Life can get in the way

Perhaps I am a bit slow but it seems that the best intentions are often thrown askew by life.  I was hoping to get more vintage sewing done this year; I really wanted to broaden my skill set.  Alas as of yet that has not happened.  Not that the year thus far has been a washout and I have managed to gain a few new skills - just not in the way I imagined.  In the past two months I have made one ladies dress jacket, altered three mens' jackets.  Altered a bridal gown and created a custom beaded and rhinestone sash.  sewed and sent out the first gymnastics leotard for my niece. Sculpted 2 table top jukeboxes and painted the set for the theatre company I work for.

In the next three weeks I need to alter another wedding gown and two bridesmaids dresses for the same wedding, sew a custom designed Halloween costume, creatively dress four actors as  historic authors - Edgar Allan Poe, Samuel Clemens, Agatha Christie and Laura Ingalls Wilder for a fundraiser for a local non-profit art group, dye 67 yards of fabric to make the drapery for my living and dining room windows, strip and refinish the hardwood floor in my art studio (just so I can get the cabinets out of the garage before it snows), add additional cross support to my two story porch - and I am sure there are at least another dozen things on that list but right now I am feeling exhausted just thinking about what is to come.        

Yikes!

Still haven't had any time to do recreational sewing...  I will be having family stay with me in early June - been spending lots of time getting things ready.  My NEW roof was leaking and damaged the ceiling in the guest room - needed to repair, basement had water in it - clean that up, kitchen drain clogged -  time to play plumber, garden needs prepping and plants to outside - whew lots of manual labor, lawnmower stopped running - going to the small engine shop..   I think that may be about it; Oh! how could I forget multiple projects for the theater company I work for and an emergency repair of a custom Elvis jumpsuit.    Calgon take me away ( well maybe not...  what would be here waiting for me when I got back?)  Hoping to get back to sewing soon.      

Time to get back to sewing

Happy to report that Grandma is back home from her hospital and rehabilitation stay.  This weekend I finished all the required projects for the theatre group ( three 70's styled pull over shirts, 2 gold records and an eight foot long business sign)  I also managed to complete the 2 commissioned giant rabbits for another client - at long last I can get back to some of my sewing.  I will pick up where I left off; my princess slip is still pinned on the dress form and the pleated flounce still is in pretty good shape.....    

Time forgotten

My fun sewing projects are on hold for the moment.  I managed to get the flounce pinned on the slip and there is sits on the dress form.

  Grandma is out of the hospital but has been moved to a nursing home for a bit of rehab.  I have  commisioned to make 2 giant rabbit cookies for a customer of mine;  the rabbit on the right is about 5 tall and the on on the left is a bit over 6 feet tall not too much to look at yet but the middle will be covered with plaster icing  and sprinkles then the entire rabbit will get a coat of glitter   

The theatre company that I work for has also come calling...  the order includes three 1970's styled men's shirts and painting the set.  Sooo much to do and not enough time to do it in.  I am hoping to get back to sewing soon. 

Everything is on hold

Well any sewing and frivolous pursuits have been temporarily put on hold.  My Grandmother is ill and is in the hospital, I have been spending my extra time with her there.  I am hoping for a speedy recovery and rapid return home. 

The designer in me

The designer in me has been speaking in a louder voice as of late.  The pattern originally called for eyelet lace and beading around the neckline.  I was unable to locate any eyelet that looked appropriate - time for a design change.  I opted to make create a row of chiffon puffing in a blush/champagne color in place of the beading as well as replacing the eyelet lace with the delicate edge of chantilly lace in the same blush color.  It seems to coordinate well with the ivory silk and if anyone was to wear the slip the skin color would further blend the puffing and chantilly with the silk.  I have also been tweaking the design around the arm scythe, again the pattern called for a wider lace in eyelet to go around.  I am going to opt for a soft gathered cap sleeve using the chiffon and chantilly border.  Another design upgrade I have been toying with is to line the lace insert with more of the chiffon bringing the second color throught the design and add a bit of modesty to the sheer lace I have used.                

Oooh so embarrassed

Looking at the pictures I posted this morning.  I forgot to pack away a few Christmas decorations, guess I need to get the ladder out and clean of the china hutch - suppose I could decorate for spring.  

In production

Looks like I am about one-third of the way done with the slip.  I decided to make it as printed to work out any design  or sizing issues.  I have already had requests to turn it into a nightgown...  I will have to relocate the insertion lace a bit too daring for day to day wear. 

 As you can see by the close up the lace was designed to run along the princess seams down the center and bust apex.  Possible solutions into making this an everyday item would be swap out the lace for Swiss insertion with an all-over embroidered design.  Additionally the center panel did appear  proportionally wider than the original design sketch using given design elements.  To correct this visually I used one and one-half inch wide insertion centering down the front but, on the sides I placed three quarters of the insertion on the front panel.  Original sketch below.         

I got one!

Opted in for what they are calling the challenge pattern.  It is a lovely full length slip with insertion lace throughout.  I have printed the pages off and thanks to my older model printer the pages did not come out in order.  Challenge number 1 put the pages back in order..  accomplished.  Challenge number 2 to come up with an acceptable substitute for the 12 yards of  1 inch wide insertion lace the pattern calls for.  Quality insertion runs about $6.00 per yard, for a trial I need to substitute.  Found my answer at work; the fabric department has on clearance "lace" on a spool pre-cut 6inch wide basic lace in a 10 yard length for $2.39 can I argue with that?  I plan on cutting it in half and backing it with tulle or organza in a coordinating color.  Number 2 challenge overcome  this weekend I hope to get some sewing in - after I paint my closet and wallpaper the ceiling.      

It's February..

Well still waiting for my 1912 pattern, I understand the logistics and hassle in getting everything together.  I am still organizing my stash.  I never realized that in 10+ years of theatre costuming and custom orders I would amass such "wealth " in fabrics and trims.  I finally found the back of my storage closet now the fun part.. He he! I am going to paint and install floor to ceiling shelving in my walk in and clean up the mess I created.

Sewing vintage clothing offers a unique challenge and I am hoping to gain a lot of knowledge through this entire project.  Not only self realizations but also the combined knowledge of the 400 or so volunteers that are participating.  I plan on posting a few pictures of my work room as it progresses.  Thank goodness I live in Wisconsin - not too much to do this winter except work indoors.           

Still waiting

The assignments still haven't come out yet - but I have been keeping busy cleaning and cooking.  I did have a bit of a break; did a bit of set painting for Let Me Be Frank Productions new show... Peter Paul and Frank.  I am having sewing withdrawl though.   

Just waiting

No pattern yet; though I would take the time to inventory my "stash"  Hopefully I will have to purchase little to no new fabric for the duration of the project.

Montage of 2011 projects.

Thought it would be appropriate to show a few of the projects I worked on in 2011.  I will admit that I did not make the pink dress - I did however re-bead nearly the entire bodice as well as take up the shoulder straps for a client.  The odd looking pink "dolls" were made for a local Pink Floyd tribute band for their Project Pink show.  The rest - well a few pictures of the Elvis jumpsuits I have created.    

New Year new project?

Instead of declaring a traditional New Years Resolution I have decided to try a few new ideas/ projects  - No pressure and definitely no penalty for lack of immediate results.  New Project #1...  came across a notification for what is being called the 1912 project.  The Vintage Pattern  Lending Library for the upcoming 100-year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic is looking for people to test sew vintage patterns from La Mode.  Sounds like an impressive challenge - I signed up and am awaiting my first pattern.
 Game On!