Vogue 1015 - PT IV Finally Finished!

Last night I attached the flowers and hemmed the dress. Ms. CB asked that I shorten by it by 3 1/2 inches. Can you believe it! I have never owned a dressfoam; not ever. I think I need to buy one. So here a preview of the finished dress. Excuse the presentation. I'm holding it by the straps. More later..., I will post my final review.

Vogue 1015 - PT III

Finally, an update on Ms. CB dress. There were so many distractions. I sew best when I stay on task until its done. Today I was determined to get a post out of this much needed to be completed dress.

Time line:

6-8-08 - 6-12-08 Business Trip

6-14-08 3:15p-5:00 and 5:50p - 8:40p
Foundation prep
Sewed foundation and lining together

6-26-08 6:00p- 8:15
Fitting and sewed skirt lining
More changes requested -
Shorten skirt by 3 1/2 inches
Wanted straps to rest on shoulders - need to lower armhole 1/2 inch
Possible exclusion of foundation :-( (I really want to include it)

6-28-08 6:00p - 10:00
Sewed beads to back of dress
removed an re attached the straps
I added about 1 1/2 inches to the overall seam allowance of the foundation - It
was a little snug on her. So I reduced the seam allowance to add move in the
abdominal area. Altered the foundation (this is me, not Ms. CB - try to convince
her to keep it)
Cut out flowers

I made all changes on last Saturday except the length. Ms. CB considered not including the foundation, but I think t would be better to include it. Because it provides support and helps shape the body.

Foundation:
Since I already put the foundation together I want to talk about the process a little. The instructions were typical for most close fitting bodices. The difference is it's attached and on the inside of the dress and closed by hook and eye tape.


I also made a slight change to adding the boning to the inside of the lining. The pattern instructs to sew ribbon onto the lining for the casing. I chose to use the original casing instead as it provides added padding to protect the body from the hard boning. After sewing the two sides and one end of the casing to the lining, I inserted the boning, then sewed the remaining end closed. The casing will not show on the outside.




This evening I convinced Ms. CB to allow me to add the foundation. ;-)

Zipper:
As mentioned in an earlier post, I decided to insert a regular zipper using the hand prick method (first time). The Threads tutorial that I followed includes an optional step on adding beads to the outside seam of the zipper. One of my goals is to explore new techniques and incorporate them into my skill set. I'm inspired by other sewists who practice couture techniques. So I wanted to learn a new method or technique while sewing this dress. The color is bad on this photos, but you can get an idea about how it looks.



Flowers:
I'm make those today.
Update: I made them today. They took 5 hours to make. This pattern offers an interesting way to make the large flower. But to me it seemed like the medium and large flowers are the same size. May be I should have added more gathers to the large flowers.




Stay Tuned. I have to attach the foundation to the dress, tack on the flowers, and hem the dress. I'm close and I'm very glad as I have spent an enormous amount of time on this dress. The desire to make something less complicated is overwhelmingly attractive to me now and I want to sew for myself for a while.

Happy Sewing!
C

Happy Anniversary!

Today marks my first anniversary of blogging and I'm still having fun. It has been a rich and rewarding experience, and I am grateful to all who read and comment on the content.

Wishing everyone a great holiday weekend.

Updates to Come

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. I did. Of course sewing filled part of the week's end. Friday night, one of my church friends invited me to see "Get Ready" at eta Creative Arts Theatre. Saturday, I did some cleaning, shopping and sewing. Oh yes, a little cooking and entertaining. Sunday church and more cooking. I'm so behind on blogging about my sewing projects. So there are two weeks worth of catch up.

Happy Beginning of the Week!
C

Vintage Clothing and the Movie: Australia

Ms. Nicole Kidman graces the cover of Vogue magazine (July 2008). Kidman is starring with the eye-catching Hugh Jackman (X-Men’s wolverine) in Australia due in the theaters November 2008. This is a period movie (WWII era). Kidman’s character inherits a ranch and Jackman is the hired hand that helps her hold it all together. War breaks out, the two become romantically involved…, the rest…, is in the movie. Lol


The Vogue spread includes an interview with the twosome; and oh choice, it includes a few photos of Kidman in beautifully sculptured garments.

