tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62327140281161827552024-03-13T16:17:23.123-04:00Sew FittingSewing is as sewing doesCisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-77825917961357433502010-05-26T22:56:00.000-04:002010-05-26T22:56:43.101-04:00Le SighI've had to step away from the blogosphere for a while. I finally had to admit to myself that I spent more time reading blogs than doing pretty much anything else. What had started as enjoyable morning reading while I ate my breakfast before getting to work turned into a multi-hour consuming distraction that left me with work to be done in the evening. That being said, I think it's time to give myself a little blog time, probably only in the evenings or on weekends.<br />
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Things are a-changin' here. I was recently notified that the business name I've been using for a year and a half is federally trademarked and I must give it up. My heart sank when I read the email and I was so nauseous I didn't sleep that night. I had done plenty of research before starting my business under this name to avoid just that problem, but apparently this other business is now forming a web-presence and was none to pleased to find my use. I am no competition to this other business as I service only southern Indiana and Louisville, KY. The only out of state customers I have are good friends who come to me regardless of other, more closely located businesses that offer the same work. Despite my vast disappointment to have to give up my business name and have to redo everything I've spent a year and a half working towards with this name, I'm trying my best to remain positive and take this opportunity to revamp my whole image: name, logo, website and all. I've been using a free stock logo and was thinking of designing my own this summer, so this is just a little ahead of schedule. Unfortunately, it's also under a significant time crunch. I have to get my changes made and submitted by the end of next week so that my upcoming phone book add has the correct information. Talk about a rush!<br />
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I've polled my friends and asked for and received lots of great suggestions, so thanks to everyone who contributed. I think I've finally settled on a name (that is free of federal trademarks) and am even fairly sure of the logo design that I want. Now to get it all set into motion!<br />
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Other than this name fiasco, business has been great. I've got so much work that I've had to hire some part-time help for the summer, which has been working out wonderfully. My father has made even more wonderful sewing equipment for me (pictures to come) and I am so thankful for his enthusiasm and support. Jim has also been a wonderful shoulder to lean on through all this nonsense. I feel terrible that my tossing and turning keeps him up at night :(<br />
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Speaking of night, it's getting late and since my work is all finally done for the day, I think I'll actually try to get a full night's sleep for once. Wish me luck!Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-92182479049912195702010-04-04T01:16:00.000-04:002010-04-04T01:16:31.684-04:00Happy EasterWhew! Has it been a busy month or what?! I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I promise. I've just been better at reading blogs than updating mine. Jim has a trade show in Orlando this week and I'm going with him, so the last few weeks have been a whirlwind of work as I try to prepare for being on "vacation" for a week. I was a little worried about what I was going to do with myself for a whole week while he works since I'm not really a lay by the pool all day kind of girl and I won't have a car at my disposal (because despite the fact that I'm married, own my own business and am planning on children in the next few years, I am still not old enough to rent a car!). Luckily, I got my portable machine back from the friend I had loaned it too and so I will be taking it along with a whole slew of patterns, fabric and toys. I may spend the whole week sewing...for MYSELF! What a novelty that will be!<br />
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Speaking of sewing for myself, while I wasn't able to get my March garment for me finished during March, it was finished by April 2nd and worn tonight to the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil and our Confirmation. As of several hours ago, I am now a Catholic. Besides being thrilled to have found a church home that I love and a faith that I am passionate about, I am quite pleased with my Easter dress. The pleats took a while to get pinned and basted in place, but one that was done, the dres only took about 4 hours to sew together. And keep in mind, that 4 hours included dancing around the sewing room, petting the critters, talking to myself, <em>and</em> sewing.<br />
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Please excuse the rather shiny forehead, I still have blessed oil on it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/S7gZAgzdcbI/AAAAAAAABkQ/WSW66KS1n7k/s1600/IMG_4539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/S7gZAgzdcbI/AAAAAAAABkQ/WSW66KS1n7k/s400/IMG_4539.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
It was also nice to finally wear these shoes again. I wore them to my wedding, so of course no one saw them, but I do really like them.<br />
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The hair is a pin curl set I've been playing around with for the last few weeks and have been very happy with. I have a vintage hairstyling book that a friend got for me and one of the feature 'dos is Ingrid Bergman. I read the description for the set to get her style and then did my own thing with it. I'm more of a structured curl girl than a wavy dame, so I don't really brush the curls out when I take them down. That being said, it's a blissfully low energy 'do once the pincurls are in. I set them wet and once dry I take the pins out, shake the curls down, finger comb a bit and set with hairspray. Done!<br />
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Today I may have even set a record time for getting the pincurls in. Since it was Saturday, the bank closed at noon and I needed to make my business deposit and do some money shuffling for the trip. I got a late start, since it's Saturday and I love sleeping in. By the time I got out of the shower, I was in a big rush to get to the bank and get on with the rest of the day. We still had to clean, start packing, figure out what I was going to cook 11 people for dinner, cook the dinner, AND buy Jim a suit to wear to Confirmation. We did get to the bank (thanks to my lightening fast hair-setting skillz) and made our way over to a very cool consignment shop on Frankfort Avenue to shop for suits. The only problem? All of Frankfort was shut down for the Easter parade, which were just in time for the start of. After trying to wind our way through various neighborhoods, we got as close as we could and then walked 7 or so blocks to the store. Once there, we found two great suits for the hubs for a grand total of $80. Once suit (which he wore to Confirmation) fit perfectly and the other just needs the pant hem let down a bit. Not too shabby, eh? The next time we're in search of new clothes we'll certainly be going back there! I tried on a few hats for Derby, but I couldn't really find anything that wowed me. I'm making Vogue 1162<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/V1162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/V1162.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br />
and may even be so unoriginal as to make it in red. It's not because I'm actually unoriginal, mind. I just think this dress looks stellar in red and if I may toot my own horn, I do look pretty smashing in a red dress (toot toot!). I want a big hat. Big and vintage and awesome...possibly with some veiling, because really. It's Derby. Go big or go home, yes?<br />
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Tomorrow, packing, cleaning and probably racing around like a chicken with its head cut off. We need to be leaving our house by 4 am Monday to meet up with Jim's coworkers that we're driving to Orlando with.<br />
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Tired as I am, wish me luck getting to sleep tonight. When my father and brother left tonight after our Confirmation (which they were so good as to drive down from from Bloomington) they took my little Riley with them. We has last minute house-sitter issues, so Riley will be spending the week in Bloomington with his grandmommy and cousins, because my mother is a good sport. I'll miss my little manatee!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlstcCzYBNwxVhs5bf0XrMqWFBxT4kzwMLJ_nhiMdjdUVH2nMWjZjAu3dmBFxQS9h9_1qhHOCeFG1Z0kDwOaVBnZkMku_lFIH-mXhuP4o5v6ZLLXV_ZocuV44kT3C_E_uRA0djUFVnu3w/s1600/IMG_4499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlstcCzYBNwxVhs5bf0XrMqWFBxT4kzwMLJ_nhiMdjdUVH2nMWjZjAu3dmBFxQS9h9_1qhHOCeFG1Z0kDwOaVBnZkMku_lFIH-mXhuP4o5v6ZLLXV_ZocuV44kT3C_E_uRA0djUFVnu3w/s400/IMG_4499.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-18430317890096241762010-02-20T11:10:00.001-05:002010-02-20T11:10:30.867-05:00Matchy-Matchy Awesome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/S4ACNOilWTI/AAAAAAAABiQ/bLfYj6L4QMc/s1600/IMG_4396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/S4ACNOilWTI/AAAAAAAABiQ/bLfYj6L4QMc/s400/IMG_4396.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I finally found a reason to buy the McCall's vintage pattern envelope quilting cotton! I even got a use for the coordinating instructions and pattern layout fabric by covering the sides of the step stool that my daddy built me. That's right, I need a stepstool for ironing...but only when using my sleeve board. I had Daddy-dearest lift this desk quite a bit when I converted it to an ironing table but then it was too tall when I tried to use my sleeve board on top of it, since the sleeve board is something like 8" tall. It's a little hard to iron when everything is almost nose level! I never thought I'd be so excited about pink decorations, but really, how can you resist this?!<br />
