tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-150264442024-02-19T08:23:30.063-08:00Vintage SewingWatch a mild mannered woman go nuts trying to remember her sewing skills on projects which are completely over her head.Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.comBlogger271125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-80133796667401648552013-08-29T10:40:00.005-07:002013-08-29T10:41:25.862-07:00Fabric Shopping<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz4qIUrGM-KYkVfnb_Nmxr3sPiuowsyBuad_7k-X56fDB0rVwyb4HI6PaoJVOVB5OzXIB4UZNVcRw1y2MQB15Vi-kK_D22qmLF60rWx1eKRB3dyTw8rjNdXyjUXXgLjVFfTufSQ/s1600/DSCN0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz4qIUrGM-KYkVfnb_Nmxr3sPiuowsyBuad_7k-X56fDB0rVwyb4HI6PaoJVOVB5OzXIB4UZNVcRw1y2MQB15Vi-kK_D22qmLF60rWx1eKRB3dyTw8rjNdXyjUXXgLjVFfTufSQ/s320/DSCN0880.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only way the olive color photographed properly<br />
was to have it in a group shot with other colors. When<br />
photographed alone, it was a washed out green. Weird!</td></tr>
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Yesterday was a nice bit of fabric shopping in the Fabric District with friends. I explored some new stores as well as hitting up my favorite haunts. I like fabric shopping with friends as I have found that I don't <strike>pig out</strike> spend as much as I do when fabric shopping by myself. I think it is like secret eating (which I don't do) but when fabric shopping by myself I tend to overindulge because no one is looking! <br />
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I was rather restrained and only made 2 purchases.<br />
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I bought the olive cotton at the Loft - 5 yards. <br />
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Then at another shop which is apparently in a former furniture store (since the only word on the outside of the shop name was Furniture) was 5 yards of white cotton and a lace collar. Plan to use the collar on my civil war dress if I ever finish it. The white cotton should be made into a chemise.<br />
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Not a bad haul for $10.13.<br />
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Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-32971004779188210602013-08-22T23:08:00.002-07:002013-08-22T23:08:50.291-07:00A Double TakeI didnt want to post the work in progress pictures which is all I have right now. Sooooo I thought I would share some modern sewing I did recently. Two Vogue 1247 - the Rachel Comey skirt that a gazillion bloggers have already made. <br />
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I am beyond late to this party!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQicUyAFRmW2D9YP2xJDrAGlTnd7Q5frdz8GRjfPqVyB8c4CLr-cfEtFibJZGD91lcLclEm8geLTtf1nP6BXBWJiJ1K1gg2mzWrCNb6VBso3K-CHSyfXdTAfI1Ut4w4LHJKDVP-g/s1600/DSCN0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQicUyAFRmW2D9YP2xJDrAGlTnd7Q5frdz8GRjfPqVyB8c4CLr-cfEtFibJZGD91lcLclEm8geLTtf1nP6BXBWJiJ1K1gg2mzWrCNb6VBso3K-CHSyfXdTAfI1Ut4w4LHJKDVP-g/s200/DSCN0874.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYe7PKga3sGLP766GGNH-0GAaIltEldOXcWy0dkbMgrna6IvAFpdR2Ul6esXAqx4hFCi1ponaSw4B435Mivauiyx2-FtTrHQl2lk-DuuBUT7ni5DAzaL6bNyqfNwsI3h79TUfqA/s1600/DSCN0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYe7PKga3sGLP766GGNH-0GAaIltEldOXcWy0dkbMgrna6IvAFpdR2Ul6esXAqx4hFCi1ponaSw4B435Mivauiyx2-FtTrHQl2lk-DuuBUT7ni5DAzaL6bNyqfNwsI3h79TUfqA/s200/DSCN0869.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That dress form is a lot<br />smaller than I am</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OzT5aE50Zm6n4BnrZJqKn6oIjygn2UDUXQzWwrXKJjqRyVSA8QJUP6__ZDT7QZFxxw_bTRC6qq0-cvvOyykyCe61jBOvU8RaViFll8JrGq7V3cD_8uYd3Fa1CJmFPVr3vP69lA/s1600/DSCN0870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OzT5aE50Zm6n4BnrZJqKn6oIjygn2UDUXQzWwrXKJjqRyVSA8QJUP6__ZDT7QZFxxw_bTRC6qq0-cvvOyykyCe61jBOvU8RaViFll8JrGq7V3cD_8uYd3Fa1CJmFPVr3vP69lA/s200/DSCN0870.JPG" width="150" /></a>The first is a brown double plaid. There was a blue cloud above my head from all the swearing that occurred while trying to match up the plaids. All seams were hand basted first. <br />
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But didnt I do a good job! I think it is a tad short but my colleague thinks it is great length for me.<br />
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The next is a black and grey teeny tiny houndstooth of indeterminate fabric that wrinkles like crazy. I pressed it prior to taking the picture but by the time the skirt went on the dress form it was wrinkled again. <br />
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I added just 2 inches to the length and I think this is a better length on me. Though truth be told I do keep pulling it down while wearing it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nQ292dfzBxLwgusuNRH1oF6u4RlUtkJnAsuTY7qPxf2blE9rKhC4j0hSGjAFnZ3dP5_5DUjeOuUM_qXH88BcauSRSEMYxYMw9d_mfL1eCu4VSrrCWogewHRUdebSyhAcIQJKSg/s1600/DSCN0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nQ292dfzBxLwgusuNRH1oF6u4RlUtkJnAsuTY7qPxf2blE9rKhC4j0hSGjAFnZ3dP5_5DUjeOuUM_qXH88BcauSRSEMYxYMw9d_mfL1eCu4VSrrCWogewHRUdebSyhAcIQJKSg/s200/DSCN0866.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stupid wrinkles</td></tr>
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Both are lined. You will notice that each has a different width waistband. Hahahaha ... not on purpose but because I always "wing" the waistband. That is I cut out a waistband with whatever fabric is left over which will determine the width. Yeah, that is my idea of winging it!<br />
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Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-17032150633111293202013-08-17T23:36:00.000-07:002013-08-17T23:36:00.143-07:00Something NewI am a pattern- a- holic. I obsessively buy them though I have boxes and boxes of patterns.<br />
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Some new ones:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oheXArHNkXX4yuEDWeHQXEwTxGqtQarX5etM4Abon8OhyphenhyphenovGc7TRrk8L8d3M93DMXDCdF8ESxOPSLdHKpZda-Xg8NAk0jRBiPRG-dj6BQh3t-HhR5ZoGOEjMcGG0386NsTbZbw/s1600/DSCN0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oheXArHNkXX4yuEDWeHQXEwTxGqtQarX5etM4Abon8OhyphenhyphenovGc7TRrk8L8d3M93DMXDCdF8ESxOPSLdHKpZda-Xg8NAk0jRBiPRG-dj6BQh3t-HhR5ZoGOEjMcGG0386NsTbZbw/s200/DSCN0854.JPG" width="150" /></a>I only have one other original 1920s pattern so when I saw this on Ebay with no bids I grabbed it. I do have an a 1920s themed event that I go to in September so maybe I can make this up instead of wearing the same dress again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhuwdUMtCGFAAuJIpxU9Ys2CVDdpojEpodM_mQD6XuiHIlXOK1u59LJYBJYIkzfbciOGKHbyxvPCDMExjnGKsf1CLseQ7Y1ciwYUi_xi_DTbMHPt0imAe7UcUZD1LbqbvMDmWBQ/s1600/DSCN0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhuwdUMtCGFAAuJIpxU9Ys2CVDdpojEpodM_mQD6XuiHIlXOK1u59LJYBJYIkzfbciOGKHbyxvPCDMExjnGKsf1CLseQ7Y1ciwYUi_xi_DTbMHPt0imAe7UcUZD1LbqbvMDmWBQ/s200/DSCN0855.JPG" width="150" /></a>A new late 30s pattern. Isn't it yummy? I have traced this one off already but have not yet started on a muslin. <br />
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<br />Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-76284434398919301252013-08-17T14:03:00.001-07:002013-08-17T14:03:14.246-07:00What about the 80s?I with my little sewing boo-boo, the sewing mojo has been wiped completely out of me. In answer to the question, my only fix for that mistake is to cut out a new sleeve. Ugh.... Fortunately, I have enough fabric left AND I saw in the store last Saturday that they still have some of this fabric left there as well.<br />
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Amy - Oh now about the sleeves in your nightgown! Boo on your husband for bringing it up. It is always the man of the house who asks me "are you sure its supposed to be that way?" and then follows it up with "but it looks really professional." <br />
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Jennilee - How inventive to turn a mistake into something wearable!!! I am impressed. I have a tendency to forget about grainlines and now have a little stickie over my sewing table to remind me to at least think about them.<br />
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So the 1980s....yup. I DO NOT consider the 1980s vintage but the very early 80s had some nice skirt patterns out there. No shoulder pads necessary. I used this pattern...the C or D view.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhre6zMnZbqYUWUfOPKy4diNA20M-OzJgsnuSaTFlc-868IOZKC26hn2MbM-pVZLbdl2ZoY1FlvSVqCUEOB3XndDVWc0THbczl4CpT-PsXbstfvLNSELLjJi2mz3HFhyphenhyphenJQuZ4VzIQ/s1600/DSCN0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhre6zMnZbqYUWUfOPKy4diNA20M-OzJgsnuSaTFlc-868IOZKC26hn2MbM-pVZLbdl2ZoY1FlvSVqCUEOB3XndDVWc0THbczl4CpT-PsXbstfvLNSELLjJi2mz3HFhyphenhyphenJQuZ4VzIQ/s200/DSCN0856.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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However, I really shortened the length to make it more modern.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuiK5ki9jV1PmsZ0SMpdJvczH2wQte89Y7wTPHWCOSBwuQ67DnyuU201QQnWtf4zzehXniVUT05x3KeVQzQRzjfmvsHVkKWcO8H0vNO6z4W_DetCIY1Y5gIIlZUtP8b0Fyy4Kmg/s1600/DSCN0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuiK5ki9jV1PmsZ0SMpdJvczH2wQte89Y7wTPHWCOSBwuQ67DnyuU201QQnWtf4zzehXniVUT05x3KeVQzQRzjfmvsHVkKWcO8H0vNO6z4W_DetCIY1Y5gIIlZUtP8b0Fyy4Kmg/s200/DSCN0858.JPG" width="200" /></a>Well what I did was make a "wearable muslin" out of a remnant of unknown fabric. It feels a little like corduroy but it isn't. No idea what it was except cheap and I didn't have a lot of it. In fact, when I was done, the left over scraps amounted to nothing usable for any purpose. Yeah for no waste. I knew going in that this fabric was not of a type recommended for the pattern as it had a rather stiff hand. <br />
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The pattern has a 25 inch waist. Really? I need to meet some of these lucky people with 25 inch waists because I dont have one. So I had to grade up the pattern and I made it a little too big. The waist turned out ok but surprisingly the hips were a little big. The whole thing is acres too big for the dress form!<br />
