Original Threads

Maxi Dress

original threads — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:36:37 +0000

So I made a maxi dress for my daughter. Well, that is what we called them when I used to wear them in the seventies. I made quite a few adjustments to the fit, the neckline was way too wide, the bodice front was gaping and low and I had to reinvent some sleeves. The armscye was really large and gaping.

Junior Prom Dress

original threads — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:54:13 +0000

I have churned out 3 formal gowns in the past 6 weeks and I am ready to focus on some different projects. This pink satin dress is sewn from a pattern I drafted myself with an off center collar. We wanted a somewhat vintage look, but young and fun for prom. It was fun making the belt. I used to cover belts often when I sewed for myself years ago. Originally, we wanted a covered buckle – alas, this would have to be ordered as no general fabric store carries these any more. I did find them online but I didn’t have enough time left. If I had had more time I would have covered 25 buttons and sewn them over the lapped zipper. A friend of mine who sews formals as her business does this all the time to get that vintage closure look without sewing the looping.

I did come up with a fun trick that is probably new to me, but already in use by others. For the belt holder I just sewed a serger chain on the rolled hem stitch, cut two lengths and sewed them in the sides at the waist to hold the belt! I used to hand embroider this holder years ago!!! I am going to use that idea again!

I am sorry my picture quality is so poor. I have told my husband I need a new camera!!

Two formal dresses in one week!!

original threads — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:31:59 +0000

My daughter won an audition to sing with her High School Orchestra for their concerto night. She sang Donizetti’s “Prendi per me sei libero”. She seems to be following in her sister’s operatic footsteps! I used a polyester taffeta, home dec weight to add volume and I used Vogue pattern 8190. I drafted the upper bodice and sleeves. I was dreading the invisible zipper but it went in beautifully. One of my favorite sewing steps is to fit and ease in sleeves and this was a fun challenge. My daughter has larger shoulders compared to her hip and torso size. I was very pleased with the fit, I am usually a very harsh self critic. She was extremely happy with the dress and her performance was magnificent. I told her it was the dress!!! HAHA.

Two days after the concert she had a date for the high school Sweetheart’s Dance. I used a stretch glam velour in grey/silver. This was difficult because my choice of lining was just something in my closet – not a good idea but I was too far into it by the time I realized this. There was too much stretch variance, but it did add stability. This was one of those projects that looks like a scrunched up bag before you put in on. You must have the real body right beside you to try it on a hundred times during construction. I thought it a pinch too tight but she liked it. I knew a zipper would not work with such stretch so I opted to just have it be a pullover and stretch to fit outfit. I also did not use the crossover lower front of the pattern, the fabric was just too heavy and stretchy for that much wrap, I just drafted one front piece with the pleating on one side. It turned out to be a dress that needs two strong people to help put it on and take it off. I used Vogue pattern 8150 and altered the front bodice up an inch. I have always brought necklines up an inch in every pattern since I was sewing as a young girl. For some reason all commercial patterns seem to have plunging necklines. Thanks for reading, I think my next project is the curtains in the office – I have put off for way too long. Thanks for reading.

Twilight Birthday Cake

original threads — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:11:44 +0000

My 12 year old had a giant LOUD birthday party and wanted a “twilight” cake. I just made a 3 layer chocolate cake and copied the font from the book. I added little drops of “blood”. They loved it, and after 4 hours cleaning up the basement (which I made her do the next day) – she said it was worth it! I always love to be the hero with my children. They grow up TOO fast!

Baby dress!!

original threads — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:21:29 +0000

Several friends of mine have had babies this past summer. The girl that cuts my hair had a little baby girl after recovering from thyroid surgery and having 3 older boys!! Her next youngest is 8 years old so she is back into the baby world. I wanted to sew her little baby a dress – I noticed little dresses are difficult to find. I found this fabric at Walmart!!! I loved the colors and found these cute buttons at Jo-Ann that matched perfectly. I used an old pattern, Simplicity 9353, and switched the opening to the front, lost the collar, put some serged ruffles on it, and I think it turned out pretty cute.

Homecoming Dress!

original threads — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:42:14 +0000

This year my daughter was asked to her High School Homecoming. This was her very first date so the pressure was on. She wanted a dress inspired by the red dress worn by Heidi Klum at the Oscars. We chose a dark red polyester taffeta, with a netted underskirt. She wanted some modesty, hence the sleeves. There were a few crazy moments on Saturday afternoon. I kept asking her “when is your date coming?” It all worked out and I think she looked beautiful. A very fun project.