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No pictures of my fab new hair cut just yet. I didn't take any yesterday when I got it cut and I am currently rocking bed-head with day old hair product from the hair cut. It's calmed down a bit from where it was when I first woke up (when it was slightly "deranged queen of the crazed earwigs"), but still not braving a picture.Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-21129932790508705182010-02-12T19:22:00.000-05:002010-02-12T19:22:21.747-05:00Autumn in FebruaryI love autumn the best of all the seasons. Not only is it just a delightful time of year, but the colors suit me the best. I guess that's why I was dying to dig into my fall toned knits for this new dress. I'm right on track for my blogging and sewing for myself more and loving every minute of it. Here's personal garment number 2 for February<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBdiSXoh9_NOcp-u7P1jt1jk7tNzYXUM0ys-DSzSqG0aIvWVhgG7WJznkO8_IqfQvNq20YqNz4Llnw-1tJxLNMQXEjSzsi9Ce_1Jvllwjm9wW_l-hkp41Pg_7owa73DH93lqGYbF7wjbv/s1600-h/IMG_4388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBdiSXoh9_NOcp-u7P1jt1jk7tNzYXUM0ys-DSzSqG0aIvWVhgG7WJznkO8_IqfQvNq20YqNz4Llnw-1tJxLNMQXEjSzsi9Ce_1Jvllwjm9wW_l-hkp41Pg_7owa73DH93lqGYbF7wjbv/s320/IMG_4388.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI8L7yW4_0DsbIx-DvzbJJInuAksxmuNO5R_ko07TX0ckjfWTfnV7MJzb2aVuywkXASBjsed5hDVmHVzRx_AGDO_qteRI8NaVTPV6n0wNH1baiUMHkAzOKzQRw_sTlM3w38qNAhSGlZcp/s1600-h/IMG_4390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI8L7yW4_0DsbIx-DvzbJJInuAksxmuNO5R_ko07TX0ckjfWTfnV7MJzb2aVuywkXASBjsed5hDVmHVzRx_AGDO_qteRI8NaVTPV6n0wNH1baiUMHkAzOKzQRw_sTlM3w38qNAhSGlZcp/s320/IMG_4390.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've had this knit in stash for a few months. It was one of those that I saw in the store and had to stop and "visit" and pet everytime thereafter that I was in. Finally I just couldn't stand not to have it any longer and bought plenty for a dress and then some. I had not trouble getting this dress out of it and have enough left over for a shirt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8jAV975ww25gLm2Av3XD9-IzFq72__gXJ1WeM3KBRP5j1NHvaX0zmEFcaEPjHVYd_gN3ksXlB0mT9SoO9dfX9-zlYR2-WmoETsvefqRol0VQiYLmrNPvd6c04rhNRxla0sHmGbe-1z4H/s1600-h/IMG_4389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8jAV975ww25gLm2Av3XD9-IzFq72__gXJ1WeM3KBRP5j1NHvaX0zmEFcaEPjHVYd_gN3ksXlB0mT9SoO9dfX9-zlYR2-WmoETsvefqRol0VQiYLmrNPvd6c04rhNRxla0sHmGbe-1z4H/s320/IMG_4389.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's such a thin fabric that lining was not really an option so much as a requirement. I found this great dark teal knit at Joann's to line it with, which not only matches the teal in the print perfectly, but also matches the teal shoes I plan to wear with this dress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VTa3B-GlFKgBOn8OlMBIi7YIXtJKtiht9zu4kByaLP4bNKzVdIS4k0a6GNo3yf1vaDJJ9dooEwoEyUv-55AjStpRPGqxR25lIK7ndIGqkr6ohSCJAJZHxmHJmrwA7d5GjwMdDB3_0itl/s1600-h/IMG_4391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VTa3B-GlFKgBOn8OlMBIi7YIXtJKtiht9zu4kByaLP4bNKzVdIS4k0a6GNo3yf1vaDJJ9dooEwoEyUv-55AjStpRPGqxR25lIK7ndIGqkr6ohSCJAJZHxmHJmrwA7d5GjwMdDB3_0itl/s320/IMG_4391.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The only downside to the teal is that it's a pretty substantial knit and so the dress weighs an awful lot for a knit dress. The knit lining also helps keep the brown from sticking to itself, which is does something awful. Now to decide on my next project. Back to fighting with the vintage blouse pattern that refuses to cooperate, or onto something new and fun like another knit top? I'll have to consult with my test group and see what they have to say about it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1yqpV_NoK9hkAk-KcTEnk82FUVSOtcifot0k5C-cS_wFUnIx5XexIIAbpVD4aag6eCf0SZZX9fJqdm2_kApNzEWhV-eru3sTGjKhY9xaU0UQfe45A84bWNXQno4UCZ0xmVxR0TBhYdQM/s1600-h/IMG_4387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1yqpV_NoK9hkAk-KcTEnk82FUVSOtcifot0k5C-cS_wFUnIx5XexIIAbpVD4aag6eCf0SZZX9fJqdm2_kApNzEWhV-eru3sTGjKhY9xaU0UQfe45A84bWNXQno4UCZ0xmVxR0TBhYdQM/s320/IMG_4387.JPG" /></a></div>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-32255033738471173942010-02-06T15:41:00.000-05:002010-02-06T15:41:33.246-05:00Harumph! When I asked his opinion of my new top about half way through, Jim pointed out (I was in heavy denial) that this fabric really makes the top look like jammies. Not exactly what I was going for and that thought bothered me as I was finishing everything up. Alas, I think he's right. I decided that cutting the sleeves drastically shorter would help with the jammy look, and it did, but still...can't get that thought out of my mind.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklVCIELbZwoe-VGYEFt9oHEjPBwez_Bw-bGSIW5650bgy2ufHZnAlPUskEPc9fUxTRawBBcrtw6p2H5AANa3gIg0RDAzMKKPbf38yw8nkoswAXhcVHVQ7bdcGFsxcX5ipMxDG4vxstFl5/s1600-h/IMG_4386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklVCIELbZwoe-VGYEFt9oHEjPBwez_Bw-bGSIW5650bgy2ufHZnAlPUskEPc9fUxTRawBBcrtw6p2H5AANa3gIg0RDAzMKKPbf38yw8nkoswAXhcVHVQ7bdcGFsxcX5ipMxDG4vxstFl5/s320/IMG_4386.JPG" /></a></div>It does not, however, look as weird around the hem line as it does in this picture. I think I was just standing weird. It is very comfy, and aside from the jamminess look, the only thing that irks me a bit is the fact that the neckline will <em>not</em> lie flat. I've tried pressing it, I've tried molding and steaming it on my dressform, but it just won't stay where I put it. It's not that big a deal, since I don't intend to wear this out much because I feel like I'm in my jammies. Anyway, one February garment down. I still have plenty of hours of day left, so I'm going to dive right back into the pattern stash and see what else I can come up with for this month.Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-49978546300696009682010-02-06T11:33:00.000-05:002010-02-06T11:33:00.749-05:00Burda the first<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My wonderful husband, indulging my whims as he is prone to do, got me my very first Burda subscription for my birthday last summer. I now have a nice little start to a collection but haven't actually ever gotten around to making anything from said collection. Since I wound up with such a production for my January garment(s) I thought that a simple knit top was in order for February. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I've had this cute blue knit in my stash for over two years (short in terms of shelf life, I know!). I got something like 3 or 4 yards from Baer the year before they shut down with no real plan on what I would end up doing with it, but I do occasionally stand in the closet and pet it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08Wkdx9Kh6PymVq-NEXnMDMkqnUxu6mGAQPH3NPKQC-X0bshACVi3II4GUH4WZMA_dx0RID9hOW_VZJqhdg7YaYqdMig8IY2Um4BkBPNIiQ5T-wnLxYkPgRBzJtZxWbsRXmf_ZN3d2hcJ/s1600-h/IMG_4383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08Wkdx9Kh6PymVq-NEXnMDMkqnUxu6mGAQPH3NPKQC-X0bshACVi3II4GUH4WZMA_dx0RID9hOW_VZJqhdg7YaYqdMig8IY2Um4BkBPNIiQ5T-wnLxYkPgRBzJtZxWbsRXmf_ZN3d2hcJ/s320/IMG_4383.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's one of those wonderful, trendy knits that is almost transparent until you put it on, so it may be a layering piece but it feels awfully nice! I got down my little stack of Burdas and flipped through, laying out every knit top that appealed to me. Then, because I just couldn't narrow it down, I let Jim decide. It was a close call between <a href="http://burdafashion.com/images/repos/1/000/001/832/000001832721">2-2010-122B</a> and 2-2010-112, which in the end, won out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://burdafashion.com/images/repos/1/000/001/832/000001832494" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kt="true" src="http://burdafashion.com/images/repos/1/000/001/832/000001832494" width="181" /></a></div><br />
Today is a lazy day at home where I don't have anything that I <em>have</em> to do and I am seriously enjoying it! I should be able to get this top nearly all the way done today. I really want to give it a nice finished look with twin needle topstitching on the hems, but that will have to wait until I get my little Kenmore back from a friend. They don't make twin needles for industrials and I don't have a zig-zag plate for my Singer Spartan, so hems will probably just have to wait.Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-38288905137461905082010-01-31T14:22:00.000-05:002010-01-31T14:22:43.315-05:00Take that resolution!<strong>Or a tale in which two is better than one</strong><br />
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As you may recall, one of my New Year's resolutions was to make at least one thing for myself every other month. Well, too keep the motivation going, I joined the One Garment a Month sew-a-long on PatternReview. The point of the resolution was to start sewing for myself for fun and not always to just whip something together under the gun for an event...so perhaps I failed. Last night was Bootlegger's Ball at the Wildwood Country Club and Jim and I were chosen as one of three couples of demonstration dancers to encourage dancing. Had this been a 1930s or 40s event, I would have been set, but alas, no dice in the way of 20s clothes. Fabric stash to the rescue! I have some mauve cross strap Aris Allens that are great for 20s dances so I stood in my closet and pondered what I had to match the shoes. Luckily, I was able to come up everything I needed (except a foundation garment) for a flapper dress. I had resolved to not wear a kitchy, cliche flapper dress, so mine contained none of the following:<br />
1. Red<br />
2. Black<br />
3. Fringe<br />
4. Feathers<br />
5. Long strands of pearls<br />
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Go me! Sadly however, I have learned that if you want to win costume contests at historically inspired parties, you should in fact where a <em>costume</em> containing at least 3 of the above items<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOt9Cta4Be0LrrMtThSc_qNONFvqIKVSGq_Ca6ikoJBrpfLfpxcxT4eA1AXzQ6x7DSZ12RJTJ7vCyAmVBo0mv6MnkDii2yZqkZLNVAED9T2rzy-rf2ekzQx5JgClXaP-u3zwUCfxGNOqe/s1600-h/IMG_4381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOt9Cta4Be0LrrMtThSc_qNONFvqIKVSGq_Ca6ikoJBrpfLfpxcxT4eA1AXzQ6x7DSZ12RJTJ7vCyAmVBo0mv6MnkDii2yZqkZLNVAED9T2rzy-rf2ekzQx5JgClXaP-u3zwUCfxGNOqe/s400/IMG_4381.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Nevertheless, I was quite proud of my creation, especially since this was my first real attempt (an 18th century chemise definately doesn't count) at draping and designing without a pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2byxtRMS1yfbljbGL4W1DerJvIFIvCwVkkldV3-sUxpyJ7RVTUBw4AH1i1Ww_SNPFBo7xZ44I9H9PbdPr56fIcJ5cmoGFV1y6jnMi0LeV8Vbydc3Aq86cJoSIzE4xr4wgignzK926c5Y/s1600-h/IMG_4380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2byxtRMS1yfbljbGL4W1DerJvIFIvCwVkkldV3-sUxpyJ7RVTUBw4AH1i1Ww_SNPFBo7xZ44I9H9PbdPr56fIcJ5cmoGFV1y6jnMi0LeV8Vbydc3Aq86cJoSIzE4xr4wgignzK926c5Y/s400/IMG_4380.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I was standing a little strangely, so it's hard to see, but there is a dropped waist of the ivory silk, which helped break up all that rose chiffon. The mauve shoes are dance shoes, so I wore regular mary-janes for the walking around outside.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I was dying by the time we got home! 5 hours of sleep, a full day of sewing and dancing for 3 hours will do that do you, or so I've heard. I finished my dress at 4 am Saturday, slept until 9:30 and then got up to <strike>finish </strike>make Jim's vest, which also turned out smashingly. I was finished at 3 pm and had just enough to do hair and makeup and walk out the door. He's quite pleased with it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpMZ67rxAtaHvjQQcQqjZX2TN2hnaWXA4mm_IR2R58dotfAeT6XGqcrpFzBsLxxonVQ4DXcu4P8z4j-t6yFUhdmAaZ1QHcpelnYsUo__UrwljMbdTqJNa3SKWIzXbi4s5IyynPrPOkzYg/s1600-h/IMG_4378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpMZ67rxAtaHvjQQcQqjZX2TN2hnaWXA4mm_IR2R58dotfAeT6XGqcrpFzBsLxxonVQ4DXcu4P8z4j-t6yFUhdmAaZ1QHcpelnYsUo__UrwljMbdTqJNa3SKWIzXbi4s5IyynPrPOkzYg/s400/IMG_4378.