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It is cute. It has been worn. It still needs to be taken in.<br />
Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-17516561315779382062013-08-14T14:39:00.001-07:002013-08-14T14:39:02.879-07:00Stupid Mistakes Vol 1Do you make stupid mistakes as you sew? I mean really stupid bang your head against the wall mistakes? Because I do - more often than I would like.<br />
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For me it happens when I am tired or not in the sewing mood but feel the need to push on and finish a step or project. Then I screw up royally.<br />
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Case in point.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dZxWqc2F5NqAE2TAK-4IabMEQ3vN-0IDHbMmETUx7z2MbVkIgj6GrJdSiY4wNI1eQM_c66z1AV05UhUj-s4lBYlHKLf1i7smzK9YmXje50HrVr-dZ4v_T-jvFP0cjuvPFnEd8g/s1600/IMG_0185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dZxWqc2F5NqAE2TAK-4IabMEQ3vN-0IDHbMmETUx7z2MbVkIgj6GrJdSiY4wNI1eQM_c66z1AV05UhUj-s4lBYlHKLf1i7smzK9YmXje50HrVr-dZ4v_T-jvFP0cjuvPFnEd8g/s200/IMG_0185.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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See that?<br />
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Do you?<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/AVvXsEjPqMj9AuNoKl2ng6Nb__su3zDQ6enUuw8tKZ34LgMg60BRoOvkc_TcgSqBO-3PhPXTWs5CP4IDlX4gT-LHuHWbAVCxXjVUYCHNm1kS1p7MuxvZ8lBYeKMr5eksnstddc-ZvAkhDg/s1600/Hole+in+Sleeve+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqMj9AuNoKl2ng6Nb__su3zDQ6enUuw8tKZ34LgMg60BRoOvkc_TcgSqBO-3PhPXTWs5CP4IDlX4gT-LHuHWbAVCxXjVUYCHNm1kS1p7MuxvZ8lBYeKMr5eksnstddc-ZvAkhDg/s200/Hole+in+Sleeve+-+Version+2.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ARGH</td></tr>
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Stupid screw up. My seam finishing for the 1940s blouse is french seams - even on the sleeves. On the second sleeve, it went in fast and easy with no puckers. So off I go with the big scary scissors to grade down the seam for the next step. Ugh, even though I was being careful ...slice...right through the sleeve. Then there was some yelling and agonizing that I knew I wasnt in the mood but felt the need to finish up the sleeve. Stupid stupid stupid.<br />
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I need to learn to read my own cues!! What stupid mistakes have you made that could have been prevented?<br />
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Myra - I love that little blouse too!! In fact, I have muslined it and cut out my fashion fabric but placed it on hold until I finished the 40's blouse. Maybe a post on that top tomorrow - it has been more challenging than you might think.<br />
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Amy - Oh you are a good person to want to give away vintage patterns. I tend horde the little lovelies so I can look at them and think about all the outfits I could make with them if I only had the time! Most of my vintage patterns are 50s and 60s with a spattering of 40's.<br />
Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-5438775315082785282013-08-13T11:32:00.002-07:002013-08-13T11:32:21.063-07:00A New Obsession<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2V2zHKUA2zid8_AO4ZAMZihgMDoUOchxIToULKnBCozylTde5UfrF8RBmYl9kfLa345aUyshd5ghA3QN6_6fQAM2Iys7NAFJPuq_RISfroqF6-qV8O_mhPslfo_DCJisx7nweg/s1600/IMG_0180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2V2zHKUA2zid8_AO4ZAMZihgMDoUOchxIToULKnBCozylTde5UfrF8RBmYl9kfLa345aUyshd5ghA3QN6_6fQAM2Iys7NAFJPuq_RISfroqF6-qV8O_mhPslfo_DCJisx7nweg/s200/IMG_0180.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am making the blouse</td></tr>
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For some reason I am utterly and totally obsessed with patterns from the 1970s.<br />
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No, don't say ew. Some are fabulous and completely modern. Okay, maybe you need to trim down a collar or two.<br />
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Otherwise, there are some great patterns from the 70's.<br />
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A few I am digging on right now:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRNXjm8OF-vHsrqy5omBTUUBUnyUeWgzwazMxrCmdUF7wpSVxpil8Qh-DAyNA35zDgUUloqy4uksM3399Y-TX0_d1ZIfto0DwjbZ04i714rJsB1Ic5Dl71R6ONRjWHTwPhczY0w/s1600/IMG_0181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRNXjm8OF-vHsrqy5omBTUUBUnyUeWgzwazMxrCmdUF7wpSVxpil8Qh-DAyNA35zDgUUloqy4uksM3399Y-TX0_d1ZIfto0DwjbZ04i714rJsB1Ic5Dl71R6ONRjWHTwPhczY0w/s200/IMG_0181.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mail order from 1974</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq1ldnsluszBCXNFcmBTjFN5r127NQryMKKdnsTP_1xv1V8KwOd_pPmncIJxywnYyY3hqhngqqHGWoI3Mx7DYHNVeIsW30XfAeZkDx7ow1KDcberE1X6vBGSiI1RTQcApomHflg/s1600/IMG_0179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq1ldnsluszBCXNFcmBTjFN5r127NQryMKKdnsTP_1xv1V8KwOd_pPmncIJxywnYyY3hqhngqqHGWoI3Mx7DYHNVeIsW30XfAeZkDx7ow1KDcberE1X6vBGSiI1RTQcApomHflg/s200/IMG_0179.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-60253611653253475102013-08-11T22:56:00.000-07:002013-08-11T22:56:00.221-07:00New Teens DressI love clothes from the late teens era, that time during WW1 but nearing the end . Not sure why. I like the hats one wears, the shoes and the dresses. Some of my favorite outfits to both make and wear have been late teens<br />
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So summer whites picnic came up and I was tired of making and wearing 40s dresses so decided to give a new teens pattern a try. These patterns can be challenging as there are little to no instructions included. In this case, the challenge was merely time and color. I was unexpectedly required to go out of town for family reasons so I really had less than a week from the time I crazily decided to make a new dress to pull it off - a dress I was going to tea dye.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B86s1AZPU8L0h95FOMg_wuwXT46B_1Po0MG5pqsl1wMIQIx5kzhKKlhZ3b0HzWyy1oDtdaycKpQSPn7OcGf0vYcmf2rsFuaXO3OFGuaGWi4ZVq_Sk0_v7Nb2g9gMzPFshdkb3Q/s1600/IMG_0174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B86s1AZPU8L0h95FOMg_wuwXT46B_1Po0MG5pqsl1wMIQIx5kzhKKlhZ3b0HzWyy1oDtdaycKpQSPn7OcGf0vYcmf2rsFuaXO3OFGuaGWi4ZVq_Sk0_v7Nb2g9gMzPFshdkb3Q/s200/IMG_0174.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front<br />There is also a sash which<br />is missing from this photo</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4C1pWxjXQQGVgGzxXlfjf6HeNrJF4o-uLPaMeR4-cL3TV7YFxU-gRk3ClF-gzB2OptkVX0lU3yq1DbKM8ilVprwnkLr3A97QgF3CAA0RpCSzHDEsTRlmyY8VULxZF0wpep4hvA/s1600/IMG_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4C1pWxjXQQGVgGzxXlfjf6HeNrJF4o-uLPaMeR4-cL3TV7YFxU-gRk3ClF-gzB2OptkVX0lU3yq1DbKM8ilVprwnkLr3A97QgF3CAA0RpCSzHDEsTRlmyY8VULxZF0wpep4hvA/s200/IMG_0175.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back</td></tr>
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White looks bad on me. Cream does not. For the past couple of years I have been a good girl and mostly followed the rules of this outing by wearing white or white with black polka dots. This year I said no to white and yes to cream. The problem was my fabric was white.<br />
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What to do?? Dye it with tea of course! Not that I have ever successfully dyed anything before this.<br />
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I had waaaayyy to much fabric to dye the fabric first and wasn't sure I wanted to dye all 5 yards so I made the dress first and figured if I ran out of time I would at least have a white dress that made me look like death warmed over.<br />
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Due to the lack of time, I went for it. It was a 38 bust pattern which I knew would be big but whatever...no time to worry. The top is oddly patterned and I am not sure why. The back and front is in one piece with an insert of sorts. Weird and a little difficult to sew.<br />
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I added some tucks of course. Love tucks and so correct for this time period.<br />
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My trip out of town was on a 6 am flight Thursday morning. I finished the dress Wednesday night and tea dyed it at midnight Wednesday night/ Thursday morning.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFieOpHOxDOCfv6bGJETz6j_WDA8mDNFUxQQuoRA-bQAAdSELr-5XlBVeH-MhMAISGf3oEZsPVPNLzVPwc74tY7GBw1jCo6aloqmzj2n_A8hM0b4ku4tM3DzRBRICImHcwdVHgpQ/s1600/IMG_0177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFieOpHOxDOCfv6bGJETz6j_WDA8mDNFUxQQuoRA-bQAAdSELr-5XlBVeH-MhMAISGf3oEZsPVPNLzVPwc74tY7GBw1jCo6aloqmzj2n_A8hM0b4ku4tM3DzRBRICImHcwdVHgpQ/s200/IMG_0177.jpg" width="149" /></a><br />
Difference between original white fabric and tea dyed fabric ...... a nice cream color.<br />
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My tea dye recipe was 4 chamomile tea bags with one english breakfast bag. I had read that black tea left an orangish hue and chamomile resulted in a more yellow hue. I knew I wanted some warmth from orange but not a lot. I also left it in the bath for not more than 1/2 hour. I really was making this up as I went.<br />
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By 2 am it was out of the dryer (the neighbors must love me!) and I had to pack for my flight.<br />
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I added the trim Saturday night upon my return.<br />
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There are no pictures of me wearing the dress as I was so sick whilst at the picnic that I wanted to crawl under our silly "period correct" table and die. <br />
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Though I do rather love the dress and cannot wait to find another reason to wear it!<br />
