I'm Back

Yes, after nearly a year, I am back. In the time since my last post in November 2009 I have been busy. Busy growing a baby that is. I am not 9 months pregnant with only 2 weeks to go. Either way, I am starting a new Regency Gown for this years fall festival. It is the same pattern number as last year but I am going to try view A this time (the dress on the left). Last years dress came out okay but there are a few changes I am going to make to the second dress ahead of time to avoid some of the first dresses downfalls. For one, the waistline hit me right across the crest. I read about adding a few inches to the bodice front to fix this issue to us longer necked women. We will see what comes of it. I am first going to test run the bodice with some cotton fabric I already have laying around. This way, if my adjustment was not correct, I can fix it before trying it on a more expensive fabric. That is the other problem with the first dress; the fabric. Yes, pretty, but not what I originally wanted. Every time I watch a period movie I always admit the simply cotton dresses, not the ball gowns. But to know suprise (as I do it quiet often) I went to the fabric store and bought sometime completely out of character just because it was flashy. I will attempt to do better this time around. I might bring my husband to keep me in line because he is always questioning my fabric selections when I come home and show him. I guess I inherited my mother's fabric impulse (crap!). Below is a picture of the bodice pattern pieces cut onto cardboard. Only piece 1 has been alterned from the original pattern (the piece on the right; altered portion below lower line). Results to follow.

Got the sleeves on but still not finished

I have now attached the sleeves and am quite impressed with my work thus far (not trying to be big headed about it or anything). I was able to ease them in with limited gathering so they look very smooth. The lenght still needs to be done as well as the back zipper. I need to go to the store to buy a 22" white zipper first. It is Thanksgiving week so it has been really busy so I am glad to have made any progress. I do, though, really wish I had picked a different color and a little stretchier fabric so that it was more wearable. Right now I am not sure what I am going to do with it. We will see. I may try to sell it on etsy.com just because I have watched to try my hand at it. I will let you guys know when I decide... and when it is finished.

Making Good Progress

I have nearly finished the dress. I have got the bodice and skirt attached and now just need to add the sleeves, zipper, lower hem, and make fitting adjustment. I am leaving out of town for 4 days so it will have to wait until next week. I am happy with the look so far.

A new day, a new dress

I started a couple of days ago on a new dress. I have been working on it slowly but have been pretty busy with other stuff. This is the basic progression in the last 48 hours, and where I am ending it tonight. Will post more as I progress. I am liking the dress (style C, but with the full length skirt) so far, but I wish I would stop picking out white fabrics. The only part of this dress that will have color is the bottom of the skirt. Oh well, I guess that is just part of my learning curve (and partly due to limited selection here is Cedar Park).

Red Dress/Skirt

I finished the red dress/skirt. I wore it and loved the lenght and look of it. It still needs a little work on top if I ever wanted to wear it without a top, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

What I do see happening, is making a trip down to Houston to shop at High Fashion fabric store. I need more than Hancocks or JoAnns can offer me.

I'm Still Here

I am working on a dress fashioned after dress A in this pattern. The only difference is that it is full lenght. So far it is super easy to make and I just have to finish the straps. I will wear it with a t-shirt over it, but for me, I much rather wear dresses covered up than skirts. I will post pics when I am finished.

Gave it another go and, not so much.

I bought the fabric, took more time in the contruction, altered it down to fix better, and have decided that it is just not the shirt for me. It looks... okay, but I will not be wasting a lot more time to try to get this perfect when I have better shirts to work on. Oh well. No big lose, the pattern cost $1 and the fabric was only about $7. I will add it to my "out" wall (or closet). For those of you that don't watch project runway, the "out" wall is where they display all the losing garments for any particular challange. I would definetly be eliminated for this. They would say, the contruction was good, but the fabric and the designed "just didn't wow us". That Hiedi with her know it all attitude (j/k, so does know a lot).