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Phew, it's been so very busy at work for the past month. It is a blessing to have had such a wonderful (busy for a change) month but it is nice to see Fall on the horizon. The college students are back in town, the local kids are back in school, summer is coming to an end and our new routines are falling into place. Finally, I can put my own agenda out in front now and it's a healthy load believe me; I am definitely feeling up to the challenge! Let's not forget the boatload of fabrics and projects I have lined up already. Before I get to those though, there's been a little detour: uh, the bustier class!
I enrolled in an online course a few weeks back, taught by one of our fellow bloggers, Gretchen "Gertie" Hirsch. Her course was a lot of fun, fulfilling, taught well and aptly called "The Perfect Fit Bombshell Dress".This is funny for me because I am so NOT the bombshell gal but really more like a Lois Lane. Does anyone remember Lois?
As it turns out, my whim has actually turned out to be just the pre-requisite I needed for what was to come. I received a call last week from a co-worker asking me if I could make two specialty dresses for her. And, they are (she is) Bombshell-ish to say the least! I'm instantly thinking to myself the timing here is pretty incredible and this could be either a blessing or a curse. I have decided right here and now that this experience is going to be a blessing and the force is going to be with me every step of the way.
One of the dresses will be made in Gator colors (she's a Gator) and the other in Seminole colors (her boyfriend is a Seminole). In this neck of the woods, these two are bitter rivals and I am just going to say a little prayer right now that both of these dresses turn out equally beautiful. There will be boning, a muslin, a few fittings, lining, interlining, bra cups (maybe), a side zipper and a flouncy neckline. Yikes, I am up to the challenge, I say, I am up to the challenge. I will have the final pictures in a couple of weeks. Here's an image of the pattern. I hope the fabric choices will be sensible, this part is beyond my control. And may the best team win, they both have new coaches this year!
So, I mentioned the slate blue and ivory hounds tooth wool, didn't I? Well, the pattern I will use for this project is the Lady Grey (pictured below) by Colette Patterns. I'd never heard of Colette until recently but happy to have found them. Their service has been excellent and they take care and pride in their products. It shows in case you've never ordered from them. I'm undecided on the lining right now but will post as soon as I'm sure. Any suggestions? The wool will be warm enough so need something light but durable and pretty at the same time.
On a special note, my little bluebird pincushion from Canada arrived today. It's a he and he will certainly bless my sewing room and will sit to symbolize a re-birth of sorts! This little cutie came from BlueDaisies on Etsy.
I've recently discovered a few sewing blogs that have inspired me to dust off the old machines and have at a little sewing fest. I found some fantastic clearance sales online over the 4th of July week and snatched up a small boatload of fabrics and a few patterns as well. I will try my hand at making a couple of summery vintage retro type dresses, the ones that have the fitted bodice and full skirts. I found a mod looking loose weave wool (real wool) that I will make a cape with and line with a colorful, soft rayon challis. I also want to make a fanny length trench coat with some really nice coat weight ivory pin wale corduroy that I think I will line with a pale slate blue with dots light weight cotton. Then there's a turquoise black gray silk print, don't know what it will become but just too sweet and on sale to pass up :)
I really don't know what I was thinking when I ordered the wool. My gosh, it's been pushing 100 degrees daily with 90-100% humidity here in my neck of the southeast woods but I've never sewn with it and wanted to try it. I also bought a substantial light blue wool herringbone plaid that will be worked into a cape or coat of some sort. Like I said, it was a super sale!! If all goes well, I will have at least a cape and a coat (the wool ones) that I can be proud to gift away or donate to the annual GMA (Burlington) coat drive later this year. So there, I've put it out there, this is a to do list that should keep me busy for a few months at least. I will post some pics of the fabrics and patterns when I have that part coordinated. I have come across an awesome tutorial on matching plaids at this blog, this made sense to me!
So, wish me luck? Hopefully, I won't burn up the A/C by running it at 50 degrees to deal with the warmth of the wool... I'm sweating just thinking about it :)