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Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-43128097041214652122013-08-10T09:32:00.000-07:002013-08-10T09:32:24.362-07:00Regency DressAmy - here are the details on the Regency dress.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRGguijIkV5KDIww_IWN5pbrnVcUnhW0TMvw-toEJxvbcOfjzaw-Kt9OJn4Vkd4Rzpvw0E4ZYtp4vDfdZhV1skdRmQLt97njZI7YhwZbAQANrJzIJj3enNARi8Vbu3sA4jchrSQ/s1600/IMG_0167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRGguijIkV5KDIww_IWN5pbrnVcUnhW0TMvw-toEJxvbcOfjzaw-Kt9OJn4Vkd4Rzpvw0E4ZYtp4vDfdZhV1skdRmQLt97njZI7YhwZbAQANrJzIJj3enNARi8Vbu3sA4jchrSQ/s200/IMG_0167.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back View<br />It doesnt fit the dress form</td></tr>
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What I wore under the dress is a corset/petticoat all in one thing. No idea what to call it. It really isnt a corset - maybe regency bra top would best describe it. The bra portion is made from coutil and the bottom is linen. One day I will finish the corded Regency corset I started years ago and just never bothered to finish...ugh.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicabg3DVcLakAHqL1z_t0SmQExHtw404MzjAky0d6PfX_UXLVejk3MpJm9RF5OkVavAgLcazJ90FukvJKwYU02QOhwwZBE4YSnaPoAYi-OIJApvGMR5Zc9fulFaqNyZb0-AVwoUw/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicabg3DVcLakAHqL1z_t0SmQExHtw404MzjAky0d6PfX_UXLVejk3MpJm9RF5OkVavAgLcazJ90FukvJKwYU02QOhwwZBE4YSnaPoAYi-OIJApvGMR5Zc9fulFaqNyZb0-AVwoUw/s200/IMG_0168.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before drawstrings are <br />pulled and tied</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmocJ4_5uWM-0T1eqnlT_MjsnBdX2Cd7TXZHofQjhnwb1gUjPq4Gq0Am_jN348d8SyKll7uK3kxiTCz7uTw7AFgSigJIwNovb_EhxZmebDVJ7CD7ZE3HrOK5c0n6GxCNRjznjn5A/s1600/IMG_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmocJ4_5uWM-0T1eqnlT_MjsnBdX2Cd7TXZHofQjhnwb1gUjPq4Gq0Am_jN348d8SyKll7uK3kxiTCz7uTw7AFgSigJIwNovb_EhxZmebDVJ7CD7ZE3HrOK5c0n6GxCNRjznjn5A/s200/IMG_0169.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawstrings pulled tight</td></tr>
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Still love my little tucks which I used to shorten the skirt portion. So sweet. The bra portion does a fantastic job of giving you a regency look through. You just pull those drawstrings tight and viola...<br />
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It works even on my dress form so you can imagine how it works on malleable flesh. .. Wonderfully!!<br />
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Because I am well endowed and I did NOT want to be one of those women you see at regency dances falling out of their dress, I went with a crossover style bodice. Totally period correct but for some reason unusual. I was the only woman at the dance I attended with this type of bodice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqPMtSUolwiBgUmSywcHDp4DCBmGV7d937pVb6lmoQbeUdFLpKYBVZas0HzlAOvJ0s20OZe9m00vD58HhaslE-TJiwJDdvlD-2LaCitB-T4aNg0eilE1t5u59Otfp5Gjlr3buVQ/s1600/IMG_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqPMtSUolwiBgUmSywcHDp4DCBmGV7d937pVb6lmoQbeUdFLpKYBVZas0HzlAOvJ0s20OZe9m00vD58HhaslE-TJiwJDdvlD-2LaCitB-T4aNg0eilE1t5u59Otfp5Gjlr3buVQ/s200/IMG_0170.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are 2 pleats on each<br />side to help stop the<br />maternity look as well as<br />drawstring to pull in the bodice</td></tr>
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Love the sleeves but they are a little long on me. Thought this style was less twee than puff sleeves. When you get to be a certain age, puff sleeves can look a little silly. Also, I think at the dance I attended, I was the only woman without puff sleeves.<br />
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This is a better view of my velvet trim. I wanted the the triangles to go down the front but shocker....I ran out of time! So, a couple of rows at the hen had to suffice. These were a quick fixed and merely eyeballed whilst sewing. I did have some tucks but the the skirt was soooooo long even with 5 tucks in place and time was running out, I just folded them up into the hem for a quick fix. Not surprising, I haven't returned to fix the problem. Ugh....the dress has sat on a dress form mocking me for months daring me to rip it apart and fix it. The dress wins, I haven't felt like it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GOZtQ-SGoPVg0k5ezPG3G2iZsfcPWVj3s6GbGDozQS34MtNBotxyUyUDZ57kcOOxE7AkVOogEIGRu0s-ghi586FfrxW9dU95f2S5R8aNcdqZjFNdkvESlleOboGU6-aMhq9p3w/s1600/IMG_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GOZtQ-SGoPVg0k5ezPG3G2iZsfcPWVj3s6GbGDozQS34MtNBotxyUyUDZ57kcOOxE7AkVOogEIGRu0s-ghi586FfrxW9dU95f2S5R8aNcdqZjFNdkvESlleOboGU6-aMhq9p3w/s200/IMG_0172.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back view<br />You can see the <br />full pleated back</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-UZjij4h1e3jprW9kfhIdsMFXmAYuDUlY76pLDdBlOnmtREzIYTEcZ3yNyYmJ7pCaL25MPh09kB62piAdc-JlRe2UHrmNcj4k3spmmf8ZYOcVQnETotJj0EAw55l_poOt8Dl2A/s1600/IMG_0171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-UZjij4h1e3jprW9kfhIdsMFXmAYuDUlY76pLDdBlOnmtREzIYTEcZ3yNyYmJ7pCaL25MPh09kB62piAdc-JlRe2UHrmNcj4k3spmmf8ZYOcVQnETotJj0EAw55l_poOt8Dl2A/s200/IMG_0171.jpg" width="149" /></a>All in all, a good first foray into Regency. I wore it again last Saturday with success. This is just such an easy time period to wear which makes it so much fun.<br />
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I have two Regency events in October and would like to make a day dress perhaps with the more conventional bodice. I have the fabric and trim for a new Regency ball gown but not sure I want to dive into that right now.Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-224575520268622162013-08-08T23:02:00.000-07:002013-08-08T23:02:00.587-07:00Fancy Dress for EventsThis year has been quite the year for events. However, for most of them I re-used an outfit I previously made. I am still late everywhere ( I am crap with hair and makeup) but boy does it cut down on the stress level!<div>
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Here are some pictures from 2013 events - a mere sampling because I often forget to take pictures or someone else took them and I never got a copy....whoops! That's me to a "T"</div>
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Casino Modrene:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBep3Aewktz65bimdbE559gNwVLWt4QCLZ5hUSVVAqA8LBZulkIr8MQZmgcoJmJ2jlu79klnloOTpvKWtpzomljXkhXmG8FipLOQBg-Tap2WBMKwVHifSd4c34YHu36S7ndQa55w/s1600/IMG_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBep3Aewktz65bimdbE559gNwVLWt4QCLZ5hUSVVAqA8LBZulkIr8MQZmgcoJmJ2jlu79klnloOTpvKWtpzomljXkhXmG8FipLOQBg-Tap2WBMKwVHifSd4c34YHu36S7ndQa55w/s200/IMG_0050.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDNtRyZQWZBMJ7N5lkDiz_4eYQvCFB34BuQLEDjFpfxZfZuObQIiiQmPv39WZ3vFHoPZx-a6yzyzOU_5CRh4DKPqRhd_uC2CScJw7AVsrsHn4yWot3iFuU0ohJ7yGW2XLw3nv9A/s1600/IMG_0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDNtRyZQWZBMJ7N5lkDiz_4eYQvCFB34BuQLEDjFpfxZfZuObQIiiQmPv39WZ3vFHoPZx-a6yzyzOU_5CRh4DKPqRhd_uC2CScJw7AVsrsHn4yWot3iFuU0ohJ7yGW2XLw3nv9A/s200/IMG_0051.jpg" width="149" /></a>One of the Art Deco Society events I went to this year. The other being the Avalon Ball for which I have no pictures of me just others as I spent way too much time dancing to worry about picture taking.</div>
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Hahahaha, I just realized that I finished this UFO in December after the computer breakdown so I never blogged about it.</div>
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This early 1920s style dress is all about the fabric rather than the dress itself. The dress is just a bunch of rectangles sewn together. I did bead it but you cant tell from the photos. It is easy and fun to wear.</div>
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Labyrinth of Jareth: I was lucky enough to go both nights but with the caveat I had to be involved in some set dances. </div>
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Night 1</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJ0LkexiBIGbAPud-F5SWo673DZiLf0AK98hvr6Cii7UNhNfK1GYEaTPICPEprouYH0UyxL2MKHyIYGV27YTGhdqZHh9iC58SKuSoXEpQ9b8Uw6A5bEqEUO2VaFUKDCJ7Az0e1g/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJ0LkexiBIGbAPud-F5SWo673DZiLf0AK98hvr6Cii7UNhNfK1GYEaTPICPEprouYH0UyxL2MKHyIYGV27YTGhdqZHh9iC58SKuSoXEpQ9b8Uw6A5bEqEUO2VaFUKDCJ7Az0e1g/s200/IMG_0143.jpg" width="149" /></a>Re use of an old Halloween costume but without the corset on underneath. The bodice is boned and laces up the back so why bother with another corset underneath? Seriously, that day it was over a 100 degrees and no only was there no air conditioning, some fool had taped shut the windows. I was hot as it was and I would never have made it with a corset on as well. It was lucky I didnt plan to wear the corset, I would have passed out from the heat. </div>
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Night 2</div>
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Evil Fairy adaptation of greek goddess Halloween costume....with wings and glitter! This was much cooler to wear though the wings made dancing a challenge which why they were so low. Trying to keep the dang things out of the way plus the wig covered them unless they were low!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtgDFSw7ACjnsk4TgtOkI4O3EepyACIID0iWi0XbVBXbwUW6CAtnbrLW5RS3UHOOXlkiwGyIyWgrakPhsYReQG631ASPTCB5j-qpnsXGHP1O3-6q3nl02CJ0NfQtMOgMMyTedqg/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtgDFSw7ACjnsk4TgtOkI4O3EepyACIID0iWi0XbVBXbwUW6CAtnbrLW5RS3UHOOXlkiwGyIyWgrakPhsYReQG631ASPTCB5j-qpnsXGHP1O3-6q3nl02CJ0NfQtMOgMMyTedqg/s200/IMG_0145.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPWcEHAyLGuLD3Vh98kqDhJdeVbGmZ0jCHAj63f7XbrCewK7bpsvyBB8ov3Jk7DpmrMI0-y6nwCyU1YNrVeZ__3NosCPZ-hazWGanC65dPpD_adlBa41UbgJfuZaEguA7DlC-nA/s1600/IMG_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPWcEHAyLGuLD3Vh98kqDhJdeVbGmZ0jCHAj63f7XbrCewK7bpsvyBB8ov3Jk7DpmrMI0-y6nwCyU1YNrVeZ__3NosCPZ-hazWGanC65dPpD_adlBa41UbgJfuZaEguA7DlC-nA/s200/IMG_0150.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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November 2012 Victorian Ball</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3y9ukoHA7HiWUXYrv6gXe9HN7B_OthuGJD7slJNNgaBQepcKQ3ywAG9Uwf7QzKLZsGZTPZ1lYUeorSFZqGnLVIhixRLFYYNIwHfEzLGvxkIQPY7uGKvjwDVF_HQZXb27FT2E9aA/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3y9ukoHA7HiWUXYrv6gXe9HN7B_OthuGJD7slJNNgaBQepcKQ3ywAG9Uwf7QzKLZsGZTPZ1lYUeorSFZqGnLVIhixRLFYYNIwHfEzLGvxkIQPY7uGKvjwDVF_HQZXb27FT2E9aA/s200/IMG_0023.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boo you cant see me tiara</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5uR2A-FfADAWsWeWNBZG_V7hJgb_5GQGms-UxrObPuOq5IUqwkAFqEfqaJDn5ZYdiU9RA5p7FZw0stRGKd7SKq3bt7g9CQyCj8L2ZGB8Xzw5XPGFuCn75YcbAn8U3gNC-hZQkw/s1600/IMG_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5uR2A-FfADAWsWeWNBZG_V7hJgb_5GQGms-UxrObPuOq5IUqwkAFqEfqaJDn5ZYdiU9RA5p7FZw0stRGKd7SKq3bt7g9CQyCj8L2ZGB8Xzw5XPGFuCn75YcbAn8U3gNC-hZQkw/s200/IMG_0063.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<div>