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I got online and youtubed 1920s hair and makeup tutorials to get the look you see above (pardon the slightly dishevelled look, this was about 5 minutes before I got to go to bed finally). My hair is definately past my shoulders and I wasn't interested in getting my hair bobbed for a one night event. As usual, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVjSeCZlm1A">Iris</a> didn't let me down. She's one of my go-to tutorial wizards on youtube when it comes to vintage hair. I'd never used a tutorial by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQY5Qx0PYbc">Miss Elegance</a> by she certainly didn't let me down. It was the exact look I was going for. That classic "damsel in distress" silent film star look. I was a bit rushed, so I didn't get it exactly right (and I have yet to learn how to reshape my brows well) but I was still quite happy and did get lots of compliments.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The vest was made to match the pants that I made him for Valentine's Day last year and he's been asking for it for quite some time. Actually, this outfit is full of presents! The bow-tie is a vintage piece that he got in his stocking that matches the red-orange stripe in the plaid perfectly. The pocket watch was his wedding present, because really, what Dapper Dan <em>doesn't</em> have a stylish timepiece to go with his "out on the town" look?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwfJj6haLgEXq0JTCVG5TnHisQM3d5KTvyxpX8B4bLfmmlBPFeerIMjiAZlq07rmZgVClLVf-1fK69qSl57I1s_reNDgPvUWYQPPJdC3QzukH-TCJvFJ4OQvVJt_DzIrKIeJy0I9Ch5wI/s1600-h/IMG_4379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwfJj6haLgEXq0JTCVG5TnHisQM3d5KTvyxpX8B4bLfmmlBPFeerIMjiAZlq07rmZgVClLVf-1fK69qSl57I1s_reNDgPvUWYQPPJdC3QzukH-TCJvFJ4OQvVJt_DzIrKIeJy0I9Ch5wI/s320/IMG_4379.JPG" /></a>The back is a yellow satin that matches the other prominent stripe in his plaid. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">These pictures really don't do the fabric justice, but it's pretty fantastic looking when you can see all the colors together.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7aP5ZUuJeQNrFbbRI5mp7uQqiH8dmz9mo9BPZLaAd8N2r85EhojzEfKy8Q1yK1CItwOdxIEV2Jr2ekERXnN98Ng474NLZYhB0xVZbH6oTuJMBEACkc7BevEc8-HnFSFjmZXCucDpmf5y/s1600-h/IMG_4377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7aP5ZUuJeQNrFbbRI5mp7uQqiH8dmz9mo9BPZLaAd8N2r85EhojzEfKy8Q1yK1CItwOdxIEV2Jr2ekERXnN98Ng474NLZYhB0xVZbH6oTuJMBEACkc7BevEc8-HnFSFjmZXCucDpmf5y/s320/IMG_4377.JPG" /></a>This was the first upper body piece I've made for Jim and boy am I glad that I muslined it! I've got myself a lop-sided husband and didn't even know it! It was mostly prominent in the front, but I did wind up having to take a little dart out of the pattern on his back armhole on one side. The things we learn about people when we sew for them!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I cheated on my dress since I had no time, nor inclination, to make the proper foundation garment to get the figure of a 12 year old boy so popular in the 20s. Instead I butched a sportsbra by cutting the racerback out of it and rebuilding it to be hidden under the straps and neckline of my dress to achieve the same look. Worked out pretty well too! <em>And</em> I not only made my one garment a month deadline by one day, I got two out of it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-71935598184656736272010-01-14T13:12:00.000-05:002010-01-14T13:36:36.873-05:00Bootlegger's Ball<div>Jim and I found out today that we would be one of three display couples dancing at Bootlegger's Ball. This means not only do we get to be there in period clothes and doing period dances, we're obligated to lead by example and dance for the entirety of the band's 3 one hour sets! That's A LOT of dancing. Needless to say, hubby and I will be building endurance and dancing as much as possible between now and the 30th. We also have to figure out what we're going to wear!<br /></div><div>If only Prohibition had been during the 30s we would have been set. No shortage of dance clothes for that era! Jim should be easy enough. He may not be spot on, but we only have 2 weeks and no money, so I cannot make him something 100% correct but I very seriously doubt any one will notice any little difference in the cut of trousers and things like that.</div><div></div><br /><div>Unfortunately for me, we've been pretty exclusive to the late 30s and the 40s and the sillouhettes were VERY different for the 20s...a figure that I cannot even hope to accomplish on my own, so out comes my old friend the Ace wrap to squish myself into some semblence of boy-shaped girly cuteness. Not exactly my idea of a comfy night, but well worth it.</div><br /><div></div><div>Because of the finance constrictions, I decided that while I will make a dress to wear, I will be limited to a $10 budget. I've found fabric in stash and will mostly be draping and designing the dress sans pattern. Joann's is having a pattern sale and I would really like at least something to start from, so I may be off to spend 2 of my $10 on a slip pattern. I googled and flipped through every book I own with 20s fashion (which sadly is limited) and I think this is what I want to go for...ish.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/S09e6LSN-UI/AAAAAAAABc0/RwpBre6nIBY/art_deco_-_antique_flapper_dress%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/S09e6LSN-UI/AAAAAAAABc0/RwpBre6nIBY/art_deco_-_antique_flapper_dress%5B1%5D.JPG" /></a></div>My underdress is going to be the same ivory dupioni as my wedding gown, because I have scads of it. As for rest of the dress, I don't really have the time (read patience) for lots of beading, so I decided on a floral chiffon (probably poly, but at this point I can't really afford to be picky) from stash with large roses in multiple shades of pink, which should look very nice with my mauve dance shoes. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426664990058005362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdp0NDlNophQhRmYHJokRV2Fh2HP_5i9eZcNhdHui-CDr6ThlAznutjNnXA2H_qVLkgiZ1NyK9JvPtccTAiBQVGmu3wCIZ2HorGv1MV6hdrLECmI7p495oGD9mOyu_voxN4D17ndPJFbt/s320/IMG_4356.JPG" /><br /><p>I'm also thinking that instead of the straight hem and skirt, I may do the chiffon skirt with a hankerchief hem so that the points add a little more interest. Any opinions?</p><p>I've got the dress picture printed off so that I can trace off a line drawing and get draping. Now that I'm really thinking about it, I don't even know that I'll bother with driving all the way to Joann's for a pattern. I think I'll at least give it a go on my own. I don't have a sloper to work from yet, but I don't think I'll need one for this. I think as long as I drape onto my dressform I should be able to hack it out.</p>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-20318896979466395892010-01-12T15:25:00.000-05:002010-01-12T15:42:39.236-05:00New Year's Resolutions...2 weeks lateWhile everyone else was busy blogging about their New Year's resolutions or the fact that they don't believe in doing such things, I was wondering if I had ever bothered. I have, in fact, been wondering about this for all 12 days of this month and finally realized that without calling them "resolutions" I have been making them for the same 12 days past. So without further ado, here they are, better late than never<br /><br />1. Sewing something for myself or my home at least every 2 months. Surely I can manage a mere 6 items per year, yes? I sew all day, almost every day and only ever make something for myself in a pinch (like the week before my show at the Frazier).<br /><br />2. Pay off all of our debt. Not very interesting, I know, but very important. As far as the average American household goes, our outstanding debt is the size of an unpaid parking ticket. It's minimal and rather pathetic when compared to people with mortgages, car loans, credit cards and student loans, which I'm totally ok with, but it still needs dealing with. In fact, I wrote and mailed the first check today (pardon while I pat myself on the back a little more about this one)<br /><br />3. TRY to keep up with the dishes. There are only two of us, is it really <em>that</em> hard?!<br /><br />4. Be better about scheduling work so I'm not piddling around on the internet all week and then racing to get a million things done on Friday when I'd rather be cleaning up for the weekend.<br /><br />5. Become a better blogger. This one I find very important. I follow a ton of blogs and find many of them to be very fun and incredibly inspirational (see resolution #1). I would like to get better not only about posting regularly but also figure out how to do more with Blogger. That is, if I can get over my hate for it. The other day I had every intention of writing what I felt to be a very good and interesting blog entry about a skirt for a friend and never got it posted. I got it written...4 times. And Blogger deleted it EVERY FREAKIN TIME, but only when I had quite a lengthy entry and was in the process of typing the last sentence or two. Poof! All that hard work, gone >:(<br /><br />If any of you out there in Blogland have any suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate them. I also need to see about reformatting my blogger page so it's a little more me and has things were I want them...definately going to need a learning curve on this one<br /><br />6. Expand my business. I had a fantastic first year of business, considering that I didn't try <em>too</em> hard to expand, was planning a wedding and making the gown, and doing lots of travelling. And let's not forget that going into this, I had no idea whatsoever about starting or running my own business. It's been a struggle at times, but I've never been happier and I have high hopes for year 2.<br /><br />7. Seek out and attend more classes for sewing. We'll see how much this gets to actually happen because of the whole saving for a house thing, but in the very least I hope to make it PatternReview Weekend Philly if only to meet the wonderful, helpful and inspiring women who keep me company and help me out on PR as well as those whose blogs I follow.