Lately I have been drawn to vintage clothing. Part of the attraction has been simulated by my fellow blogging friends and new re-releases of vintage patterns by various pattern companies. I have picked up a few from JoAnn’s and Hancock’s. Plus I have one banker box devoted to patterns published in the early part of the century. As if I don’t have enough on my plate already.







I don’t know when, but if the Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise, I will definitely make up some of these vintage outfits.



Tip of the Day – Lose 10 pounds instantly…,

Sit up straight – back erect
Stand Tall – shoulders square

Now work that cute quotient!

Happy Sewing!
C

I've Been Tagged by Marita and Mardel

This is so late..., I was tagged by Marita and Mardel.

Here goes...,

1. What was I doing ten years ago? That's a loaded question. My life was so different back then. I was married with one DD (11 years ago). My day job was with the University of Illinois at Chicago, Office of the Research Services, where I served as a Departmental Information Supervisor. The title of my job didn't really speak to the work I actually did. There were only a few individuals supervised by me. Most of my work was to assistant the Director, provide stats on research activity, and act as liasion for the Vice Chancellor for Research. At that time I was also pursuing a degree in Information Decision Sciences (Quantitative Methods). I didn't sew as much given I had three full time jobs already. lol


2. What are 5 things on my to do list today? Sewing related to do list includes:

- Purchase the Fabric for my coat (Great Coat Sew Along) I was supposed to do that before Sunday, but haven't had time. I'm still catching up from being gone nearly a week.
- Finish Ms. CB gown 1015. Last weekend I was able to finish the bodice lining and put together the foundation. Ms. CB was not available for a fitting this weekend. Today we arranged the next fitting for Sunday afternoon.
- Finish jacket for violet dress I made in April. I'm invited to a dinner party (banquet), Saturday night and wanted to wear the dress with jacket.
- Organize the many UFO's I have. Last night I looked through them and became exhausted thinking about how I can get it all finished.
- Work with my DD on the dresses and blouses she wants made before school starts again.



3. Snacks I enjoy? I love, love chocolate; but I eat it in moderation. fruit, cheese, and Lay's potato chips.


4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire? I am no where near being independently wealthy. So it would take me about five months to get over the shock of having billionaires. The first thing that I would do is find and retain a viable financial planner. Next, I would probably set up a foundation or two (shelter and educational) to help those in need. Third, find a way to share my wealth with my family (daughter, sisters, and mom) without crippling them. Help them to reach some goal/dream. Finally, buy a home for me. I love the homes showcased in "House Beautiful" and "Better Homes and Garden". I would love a scaled down version of a "Martha Stewart's House". Not flashy; warm, comfortable, and inviting. That's about it. I will continue to do some kind of work (at the foundations), sewing, travel, etc. I wouldn't change too much; I'll have more time to relax and do the things I enjoy.


5. Places I have lived? My mom's family is from Huntsville, AL and my dad's people from Grenada, MI. But I was born and bread in Chicago, Illinois. I haven't live anywhere else except for living in Champaign, Illinois for a brief time while in college.

6. What type of work have I done? Babysitter, extra-help at a daycare facility, typist, Secretary Transcriber, Administrative Secretary, Information Services Supervisor, Departmental Information Supervisor, Module Administrator (Functional Support for application), Assistant Producer for christian programs aired on Chicago CAN TV, School board member, Teen Mentor, Trainer for video camera work, Secretary for Board of Director (There Is A Way Outreach Ministries).

7. 6 peeps I want to know more about?

Lisa Sew On and Sew on
Faye Faye's Sewing Adventure
Kimberlee Kims Kouture
Lory The Diary of L
Connie Couturesmith
Lori Girls In The Garden