Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Inspiration:
  The Classy Cubicle at http://theclassycubible.com



I have enjoyed the snow days since returning from Christmas break.  Come June, I will have to remember all the great garments I sewed during those unplanned 'vacation' days!



First up, this great Ann Taylor skirt.  








My knock-off version


Skirt:  rayon, polyester, spandex ponte from my stash (Fabric Mart), polyester lining also from stash
Pattern:  McCalls 5523 for the back, Butterick 5566, modified, for the front

The exposed zipper is not functional; an invisible zipper is in center back seam.











                                    The second project from my Pinterest
                                    Wardrobe Challenge board is this 
                                    yellow/purple combo. 







Skirt:  Yellow wool crepe (McCalls 5523) already in my closet!
Cardi:  Old B. Moss purchase, already in my closet!
Top:  ITY jersey (Haberman's, Novi Expo 9/2013)
Butterick 3344 , View D added 3/4 sleeves
        








Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Wardrobe Challenge 2014...

I have decided to join Angela Wolf's Wardrobe Challenge 2014.  The goal of the challenge is to fill my closet with my own home-sewn or re-styled garments.  This may be just the motivation I need to re-style some of the pieces I have picked up at thrift stores.

January's challenge is to create an inspiration board on Pinterest.  My board does not have a theme; it does not have a particular color scheme; it does have a little bit of everything! Just like my closet!

Progress will be posted here as well as on a Flickr album.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

The birth of a wedding gown



Starting with Vogue 8190 and using the lining pieces for the top of the dress and view B's 'skirt', I added length to the back for a train and tapered the sides to maintain the original front length.  The back was re-cut to include a V that ended about 1 inch above the natural waist.  The original pattern had darts in the bodice cup pieces.  To ensure a close fit with no gaping, I changed the darts to princess seams.  This gave a beautiful, close fit.

The body of the dress was underlined with silk organza and an invisible zipper was inserted at the center back. The silk shantung dress was lined with china silk , both from Mood Fabrics. A spiral steel boned, cotton foundation piece was inserted on top of the lining. I built padded cups into this so no bra has to be worn. A lavender zipper serves as a closure for the foundation.  Grosgrain ribbon was used as the waist stay.

I removed some of the fullness of the front skirt to create less cones. This is a softer look and works beautifully with the silk shantung.  This is absolutely gorgeous fabric...subtle sheen, sews and presses nicely. I decided not to underline the skirt to keep the soft drape of the fabric.  The skirt was lined with china silk except the center back piece of the train.  I knew this would drag for the outside photo session and felt the china silk might be too fragile.  I chose a Bemburg rayon lining to add a bit more durability here.






Once the silk under dress was constructed and lined, I began the process of hand tacking the Alencon lace. First the overlay for the flounce was sewn.  At the seam where the skirt attached to the bottom of the dress, I used a bias strip to cover the raw edges of the lace. To cover this strip, I trimmed the scalloped edge from the Alencon fabric and used this as edging.



Then I began sewing the lace to the body of the dress.  The lace needed to fit the contours of my daughters body and I wanted a virtually seamless look.  I began at the center back, creating a symmetrical application of the lace motifs.  Hours and hours of hand-sewing followed until the lace application was complete.







Double scalloped, French Alencon eyelash trim from Vogue Fabrics was cut apart and was hand-stitched around the top of the bodice. The 9 1/3 yard hemline was also trimmed with this scalloped lace.  The lace around the hemline was machine sewn with a narrow zigzag and lingerie thread.






1 inch horsehair braid was applied to the dress hem. The lining was stitched to the shantung to completely close the bottom of the dress.


To construct the tulle overdress, I started with Vogue pattern 2881.  I pinned the 2-piece front together to give a single pattern piece and raised both the front and back necklines.  We wanted the tulle to angle from the shoulder to opposite armpit, extending above the top of the bodice.  I added extensions at the left side seams to allow for a button and elastic loop closure.  Silk organza was used to interface this placket.  The elastic loops on the tape were about 1-inch apart.  I cut 2 lengths and stitched them together to get loops every 1/2-inch.  Pearl buttons were then sewn to finish this closure.