<br /><br />8. My final (for now) and definately favorite: Have friends over for dinner at least one couple per week or two. Since Jim and I are working hard to get rid of our debt so that we can buy a house this year, we have stopped going out to eat. We used to spend a ridiculous amount of money going out to eat multiple times a week so that we could see our friends. Now, I love to have people over, cook, entertain and play games at home with friends, so why is it that we only seem to get together with friends when it means going out and spending money? This must be solved, and we're doing quite well with it for only working on it for 2 weeks. :)Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-11740042630908591232009-12-10T09:03:00.000-05:002009-12-10T17:31:24.790-05:00Swinging at the Museum<p>So, I was going to be all clever and computer savvy and upload the video of Tuesday's performance here for all to see. Turns out, Blogger still hates me and I never could get the stupid thing uploaded. Compounded with a fight with my brother and I'm just not in the mood to keep trying. So, if you'd like to see it, the video can be found here:</p><p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiw27J_jDU0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiw27J_jDU0</a></p><p>Many thanks to my wonderful fellow dancers who helped me through this and rocked out on all of it! For any of you not familiar with what I look like, I'm the on in white top, brown skirt (recently finished but not yet reviewed) and red shoes...those shoes are hard to miss</p>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-23891792439989958312009-12-07T21:29:00.000-05:002009-12-07T21:48:16.005-05:00Bruises, Dropping Death and StockingNothing much extra exciting of note today except....IT SNOWED! Let's just ignore the fact that it was a rather pitiful showing and was melted by 10 in the morning. I got snow :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And after tomorrow night, I will finally have my life back. Cause for much celebration if you ask me. For the last 12 or so weeks, 5 friends and I have been choreographing, practicing and suffering through preparations for a show at the Frazier Museum tomorrow evening. The museum has a WWII exhibit up right now and as a fun event for the public, they invited us to do a performance and give a lecture about the music and dance of the era and their influence on each other as well as their influence on the war and the war on the. It should be a rather awesome event, I'm just awfully ready for it to be done. We've only had one group practice a week and my partner and I have occasionally gotten together on the odd weekend to work on our solo but this week we've really ramped it up to try and pull this thing together. The idea is that it would include some fun group work as well as a solo for each couple. Now, let's complicate things shall we?<br /><br /><br /><br />Jeep Jockey Jump is the song. Only 2:26 minutes long, not bad eh? 205 bpm (beats per minutes for you none musical folk) ups the ante just a hint.<br /><br /><br /><br />Only 12 weeks to choreograph and rehearse...8 or so of which weeks one couple were never there. This makes things like spacing, group timing and transistions rather tricky.<br /><br /><br />Air-steps! I have never done anything more comlicated than a frog jump, which is essentially just a fancy assisted jump straight up and right back down. I now know how to do the following:<br /><br /><br /><br />Helicopter, Hacksaw, Snatch, Double Throw Out with Frog Jumps, and *drumroll* the Death Drop.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Oh.Holy.Hell<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Did I mention how fast this thing is? But it'll all be over after tomorrow night and my body will be able to begin the healing process. I have rug burn and stippling bruises on my forearms and more bruises than I can count. It's an awesome dance :) The things we do for our loves<br /><br /><br /><br />I was unable the whole outfit I had planned ready, but I did at least get the skirt done, which I LOVE. I wore it for the first time tonight at our dress rehearsal and it was perfect. It's this yummy chocolate brown crepe and is just right for this skirt. I used Simplicity 3688, which can be found here: <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/11198">http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/11198</a>. Lo and behold the thing fit straight out of the envelope with no changes needed! Sadly, I don't think I'll have that same luck with the blouse in that envelope, though a girl can hope.<br /><br /><br /><br />The only other thing I've accomplish this week was to get stockings made for Riley and Westport last night while watching Dakota Fanning scream her head off and Tom Cruise run wildly through fields of blood and entrails...Yay War of the Worlds<br /><p> </p><p>So Freakin Cute if I do say so myself.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sx251083anI/AAAAAAAABUA/yYm7beuxKzI/s640/IMG_4167.JPG" /></p>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-35550556076686109052009-11-24T10:18:00.000-05:002009-12-02T09:12:54.792-05:00Alright, it had to happen eventually. I've FINALLY got a few seconds to spare to get up some of the long ago promised pictures from my wedding. I mean, really? It's not like we've been married for two months already and I'm just getting them up...oh wait...that's exactly how it is. So without further ado:<br /><br /><div align="center">A glimpse at the atmosphere for the ceremony, my aunt and uncle's rustic barn</div><div align="center">(and by rustic, I mean we weren't entirely sure that it wasn't going to come down in the middle of the ceremony...imagine the pictures <em>that </em>could have produced!)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410457362303334706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceZcYOYTtOy5a9f-4_lbuKRMY4Y2_9BBsnUD2TyAhAZm235uBceK9tP-PMxD_4vazpNLMx5-UY4IHiC5H6lyT74i1CwhL-Co8DT4l_u-ykemebPullzs3SYWlodSrbx3HDNQX7rXQSzfP/s320/Jim&CisaWedding_009.JPG" />One of our darling ring bearers, Nathan<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410457389574370978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZfP520WrjY-mXttqCtGvY72EzHQRxTlRg6__RG9lh22hKEuC0ThJwpIFUz_HFYG751GoD0cANXMAM_mtvYmzGviBy_rm21LuJUArDgI5etGzzb8p27FAvwJcN0IwBmg9yPJZqQqBCEpd/s320/Jim&CisaWedding_070.JPG" /><br /><br />One of my beautiful bridesmaids, Elizabeth. I love my family!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410457382069123250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcISyq1RKRPfHadVgvQlgR8pcQresX7_W_ar9lOUQLdXE-SAjamtq82PPZUNm7BHpd7EyUxlybW_NdzRiODN2mfbNpwwByl3bBPAp-dguS3uN2Aqf2fp4QDhLQQDoTqYxArjoAWwwBN4a/s320/Jim&CisaWedding_065.JPG" /><br /><br />My darling, himself. Anxiously awaiting my debut<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410457370553492834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DxubjQTpoDb9s-X2s_vGjcxMnepODYEC3mZF0JK7YTdd_JT8usc24zW_RjAmqxlxZWDiDUezCHr9mUXcNeA7WYNx_awKRKh7iaTuiIX-3-e2nZCBNxMB38jD4nLZxQOik5SYS8OFgCHF/s320/Jim&CisaWedding_043.JPG" /><br /><br />Our exit as the happy couple<br /><br /><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410457396130254946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvs59fii2maSDcqsFPNVwFbHv8i8Ol8dhLSzjaK1z-5bzg1myNNdcHyQ7rQcac92rcdd-VbRy8jBRQ6U7Rx3lXKTv-Nj-tbBNSlF4RNJIH3eeREVIw9sGPmY5tBhl4jbc3XiBtypqz6rwG/s320/Jim&CisaWedding_119.JPG" /> Full album of wedding pictures (at least the ones I'm not making weird faces in) <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/CisaBarry/Wedding#5410488766484107378">http://picasaweb.google.com/CisaBarry/Wedding#5410488766484107378</a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Rehearsal, Reception and Honeymoon pictures to come, whenever I find another million hours to sit and go through them</div></div>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-16592395272288519702009-10-26T15:40:00.001-04:002009-10-26T15:54:32.243-04:00Is this super dorky?So. Week before last, my friend Basile helped me convert this desk (Hubby and I got for free a few months back) into a brand spankin' new ironing table. Much better than your regular old ironing board. Now I just have to wait for my father and husband to agree upon the best way to raise the table the requisite 12 or so inches to make it waist hight on me. Only men could make this complicated...<br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway, in the meantime, I'm just accepting a bit of back strain while I lean over to use the table as is. The top is padded with 3 layers of cotton batting purchased from Joann's and then covered with a tight layer of cotton duck that I had laying around, because doesn't everyone have yardage of cotton duck just hanging around the house?</div><div></div><br /><div>I quickly made 3 discoveries about this table.</div><div></div><br /><div>1. I LOVE IT!</div><div>2. Westport, my ever helpful feline, LOVES IT!</div><div>3. The cotton duck LOVES Wesport's fur and will not give it up.</div><br /><div>#2 is a problem because it leads to #3, which leads to lint rollering the table EVERY time I need to iron (which is about every 15 minutes) and takes a minimum of 3 lint roller sheets each and every time.</div><div></div><br /><div>Solution, you ask? Well, remember how I mentioned something about men making things complicated...Yes, well, I <em>could</em> have just started tossing a sheet or something over the table when I wasn't using it and let Westport lounge and bathe on that. But that was no fun, and far to simple. Instead, I romped on over to Hancock (in my new car :) !) and searched through the on sale fleece until I found something darling, yet manly for my little man cat.</div><div></div><br /><div>So, you'll be putting a piece of fleece over the table, you ask? Also too simple. I had to purchase coordinating Rick Rack to trim Westport's new blankie in. When I got home and opened up the fleece to measure it out, I decided that one layer was just not luxurious enough for my little darling, so without further ado, here is Westport's new throne. Two layers of uber soft fleece trimmed in navy jumbo Rick Rack.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJbC3BHEB6bG5Mwr7b6KQj57oPt7AVsr9pmPXswmVJWQqG3ZSb_FdcVVntWO8CL4LuLWRnbHWVut_IDByML3hAfj61k5lvpM2X13dPoi2bf7YlnJnAg9k1_KpkhF1vAzLJfDzIpowSqTy/s1600-h/Westport+Blanket.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396996048808163666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJbC3BHEB6bG5Mwr7b6KQj57oPt7AVsr9pmPXswmVJWQqG3ZSb_FdcVVntWO8CL4LuLWRnbHWVut_IDByML3hAfj61k5lvpM2X13dPoi2bf7YlnJnAg9k1_KpkhF1vAzLJfDzIpowSqTy/s320/Westport+Blanket.jpg" border="0" /></a> Not gonna lie, I now feel obligated to make something equally adorable for Riley, lest he feel left out...because this enormous pillow that is his bed clearly isn't good enough!</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396999178865210050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiteyo96TpeKi_ILGeTWM-6G9eca7MN1D01JZtxp2tX3HbJYetega633sat7INLI5Cj2EThDOOOl5z5XWSP83afockSqpPWxzolvb5aWu6VcHYAFygVZ8B_fcwy1wPCgC0AeHz1ybPRsY9/s320/Riley+Bed.jpg" border="0" /></div>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-89061816432813698372009-09-27T20:13:00.000-04:002009-09-27T20:20:05.532-04:00Mrs Barry is here to stay<div>I have not fallen off the face of the earth, I promise! I am now the very happy, if slightly exhausted Mrs Jim Barry. The wedding had all the usual blunders that all weddings have, but just as I always said, at the end of the day, regardless of what went wrong, I am now happily married. We JUST got back from our honeymoon to the Outer Banks of North Carolina a few hours ago and in the coming days there will be MANY pictures, I'm sure, but to end for now, waiting with my father and about to walk down the aisle. Definately sneaking a peek :)</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386305916296578354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSi3Sua5aLwdFylm9AsC0CTsV39okgAGiEzyqEi45NfMXUmUfqh8SlRux6y4AebP4X41w3GmgCjLo6QwZdHImHUcbxpVKsT86lnV7I9xsvIHLJSVIPmzqp-Fjrva6GZpQv6B2LCHAh9vw/s400/9121_121041407254_503727254_2060067_2220390_n.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />Ah, and because no vacation is complete without some kind of mishap, I ended my honeymoon with a bang...caused by accidentally hitting myself in the face with the bike rack on the back of our car. Now slightly bruised and swollen (in the middle of my freakin forehead!) I am going to log onto Perfect World and kill a few monsters before bed.Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-65920318063408929392009-09-12T18:35:00.000-04:002009-09-12T19:43:07.260-04:007 Days7 more days to go. In fact, 7 days from now, we will be half way through our reception. I guess it's a good thing the dress is almost done, huh? That's right, I said "almost done". There's really not much left to do though, and depending on my sanity level, I should have it completed by tomorrow evening. Just need to figure out the bustle, attach the lining to the top of the bodice, finish sewing down the lace motifs around the shoulders and trim out the underlying lace. Please pardon the lack of pressing and crinoline. The crinoline is attached to the bodice lining, so it's not in there yet. Not to shabby, eh?<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaOCtyuBI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/VNREjuU0E-o/s512/272.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 384px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 512px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaOCtyuBI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/VNREjuU0E-o/s512/272.JPG" border="0" /></a> When not on a mannequin with a big gaping hole in the middle of the chest, the lace lays very nicely, and I'm quite pleased with myself. All the lace motifs that trim the top and bottom edge of the bodice were harvested from my aunt's dress. I couldn't have asked for prettier trim!<br /><div><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaPdLkAuI/AAAAAAAAAvU/lWnuNdCMTWY/s640/273.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 480px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaPdLkAuI/AAAAAAAAAvU/lWnuNdCMTWY/s640/273.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaHUsOPDI/AAAAAAAAAvo/Xnre5ku_hWs/s640/266.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 480px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaHUsOPDI/AAAAAAAAAvo/Xnre5ku_hWs/s640/266.JPG" border="0" /></a> Am I that dorky? Why yes, yes I am! I purposely planned the lace motifs across the center front so that they would form this little heart right smack dab in the middle. It's rather adorable I think.<br /><div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaIhum7rI/AAAAAAAAAvw/M49Ahrd_gy0/s640/267.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 480px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaIhum7rI/AAAAAAAAAvw/M49Ahrd_gy0/s640/267.JPG" border="0" /></a> The center back has almost the same effect, but not quite as obvious.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaLNo2OTI/AAAAAAAAAvE/y3WT8q6l9F4/s640/269.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 480px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaLNo2OTI/AAAAAAAAAvE/y3WT8q6l9F4/s640/269.JPG" border="0" /></a> And boy, oh boy, am I glad I put a waist stay in! This is a heavy dress, but thanks to this little guy, it's not going anywhere!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaNL0uIBI/AAAAAAAAAvM/AF55-9BwE9Y/s512/271.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 384px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 512px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaNL0uIBI/AAAAAAAAAvM/AF55-9BwE9Y/s512/271.JPG" border="0" /></a> There are about 4 feet of train rolled up under that hem. It's a biggun'! <div><div><div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaSBTgI0I/AAAAAAAAAvg/cDwb2Aenqpg/s512/276.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 384px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 512px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaSBTgI0I/AAAAAAAAAvg/cDwb2Aenqpg/s512/276.JPG" border="0" /></a> As the crinoline creates a fully lined skirt, I opted not to add an actual skirt lining, thereby adding more weight. I've got to be able to get this thing down the aisle without the aid of a small pony, which my father swears I'll need. Instead, I decided to just put some hem tape on and turn it up over the horsehair braid. It only took the better part of 5 hours to hand hem it to the underlining. That's not including the several hours it took to hand sew the horsehair braid in and even up the hem! <div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaGD3TqhI/AAAAAAAAAuw/S_4OyOqVkUk/s640/Hem.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 480px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaGD3TqhI/AAAAAAAAAuw/S_4OyOqVkUk/s640/Hem.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div>And now, in a moment of sheer brilliance on my part, I appear to have fractured my foot a week before my wedding. Good job, me.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaTisiJsI/AAAAAAAAAvk/g2iwK7y4-WU/s640/277.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 480px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SqwaTisiJsI/AAAAAAAAAvk/g2iwK7y4-WU/s640/277.JPG" border="0" /></a> A friend and I are part of a choreographed performance at a WWII event at a local museum as part of their community outreach program. On Wednesday night we had our first practice and decided to try to perfect our frog jump, which we'd like to include at some point. For those of you that don't know what a frog jump looks like, check out this link:</div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siKuGLwF4yA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siKuGLwF4yA</a></div><div>It's kind of like that, only assisted by your partner in a closed dance position and my whole body mass is about 6 feet in the air. The very first one we did, I came down a little hard on my foot but just laughed it off. We did so many that the next day my thighs were so sore I didn't even really notice the foot pain. By yesterday I was limping a bit and today my foot is swollen. Oh joy. Hope it heals quickly! Needless to say, Jim and I WON'T be going dancing tonight :(</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-70197354606599995702009-08-19T10:30:00.000-04:002009-08-19T10:41:55.088-04:00I've made progress, really I have! It's been a little crazy 'round here lately, that's all. Leaves no time for blogging!<br /><br />We've decided we're not moving, even though we need more space. We looked and looked and couldn't find anywhere that we A. could afford, B. liked, C. had the space we needed. Instead, as I sat around pondering where I was going to put my new industrial (since they are <em>not</em> small beasties) Jim came up with the solution. We were going to swap the master bedroom and the sewing room, giving us a smaller bedroom and me a larger sewing room...with walk in closet that doubles as a dressing room! Great idea! I was so touched that he was willing to squish all of his stuff (and mine) and sleep in the smaller room so that I had more space for sewing. The catch? We decided to do this at 8 pm on Friday night and I had to go to Evansville early the next morning for wedding stuff.<br /><br />Now, normally when you move, you box everything up from one location and move it into the new, empty location. So, how exactly do you do this when both spaces are already full? Answer: You cart everything from the smaller room into the living room and just start piling things everywhere. Then move the furniture (that will fit) into the smaller room and get the new bedroom set up. Now the fun part, move all the stuff that is now in mounds, piles and explosions all over the house into the new space and try to find things you need. Needless to say, the first week or so in the new room, I didn't get much of any sewing done because I spent all of my time looking for things. This all happened a few weeks ago and I have ALMOST found everything and found homes for everything. I can now walk all the way around my work table without running into anything!!! Now, that's not to say that I still don't occasionally bounce off of things, because who am I kidding? Mounds of space or not, I will still run into things.<br /><br />Business is booming, time is racing by, I have 31 days until my wedding and my wedding dress is<br /><br />Drumroll please....<br /><br /><br />1/2 done.<br /><br />That's it, only half done. I just cut out the bodice lining night before last. In my defense, the underbodice is completely done except to be attached to the skirt and have its zipper put in. The over bodice is done except for the edge finishes and the buttons and it still needs to be attached (read as "I still need to figure out how I'm going to attach") to the underbodice. The skirt just needs to be hemmed (all 8 yards of it) with horsehair braid and attached to the bodice. Then I just need to figure out the crinoline/lining combination that I want and get that taken care of and put in with the bodice lining and waist-stay. Not too bad really.<br /><br />Pictures to come as soon and my darling fiance brings the camera home from his business trip.Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-58787166302969616842009-08-04T11:24:00.000-04:002009-08-04T12:56:49.096-04:00Anyone have an ark I can borrow?Well...I certainly won't be going anywhere today. This is my parking lot right now. The little grey car on the bottom right is mine. When I tried to go out to move it, the minute I stepped into the "shallow" calf deep water, there was a huge lightening strike in the neighborhood on the other side of the white house and I high-tailed it back inside.<a href="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs128.snc1/5488_570243121633_58206655_33501845_6217737_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 604px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 453px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs128.snc1/5488_570243121633_58206655_33501845_6217737_n.jpg" /></a> Just before that, I did manage to get our other car moved (my fiance is out of town and on a plane at the moment, so he has no idea this is happening). It was parked just across the way from my grey car. The drag of the water as I tried to cross through the knee deep water was so much that it destroyed my flipflops as I tried to race across in the pouring rain. Unfortunately, by the time I had braved up enough to go out into the storm, I was too late to keep our car from flooding. After I got the car pulled up onto higher ground, I looked back to realize the back floorboard was so flooded that the water was up to the bottom of the seat and there were our suede bottomed dance shoes, floating around in their bags. My leather Colonial era reproductions shoes were submerged and caught beneath some other floating debri. All shoes are now draining in the tub and the car is draining into the yard.<br /><br />As I type this, though the rain has finally stopped, the water is still so high that it has just shorted the car alarm on someone's car and it is blaring right outside my window. In fact, I think the water may be rising, as the horn is starting to sound a bit muffled.