All's Right With The World
That's how I feel about this whole project right now! Although things are a bit behind schedule, they seem to be just humming along nicely now. Last was a rough week all around for sewing, and that included Midnight Garden. So why are things back on track all of a sudden? Well, there are a few reasons:
One, I now have the silk and it is working out nicely for making leaves and flowers. Not that there's not problems - if the seam allowances are cut too small, the silk shreds, but that's a lesson learned. I have 30 leaves done and will get another 10 done today (I need 68, I think). Here are some of the leaves, ready to applique:
Two, I've made progress on getting the vines redone. I'm replacing the old ones with new ones as I remove them. The bias silk strips are so much easier to work with, too! Tonight I hope to sit down and work on it some more. Here's some of the work in progress, you can see the strip on the left being removed:
Three, I finished quilting the silk side of the skirt last night! I thought it was going to take two evenings, but I finished it up last night. Today I'll try to get the waistband ready for quilting. Once that is done, I'll be done quilting diamonds!
Q/A and other matters: Regarding the blue BWOF blouse I posted a final picture of yesterday, Andrea wanted to know, "Is the pulling across the upper chest a consequence of the asymmetrical placket? I only ask because your things are always so beautifully fitted." Thank you for the compliment. Yes, I noticed the same thing once I saw the pictures! The pulling isn't so much a consequence of the placket, but of the extra button/buttonhole I added above the last one the pattern had. I added an extra one for modesty. In retrospect, that probably wasn't a great idea. I think a better solution would be to wear a camisole and have that top button unbuttoned. It would accomplish the same purpose without the unsightly pulling!Shannon G had this to say about the petticoat rejuventation, in case you missed it: "Regarding the petticoat; I've had to do just such a pressing job in the past, and more than once. If you do plan to touch the netting with an iron, use a press cloth...it melts very easily. A better option is to hang the dress inside out and use a steamer to remove the wrinkles. Then let the petticoat hang in this position overnight. When you turn it right side out, the fluffiness is usually back in place. You'll have to then press the outer dress, but that should be simple by comparison:)."
Parting Shot: It's finally autumn here in New England and the leaves are changing! These are on a tree that overhangs our back deck.
7 comments:
That's good news on the sewing front. Hope it continues to go your way :)
When I feel that my sewing work is going in the right direction, my day brightens up! I can tell you feel the same way!
A rather stupid petticoat question I fear, but I am asking just the same. Why couldn't one turn the dress inside out and hang in the bathroom while showers (steamy ones!) are taken? I used that trick for formals a lot during my chorus days. Seems it would eliminate the melting problem.
I don't know why I didn't think of this also -- it's what the dance instructors always tell us to do (and yes put it in the shower) with my girls' recital costumes. However, honestly, I had limited success with this, and I DID use an iron on one particularly stubborn one. I don't recall having ANY problems with melting, nor did it turning out MORE limp, but perhaps the fiber content was different??
<< if you do plan to touch the netting with an iron, use a press cloth...it melts very easily. A better option is to hang the dress inside out and use a steamer to remove the wrinkles >>
The problem with using steam from the shower is that you have no control over the direction of the steam. With a steamer (or steam from your iron) you can focus that steam where the wrinkling occurs.
Some netting is less likely to melt than others, but once it melts it is impossible to mend.
(I made the mistake of trying to press a wedding veil once.....on the day of the wedding. Nuff said:)LOL)
Shannon
Glad to know you're getting happier with Midnight Garden, Summerset. That can really brighten up our moods! I'm happy about my ongoing project, too - can't wait to snatch some time an evening to work on it. It is the Simplicity fifties re-release, 3673.
About the blouse... that is very often a problem with Burda don't you find? Their necklines are often so low they're truly unpractical! I've always had that problem with them (it was the same thing when I started sewing - and using Burda magazine - 3 years ago).
Yes, Isabelle, I find that BWOF's necklines are usually too low for my personal comfort. It doesn't help that we're smaller and have less between the neck and cleavage! I do the best I can to rework the neckline so that it's modest or just give up and wear a layer underneath that is modest. Modesty is a must in my job - teaching high school isn't a job where you want cleavage showing! Besides, you can be stylish without showing all "the goods".
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