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October 22, 2006
Dresses and Derby
Here is the quasi-woodblock print dress.
It ended up being super easy -- even the zipper! I did a normal, centered zipper this time and it was one of the least problematic zippers I have ever applied. Whew. I admit that I cheated and wonder-undered the facings instead of slip stitching them. Next time I will do it the right way. This time, I needed a quick sewing fix. It has become a bit of an obsession. People ask me how I have time to make stuff and I suppose that when you are compulsively fixated on something you just make time no matter what. This pattern is something I could churn out pretty fast, though it does need something about the middle to break up the solid mass of fabric. I have seen other versions of a similar pattern like Angry Chicken's which have a seam around the waistline. It give it a little more variation than mine. I added a little silk scarf (one of the bazillions I got in Italy) and that seems to work pretty well. I also have a dark red that might fit the bill as well as allow me to wear some of the red shoes that I always buy but never wear.
Additionally, I am somewhat dissatisfied with my photographic skills. Perhaps this is due to my camera looking pretty nice but actually being cheap. I can't do any fun depth of field stuff or anything, really. Too bad film is such a pain in the ass nowadays! Also, expensive! I should take a few rolls of quasi-artsy stuff to keep me limber, but I seem to not have the inspiration or energy. One day I will break out the real cameras and play...
In other house/craft news, I have been burning my soy candles incessantly! I made some pumpkin spice and some blackberry sage (which seems to remind me of certain Strawberry Shortcake dolls I had as a child.. Blueberry Cheesecake in particular. Anyone remember those?)
They are delicious and burn FOREVER. I made a massive mason jar candle to see how much wax it would take and the answer is: a whole ton. I have been burning it for hours (days now, really) and it has barely made a dent. This candle is going to last long than I am.
I got to enjoy some refreshing roller derby last night with Taryn. It was much fun, but again somewhat sad without J there. Our derby girls lost. Madison was a great team! I liked their jammer, Mouse. I mean, how can you not love a derby girl named Mouse?!
Tonight, I hope to jaunt off to see Marie Antoinette. Maybe I will wear my new dress! With layers, of course. It is getting bloody cold!
Posted by loyd0008 at October 22, 2006 5:30 PM
Comments
That looked nice on you! I saw the pattern and realised why you where having hospital gown fears, but like that it's lovely.
Re. the price of film: we never had so many photos taken and developed as we did those two years that my photography-interested husband worked summers and holidays in an industrial photo lab. Free developing of personal photos was a job perk. We'd let the kids snap a roll of film and get a child's perspective on the world... ;-) Just a tip there, something to fit into your busy life!
Posted by: bani at October 23, 2006 1:32 AM
The dress looks great. I love the scarf around your waist. Such a nice compliment to the print. If you want an inset waist, use this pattern which fits you well. Draw lines on the pattern where you want the inset to be, and the width you want, front and back but don't cut up your original pattern. Trace each section onto new tissue, adding the seam allowances to each pattern piece. You will now have patterns for 2 dresses. The inset version will have 6 main pattern pieces instead of 2, but will be very easy to assemble, and you can do all sorts of things with that inset.
Posted by: patsijean at October 23, 2006 9:45 AM
I am intrigued by the possibility of doing an inset. The dress has three darts in the front (2 in the back) that run from just under the bust to below the waist. How difficult would it be to work around this? Would it be best to do the whole dart section as an inset? Not sure if I would be very good at lining it up otherwise...
Posted by: villain at October 25, 2006 5:27 PM
Darts? Oh, that's way beyond anything I know! *blush*
Posted by: bani at October 27, 2006 4:15 PM