March 2013 Victorian Ball</div>
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<div>
Not much to say about the ball gowns. Made a long time ago, trade off wearing them. Think it is time for a new ball gown.<br />
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Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-52684954368461088212013-08-07T23:39:00.000-07:002013-08-07T23:39:41.817-07:00Current Sewing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7cvn4un2ytUUaDZGvSXslRaFCCzt1Re8o9GYQnLdyenzcy5sDzrCgLNbm4GSl2Q4UTQNhOX_gBMzEzrvQqOoeZP2YCSvg0jcjtOqVwHY4jM3Po9Ps_8Igse_mm-OZQUbEN_u0A/s1600/DSCN0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7cvn4un2ytUUaDZGvSXslRaFCCzt1Re8o9GYQnLdyenzcy5sDzrCgLNbm4GSl2Q4UTQNhOX_gBMzEzrvQqOoeZP2YCSvg0jcjtOqVwHY4jM3Po9Ps_8Igse_mm-OZQUbEN_u0A/s200/DSCN0847.JPG" width="150" /></a>A blouse pattern from the 1940s which is one of the first patterns I bought. <br />
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Making the short sleeve with the attached collar. <br />
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Due to reading comprehension failures, I ended up making 5 muslins of this blouse with the first 4 each getting respectfully bigger and bigger. During this process I was befuddled as to why my usual FBA was not working.<br />
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Finally, it was pointed out to me my reading mistake that the facing was also a placket for the buttons/button holes. Super duh moment. Then I had to go back down to my second muslin which is the one that should have always been correct as I forgot to make a FBA in my first muslin (over anxious to dive right in).<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQmOJKLd3Bv2SwPgMf4A0l501sKLbrybOszxgCgGcjWVoELfK_k3Ddm9gRCUzJy869PjpXCQORUadkG__9fcsRVvuBG4EzN3SJqCkn3J5nCeZFtpVG38ZgM3yXs1LcxUL44qhbg/s1600/DSCN0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQmOJKLd3Bv2SwPgMf4A0l501sKLbrybOszxgCgGcjWVoELfK_k3Ddm9gRCUzJy869PjpXCQORUadkG__9fcsRVvuBG4EzN3SJqCkn3J5nCeZFtpVG38ZgM3yXs1LcxUL44qhbg/s200/DSCN0852.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy silk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Loving this blouse.<br />
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Look at the glass buttons I plan to use. Are they not sweet??<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAvQB1fWxqjLlusaKbG35P47q0-WTc6iN5Vll-clZhjwmWWhmDVGN9-XVREC_TrztIn5Dc5i8K2iNRgR-JiA2ZYdpp8Pez0BzwAGhE49pTNVa6eKLc4mD9-MboS3FiDy47qL8dw/s1600/DSCN0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAvQB1fWxqjLlusaKbG35P47q0-WTc6iN5Vll-clZhjwmWWhmDVGN9-XVREC_TrztIn5Dc5i8K2iNRgR-JiA2ZYdpp8Pez0BzwAGhE49pTNVa6eKLc4mD9-MboS3FiDy47qL8dw/s320/DSCN0848.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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More soon....promise<br />
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Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-48769931593280935602013-08-07T13:23:00.003-07:002013-08-07T13:23:44.712-07:00FinallyFinally a new computer which means I can post again. I suppose I could have done this on my phone but that really isnt my style. I wonder if anyone will read this!??<br />
<br />
Yes I have been sewing....a lot. All different types of things. Some have been photographs, most have not. So clearly I have a job to do - photographing my different projects.<br />
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One thing made is the below regency dress. I used the La Mode Bagatelle cross-over bodice pattern for the bodice. For the skirt, I just took a length of fabric and pleated it into the waistband. It is very very full in the back so an early regency just leaving the round gown. <br />
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It came together quickly. The fabric is a lightweight cotton. I dont think this one is voile though I have some voiles I would like to make into regency dresses. The trim is velvet ribbon I had in my stash. The neckline (which you cannot see) has a more intricate design but then I ran out of time. Also the sleeve is interesting.<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/AVvXsEifVy27NulyRF7sluv-IcitDh3SQuJHFaDrmIkhJ_qVosStAfn4ajgpryaKqKmBeiRRnXCWynVxBtmgC8_6xVFBtnEUd7jJQOssMXCJKlJgfAHAIJ3oOHc10HpJZalw6PMy-qNIYQ/s1600/IMG_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVy27NulyRF7sluv-IcitDh3SQuJHFaDrmIkhJ_qVosStAfn4ajgpryaKqKmBeiRRnXCWynVxBtmgC8_6xVFBtnEUd7jJQOssMXCJKlJgfAHAIJ3oOHc10HpJZalw6PMy-qNIYQ/s320/IMG_0047.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, I am actually smiling, I must be happy<br />with the dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Of course you cant see the full dress. I shall have to take a picture of this on the dress form for a better view.</div>
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Period undergarments are in place. A half corset/petticoat all in one thing that I made years ago is underneath providing shape. It is pretty with a number of tucks in the fabric. Yup, I am going to need to take a picture of that as well.</div>
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I have some serious catch up to do!!</div>
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Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-48456808068457920952012-10-31T21:49:00.000-07:002012-10-31T22:34:11.053-07:00 Happy Halloween<!--StartFragment-->
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Did you dress up to go to a party?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I love Halloween. I love the costumes, the candy, the ornaments...it just brings back fun memories from my childhood. Every year, my mother or a grandmother would make me a costume and then with friends we would walk miles trick-or-treating and when we were young with my dad following us for safety reasons. It was so fun. I remember so much excitement and anticipation for the event and then I would never eat any of the scads of candy I collected because, weird child that I was, I was convinced that some pieces might be poisoned. So the candy would sit in my room until Easter when my mom tossed it. </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6x2XqpqeIGPP7rMD4-d0d7X9iBeXsJfkjr-4s4bqIxS8cpm-hUEqCXej7_GaLQU1NvaPYbsASlIVHUesM9EEoYqq_FVHtg0eUTtua68DM8_cuTKpOLPgLyxqXPn0ZZE3Tks4FQA/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6x2XqpqeIGPP7rMD4-d0d7X9iBeXsJfkjr-4s4bqIxS8cpm-hUEqCXej7_GaLQU1NvaPYbsASlIVHUesM9EEoYqq_FVHtg0eUTtua68DM8_cuTKpOLPgLyxqXPn0ZZE3Tks4FQA/s200/photo-1.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See...small arms but lots and lots and<br />
lots of fabric makes for a bigger than<br />
normal me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Given that I always had a made costume, I can't now bring myself to buy a costume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am fine with sourcing a costume
through items found at a thrift store or making one. However, for a Halloween
costume, the making should be minimal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thrifting a costume seemed like too much work so I made one. I went for
a simple costume as a Greek goddess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was an easy breezy costume which required minimal sewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By minimal sewing, I mean 2 seams and 2
buttons sewn on for decoration and my peplos was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
belt was a leather and velvet piece I had made a couple of years ago for
something else but it didn’t work so it went into the stash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This outfit had a lot of pluses but
also a lot of minuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
certainly was not the ubiquitous sexy Halloween costume….hello, I have 5 yards
of fabric wrapped around my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think this costume adds about 20 pounds to my look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it was really cool and since
the night I wore it it was 72 degrees out well after midnight, it was a good
choice in that respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides,
no dreaded foundation garments such as corsets were required!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A major plus if I may say so.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
funny thing is that after I made this, I remembered a bunch of other already
made outfits which would have been perfect such as my anime costume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doh….really need to think things
through properly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Here's hoping that everyone who had to experience Sandy are doing well, recovering and if necessary rebuilding. Out here on the left coast, I could only look at pictures and imagine what it was like. </span>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-27291576457393300622012-10-26T22:21:00.000-07:002012-10-26T22:21:00.929-07:00Fiddly Bits<br />
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This evening gown not only has the challenge of being made
in the evil and slippery silk charmeuse but it also has a lot of fiddly
bits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Like the sleeves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It took me hours when muslining this bodice it took me hours upon hours
