Weekend Sewing

I'm dead tired and need to get to bed, but I just wanted to share what I got done this weekend. I know I was going to start on my dress, but I just had my bathroom painted 3 weeks ago and bought fabric for the window 2 weeks ago, so I decided to make them first.

 

Elizabeth Larsen came to Los Angeles during her Man Forgetting Tour of 2012 and I jumped on the opportunity to show her around. While in the Los Angeles garment district, I picked up this great paisley print at Michael Levine's hoping that the colors would work in my bathroom. Lucky for me they do.

I couldn't go to bed on Saturday until the curtains were hung. Then this morning I started Simplicity 2174. It's an amazing fit pattern, and has lots of opportunities to get the fit right. Obviously on my first try I didn't quite get it right. I cut this pattern out about a month ago and did a bunch of alterations based on a muslin of the bodice. In the fashion fabric, I had a fit that was too big. After several alterations and an almost altercation with the husband--he was wielding the pins--I think the fit looks pretty good now.

I don't look very lovely and the dress has lots more to go, like a hem, for instance, until it is completed. But it's starting to take shape.

I also basted together S2615 to see if it was going to be too big and would have to go to my sister. Nope, it looks like it's going to fit. Keep in mind this is just muslin fabric and may or may not be worn outside the house. Since there isn't much style to this dress, I think the fabric is what is going to make it or break it. I think I know just what it needs from the stash. I'll share tomorrow what I've decided upon.

There you go, my weekend of sewing. Looks like I'm going to be working most days this week, but I hope to get the first dress completed so I can get on to the next project.

New York City

I've been missing in action lately. I quit sewing for myself for about 3 months. But rest assured, I've been been doing some sewing. Costume sewing that is.

 

I made the Chip costume for my middle school's production of Beauty and the Beast. I think it turned out fantastic if I do say so myself. I also made the costumes for salt and pepper, but don't have any good photos of those costumes.

Why haven't I been sewing for myself, you ask? Because I'm back on my low carb eating plan and losing weight. Since the beginning of February when I started, I'm down about 25 pounds and down a couple of sizes. I've given away all the stuff I made in January, except that olive jacket. I love that jacket and it's ok for it to be a bit large.

Now, about New York. Patternreview.com is having their annual meeting in just a couple of weeks and I have nothing to wear! Really, unless I've picked it up in a thrift store, I have no clothes. In order to have something to wear that weekend, I must get back to the sewing machine.

 

I've decided to do lots of cutting out and then do the sewing. I have three tops and three dresses all cut out and now my sewing room is all cleaned up and I will get the sewing done. Up first will be Simplicity 2174, which is from their Amazing Fit collection with bust cup sizing. If this dress turns out well, I plan to wear it to the Simplicity tour. Some of the reviews of this dress make it look really dumpy but I'm hoping that mine turns out better, especially since I'm making it with a very pretty rayon that I bought in Chicago at the PR meeting last year. The drape of the rayon hopefully will keep it from looking like a hospital gown. I like the sweatheart neckline and I've shortened the sleeves to more of a cap than cut right at the bust line.

I'll be posting my progress as I stitch through this pile and I hope I get something wearable out from it. I'm struggling to decide what size to make at this point.