12 double godets were inserted around the bottom of the tulle overdress.  These godets started mid-thigh at the side seams and angled down in both the front and back.  Each outer godet was cut to be twice the arc length of the inner godet.  The godets on the sides were tapered to follow the lines of the train.  Beginning at the sides, the godets were also cut about 12 inches longer than the length of the underdress to create a slightly longer train.

I slit the tulle, and inserted the godets, reinforcing the point with a small square of silk organza.  I used a narrow zigzag stitch to keep the seams from puckering and to allow for a slight stretch.



Once the basic overdress was finished, I added small motifs cut from the all-over Alencon lace fabric.  These motifs were randomly placed on each smaller inner godet.  These were attached with lingerie thread and a narrow zigzag.


Larger motifs were cut and embellished with ruched seam binding.  I folded rayon Hug-Snug seam binding in half lengthwise and ran a gathering stitch down the center.  I found that working with four to five yard pieces was manageable and created enough ruched trim for a single motif.  The ruched trim was then pinned onto the lace motif and sewn on with the lingerie thread.  The embellished motifs were then applied around the midsection of the overdress.  To create the illusion of lace 'floating across' my daughter's back, two large motifs were applied diagonally across her back.  Since the tulle dress was not darted or shaped in any way, the appliques were used to create the shaping necessary to give the overdress a close fit.












The tulle overdress laying flat...

Inside the left side of the corselette, I appliqued a small heart cut from my husband's jeans.  This was the 'something blue' worked into the gown.  A piece of my wedding gown was used to embroider a label and was the 'something old' worked into the gown.












Monday, February 20, 2012

The 1912 Project begins...Princess Line Slip

  
The first pattern I received in the 1912 Project is the Princess Slip.

The PDF file was printed on 11 x 17 pages and taped together. 










  The four pieces went together with no trouble.  I omitted the lace insertion and eyelet beading at the neck because this is strictly a muslin for fit.  I found the drafting of the pattern pieces to be quite accurate...all seams matched up nicely.

The seam down the center is an alteration tuck used to pull the princess seams into a more 'functional' position. I do not intend on making this as a slip, but rather as a summer dress.  I needed to take out some of the fullness of the original neckline and bodice.

The wearable version will either have a side or center back zipper rather than buttons down the back. Though, I like the vintage look of the buttons down the back and may decide against a zipper...

The square neckline will lend itself nicely to a filet crocheted yoke application.  I have found a pattern for one that I think will be perfect.  I need to buy the perle cotton and start on it.  I have a piece of lightweight black linen that I think will make a lovely dress with black crocheted trim.  Updates to come...

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Sew 1912...an adventure in vintage sewing

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first pattern from the Vintage Pattern Lending Library's 1912 Project.  This ambitious project is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Individuals from across the globe have volunteered to join the cause and help Janyce Hill of the VPLL make up all the patterns from all of the 1912 issues of the French fashion magazine La Mode Illustree.  My preference is to sew children's or women's garments, though menswear is also included in the project.  I will blog about my progress and the construction process here...

It is hard not to get a bit excited about tackling this project after doing a little research into the fashions of the era and seeing the first of the patterns that have been prepared for us.  I look forward to the challenge, not only of recreating these fashions, but also to incorporating vintage details into my current garments. 

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Embossed and embroidered microsuede jacket



  • Vogue 2921:  lengthen torso, sleeves
  • Hooks and thread eye closures...ok but will look for an alternative that does not require re-construction of jacket front
  • Jacket fabric from Vogue Fabrics, purchased at Novi Expo 2009;  poly charmeuse from JoAnn's; microfiber suede binding left over from family room valences

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Jocelyn's "I'm plum tiered" skirt

 






  • JoAnn Fabrics free project sheet tiered and ruffled skirt based on McCall's.
  • Polyester stretch suiting
  • Lined with pale pink 'hang loose'
  • Rather heavy
  • May try in lightweight linen for spring