BWOF 9/2011 Dress # 131

BWOF Dress 131



I have been so disappointed in my BWOF magazines lately.  I don't know what they were thinking when they choose the patterns for each issue.  Previously I would find 8 or 9 designs I wanted to make - not that I ever made them - but I could have!  Now I am LUCKY if I find 1 in each issue.  This issue was a particular disappointment.  Who in the USA is going to wear what they are calling the Alpine Folklore pgs 16 -29 or , even better, Plus update folk styles on pages 32 - 36 and 44 -  52 and yes even the children's designs 18 - 29.  So by my count that is 26 pages of this issue dedicated to Folkware? WHY?


Anyhoo - I did find this one dress #131.  I am attending a conference with Dr. P next week and need a dress for the somewhat formal dinner.  I say somewhat formal as the first year I attended, I asked (by mistake - never ask your husband what to wear) Dr P what the attire was for the dinner and he said business.  I wore a slightly dressy suit and surprise, surprise, the gals had on BALL GOWNS!  Yikes!!! Next year I wore a tea length dress and just right.  Next year - for what ever reason - I must have missed the memo - hey all have on pants! 

So, this year, I decided to make a little black dress.  I needed an updated LBD so I chose this one.  I am making it in 4 ply black silk that has been in my stash for quite a while -more than 2 years - so as you know it is considered free fabric.  I am adding lace to the bodice and will probably make the sleeves in lace.

Here is my first pass at the bodice:

Lace over three of the bodice front pieces

Trying to decide if I want to add this zipper

That is where I am today -now off to the machine to finish.

Happy Sewing,

Michele P



Shameless Self Promotion

Isn't that really why we blog?  Well, to some degree.  So today I have to show you a picture of a custom Mermaid Towel I made for this little cutie from Texas.  Her mom was throwing her a Mermaid party. She needed (not wanted) needed mermaid towels.  Her mom was so sweet to send me this picture.

Her mom is a woman after my own heart. She planned this party and saw my mermaid towel on my etsy shop and needed two in just a few days. She was so nice that it was no problem to drop everything, get them made and into the post!

My next shameless self promotion is this journal I made for a dear friend.  She organized an entire sewing retreat, with the help of her very capable and talented team, and I wanted to make her a little thank you gift.

Front

Close up of the personalization

Back

Inside of Front Cover

I was the lucky recipient of a tub of vintage patterns.  They were in fair shape and not really anything I would make - so I decided to use them a the jumping off point for journals.  I plan to make more and sell them in my etsy shop.

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment or clicking a box.

Happy Sewing,
Michele P

T-shirt Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Well, I survived the Earth Quake, The Hurricane, and now 10 days of our stay-at-home-vacation with Dr. P so I think I can survive anything!

Here is the latest T.  Once again inspired by Kate Spade.  This T could be worn with the matching jacket, but I think it may be a little too matchie matchie.

This is a sweater blank and for some reason it did not have enough length for the entire front, so I added a piece at the shoulder and covered the seam with a great trim.

same trim I used on this jacket

The center of the flowers are made with some trim that I think is called spaghetti.  I purchased it years ago at an expo and with I knew who the vendor was, as I would love to have more.

You will note that the centers are two different colors.  This was intentional as I wanted to create some interest due to the somewhat blah color of the sweater blank.

This is what the spaghetti looks in its raw form!

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment or click a box.

Happy Sewing,
Michele P