<br /><div><a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs128.snc1/5488_570243156563_58206655_33501846_4007688_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 604px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 453px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs128.snc1/5488_570243156563_58206655_33501846_4007688_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>As I tried for the third time to take the dog out for his morning walk, since he really needed to go, he realized that there was just no where to go and he wasn't keen to stand in the rain and pee on a shrub by the door. He wanted a walk...there's just nowhere to go. I also ran into our assistant office manager, who lives on the sublevel floor of my building, as he watched the water rise. He's an older gentleman and his car is just to the left of the ones in this picture. There was nothing we could do to get to his car or to move it. According to this gentleman, he's not seen it so bad here before, but the last time it got close was in 1997, which totalled 24 apartments. Then, it wasn't the rains that got to the apartments, it was the residual flooding after the drainage system filled. The rain has now stopped, but there is no hint what-so-ever that the water will go down anytime soon.</p><p>Several hours later:</p><p>Still helping neighbors move cars to higher ground, which is running out. The drains just aren't cutting it. There is another, bigger storm on the way in an hour or so. Purple on the radar. This is one hell of a day.</p>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-63251427706700170212009-07-29T10:03:00.000-04:002009-07-29T10:23:28.027-04:00Retired bedsheetsAre you ready for this?<br /><br />It's not bedsheets anymore!<br /><br />Ta Da!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBSw0MJDyI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/HQofuwOpWyA/s400/IMG_2712.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBSw0MJDyI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/HQofuwOpWyA/s400/IMG_2712.JPG" /></a>There's still quite a bit of work to do, but considering I've only been working on it in the evenings since Saturday, I'm feeling pretty good about it.<br /><div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBSzMcUXiI/AAAAAAAAAqY/eW8RdYBBAGM/s400/IMG_2714.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBSzMcUXiI/AAAAAAAAAqY/eW8RdYBBAGM/s400/IMG_2714.JPG" /></a> I still need to attach the lace sleeves (they're just pinned to the dress form at the moment) and figure out how I want to finished the top edge of the lace.<br /><div><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBSyBhhtBI/AAAAAAAAAqU/qNgWORHMX6c/s400/IMG_2713.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBSyBhhtBI/AAAAAAAAAqU/qNgWORHMX6c/s400/IMG_2713.JPG" /></a> I've got some extra lace and I was thinking of trimming out some of those vertical rows of flowers and vines and using that to edge the bodice...not sure about that yet though. I also have all the lace and appliques from my aunt's dismantled wedding dress that I should pull out and see if I can use.<br /><div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS09AtyCI/AAAAAAAAAqg/aXh1ZnGURa4/s640/IMG_2719.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS09AtyCI/AAAAAAAAAqg/aXh1ZnGURa4/s640/IMG_2719.JPG" /></a> The pleats on the back are just basted across the top right now and haven't been steamed into shape over the crinoline yet, but soon!<br /><div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS2vNwmII/AAAAAAAAAqo/WNuur7AMNew/s640/IMG_2721.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS2vNwmII/AAAAAAAAAqo/WNuur7AMNew/s640/IMG_2721.JPG" /></a> I knew I was going to have to baste the pleat in the front to make sure that the edges touched when the seam was sewn so it looked closed and nice. Last night as I was hefting the skirt (which is taking on some impressive weight already) around the room, I had an epiphany. The skirt has a 5/8" seam allowance at the top, so I just needed to sew the pleat closed for 3/4 of an inch to ensure that the pleat laid the way I wanted. Duh!<br /><div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS3Hbvu4I/AAAAAAAAAqs/uk8jcHSq9jg/s640/IMG_2723.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS3Hbvu4I/AAAAAAAAAqs/uk8jcHSq9jg/s640/IMG_2723.JPG" /></a> Granted, when I cut out the skirt pieces, I knew this would happen, but I'm still really pleased with the effect of the slubs at the side seam of the skirt. You won't be able to see much of the horizontal slubbing detail on the bodice since it will be covered by lace, but you'll see it all on the skirt. The slubs run parallel to the floor at the skirt front and back and meet in a very pleasant V shape down the entire side seam.<br /><div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS5SgiDjI/AAAAAAAAAq4/m8AGXU-KCSM/s400/IMG_2726.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS5SgiDjI/AAAAAAAAAq4/m8AGXU-KCSM/s400/IMG_2726.JPG" /></a> Finally got the crinoline under there to give this huge honkin' skirt some much needed shape. Please excuse the crumpliness of the skirt and the drag lines at the waist. My poor little dress form has trouble supporting this much weight and is coming apart at the waist, so every time I got the skirt pinned and pretty the dress form would sink a little and wonk everything up. Oh well. Better drag lines on the dress form than actually on me.<br /><div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS4iYQsSI/AAAAAAAAAq0/ndKIiLV3c68/s400/IMG_2725.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS4iYQsSI/AAAAAAAAAq0/ndKIiLV3c68/s400/IMG_2725.JPG" /></a> Still working on the bodices, which are still not connected to the skirt, or boned, or bust cupped, or lined, or even have all the boning channels they need. When the bodice is actually attached to the skirt and not just folded under at the bottom (adding that charming extra width at the waist that you see here) the front will have a very slight basque which I originally didn't want but have grown very fond of. Don't mind the bra straps, the dress form is in the process of being padded out for a customer's jacket and I didn't feel like taking the bra off, since I needed something in there to fill out the bodice anyway.<br /><div><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS6ChBEPI/AAAAAAAAAq8/CgauSZzlc_I/s400/IMG_2727.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS6ChBEPI/AAAAAAAAAq8/CgauSZzlc_I/s400/IMG_2727.JPG" /></a> My poor little dress form just gets shorter and stumpier looking the more layers I add. I need to figure out how to get inside her to tighten her waist bolts. Again, don't mind how the waist just seems to get bigger and bigger. I added extra length when cutting out the lace, as a just in case and then needed to fold it up out of the way. As soon as I figure out how I'm going to finish the top edge of the lace, it will stop looking so hack and slash and will acquire a pleasing curve.<br /><div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS610Z63I/AAAAAAAAArA/Vc-HtmTVFJc/s400/IMG_2728.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SnBS610Z63I/AAAAAAAAArA/Vc-HtmTVFJc/s400/IMG_2728.JPG" /></a> I think by the end of this photoshoot, my dress form has shrunk at least 5 inches. Her adjustable height thing is just not as secure as it should be. Oh well. She was cheap.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-89021176992715262922009-07-27T10:04:00.000-04:002009-07-27T10:15:33.078-04:00Paralysis overcome!After my mother finally calmed me, I made rapid process on the wedding dress. Jim spent all afternoon and evening with his best man having much needed male bonding time (aka the man-date) so I was free to watch the Princess Diaries 2 and work on my wedding dress without being shut up in my sewing room.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sm2z0W98bRI/AAAAAAAAApI/iTkSmBV5AM4/s640/IMG_2707.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sm2z0W98bRI/AAAAAAAAApI/iTkSmBV5AM4/s640/IMG_2707.JPG" /></a> Riley was so good. He stayed there on the couch ALL afternoon and did not once walk on my silk. Even though I detest our couch (from Salvation Army) and feel that it is possibly the ugliest thing I have ever owned, I find it rather darling that Riley matches it.<br /><div><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sm2z2sMOCzI/AAAAAAAAApU/vrlP8hbvinA/s640/IMG_2709.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sm2z2sMOCzI/AAAAAAAAApU/vrlP8hbvinA/s640/IMG_2709.JPG" /></a> Also spent endless hours removing beads from seam allowances for the over-bodice so that I can finally begin putting it together. This was early on in the process. Now that I'm done removing beads (I hope!) I have almost an entire baby food jar full of pearls and sequins.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sm2z1X_khsI/AAAAAAAAApM/DwXeKCpzQac/s640/IMG_2708.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sm2z1X_khsI/AAAAAAAAApM/DwXeKCpzQac/s640/IMG_2708.JPG" /></a> Last night Jim and I got in a fight over something ridiculous, so I shut myself in my sewing room for hours to work. I got all the silk bodice pieces hand basted to their interlinings, but also got the back skirt pleated, basted and the center back seam sewn. The pleats just got a soft steaming to coax them into holding their beginning shape. After I get the underskirt in all its hugeness finished (it needs a new waist since I hacked off the elastic that it came with) I will put the skirt over it and get the pleats steamed into their final wonderfulness of imitation toosh.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sm2z3ae9iFI/AAAAAAAAApY/VkkgnfSqk5A/s640/IMG_2710.JPG" />I've got a long way to go and only a month and a half to do it, but after the amount I've gotten done in the last 2 days, I'm seriously motivated!<br /><div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sm2z4NSeb6I/AAAAAAAAApc/CmT448eba2w/s400/IMG_2711.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sm2z4NSeb6I/AAAAAAAAApc/CmT448eba2w/s400/IMG_2711.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-13933788565687596172009-07-25T16:11:00.001-04:002009-07-25T16:16:27.394-04:00Whew!I've been doing all the prep for on my dress for weeks now, getting the mockup done, cutting the lace, cutting the interlining, etc. Basically everything BUT cutting the actual silk. Today Jim is out of the house for hours, so I figured it's now or never. I cleared the coffee table and other easily moved objects from the living room so I would actually have enough space to lay out the skirt pieces (which are enormous).<br /><br />I never saw this coming. This does not happen to me. FABRIC PARALYSIS!<br /><br />The minute I laid the fabric out my heart started to race. I stared at it, I touched it, I laid the pattern on it....repeat<br /><br />I couldn't just sit there and stare at the fabric on the living room all night, especially since Riley is being so very well behaved and keeping his little doggy paws to himself and observing from afar.<br /><br />Called Mommy for moral support. She gets fabric paralysis about cutting <em>any</em> fabric, so she knew exactly why I was freaking out. She calmed me down and talked to me about what a good man Jim is and how she truly feels that he's going to make a wonderful husband for me and that everything will turn out perfectly. End result: 30 minutes on the phone with Mom and two skirt pieces cut out. Heart still racing, but feeling pretty good about the whole thing now. Moms are the bestCisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-11637289356859578832009-07-21T11:31:00.000-04:002009-07-21T11:48:46.811-04:00Weddings and WaistcoatsNo turning back now! I've cut the lace. As there is no other way to mark this lace, I devotedly followed Susan Khalje's suggestion of thread tracing. