Project # 16: Royal Blue Satin Prom Dress & Bolero

Project # 15: White Chiffon & Satin Prom Dress & Corset

Project #14: Mauve Lace & Satin Prom Dress

Simplicity #3769 Kahliah Ali Dress

Project #13: Puffed Sleeve T-Shirt

Vogue 8451 View A - with added long sleeve = Juliet Sleeve

Added 1" to hem. Moved in shoulders 5/8" and neckline 1". Added long sleeve lower section from View C instead of cuff/band (creating full length 2 pc. sleeve with puffy top - called a Juliet sleeve).

Size 8. I normally use a size 12 in woven tops, but compared the measurements of this to a t shirt I bought and decided to go with the 8. I like a close fit in knit tops. I probably didn't need to move in the shoulders or neckline but I do like the way mine turned out.

If I do a Juliet sleeve again I will probably shorten the puffed section by 2-3" so it ends above the bustline. This seems to give a lighter, more slimming look. I made this long sleeved because it's still chilly now in early spring and I get cold easily. I may take the lower sections off and add the band after the weather warms up, or make another one with the short sleeves.

I normally disdain facings and interfacing with knit tops, but I really like the way the neckline turned out on this one. I used a light 'fusi-knit' interfacing on the facing, basted from the wrong side close to the facing edge, the top stitched with my coverstitch machine 3/4" from the neck edge and trimmed the facing close to the second row of stitching with my applique scissors.

I didn't use my serger to sew this, although normally I would use a 4 thread overlock stitch for the seams. I did coverstitch the hem and sleeves at 1". I like the way the double-stitched neckline matches the hems

The pattern did not have any finished measurements on the pieces, and instead said something about stretch knits only.

Moving into Spring..

I've been in a bit of a sewing slump lately. I think most of the problem is that there are too many things I want to do, and too may other things I need to do, and my attempts to prioritize are not quite effective.

I have 3 custom prom dresses on the go at the moment:

1. A mauve lace over satin empire dress and wrap, which is almost finished, and has been 'resting' that way for too long now. It needs the lining finished up, a hem, neckline trim, and some beadwork. I would like to wrap it up and send it happily home. The other two are just beginning and are going to end up being a bit rushed at this rate:
2. A royal blue satin empire halter dress and bolero. I have got all the bits and pieces (although I may need more lining), but I *really* need to get going on cutting and sewing.
3. A white chiffon over charmeuse dress with a basque waist, sheer off-shoulder sleeves, and a double-circle skirt. Also a Duchess satin corset with external bias boning channels, to wear over the dress. I have gotten the corset muslin cut and ready to sew, and all the fabrics arrived today.

I was also *very* interested in participating in the Pattern Review Wardrobe Contest, but it doesn't look like I will have the time after waiting so long to start. I have a really great plan in my head and it is nagging and nagging at me.

I went to the Victoria Sewing and Crafts show the last week of March, and got a paper-tape dressform of myself made. That is pretty exciting to make it a bit easier to meet my exacting fit standards. I think a lot of the time I put off starting and finishing my own projects because I am worried I will not be satisfied with how they turn out, particularly the fit. There are a couple more steps to get the dressform finished. Cleaning up all the edges, and getting it mounted on a stand, then covering it with fabric so I can pin into it and it is nice and smooth and tidy looking.

My current sewing ambitions include creating my own customized set of blocks for patterndrafting, and making a 'perfect pant' pattern, so I can finally have pants that fit well and be able to whip up new pairs of pants without a lot of fit anxiety! After that comes rounding out my wardrobe with more things I've made myself, and using up some of that huge stash I've almost finished measuring, sorting, and cataloging!

At this point though, what I've mostly been doing is procrastinating, and the clock is ticking away. I need to get myself more excited about what I need to do, and get it done.