQU8qMq88uYBu-czmWApOrMSZ4nEI/s1600/dress+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmSXhJrcxDfWoZZVDb2mfqkzcWsP7Ro4R263UWikUKG59-C-NRu5s9ifVa8jSCGACdDiAwfCwumbzkFqtbIstWz58hT51UG5wwuSJWzbCd4Kj74uQU8qMq88uYBu-czmWApOrMSZ4nEI/s1600/dress+back.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Super sassy.<br />
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An ending fit for a fairy tale. Happy new dress that will see loads of wear. Paired with fantastic shoes from Miss L Fire (purchased on a screaming good sale).<br />
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So that's it, kids! Post #1 is in the bag. Now, it's time to have a slice of amazing chicken and pesto pizza and a tall, cold drink to combat our current heat wave. But I'll leave you with an outtake for the road.<br />
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(yep, I'm in the middle of twirling...)<br />
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Cheers!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531466897521021286.post-30161515680852754952014-07-16T07:58:00.001-07:002014-07-17T13:00:35.163-07:00Warm up - blog testGreetings, blog-land! After many years of using the internet and all the lovely seamstresses who share their trials and triumphs, I am taking the plunge and joining in the fun. Of course, in the grand tradition of jumping in with both feet, I don't have access to any photos yet (I got to work early today and created this at my desk).<br />
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So here's a brief overview:<br />
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I started sewing at the age of 18 because I discovered a medieval/Renaissance group at my college, and it was much cheaper to make my own costumes than try to buy them. I am about 80% self taught, with the judicious application of blog lurking, and a few classes thrown in for good measure. <br />
Fast forward to age 41; after leaving reenactment some years ago, I continued to dabble in sewing (Halloween is my FAVORITE holiday), but after discovering a passion for mid century fashions, I decided that - once again - sewing for myself would not only be economically sound, but fun as well. And here I am today, with about 2/3 of my wardrobe consisting of homemade dresses. I have several "stock" patterns that I enjoy making, so you will see a bit of a trend in silhouettes. But I am guilty of that in RTW fashions also, so there you have it.<br />
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As I begin my blogging journey here in the lovely Pacific Northwest, I would like to thank the pages that inspired me over the years. These women have been my teachers, inspiration and entertainment, and I hope I can do the same.<br />
Thanks to:<br />
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Jen Thompson at <a href="http://www.festiveattyre.com/">Festive Attyre</a> <br />
Kendra van Cleave at <a href="http://demodecouture.com/">Demode Couture</a> <br />
Sarah Lorraine at <a href="http://www.modehistorique.com/blog/">Mode Historique</a><br />
Trystan Bass at Trystancraft<br />
Roisin Muldoon at <a href="http://dollyclackett.blogspot.com/">Dolly Clackett</a><br />
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I've also been enjoying a few of the lovely patterns offered by <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/">By Hand London</a>, which I hope to start showing soon.<br />
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Enjoy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04322177316711730603noreply@blogger.com0