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SmXdr8lG1VI/AAAAAAAAAnU/i89xoNGASig/s640/IMG_2701.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 404px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SmXdr8lG1VI/AAAAAAAAAnU/i89xoNGASig/s640/IMG_2701.JPG" /></a> So I traced...and I traced...and I traced<br /><div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SmXdtxtDh2I/AAAAAAAAAnc/rGSn6lh0Ohc/s640/IMG_2703.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 403px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SmXdtxtDh2I/AAAAAAAAAnc/rGSn6lh0Ohc/s640/IMG_2703.JPG" /></a></div><div>And I traced!</div><div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SmXdspxIfyI/AAAAAAAAAnY/Xev9UagjP1c/s640/IMG_2702.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 391px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SmXdspxIfyI/AAAAAAAAAnY/Xev9UagjP1c/s640/IMG_2702.JPG" /></a> The tracing and cutting out (with no proper seam allowances, just huge amounts of lace on all sides) is as far as I've gotten. I had grand plans of at least getting all the beads removed from the seam allowances last night, but that was not to be. We drove to E-town last night instead to have dinner with Jim's family and drop off the flower girl's dress. It was great to get to visit with everyone (though the kids were bitterly disappointed that we didn't bring Riley) but it did cut into my sewing time, which is kind of critical right now. I'll just have to truck on through tonight before I go bowl for charity. </div><div> </div><div>There just isn't much available sewing time this week. Tonight is bowling for Junior Achievement, tomorrow is a Louisville Bats game (I have a hard time passing up free tickets), Thursday is dancing at Porter's and Friday we're driving to Brown County (about an hour and 40 minutes away to pick up the newest addition to my sewing room. Today I confirmed my offer to buy an industrial straightstitch machine off of craigslist. I cannot wait to go pick it up! I'm so tired of having to fight with thick fabrics and not being able to stitch down the designs on a jackets that one of my customers brings me. No more trouble on that front though. This little baby will sew through just about anything...now where to put her?!<br /></div><div>I'll have to be sure to get this new little number put well away before she gets here since I have a feeling she'll need some serious cleaning up done. Meet Charley's waistcoat. This is the first (nearly) completed piece to his Mr. Darcy suit. I've already gotten (and gotten out) lipstick on it, so machine grime is not really a welcome addition.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 390px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 485px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SmXdun1vu4I/AAAAAAAAAng/DOkBjixnXT0/s400/IMG_2704.JPG" />All this little guy needs now are buttons and buttonholes and he's ready to go home. The fabric is some kind of jacquard fabric (probably from the upholstry section) that my customers picked out before they hired me and I lined it with white linen from Hancock. It's fully lined with faux welt pockets and a lovely stand up collar. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SmXdvboe64I/AAAAAAAAAnk/q3cs1KrMQyQ/s640/IMG_2705.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 390px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 257px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/SmXdvboe64I/AAAAAAAAAnk/q3cs1KrMQyQ/s640/IMG_2705.JPG" /></a><br />I'm rather pleased with the result of my 2 days of work. Still have to tally up the hours spent, but all in all a breeze to put together and a fantastically drafted pattern from Rocking Horse Farms. Having been accustomed to working primarily with the Big 4, this was an absolute delight and I will be looking first to Rocking Horse Farms for all my historical pattern needs. Everything fit, there was no fussing or tucking or unnecessary easing and the directions were short, easy to follow and quite to the point. Love it!Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-71887578143587251412009-07-16T16:23:00.000-04:002009-07-16T17:02:01.859-04:00Isn't she lovely?My new darling. My 1947 Singer Buttonholer (with the green case as so many people seem to recognize). I was reading a blog a week or two ago (and despite all my searching through my blog roll, I just can't seem to remember who it was) and someone had recently purchased one of these for her machine. I was immediately intrigued because my little Spartan is a straight stitch only kind of girl. No zigzagging willy nilly for her, no sir! That being said, I had never looked for a buttonholer since I was naively under the assumption that to create buttonholes you <em>had</em> to have a zigzag feature, since that is the stitch configuration in a buttonhole. But ho! I was mistaken! This little wonder has a little plate that covers and protects your feed dogs while sandwiching the fabric between the plate and the foot. The needle stays in one place and the foot moves the fabric to form the zig zag! Wonder of wonders, what did I ever do without you? She sounds a bit like a train crashing while she runs, but she does beautiful work. I gave her a nice oiling and lube today since who knows when that happened last. After that, it was away she goes!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KsVAxLrI/AAAAAAAAAkw/oQ_Ut4OkN90/s640/IMG_2675.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 388px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KsVAxLrI/AAAAAAAAAkw/oQ_Ut4OkN90/s640/IMG_2675.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KtJurp-I/AAAAAAAAAk0/4MPIyrGjp28/s640/IMG_2676.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 422px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KtJurp-I/AAAAAAAAAk0/4MPIyrGjp28/s640/IMG_2676.JPG" /></a> On the first go round I was a little worried since the stitches seemed too far apart but by just letting the foot run a second layer on the track it filled in beautifully. This sample is just on a doubled piece of old bedsheet that tends to shred pretty easily and had no interfacing for support. That being said, it still looks pretty good except for the top of the keyhole where the fabric just shredding.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-Kws5i3WI/AAAAAAAAAlI/tC7bf1lswTk/s640/IMG_2681.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 273px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-Kws5i3WI/AAAAAAAAAlI/tC7bf1lswTk/s640/IMG_2681.JPG" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-Kv6QjoMI/AAAAAAAAAlE/g4i57OyuFyg/s640/IMG_2680.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 441px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-Kv6QjoMI/AAAAAAAAAlE/g4i57OyuFyg/s640/IMG_2680.JPG" /></a>*swoon* She such a talented girl.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KzCMSIhI/AAAAAAAAAlU/eVGjp0ku54s/s640/IMG_2684.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 428px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KzCMSIhI/AAAAAAAAAlU/eVGjp0ku54s/s640/IMG_2684.JPG" /></a>I just played around with a few of the templates and settings, but I can't wait to get to really test this out on a garment...you know, when I have time to actually sew something for myself that needs buttonholes. These samples were made on a doubled square of cotton batiste with French Fuse interfacing attached to one layer. They lay very nicely and none of them seem to really want to bend or pull out of shape after a good ironing.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-Kzc9P1dI/AAAAAAAAAlY/DfknWJTswyI/s800/IMG_2688.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 411px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 131px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-Kzc9P1dI/AAAAAAAAAlY/DfknWJTswyI/s800/IMG_2688.jpg" /></a>My father didn't have a site to work on yesterday so he decided to drive down to spend the day with his one and only daughter, which worked out perfectly for moi, because not only did I get to spend a whole day with my father, he also came bearing gifts! On his travels he buys me refrigerator magnets to amuse me (one is a plushy buffalo head and another is from West Virginia and made out of coal) and this time not only did he bring me lovely new magnets but he also brought me chocolate from the South Bend Chocolate Factory! You cannot go wrong with this. My father's family lives up in South Bend and when we were little, my father would take my brother and I there whenever time allowed for tours and candy. As an extra birthday present, I got my pick (he called me from the factory on my birthday) so I am now, but not for long :), the owner of both dark and milk chocolate dipped pretzels, chocolate covered almonds AND chocolate covered pecans. </div><div></div><div>We went out to run errands, since I had a fitting to do and he needed to visit my local cobbler and by the time we got back to my house, the mail had come and my little buttonholer was there waiting for me. I had told my father that I was waiting for a new attachment and was very excited about and the moment I pulled her little green box out the bubble wrap my father took one look before saying, "I know what that is!" Apparently he remembers my grandmother sewing on one just like it that he was absolutely fascinated with as a child. I can't say as I blame him. When I took her apart today for a little TLC I couldn't help turning and poking and investigating EVERYTHING.</div><div></div><div>But enough gushing about my toy. I did actually make some wedding dress progress last night. Sam and Morgan were kind enough to come over last night to help me with the final fitting for the over-bodice mockup. Here's what we've got.</div><div></div><div>I honestly couldn't tell you why I'm so insistant on all this low back nonsense, but I am. I love the fact that from the front, I'll have this elegant non-scandelous looking gown and then in the back (where nothing is prone to popping out for a suprise appearance as the girls have been known to try from time to time) I can show a little more skin which also balances the ENORMO train that will be hanging out back there.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KmD_Xk4I/AAAAAAAAAlo/ZjB_FLvgVuc/s400/IMG_2667.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KmD_Xk4I/AAAAAAAAAlo/ZjB_FLvgVuc/s400/IMG_2667.JPG" /></a> Of course, by the time it's time to take pictures, we've gone on an hour long walk in the heat down by the river and I've been standing for what seems like an eternity (that really only lasted about 20 minutes). Nice hair, eh? Humidity loves me. Obviously all those ridiculous little flaps I've got going on are just seam allowance that decided to rear it's scraggly head for the photo op.</div><div>The final sleeve will end just barely below the elbow.<br /><div><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KnhKgtRI/AAAAAAAAAlw/k_uk6Xi7xxU/s400/IMG_2669.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KnhKgtRI/AAAAAAAAAlw/k_uk6Xi7xxU/s400/IMG_2669.JPG" /></a> We're still working on it, but the rough idea is that there will be this thin elastic enclosed in a casing at the top of the sleeve just to snug everything up and keep it in place without restricting any more of my movement. After a hug test (because really, what else would I need to really be able to raise my arms for at the wedding anyway?