Third time is the charm!

Years ago, shortly after I started sewing, I saw some silky print fabric on sale. It was white with red and blue polka dots, and I thought it would be perfect for some amazing pajama pants. However, when it got home, it was put in a fabric drawer, forgotten and lived there for many years. I recently discovered it again and, being a little more ambitious now, I decided to make something a little more interesting than pants. There were two vintage dress patterns in my stash that I had been dying to use and the polka dot fabric would add the perfect touch! As I started to cut the material for the first one, I realized that the dress would require a stiffer fabric to get the right look, since I only cut a few pieces, I was able to re-cut those same pieces to fit another pattern. I finally got everything cut and was happily sewing away. I was almost done with the dress by the end of the day when I noticed that it wasn't turning out like it should. I thought it was just that it was late and I was tired so I wasn't thinking straight. But when I got up in the morning, it was a mess. after going over every seam, I finally realized that :
1. It was indeed very messed up
and
2. I couldn't so anything to fix it because it was the fabrics fault. (it didn't have the stretch it needed for some parts.)
I was so frustrated I ripped all the seams open and sat there looking at the pieces that were now scattered all over my sewing room. I finally decided to try and turn those odd pattern pieces into a dress that I would design myself. The most important thing I learned while working on my new dress, is that it is very, very hard to fit a dress without a dress form. I would put it on stand in front of a mirror and try to pin it to fit! I got so many pins poked into me during that time! But it finally all came together.

I just did a simple V in the back.

The skirt is excellent for twirling!

See how much fabric is in the twirly skirt?!

This angle kinda throws off the proportions a bit, but you can see the front of the bodice. I made it not so fitted because the fabric is uncomfortable to wear if it's super fitted and sticks to you if it is warm out. Considering that it is a summer dress, it will most likely be rather warm when I wear it, so the loose bodice works nicely. I also added a little red belt to the dress.

Meh, who really needs to do their homework?

The past couple weeks I have been procrastinating when it comes to my school work because I've been so caught up in dreaming up costumes for my England trip. I watch all the Jane Austen movies I own (which are a lot!) and sigh at every dress, bonnet, spencer and pelisse. I am a proud owner of the Regency Gown Pattern, the Elegant Lady's Closet pattern, the Regency Underthings pattern, and the Regency Spencer/Pelisse pattern all from Sense & Sensibility Patterns. If you have never looked there for historical patterns, now is the time to start! They are all such perfectly lovely designs and, from my experience, relativity simple to assemble as well.
As I am in school and still looking for a job, my funding is limited, so all I can do for now is dream up ideas and draw then out so I don't forget them. I have been able to make up a few "test" bodices, stays and a spencer out of some muslin to get an idea for sizing...I want everything to perfect, I mean, it is going to be worn at the Jane Austen Festival! I am so very excited for it!
So now, my dear readers, if you have any suggestions for me as to where I can find fabrics, bonnets and accessories for my regency outfits (or any outfit really!) that will be created in a few months, I would be ever so grateful for them.

Summer came during spring break!

I had my lovely holiday from classes a couple weeks ago in March (which shows how dreadfully overdue this is) and I had everything planned out. Though I feel I should know by now that things never go as planned for me! My plan was this: to have a happy week of reading and sewing or baking something everyday. The weather suddenly turned absolutely gorgeous! it was high 70's and low 80's the entire week! As my sewing nook is in the basement and the kitchen doesn't have very many windows, I didn't want to be cooped up. So it was out to bask in the sunny yard and read my ever growing pile of books. Here are some things of that week of sun-shinning bliss.

I'm one of those people who buys things off the clearance rack even if they don't fit because I say "oh, well I sew, so I'll just take it in and make it fit."...but then I never do.

These are the skirts I was supposed to work on over break

My little brother was very excited because he finally lost his first tooth!

I ate so pancakes with our fresh maple syrup...yumm!

This little guy knows how to clean his plate after pancakes

I finally got the papers I needed to graduate this spring. Yay!

Some of the books I was reading over break. I was happy to find "Mandy" on my little sister's book shelf. I've been wanting to read it since I was 10 or 12 and for some reason never did. Such a cute little book.

I'll have a real post sometime soon, I promise...hopefully :)

15 Reasons to buy fabric

Here are 15 reasons to buy fabrics (Just incase you realy need them)
From http://deckthehalls-christmas.blogspot.com/

1. It insulates the closet where it is kept.

2. It helps keep the economy going.

3. It is our patriotic duty to support cotton farmers, textile mills and quilt shops.

4. It is less expensive and more FUN than psychiatric care.

5. Because it's ON SALE.

6. I'm participating in a contest...the one who dies with the most fabric wins.

7. It keeps without refrigeration, you don't have to cook it to enjoy it, you never have to feed it, change it, wipe its nose, or walk it.

8. I need extra weight in the trunk of my car for traction on snowy icy roads. This is important, even in Florida, Southern California and ARIZONA...you never know when the weather will change.

9. Because I'm worth it.

10. Like dust, it's good for protecting previously empty spaces in the house, like the ironing board, the laundry hamper and the dining room table.

11. When the Big Earthquake comes, all the quilt shops might be swallowed into the ground and never be seen again.

12. Stress from dealing with the Fabric Control Officer (my husband) made me do it.

13. It's not immoral or fattening. It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul, and makes me feel
good.

14. Buy it now, before your husband retires and goes with you on all your shopping expeditions.

15. A yard a day is all the quilt shops of America ask.

One place where I read this added these two:
16. You have to buy twice the fabric so you can make a wearable muslin.

17. Your nearest fabric shop is quite far away so you have to buy everything while you're there to save on travel costs.