And then in this picture, we have Penny, who is fond of impromptu piggy-back rides. (i.e. all of a sudden there is a cat hanging from whatever part of your body she happens to have a good run up to -- one learns the doppler purring signal and dodges
Friday, June 3, 2011
Friday is for twirling!
The mission today was twirling So twirled did I. Below are the non-twirling but still nice pictures of today's dress. (Then Penny-Cat wanted to get in on the action... I think a mission later this month is supposed to be pets... I am set!) Anyhow, same franken-pattern as Wednesday, bodice: modified Simplicity 2884 (cross strap rather than halter), skirt: McCalls 5292 with other little alterations, like an inseam pocket.
As for actual sewing, The neckline is going well on what I was going to call the Indian cotton dress, until I found a tag marking it as 100% viscose. So.. how about I just call it Ethelfritha? (somehow everything ends up as either that or Harold. These things happen.) Whatever. However, as it is dark out, and as we've seen, interior lighting doesn't do the navy on navy embroidery justice, pictures of progress will have to wait for tomorrow's sun light.
For today's interesting tidbit: the grassy lawn/garden thing I'm in is actually a green roof -- and a rather old one at that. Years ago, someone decided that rather than just leaving my building's garage as a garage, they ought to throw loads of dirt on top and make an area for residents to have gardens. (It also includes a small ornamental pond, with lots of ornamental pond scum and at one point, a fake duck.) Now, I can't claim credit for any of the garden that are up there -- I just like to look at them, but I do enjoy having access to the area. Horray for green roofs!
And then in this picture, we have Penny, who is fond of impromptu piggy-back rides. (i.e. all of a sudden there is a cat hanging from whatever part of your body she happens to have a good run up to -- one learns the doppler purring signal and dodges
And then in this picture, we have Penny, who is fond of impromptu piggy-back rides. (i.e. all of a sudden there is a cat hanging from whatever part of your body she happens to have a good run up to -- one learns the doppler purring signal and dodges
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Bedsheet Compendium
The belt is more or less as is, but about 5 inches shorter than when I bought it. I'd been looking for a thick, dark brown, braided leather belt, and lo and behold, I found one -- but sized to fit around the hips. Even buying the smallest they had it was still much too large, so I undid the stitching that connected the buckle to the belt-proper, pulled it out of the glue, cut off about 5 inches, glued it again, sewed it up, and was the proud owner of a lovely, properly fitting belt.
Now, as for actual *current* sewing? There will be some soon -- I promise. Almost everything I have left to do on the refashion (it needs a new name.... lets call it the Indian cotton dress) is hand work, which I haven't been up for. So... soon. However, if you are into movie/costume history, check this out. Turns out Debbie Reynolds has been collected costumes forever, and not being able to get a museum to set up in the current economic climate, is selling them. The catalog is a free download and just stunning. (and thanks to Meg for originally posting it)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Me Made June!!!
This may devolve into outfit posts every so often this month. Anyhow, here is one of my favorite dresses --
its a frankenpattern, as so many are -- more specifically the bodice is a modified Simplicity 2884, and the skirt is McCalls 5292, which I find to be quite full enough for every day wear. The modification was changing the back from a standard halter to crossed straps. I just find it more comfortable not to have pressure on the back of my neck all day. Also, although you cannot see it, there is a side seam pocket on the right side around knee level. I loves me some pockets. (and yes, I copied the description whole-hog from my MMM post.)
Interesting tid-bit - it spent the first year of its life as a party dress, then recently as I've made more, I decided it could be a regular day dress (plus a cardigan at work) It makes the days a lot more fun. :)
its a frankenpattern, as so many are -- more specifically the bodice is a modified Simplicity 2884, and the skirt is McCalls 5292, which I find to be quite full enough for every day wear. The modification was changing the back from a standard halter to crossed straps. I just find it more comfortable not to have pressure on the back of my neck all day. Also, although you cannot see it, there is a side seam pocket on the right side around knee level. I loves me some pockets. (and yes, I copied the description whole-hog from my MMM post.)
Interesting tid-bit - it spent the first year of its life as a party dress, then recently as I've made more, I decided it could be a regular day dress (plus a cardigan at work) It makes the days a lot more fun. :)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
ramblings
I had this whole plan to bang it all out tonight, and wear the refashion in a blaze of glory tomorrow. Needless to say, I got distracted.
