Happily the dress is finally cut out! I don't remember the last time I was ever so excited to cut something out to make for myself. (Usually I find this the most tedious and boring part of sewing.) I am going to post some pics of this incredible fabric, as soon as I get the cell phone upgraded.
Stay tuned for further adventures..

onto the dress of the day..

Now that I have the time, the fabric is preshrinking and yet I am still pondering which stays a.k.a. boning, I would like to use for my dress. Of course after reading about using boning, I want to make a trip to Lacis (picking up the steel) to do samples with the ridgeline and the steel to make the ulitmate decision. I even picked up some grosgrain to make a waistline stay. If I am going to do this, I am going whole hog!

The best thing is about this is I am making the decision after A) reading about it in the latest issue of Threads ( May 2010), B) re-reading about boning in Couture Sewing Secrets from Australian Stitches and lastly seeing the Balenciaga exhibit at the de Young Museum last weekend. Now that is inspiration!!

It's amazing to think that I am so excited to finally cut out the dress this weekend.

Has it really been that long?? Yesh !

Well, now that I am in a totally different mind set and new space I am returning to the land o' blog.

Since it is Spring Vacation for me, I finally have time to sew. The latest two projects are a plaid coat and a simple dress.

I finally figured out on my own what to do about the pattern alterations on the dress. I was "monkeying" around with it last night and I figured out what to do to make it fit in the back. It's called cut out the correct size (DUH) and taper the seam for the waist!!

Now I am really happy.

The chemise/slip is nearing completion..

Wow, I am just so happy. My pattern alterations were pretty close to being a perfect fit. I just need to tweak the center back seam a bit before applying the trims.♦

I am always going to need to accommodate the small back and the sway back issue. That's the one thing I did not account for since the back pattern pieces were cut on the bias. I am going to post the picture of the almost completed chemise tonight.

Yay!! I can finally start the coat this week. I will need to take a picture of the pattern and the fabrics that I want to use for the two versions..

Here is the first version of the New Look six gore skirt. The fabric is a pretty good color match for the top. It is just not to my taste. To me this version screams," Pep squad/ cheerleader skirt."
Ugh!

I love this top! The fabric was a find at Far Out fabrics over on Haight St. It was the easiest fabric to sew- a stunning Swiss cotton knit. I just have to find the perfect fabric for a coordinating skirt/slacks.

Here is the close up view of the fabric and haberdashery items for the chemise.
The trims and the fabrics are from some of my favorite stores in San Francisco- Satin Moon Fabrics, Fabrix and The Ribbonerie.

The violet picot edged trim is temporarily basted to the ivory rococo foofy item, which is going to be attatched to the mere schmere satin ribbon. This is what will be surrounding the novelty china silk on the bodice.

Well I wanted to post the picture of the New Look skirt. So here it is out of the "ugly fabric" from Pattern Review Weekend in Portland.

I love it so much more than the first go around. Using fabric with better drape makes such a difference.

I did a nifty job with the invisible zipper, it is probably the best invisible zipper application ever.


It has been finished Since July 12th. I wore it out to dinner with some incredible friends who invited me out to Yoshi's to see Kurt Elling. It was a wonderful evening of delicious music and melodic food.