</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-Km9MEwUI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/iPnHNoYRL3g/s640/IMG_2668.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 481px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 333px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-Km9MEwUI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/iPnHNoYRL3g/s640/IMG_2668.JPG" /></a>Sam loves the end of the evening when the mockups come off!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KozJ86uI/AAAAAAAAAkc/YQPh168pE6I/s640/IMG_2671.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 386px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 369px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KozJ86uI/AAAAAAAAAkc/YQPh168pE6I/s640/IMG_2671.JPG" /></a>And of course, to end the day on a happy note, a picture my girlfriends INSISTED on taking:<br /><br /><div><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KoJN-B6I/AAAAAAAAAl4/lRQqYz77Fi8/s400/IMG_2670.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jNSKcz5ep1I/Sl-KoJN-B6I/AAAAAAAAAl4/lRQqYz77Fi8/s400/IMG_2670.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />I may be in heaven. I got a new toy, a day with my daddy, 4 lbs of South Bend Chocolate, and got to witness my father and fiance bonding over geek speak. It was a good day. There was even a hint of wedding dress progress!Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-43942173644034206432009-07-07T13:39:00.000-04:002009-07-07T14:03:39.125-04:00My birthday wedding dress extravaganza!<div align="center">It's really and truly dress shaped!</div><div align="center"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd1TespHCyyGw9_6RUR2HuHW5H13JXEKEDXewdS8KYO6RxFSYveFQ2krLsSojE-ouhkvyP0GXHkUlGZHAk36EPswu833BeLEoZKnpfj6SUZpEsv50CgTyQp_p-nPDTQTc1wLUMLNVycMD/s1600-h/IMG_2639.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355779986407794658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd1TespHCyyGw9_6RUR2HuHW5H13JXEKEDXewdS8KYO6RxFSYveFQ2krLsSojE-ouhkvyP0GXHkUlGZHAk36EPswu833BeLEoZKnpfj6SUZpEsv50CgTyQp_p-nPDTQTc1wLUMLNVycMD/s400/IMG_2639.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I'm finally starting to feel less defeated and stressed about this dress. Last night was my fitting for the final mockup for the majority of the dress! I'm thrilled with how it's all coming along. My friends Sam and Morgan invited me to go for a walk with them down by the river before the fitting and when they arrived at my house post walk they came in the door singing "Happy Birthday" to me and offering Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake! The cake was delicious and went divinely with the milk they brought along for it. After we had all enjoyed the tasties, it was time to lock ourselves away in my sewing room while Jim played his online game. What do you think?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355775917584061826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8G8gsVSGH2nk6LbAsYNtyWpFU_wZSG1Q5Z99ybxZPnkJwttBEP2hzkX86MLIqQpfDFxXNdkmL15EqhhfOD01ObZYx_dTMBmXWji2e2yENGTrWWnQS0W6VFMqIDr0mE4u1JzMoh_oOScW_/s400/IMG_2642.JPG" /></div><div></div><br /><div>That's a heck of a train huh? Sam was a trooper for rearranging the furniture with Morgan so that we could get a picture of almost all of that skirt.</div><br /><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355775908372028802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1w_yTupnCISIAp5fFvLHXJ2lRRPOh5AeN-TNTOUlEWtkz1b0rBe5VVZASWguPIDOpigUBdQoVeaBMGfJfWS62dn8wLwPb-Yy4Yj7sY2tBSevEEKkso8kQvGUut2g3Q8TQE55064eF5nr2/s400/IMG_2641.JPG" /></div><div></div><br /><div align="center">It's so big I can hide a Morgan in it!</div><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355775921963130498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQsoG-61ugJQCP6AqdbPmRhn-5zt43uUaEOquhQ_BGsdcv7Q-iJLEsCYdfnf5V3MTcJSgQHM7NHhXaplRdKr98dVfDYpiMizE4mMmxlGQpM2rPL8ZR8OPPUhphGgJxWrUDcoVZ4UE2nEJ/s400/IMG_2645.JPG" /></div><div></div><br /><div align="left">This week I'll actually get to start cutting and underlining my silk, which I am absolutely thrilled but slightly terrified about. The lace overbodice however is still a work in progress. We added a gusset under the arm so that I'll actually be able to hug people at my reception without shredding the dress, but that presented problems of it's own. The sleeve no longer went up high enough so we wound up just pinning extra fabric to the mockup to get an idea of what I'll actually need to do to it.</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5YeetKlWzBpN6oV9Fcsh9tdj2ISFU56nAyGpbyuQX_oQ23YpJGnzfNWk-w2sBcuEESt4nyWTRSvI1K473rPtwhc0NhSOm-u684vOwoDiXq19eIZGtq-N__s6zcXjt3wehN1vir9r6Hyl/s1600-h/IMG_2637.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355776974175350914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5YeetKlWzBpN6oV9Fcsh9tdj2ISFU56nAyGpbyuQX_oQ23YpJGnzfNWk-w2sBcuEESt4nyWTRSvI1K473rPtwhc0NhSOm-u684vOwoDiXq19eIZGtq-N__s6zcXjt3wehN1vir9r6Hyl/s400/IMG_2637.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="center">Clearly Westport and Riley were a huge help<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgteF4aQ3aMS4fan5Y12hiVi6z3ktwcfHsbl5YbfMuGNjgE25tfHzBYNW1mKe-in_OHZNaiYt37ndT2A8AhcdfwcbYAxp-pIZvWYf0TdyJoQQM9MoLGfSirrr33xbmH_SYgX2eHQgnhfF/s1600-h/IMG_2637.JPG"></a><div></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGiKFN13gjxdhboZxnMTvBndt8rj75VEpdECqArJ4b2LAzgZQCd4lebWqBUUGZfW-NaMpD-3BcW9ahzDgZqm9FwjPcGjlweeel4xdvd94e-LnA6x9EdPJL8V8OT4jvH6g-3kR5gyxt0cf/s1600-h/IMG_2655.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355776522600148546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGiKFN13gjxdhboZxnMTvBndt8rj75VEpdECqArJ4b2LAzgZQCd4lebWqBUUGZfW-NaMpD-3BcW9ahzDgZqm9FwjPcGjlweeel4xdvd94e-LnA6x9EdPJL8V8OT4jvH6g-3kR5gyxt0cf/s400/IMG_2655.JPG" /></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355775932375781762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqH4DvJbughYgJXiOuqz1JMoVddOI4lJD3B4N3mE8KagH8bwjH7vGqUS7hZZpjMj3iV6mv54ANV5TKePgR2X4dFSCUuWIJq6tyfi0pb8tEnMGcgp7Rgd7vuct65sZDApY9WB2LlEzoz0K/s400/IMG_2650.JPG" /></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Riley is such a little momma's boy and I love him for it. Now if I could only get him to stop shedding on everything in sight!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqeRLmoVuButCM_jCr8f1T67ECdSGb7LlnepoylWP8qh7fOnTdJflwfCc_G1Dm-sliPNe6HakfpdxSwJpN6oXEF3AUqY83-EMFlFnJLLjtBmwxxlIDh5YuwpqY0nXE9fBj6lJqA5teATv/s1600-h/IMG_2651.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355776521800944930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqeRLmoVuButCM_jCr8f1T67ECdSGb7LlnepoylWP8qh7fOnTdJflwfCc_G1Dm-sliPNe6HakfpdxSwJpN6oXEF3AUqY83-EMFlFnJLLjtBmwxxlIDh5YuwpqY0nXE9fBj6lJqA5teATv/s400/IMG_2651.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p>And now I think I'll go make myself a birthday cake. Triple Layer Lemon Cake with Lemon Curd and Lemon Cream Cheese Icing should do the trick.</p>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-15142467790642342972009-06-23T15:26:00.000-04:002009-06-23T15:41:24.932-04:00Wedding Dress UpdateI'm in the process of putting what I hope will be the final muslin together for my next fitting. I thought that I might starch the crap out of the skirt pieces to get it to drape more like the final fabric will but someone on PR suggested I just put horsehair braid through the hem of the muslin for the same sort of effect. This is a good idea. Besides, I need to go buy horsehair braid for the final dress anyway. However, before I could go buy the braid, I needed to measure the circumference of the skirt so I could make sure that I bought enough braid to go all the way around. Now, I knew I had a pretty hefty skirt and a killer train, but I had no idea just how much skirt we're talking about. 7 1/4 yards of hem. That's how much hem I've got. Is it strange that I'm pleased with this superfluous amount of fabric I'll have trailing around with me? I think not. Hopefully I'll get some good pictures of this mockup (and not late at night giggly shots when I've been standing still to be pinned for 3 hours). I actually had to seam together 2 queen sized flat sheets to get enough yardage to be able to cut out this skirt. There are only 3 pieces, one CF and two Side Back with a CB seam. Whew, that's a lot of skirt to have to cart around the sewing room for various stages of construction. Westport was no help at all, unless you count fabric/paper weight as help<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350610038662363746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj8M36nfSNL3vkpegkSuTrEK4rhSJeKXAQwvF-r-QTr0aS1Jtygk0FppHZOs7gYLekykhgfGG6U78avool32tvMr4XxiSDCACxJ7LEALyjSlMvwtR13UackH3s83mKL-bEKQY7uhvwUvG/s400/IMG_1273.JPG" />Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232714028116182755.post-43955071902275649322009-06-11T14:13:00.001-04:002009-06-11T14:25:37.572-04:00A haul has been made<div>Today I must pat myself on the back for the splendid use of sales and coupons at Hancock. I don't know that I've ever done better. Added to the ever growing collection of sewing "stuff":</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 450px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 591px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/40000/itm_img/M5094.jpg" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 540px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 420px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/40000/itm_img/M5804.jpg" /></div><div><br /><div><a href="http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/40000/itm_img/M5845.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 540px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 420px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/40000/itm_img/M5845.jpg" /></a><br /><div> </div><div><a href="http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/40000/itm_img/M5657.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 540px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 420px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/40000/itm_img/M5657.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 450px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 564px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/40000/itm_img/M5662.jpg" /></div></div></div><br /><p>Also added:</p><p>Magnetic Bobbin Holder (which I've been coveting for some time now)</p><p>2 Spools of Thread</p><p>6 Packs Buttons to Cover (which Hancock has decided they're going to stop carrying)</p><p>Walking Foot for My Machine (SQUEE!!!)</p><p>Hem Tape (because circle skirts take a lot of it!)</p><p>Two pack of Schmetz Needles (because you can't really ever have enough, IMO)</p><p>Had everything been bought at full price : $145 (because I was nerdy enough to add it up)</p><p>Drumroll please!!!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Grand Total: <span style="color:#ff0000;">$39.92</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">GO ME!</span></p><p>(end happy gushing)</p>Cisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06235120233640110968noreply@blogger.com1