to figure out how to sew the sleeves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are cut into the back bodice piece and <s>hellishly</s> artfully wrapped
around to the front bodice to create the sleeve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
isn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cut on piece is oddly
shaped and I just could not wrap my head around it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, the instructions made the process as clear as
mud!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Due to the lapse in time between msulining the bodice and
working on the real deal, I had completely forgotten how the sleeve from hell
was constructed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few hours
later, the light bulb went off and I came up with this:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSP4SO-GkES2S0xc0oUE-nC7Br5Cjbad8GidrngqHD43oj3U52H0Umskf83ic_HXU7B2miUmiWsbouAfNTCD76KozbklGqKFVL8ZgwU7TETTiNU-trglvom9mXjJspkBpCT7gGQ/s1600/DSCN0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSP4SO-GkES2S0xc0oUE-nC7Br5Cjbad8GidrngqHD43oj3U52H0Umskf83ic_HXU7B2miUmiWsbouAfNTCD76KozbklGqKFVL8ZgwU7TETTiNU-trglvom9mXjJspkBpCT7gGQ/s320/DSCN0678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Isn’t the sleeve rather sweet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hats off to the designer who thought it up<o:p></o:p></div>
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Other fiddly bits include the shirring mentioned yesterday
and interesting “facings.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>facing only covers the
shirring and you have to cut into the fabric to fold it down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t cut far enough it does not
work; if you cut too far you have a hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ask me how I know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily
the collar covers my patch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh
yeah, attaching the collar, another piece of fiddly hand sewing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-43206983911855541412012-10-25T23:07:00.000-07:002012-10-25T23:07:00.700-07:00You Say Shirring; I Say Gathering<br />
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Do you know what shirring is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I certainly didn’t until working on this dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was something utterly
complicated and rather intricate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What I found out is that it is just multiple lines of gathering perhaps
done with a lot more precision than a typical gathering stitch.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLw89Ta08KbOYgLM701eFsOJdMfqglgwUq2Q5mnhBEVs1FC3gN5V-ExYsh03YupyjqfE1j9Bzjg6Cd-Re6gRURvBm_o9RUy9Q0grgzCDdvBy3OY4sbpRHrRl3KwTq5zPxLDkCrQQ/s1600/DSCN0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLw89Ta08KbOYgLM701eFsOJdMfqglgwUq2Q5mnhBEVs1FC3gN5V-ExYsh03YupyjqfE1j9Bzjg6Cd-Re6gRURvBm_o9RUy9Q0grgzCDdvBy3OY4sbpRHrRl3KwTq5zPxLDkCrQQ/s320/DSCN0687.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm purpley </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This dress has “shirring”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at the neck and on hips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After having a little stress out session on what shirring
actually was, I got down to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
tried to be precise both the start and end of my stitching lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also tried to keep the lines
straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tend to be more than
just a little haphazard in my gathering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The stitch line waving all over the seam allowance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it took some concentration to make
the shirring precise.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think I did a good job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though, I still keep referring to this as gathering.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-42939241811634317912012-10-23T23:30:00.002-07:002012-10-23T23:30:31.528-07:00A Vintage Find<br />
We interrupt the sewing to share a recent vintage find.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRamQW4Y5-JqjlYUxBlV82WjJTMBYiPOIm_4fJa5TYfg7pl4NarohjQWloXTm9xueK6UDTXuzlFcQYt85Kuk9fYAKi56urgHk9Yf8JB7Cc8QG9R7BTcCypJDQ00DZXBZiXwSw2WQ/s1600/DSCN0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRamQW4Y5-JqjlYUxBlV82WjJTMBYiPOIm_4fJa5TYfg7pl4NarohjQWloXTm9xueK6UDTXuzlFcQYt85Kuk9fYAKi56urgHk9Yf8JB7Cc8QG9R7BTcCypJDQ00DZXBZiXwSw2WQ/s200/DSCN0808.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBVMYAEF54QeJeZ0D9AdgO7xmOzCjOZ4cTb88zYhZXi7QOoeaOJnbcISX8_Th2l2y1x5gZLVihJOeSjZ6WbL7J7NKR_quEQ3rCzdZD2Tz3FqcB1krfWQFzyohiBIyUxLXIM6V_Q/s1600/DSCN0810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBVMYAEF54QeJeZ0D9AdgO7xmOzCjOZ4cTb88zYhZXi7QOoeaOJnbcISX8_Th2l2y1x5gZLVihJOeSjZ6WbL7J7NKR_quEQ3rCzdZD2Tz3FqcB1krfWQFzyohiBIyUxLXIM6V_Q/s200/DSCN0810.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gah... a blurry picture of the clasp. <br />It looks much better in person.<br />Note, the ring for a chain/strap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I found this cute little purse with a lovely rhinestone
clasp plus it is black and could be used in a variety of time periods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is truly timeless and a very useful
find.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpm0NdD2Cicz17beZRPmIPRpnNDnBFUyK9AFHOhDXGH9dGDjCWfJHyYgcPkQeMiuvLQ44yP0RWSBm0BC7KgITZ7VWz43hYEJtMuDIHrf3Q1RYAY2kUQ1sdx75s02_AB-olXBdZA/s1600/DSCN0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpm0NdD2Cicz17beZRPmIPRpnNDnBFUyK9AFHOhDXGH9dGDjCWfJHyYgcPkQeMiuvLQ44yP0RWSBm0BC7KgITZ7VWz43hYEJtMuDIHrf3Q1RYAY2kUQ1sdx75s02_AB-olXBdZA/s200/DSCN0817.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta love the built in lipstick pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was listed as a clutch but the reality is that it was
missing its chain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the
details on the inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not just a
matching coin purse but with a place to put your lipstick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never heard of the brand<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Frilo”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>before
but if anyone out there has, let me know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So the
fix for this bag was a $2.50 pewter looking chain from downtown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked pewter over silver simple
because it looked nicer than the silver chains I was finding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, the price was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I threaded it through and linked it
back together and voila a fixed purse.</span><!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqunx9_WYOCbJTo75psbrJQ4B_uZ4vYQlOtYN3IhBoeyEYbHvsXwE1IpgQv30NzJebJL4bSzmnIRTeOoLWCx4EhdH1HsCbONLA1IInGxgnHPM33HJpQZh9La48bHL1e9NxIYvvuQ/s1600/DSCN0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqunx9_WYOCbJTo75psbrJQ4B_uZ4vYQlOtYN3IhBoeyEYbHvsXwE1IpgQv30NzJebJL4bSzmnIRTeOoLWCx4EhdH1HsCbONLA1IInGxgnHPM33HJpQZh9La48bHL1e9NxIYvvuQ/s200/DSCN0811.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-32874660007535229632012-10-21T23:42:00.000-07:002012-10-21T23:42:00.625-07:00Going Slow ….or Doing the Easy Stuff First<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was seduced by that darn silver metallic thread again for
topstitching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had this
stuff for ages ….why am I so enamored now?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtBsGHi2XgL49rridXasGTquc0anPFGsqRookOcrREmKP6KgB_0dzN05xV2zjf-CXnC9ml_9Vyps48kiLezdb_Tr8zU8WMccvVozkzdBv-abk7syJeZi88sp0_z9XKznIQ7_RpA/s1600/DSCN0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtBsGHi2XgL49rridXasGTquc0anPFGsqRookOcrREmKP6KgB_0dzN05xV2zjf-CXnC9ml_9Vyps48kiLezdb_Tr8zU8WMccvVozkzdBv-abk7syJeZi88sp0_z9XKznIQ7_RpA/s200/DSCN0689.JPG" width="200" /></a>After whipping out the cocktail dress, I wanted to start
slow on the evening dress, so I start with the collar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For interfacing I went the vintage
route of just using muslin as interfacing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was perfect for the collar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the right weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It added stiffness but was still pliable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxHAt5Yn0tJVQzjnwNbO137kVaIbKN4vbA4QH7DnNQxzFRA-9zeNETce4OVqIALIvGJDI73_GYybjy9iEiWrM98uVZrvef7kNrQ8rM9Sqd8NbyJyFHu5maMuUAyRdM-a6ugRQ4g/s1600/DSCN0696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxHAt5Yn0tJVQzjnwNbO137kVaIbKN4vbA4QH7DnNQxzFRA-9zeNETce4OVqIALIvGJDI73_GYybjy9iEiWrM98uVZrvef7kNrQ8rM9Sqd8NbyJyFHu5maMuUAyRdM-a6ugRQ4g/s200/DSCN0696.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collar pieces done.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the dreaded topstitching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thread kept breaking but I persevered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also did the same muslin interfacing and topstitching on
the belt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-56386472707249354172012-10-12T23:05:00.000-07:002012-10-12T23:05:00.475-07:00Evening Gown<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So now that the rush job on the cocktail dress is done, I
have to make another silk charmeuse dress – this time a long 1930’s evening