So, instead I will tell you about two books I got recently. '7000 Years of Jewelry' and 'Costume in Detail 1730 to 1930' I'm enjoying both immensely. Costume in Detail includes descriptions of how they are made, the materials used, and construction information. The Jewelry one includes examples from all over the world, and is just nifty because I like shiny things, costume and history.
Happy last day of May.
So, instead I will tell you about two books I got recently. '7000 Years of Jewelry' and 'Costume in Detail 1730 to 1930' I'm enjoying both immensely. Costume in Detail includes descriptions of how they are made, the materials used, and construction information. The Jewelry one includes examples from all over the world, and is just nifty because I like shiny things, costume and history.
Happy last day of May.
Monday, May 30, 2011
puttering along
Anyhow, really looking forward to MMJ, starting on WEDNESDAY!!!! How about all of you out in blog-land? cameras warmed up and ready?
...better pictures to come when I get this thing all finished
Thursday, May 26, 2011
In which I experiance technical difficulties
well..... biological ones.
My arms decided to mutiny again, (what? what? you want to finish something for a specfic occasion? ahahahaah! non! this shall not beeee) (you should have read that with the evil sounding accent of your choice. In my head its more or less cartoonish French) (Random note: I studied French for about 12 years, so most of my accents come out French, no matter what I am up to)
So, it was time for some closet diving. I made the ginkgo dress (look closely at the pattern) right after college. At that time it was strapless and used only thick interfacing and a good, tight fit to hold itself up. However, the pattern designers seem to have neglected to consider what would happen when it was washed --- needless to say I added a bit more support. However, its not the halter strap-- thats actually purely decorative, as I thought it threw the dress firmly into the 50s -- no the support actually comes from a fully boned bodice. This being one of my early forays into boning, its sewed directly to the lining the the fabric... no channels, no nothing (well, the tips are covered to prevent poking) but, it works, and as I seem to wear it once every two years or so, it will do. The new feature this time is the crinoline -- also made years ago to go with a completely different dress I've yet to post here, but I'm really into the puff -- it makes the dress seem more substantial.
The pattern for the dress is on a shelf in my childhood bedroom, so theoretically I could look it up if anyone is curious, but its only the base, ginkgo part of the dress. I added the ruffle and cumberbund to make it a bit more interesting. The crinoline is self drafted -- just layers of netting added in ever taller layers on a standard A-line skirt.
However, with good luck and cooperative biology, I may just get the purple dress finished by the May 30th cut off for Pattern Review's knock off contest. Think happy thoughts.
My arms decided to mutiny again, (what? what? you want to finish something for a specfic occasion? ahahahaah! non! this shall not beeee) (you should have read that with the evil sounding accent of your choice. In my head its more or less cartoonish French) (Random note: I studied French for about 12 years, so most of my accents come out French, no matter what I am up to)
flamingo style |
I think I was trying to fix the strap... |
pouf!!! |
So, it was time for some closet diving. I made the ginkgo dress (look closely at the pattern) right after college. At that time it was strapless and used only thick interfacing and a good, tight fit to hold itself up. However, the pattern designers seem to have neglected to consider what would happen when it was washed --- needless to say I added a bit more support. However, its not the halter strap-- thats actually purely decorative, as I thought it threw the dress firmly into the 50s -- no the support actually comes from a fully boned bodice. This being one of my early forays into boning, its sewed directly to the lining the the fabric... no channels, no nothing (well, the tips are covered to prevent poking) but, it works, and as I seem to wear it once every two years or so, it will do. The new feature this time is the crinoline -- also made years ago to go with a completely different dress I've yet to post here, but I'm really into the puff -- it makes the dress seem more substantial.
The pattern for the dress is on a shelf in my childhood bedroom, so theoretically I could look it up if anyone is curious, but its only the base, ginkgo part of the dress. I added the ruffle and cumberbund to make it a bit more interesting. The crinoline is self drafted -- just layers of netting added in ever taller layers on a standard A-line skirt.
However, with good luck and cooperative biology, I may just get the purple dress finished by the May 30th cut off for Pattern Review's knock off contest. Think happy thoughts.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Recreating a 50s Cocktail Dress - Part 3
![]() |
inspiration |
current progress -- still unironed... |
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