Sewing Diaries
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Edwardian Jacket and Skirt
'The Importance of Correct Corseting'
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Other Projects
Another lovely pattern from Sense & Sensibility.
January 28th- February 1, 2004: I made this dress while taking a break from the Edwardian Wedding Gown. I had a few goals: to make a dress that had some nice details- such as tiny lace trim and tucks- but not look overly twee or cutesy for everyday wear. Likewise, I wanted something historical but not look grossly out of place in a modern setting. I think I met these goals pretty well.
The fabric is 1.00 a yard off-white on off-white print quilters cotton. As you can see, I ran out of fabric and had to shorten the skirt slightly. The trim was some tiny cotton crocheted trim I bought at Joanns' out of business sale. I was going to thread some matching off white ribbon through the lace, but decided that was too much. It was the first time I ever did tucks, and I think they turned out okay! I hope that's how they are done.
The whole thing is-gasp!-machine sewn. I didn't want this to take too long since I was in the middle of another more important project. I feel like I should apologize or something- but the machine stitching really doesn't show, I swear!
January, 2004: The Self-Destructing Pink Gown.
I started working on this Afternoon gown since the beginning of November. The fabric is pale pink polyester satin. I used the embroidery patterns included in the pattern for the beading.
This fabric is a gorgeous color-a very pale, luminescent ballet pink- and seemed to be a nice, heavy fabric. It was originally 8.00 a yard. This fabric ran. I used sharp needles instead of pins, basted everything beforehand, and in general treated it with care- yet every little thing made it run! My sewing machine needle (I replaced it, but the fabric still ran) my scissors, the needles, even a dry spot on my hand made it run. This all happened after I carefully beaded the design, of course- my beading needle did not make it run. It's never good when you start negatively comparing 8.00 a yard satin with some satin you bought at Wal-Mart's 1.00 bin. I don't think the runs show up very well in the above photos, but they do in real life and the bodice is unwearable. Attempting to salvage particularly bad run on one side, I sewed over the run and consequently made the design crooked. Very disappointing. I guess I'll cut up the skirt fabric to make fabric roses.
I made my first Afternoon dress in May 2003, out of white embroidered eyelet, and it took about 4 hours. from start to finish. This gown in in need of major reworking- I want to add another overskirt and a completely different bodice with some white on white embroidery and perhaps some lace insertion. Pictures coming soon.