dress.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1U6dnkRygJ82L_yHcVZj2Az4L1zdQxfNk_TniGhQ6mIhqz83OBhBZ9QIwq56JphgVA1BK1zLv5hcrL44s-if08ThrcbibwSAySbgNPbLG7cV-346xJ-Ff2zXr_sgN63RgbdL19Q/s1600/DSCN0679_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1U6dnkRygJ82L_yHcVZj2Az4L1zdQxfNk_TniGhQ6mIhqz83OBhBZ9QIwq56JphgVA1BK1zLv5hcrL44s-if08ThrcbibwSAySbgNPbLG7cV-346xJ-Ff2zXr_sgN63RgbdL19Q/s200/DSCN0679_1.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks black but it is not black</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is going to be in a deep dark purple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think night sky purple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not too grapey but almost
black.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The picture does not show the true color:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The pattern is this <a href="http://evadress.com/1965.html">one.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><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/AVvXsEjf9lcxF4Ujomotn89_3PH-8MYR5KAhMsVnqX8yOI4XOj2wB9q2BhJSnP3v69YgtaHsdw_ZUnJ7-ogjuUm6L_dL5rKTc5pGqWdTDt861mL4PeKIAMwt_0HXyjg714j8GEL8G7klAQ/s1600/DSCN0785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9lcxF4Ujomotn89_3PH-8MYR5KAhMsVnqX8yOI4XOj2wB9q2BhJSnP3v69YgtaHsdw_ZUnJ7-ogjuUm6L_dL5rKTc5pGqWdTDt861mL4PeKIAMwt_0HXyjg714j8GEL8G7klAQ/s200/DSCN0785.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find this pattern <a href="http://evadress.com/1965.html">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did muslin the bodice back in April so I have the pattern
ready to role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to do an FBA
which was a little difficult to figure out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I am feeling more comfortable with the dreaded FBAs
now. There is no picture of the bodice because I had to take it apart to make the pattern but here is the mock up of the skirt portion in some heavy poly charmeuse substitute that I have acres of.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSu8q7nWWClFrQRVWcHeQljqcsKougfw_WeZu9zV-ZrRMSx4VphCIvCsPd1wA5haK3OP_7rtjpDBrC-EooQ1yD1gwvYKvfhoil2H21Y1KPCAugdTiY-xmTNEh5XRxgJQkqGB0iIg/s1600/DSCN0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSu8q7nWWClFrQRVWcHeQljqcsKougfw_WeZu9zV-ZrRMSx4VphCIvCsPd1wA5haK3OP_7rtjpDBrC-EooQ1yD1gwvYKvfhoil2H21Y1KPCAugdTiY-xmTNEh5XRxgJQkqGB0iIg/s200/DSCN0705.JPG" width="105" /></a></div>
Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-87055182612154384752012-10-11T23:09:00.000-07:002012-10-11T23:09:00.116-07:00San Francisco Taxi Drivers Redeemed<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After that experience with bad San Francisco taxi driver I
thought I would relate a story about the best ever taxi driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, this happened the same weekend but
it was the other end of the spectrum.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again we were down by Chinatown but because of some event
where streets were closed, we couldn’t get a taxi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent about 20 minutes trying to hail a taxi…. not just
standing on one corner but walking out of Chinatown heading towards hotels
thinking that at least then we could get one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, a guy pulled over, hopping in we asked if he could
get us to our B&B in 10 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He laughed thinking we were kidding around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were going to be late for the car we had ordered to take us to the
airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the B&B owner had
warned us to be on time when she ordered this car for us because it was her
name being used…and well you get the idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And here we were…late for the stupid car.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We told the taxi driver, no we were serious, could he do it
and there will be good tip if you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He laughed and took off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Think “Streets of San Francisco”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We flew over those hilly streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do think we caught air a couple of time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The taxi drive LOVED every minute of it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time we approached a yellow light we would egg him on
to go for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Success…. we made it
for the car which, of course, was waiting for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The taxi driver let us out at the EXACT designated pickup
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He, unlike the other dude,
was fantastic and really redeemed the whole San Francisco taxi driver
experience!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-55700981413211119162012-10-05T23:31:00.000-07:002012-10-05T23:31:00.035-07:00Cocktail Dress ---Revealed<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here it is in all its glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9QqzTHDW3k6wIUu1Cqehdrp1zny6kdCtZ0p3bkDphQm_9fB08A4VgVfhZtcerex5aQJXOw4RhUuOcj2sBzik-4xHPJXa7I8PC0us3dv_SuaidJ-4UhvSFli-p9V4R5y_ORl7Fg/s1600/DSCN0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9QqzTHDW3k6wIUu1Cqehdrp1zny6kdCtZ0p3bkDphQm_9fB08A4VgVfhZtcerex5aQJXOw4RhUuOcj2sBzik-4xHPJXa7I8PC0us3dv_SuaidJ-4UhvSFli-p9V4R5y_ORl7Fg/s200/DSCN0759.JPG" width="101" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It looked perfect for the occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept it long though a friend thought
I should lop off about 6 inches from the skirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps if I had thought about it BEFORE using all that
silk, I would have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I wasn’t
now going to chop off all that silk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<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/AVvXsEiLDsvWklskcRfYN8jsyoQezkFTgu_AqjslH1ncD6tFnAAH1JefGlOzpcemXkpEoQXzcZX55cFjr5NRmT8PGdKSGkeodvKEIxV4PzydxIdb0u8Z3rXVuSoY216bLTXP30365nD9DQ/s1600/DSCN0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDsvWklskcRfYN8jsyoQezkFTgu_AqjslH1ncD6tFnAAH1JefGlOzpcemXkpEoQXzcZX55cFjr5NRmT8PGdKSGkeodvKEIxV4PzydxIdb0u8Z3rXVuSoY216bLTXP30365nD9DQ/s200/DSCN0762.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plunging neckline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course the BF was proud and went around telling people
that I made my dress in a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am much more stealth about my sewing; I didn’t really need this broadcast…lol.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fEsxnY6lLU5Ppi7uBaZC8lbva3VuHDBfVJ5nNSpum0SbRMPhA5lfR-MX83DSxZ4nFKTHw1AsT6673OqIQ69VoSFQTRx-pke2LkDmpMfRFLtlzUfFcagOds_Gu0TGzzjMJUjD4w/s1600/DSCN0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fEsxnY6lLU5Ppi7uBaZC8lbva3VuHDBfVJ5nNSpum0SbRMPhA5lfR-MX83DSxZ4nFKTHw1AsT6673OqIQ69VoSFQTRx-pke2LkDmpMfRFLtlzUfFcagOds_Gu0TGzzjMJUjD4w/s200/DSCN0752.JPG" width="104" /></a>But let me tell you about my adventure getting to the
party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BF had to leave early to go
set up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The party was at a
restaurant in San Francisco Chinatown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>BF took a taxi from the B&B and ordered me a taxi from the same
company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There I am all gussied
up, standing outside waiting for the taxi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The taxi pulls up, and yes it is from the right taxi
company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BF calls me at the
ordered time to make sure it arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tell him it just came and I am getting in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get into the taxi and the taxi driver confirms where I am
going and then tells me he won’t take me there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WHAT??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
should not be a surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
not a taxi I hailed; it was ordered in advance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asks, very nicely mind you, to please get out and get
another taxi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, his shift
was ending and he did not want to drive the 8 minutes to Chinatown because it
would take him in the wrong direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>WHAT??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is he serious…yes he
was…. very serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So out of the
taxi I get and call the BF who goes ballistic and calls the taxi company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 5 minutes later, the taxi
returns…. same driver…he will now take me to the restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hello…didn’t you ask me to get out of
your taxi?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is going on?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I get in the taxi and he takes
me towards Chinatown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we get
to Chinatown, he stops the taxi and asks me to WALK the rest of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He points out the restaurant about 5
blocks away but luckily it had a flag so one could pick it out of all the other
buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am now late for the
party, but out of the taxi I get and start walking in my really high heels to
the restaurant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seriously…this was the WORST TAXI DRIVER I have ever
encountered in this country.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-90666153324152945142012-10-04T23:27:00.000-07:002012-10-04T23:27:38.614-07:00Execution of the Plan<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am happy with the dress however it really veered off the
plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recall…this is the pattern.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EX7cv1VTZUEdi2lXsIB_n7dur8avi3wZiXkB6UQRd5YLRI0YEDThtQz36rShYatKoZ8u8OaSEjsGIc2X5v36JifxDNFILI3JfiEjLTg8nYgA2eJBcFhb-FibNOKczbrK-oPgGA/s1600/DSCN0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EX7cv1VTZUEdi2lXsIB_n7dur8avi3wZiXkB6UQRd5YLRI0YEDThtQz36rShYatKoZ8u8OaSEjsGIc2X5v36JifxDNFILI3JfiEjLTg8nYgA2eJBcFhb-FibNOKczbrK-oPgGA/s200/DSCN0655.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My previous dress made with this pattern.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEJ9kCYR9uZxB3allG5mAvmD5jmcCgE_imQJ1nu0syaRei29CHJzO0FoKaKY2k9SrHUsf2evvi5k8ZGXZ7u71qka5AmkqWow22aPjJrvSvrRuTfJGcZudikEqRoEkbgU153jahw/s1600/DSCN0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEJ9kCYR9uZxB3allG5mAvmD5jmcCgE_imQJ1nu0syaRei29CHJzO0FoKaKY2k9SrHUsf2evvi5k8ZGXZ7u71qka5AmkqWow22aPjJrvSvrRuTfJGcZudikEqRoEkbgU153jahw/s200/DSCN0763.JPG" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You just look at this dress<br />and it wrinkles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started off thinking this was just going to be as the
pattern intended but after cutting out the pattern pieces I decided I wanted a
tie for the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I was
going to back off the piping for this dress and that stayed true to plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also knew that from my prior make, I
thought the sleeves were a tad long…just long enough to annoy the crap out of
me so those were shortened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also
wanted to lower the neckline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hello cocktail dress…. needs a low neckline.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I constructed the dress with French seams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love French seams in theory but they
annoy me in execution because it really does mean sewing the dress twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also hand basted the seams first
before taking it to the machine so I could stop the slippery charmeuse from
slipping and sliding all over the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Due to the time crunch I have to admit the basting was NOT pretty but it
did its job.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N6tMottQ24SGOeCu0zMnDVcDpXcrlKaFym_tJfmwyM3cj191woT4RdpsdHnDfl0sWsfOTdeK3rMGzQwWMA9tCwC13BunZvcYtMXyi76CyUQlEdDOh_M77liDdDfcEqbpBAUtSg/s1600/DSCN0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N6tMottQ24SGOeCu0zMnDVcDpXcrlKaFym_tJfmwyM3cj191woT4RdpsdHnDfl0sWsfOTdeK3rMGzQwWMA9tCwC13BunZvcYtMXyi76CyUQlEdDOh_M77liDdDfcEqbpBAUtSg/s200/DSCN0757.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just the 2 rows of topstitching<br />and lower on the neck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First bee in the bonnet: I decided I should top stitch with
silver metallic thread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had some
wild idea this would look really cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, the first row of topstitching along the shoulder seams looked
okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sooooo I decided a second
row would look better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was okay
so why not add a third row??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
that’s what I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when I
stepped back and looked at the third row, I ….well I have to say I hated
it!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really hated it and started
re-thinking silver topstitching all together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out came the third row of topstitching but I just decided to
leave the 2 rows remaining and revisit it later.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHdjlVW9NhcB4mVTW6nR5Xd8recWwGjpSwD2OCewL0wfleWhYycOZswmw0Gvyf-QwbOu__l_UpXgfxNLC1HfXrsztLWNnNgVH4-3KRBoaNj1Y1SyIGni2OH8pJdeHCU17v_5d5w/s1600/DSCN0766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHdjlVW9NhcB4mVTW6nR5Xd8recWwGjpSwD2OCewL0wfleWhYycOZswmw0Gvyf-QwbOu__l_UpXgfxNLC1HfXrsztLWNnNgVH4-3KRBoaNj1Y1SyIGni2OH8pJdeHCU17v_5d5w/s200/DSCN0766.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice how high the neck<br />is in the back. Also you can kinda<br />see that there would have been a lot<br />more topstitching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When trying on the bodice with the lower neckline, I started
making changes to the neckline in general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought there was too much fabric in the back of the neck
in that it was creeping up my neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But time was of the essence so no muslining changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I bound the neckline with bias
binding, I made further changes to the shape of the neckline which means that
all the silly topstitching has all but disappeared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second bee in the bonnet: After piping along the waistline,
I decided I needed to bring the silver metallic topstitching down to the
waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I topstitched above the
piping. …and it looked weird so I removed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I topstitched under the piping…better but the fabric was
sliding and the topstitching was…well…very wavy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So out it came.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This silly topstitching is eating up the time!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to stop and just finish the puppy
so I didn’t go to the party naked!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-38912772476180287902012-09-26T23:21:00.000-07:002012-09-26T23:21:18.335-07:00Stick a Pin in It<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLsC7y6Il2vex61O4mBTNsohd2WtONrTUMCDxsrgrwPtkTwYF_tijUwk7g3tcKQzlcIOXbB4QTcHxZZbV6GOAV8GxPoj-C61qNc2PK0mXd6BLeVgw0KPLsP8ZSbScINHAWI5lRw/s1600/DSCN0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLsC7y6Il2vex61O4mBTNsohd2WtONrTUMCDxsrgrwPtkTwYF_tijUwk7g3tcKQzlcIOXbB4QTcHxZZbV6GOAV8GxPoj-C61qNc2PK0mXd6BLeVgw0KPLsP8ZSbScINHAWI5lRw/s200/DSCN0744.JPG" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pincushion of awesomeness making<br />the boring blue tomato bow to its<br />supremacy and no, I don't put pins<br />in the turtles! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I recently received the most awesome pincushion EVER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this pincushion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a thoughtful gift!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has a wood base which I have never actually seen before
but it rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one of my
favorite color combos….brown & blue and best of all it has sea turtles!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A friend who knows me well brought this back for me from her
recent trip to Hawaii.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knows
how much I sew and how my favorite experience in Hawaii was swimming with the
sea turtles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry, I did
not get too close but swimming out over the reef and being about 5 feet from
turtles was AMAZING.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurn2cMDcAjQpIjojb7RPI7vmC5nzu1f4po_6lKCSnxKej-kmPYUuX9k0iEVEKCJlfeFwo3pOQVN1KIjgCAUhJZJA-1SLvl30qeuXcW6FsoVnRv7BtW_7BSxEwF1yVmPloK8IxOA/s1600/DSCN0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurn2cMDcAjQpIjojb7RPI7vmC5nzu1f4po_6lKCSnxKej-kmPYUuX9k0iEVEKCJlfeFwo3pOQVN1KIjgCAUhJZJA-1SLvl30qeuXcW6FsoVnRv7BtW_7BSxEwF1yVmPloK8IxOA/s200/DSCN0746.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See.... it has sprinkles so it must be<br />a baked good. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, as I sew I am reminded of that awesome experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, I no longer need be embarrassed
about my pincushion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up until I
received the pincushion of awesomeness, I was using this sad little pincushion
I received for volunteering at a sewing convention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It worked but it has squished out of shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea what the stuffing is
cause it is soft but needles go in and never come out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some day I must perform surgery and
retrieve the lost needles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least
it has personality; I think it is supposed to be a donut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe it is a sad cupcake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well it is some sort of baked good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVj28ld4BtMX3JYujBrtsVlgg9AJf-LHNrlHL6dyrVot8Zj0b7f148PNfrFLLO8WIIVcixsNtAfv-L87g8WrzXc2qbKoO3SK6NCEh1uALhmFGQpuwAQsmPKwp18ou69r_xMKpfuA/s1600/DSCN0750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVj28ld4BtMX3JYujBrtsVlgg9AJf-LHNrlHL6dyrVot8Zj0b7f148PNfrFLLO8WIIVcixsNtAfv-L87g8WrzXc2qbKoO3SK6NCEh1uALhmFGQpuwAQsmPKwp18ou69r_xMKpfuA/s200/DSCN0750.JPG" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yawn....who doesn't have one of these?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My other pincushion that I keep on my bedside table because
I do like to sew in bed is the utilitarian and ubiquitous tomato and
strawberry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone has one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother had a red one; am I being a
rebel because I chose blue? But more importantly who ever came up with the
tomato/strawberry combination?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why
did this become the form pincushions took?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the answer is out there and maybe next time I don’t feel
like working I will search for it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-64167350062384479032012-09-23T23:02:00.000-07:002012-09-23T23:02:54.542-07:00Building a Plan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjja3BgffjaB6xWrp6t-TPPYAHdnDm2DgEmGF18tBcBCR-h0xQnOaT_gvGrGi2PQcneqtADmh9fLv2kS6gLMsCqB3S94nCJs3EpilxJpfivq1XVy2glwKPMwPNLzNT54pIi00UZJw/s1600/DSCN0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjja3BgffjaB6xWrp6t-TPPYAHdnDm2DgEmGF18tBcBCR-h0xQnOaT_gvGrGi2PQcneqtADmh9fLv2kS6gLMsCqB3S94nCJs3EpilxJpfivq1XVy2glwKPMwPNLzNT54pIi00UZJw/s200/DSCN0656.JPG" width="152" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
First the Pattern<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What pattern have I made that I could turn into a cocktail
dress?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Running through the memory
banks, the pattern that stood out was Butterick 7820 since if you look at the pattern
art, it seems like it is supposed to be a late 30’s cocktail dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My make was a cotton poly day dress but
why not?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second, the fabric.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It is
times like this when I love working downtown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off I ran to the fabric district to check my favorite silk
store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After fondling the fabric
assessing my options, I decided basic black silk charmeuse was the way to go
and $39 later I had my silk and was off to buy thread.</span><!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG683Yi7y9o2FD5BeEtvyC66XijiEiFxArZ5YK1XvUjxKPaXEW9wtMp7kSJfNrql6e1bQ2UK3yA04GHxhrmvEaRmwHoj1Hg-TikTWEc44RpUBRq6kiW_Rkg5nFQl04YmxzauiOw/s1600/DSCN0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG683Yi7y9o2FD5BeEtvyC66XijiEiFxArZ5YK1XvUjxKPaXEW9wtMp7kSJfNrql6e1bQ2UK3yA04GHxhrmvEaRmwHoj1Hg-TikTWEc44RpUBRq6kiW_Rkg5nFQl04YmxzauiOw/s200/DSCN0740.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell this is black? At first is was just<br />a black square. Black is so difficult to<br />photograph</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-86446693919205691232012-09-20T23:25:00.001-07:002012-09-20T23:25:30.117-07:00What Would You Do?<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v91k_AdemZ7bcagKQnYN2Uom7Ah3yDij73d3Q1zpd9Mudr-NQj8esf8802ITXf7ougLIRRQmGcSINLPgiXiiZtyhzti3JV0kQfkzzutZYMpcgbMfiWJwpsUTk4AvTXlu0TkJyA/s1600/question+mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v91k_AdemZ7bcagKQnYN2Uom7Ah3yDij73d3Q1zpd9Mudr-NQj8esf8802ITXf7ougLIRRQmGcSINLPgiXiiZtyhzti3JV0kQfkzzutZYMpcgbMfiWJwpsUTk4AvTXlu0TkJyA/s1600/question+mark.jpg" /></a>For months I knew I had a big 100<sup>th</sup> Birthday
party to go to for the BF’s grandfather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Almost once a week since April I asked what should I wear to the
party?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there any
guideline?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are the other
women in the family wearing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
is your sister wearing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get
the idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer was always, I
don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I would request
that we find out!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know the
saying there is no dumb question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, the BF disagreed and kept telling me one of the following bits of
nonsense:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. It doesn’t matter what you wear, you will look nice<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. I am sure everyone will dress casually<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I still worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t trust men when it comes to what is appropriate wear for an
event. I have just been burned too many times. I need to interject here that
this was a big event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rooms
reserved for a banguet; engraved invitations sent out in other words, this was
not a gathering in a back yard it was going to be a big deal as a 100<sup>th</sup>
birthday should be. So I continued to ask….hound…..the BF on this topic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tje9b01n4CJLkM21RS7PNqf3ADq50m4WIlu9hd9xEEG1JrI3VrvtmV8XWnKSSgLqHN0GQLytWFC7N1AaAt7Egm_Bk4AHYd00ztOgebNn5YhKY-zf8m8oES1Owotzityp20umPw/s1600/Tearing+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tje9b01n4CJLkM21RS7PNqf3ADq50m4WIlu9hd9xEEG1JrI3VrvtmV8XWnKSSgLqHN0GQLytWFC7N1AaAt7Egm_Bk4AHYd00ztOgebNn5YhKY-zf8m8oES1Owotzityp20umPw/s1600/Tearing+hair.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I felt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally….10 days before the event I got emails of pictures
of the dresses some were wearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not one was casual ….not go to church type dresses: both of which I have
scads of…..nope they were cocktail dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>CRUD<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not have a
cocktail dress.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course my BF said just whip something up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah right …have you met me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a slow sewer…I don’t just whip
things up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So off I went to Macys
to find a cocktail dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a couple of 100$ I
could get a crappy dress that did not fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown, I was
seriously one hanger shy of a meltdown when the light bulb went off…… I guess
the BF was right, I could make something to wear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mind started working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I used a pattern I have already sewn, I could run to the
garment district and pick up 3 yards of silk charmeuse for only $40 and I
should be able to sew something that actually fits in a fabric I liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BUT and this is a big but….time was
against me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-9087896094137176452012-09-19T23:38:00.000-07:002012-09-19T23:38:00.411-07:00Summer Essential<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Remember
this make from…whoa nelly….years ago??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpgGZJsYcBUvF85Uk7OtmOXxtSChmERIgsi5Q_-7vQGV4Ktk4MLI4lLCcfW-qWQmvhxqQ9zLHj5M3Hq-35poePFawphvD7hGhTIFsrdHFjfCgmURDSDpeiSFQV4K67Yqx9O0fkQ/s1600/DSCN0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpgGZJsYcBUvF85Uk7OtmOXxtSChmERIgsi5Q_-7vQGV4Ktk4MLI4lLCcfW-qWQmvhxqQ9zLHj5M3Hq-35poePFawphvD7hGhTIFsrdHFjfCgmURDSDpeiSFQV4K67Yqx9O0fkQ/s200/DSCN0947.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I never wore it…until this summer when it has become a weekend
staple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This little Hawaiian dress
gets pulled out almost every weekend because even with long sleeves it is
cooler than wearing a t-shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
only issue is that I was a few pounds heavier when I made this so it is tooooo
big through the neckline area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would like to make another one with a better fitting neckline but this dress
really does call for only certain patterns and I have yet to find one.</span><!--EndFragment-->
Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15026444.post-68856629145777304202012-09-18T23:15:00.000-07:002012-09-18T23:15:00.166-07:00Catching UP<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is finally cool enough, well today is cool enough, to sit in my sweat box of a
computer room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here I
type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>August and September are
usually the hottest months out here and this year has not disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But really, what about the rest of June
and July….where did I disappear to?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was sewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
sewed yards and yards of silk charmeuse in July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All with deadlines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t worry, pretty pictures will follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My draping class was wonderful but ever so time
consuming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find that I am just
not great at measuring or walking patterns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What took everyone a couple of minutes, had my little brain
puzzling over for long periods of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Seriously, you could see the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>wheels turning and the smoke pouring from my ears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What happened to the summer skirt?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did it get finished I hear you ask…wait is there anyone out
there even wondering what happened to the skirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear not, I am going to tell you anyways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Skirt is finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At first it was too small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I measured the pattern…what was the problem?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However thank goodness it was a modern pattern with those
HUGE 5/8<sup>th</sup> seam allowances so I let out the seams, then I took them
back in and by the 4<sup>th</sup> go around I had a skirt that fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
colors are great; this little beauty goes with so many t-shirts in my
closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used a baby hem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down side is I used a tricot lining which
I really do not like at all – I find it sticks to me which is just not a plus
when it is 100 degrees in and out of the house.</span><!--EndFragment-->
<br />
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Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02201661697973537974noreply@blogger.com0