tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48235788052421575202024-03-19T00:33:26.462-07:00Lilacs & LaceLaura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.comBlogger1011125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-36235749380719997482024-03-18T20:19:00.000-07:002024-03-18T20:19:12.447-07:00A Classic Gored Wool Skirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477006799_6091aa64da_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477006799_6091aa64da_b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">While it may not be the most interesting item in the world to make, a black wool skirt is certainly a useful one.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475786202_bbb3a4521d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475786202_bbb3a4521d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have been meaning to try Vogue 1961 for some time, and it seemed like a good option for the textured black wool I specifically purchased for a long skirt last year.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475786262_475be312d6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475786262_475be312d6_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I did decide to add some extra length to the skirt. Although the model looks like she's tall, and the skirt is a nice tea length, when holding the pattern pieces up to my body, it just didn't look like they were going to be that long.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475786257_89736cc423_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475786257_89736cc423_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was also concerned that a lightweight rayon lining was going to drape differently than the wool and potentially need to be hemmed much shorter to keep the lining from peaking out of the skirt during wear. Although I haven't ever underlined a skirt in this manner before, I thought that I might as well give it a try.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476692021_2d209f9708_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476692021_2d209f9708_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So before any of the construction began, the main task was to hand baste the layer of wool to the rayon lining. If you have followed me for any period of time, you are already aware of my love of hand sewing . . . but this amount of basting one black layer of fabric to another was slightly tedious, even for me. After working with a length of black thread, I quickly realized that using a contrasting basting thread was going to be a whole lot easier on my eyes!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477007119_f0b138f81a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477007119_f0b138f81a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Once that process was complete, the project was very straight forward, sewing each gore to the next. Since this would be underlined instead of lined, I finished my raw edges with <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2011/12/how-to-apply-seam-binding-tutorial.html">rayon seam binding</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476833123_74086910a1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476833123_74086910a1_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Whether the small amount of exposed wool in the seam allowance would be itchy on my skin was something I thought about, but in the end, decided would not be too much of a problem.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477106450_4e5535cbb9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477106450_4e5535cbb9_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pattern instructions suggest an invisible zipper, and since this is a princess seam finished with a facing, I decided to go for the invisible zipper.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477106415_9cd15914e0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477106415_9cd15914e0_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I ended up adding a few pieces of plastic boning to the facing to keep the upper edge from collapsing.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476833113_61068fdcd8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476833113_61068fdcd8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This has become a standard addition to most of my skirts, and while it takes a little bit of extra effort, I have never been disappointed with the technique.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476691811_e906b35ea5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476691811_e906b35ea5_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I also added a lightweight fusible interfacing to the facing.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477106285_aca4bcc71f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477106285_aca4bcc71f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And if you think that I am going to spend my time removing all of those basting threads, you would be wrong!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477006909_d754bcba99_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477006909_d754bcba99_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Honestly, it's rare that I remove any basting threads unless they are visible from the outside of the garment.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476691726_575e1f7db5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476691726_575e1f7db5_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The facing was tacked in place along each seamline.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476832843_9d8d4ceef9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476832843_9d8d4ceef9_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For the hem, I <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1VxKSKL10X/" target="_blank">hand stitched the two layers of fabric together just inside the hemline</a>. This keeps the layers from separating and shifting as the hemline is folded and stitched into place.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476691701_0213a50340_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476691701_0213a50340_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p>And here is my classic black wool skirt.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476833313_4733a2be97_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476833313_4733a2be97_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This garment has definitely come in handy this Winter. The textured wool does have a tendency to show lint, but that's just part of wearing dark colored wools, I guess!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477007234_3274fda301_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53477007234_3274fda301_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-21229993268259744082024-03-09T19:37:00.000-08:002024-03-09T19:37:00.021-08:00Fluffy Fibers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574392646_af3eb87fed_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574392646_af3eb87fed_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My knitting projects as of late have been more of the easy to wear type. I find that I gravitate towards a comfy sweater on rainy days when I wish I didn't have to get out of bed because of the soggy mess outside. Those are the knits that I pick over and over again during the Winter months.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53573532457_1b043e0772_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53573532457_1b043e0772_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I do have a few of those options in my wardrobe, and more hand knit versions have been added to the collection over the years. But what most of them have in common is that they are darker in color, with a few bright pink exceptions. So when I decided that a lighter pastel should join the group, this lovely robin's egg blue/turquoise colored yarn seemed like an excellent choice.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574835875_6bfb22c776_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574835875_6bfb22c776_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had to check my notebook where I keep track of my sewing and knitting projects, but this sweater was started back in December 2021. While the knitting did not take very long, it did take an eternity to get around to blocking and eventually wearing the finished knit. But once I started wearing it this Winter, I couldn't get enough.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574718844_212eefb5ac_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574718844_212eefb5ac_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is not my first project using KnitPicks "Wonderfluff" and it probably won't be my last. While this particular color seems to shed a tiny bit more than the <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2021/03/sweater-weather.html">pink</a> and <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2024/01/cozy-shades-of-green.html">forest green sweaters</a> that I have made, it is rather miraculous how little it does transfer to other items of clothing, like dark colored wool jackets. For something that looks rather angora-esque, it behaves nothing like that fuzzy, shed-happy fiber.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574835850_600f5096b1_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574835850_600f5096b1_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For the pattern, I decided to make another "<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/LauraMaeDesigns/cherie-2" target="_blank">Cherie</a>" since I get so much wear out of <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2022/03/tweedy-textures.html">the previous version that I made</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574392691_bbbd191244_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574392691_bbbd191244_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's not the most exciting knitting project in the world, but it sure is relaxing to work with a fuzzy fiber in stockinette stitch. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574718804_d6cb277175_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574718804_d6cb277175_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I'm not sure that a massively textured pattern would be shown to its best advantage in a yarn with this much aura.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574392641_a7bb212633_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574392641_a7bb212633_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I do have a few skeins in a lavendar hue, so perhaps I will test that theory next Winter.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574392601_73c32e3cfa_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53574392601_73c32e3cfa_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But for now, I'm quite content with this classic style sweater to keep me nice and snug on a cold day.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53573532387_db107e80a6_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53573532387_db107e80a6_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-28944622018798819472024-03-04T21:17:00.000-08:002024-03-04T21:17:29.022-08:00Cabbage Roses on a Field of Velvet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53556057057_554b4e3370_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53556057057_554b4e3370_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I thought that a floral themed velvet was an appropriate outfit choice for a day at the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GNd_JRmWb/?img_index=1" target="_blank">Legion of Honor to see the Botticelli exhibit</a>, and so the first outing for this dress just happened to be at a museum.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557358650_3dba2b089b_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557358650_3dba2b089b_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The day was rather gloomy with quite a bit of rain, but my Mom and I made the journey to San Francisco to spend the afternoon exploring the galleries.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557105318_97f114263f_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557105318_97f114263f_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My main reservation about this dress was the fiber content. I am not a fan of polyester, and I avoid it as much as I can. But I was stuck on the thought that this design would look great in a floral velvet, and since the pattern requires a knit fabric, it was impossible to find anything that fit the bill other than polyester.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557358500_5dfd3afa36_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557358500_5dfd3afa36_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have been wearing a silk slip under this dress, so it minimizes the amount of polyester that I feel on my skin, and while I can't say whether it's this particular fabric, or the fact that I'm wearing an underlay, it's less plasticy than I was expecting. So that's a relief.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557245409_dc9a0a42c2_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557245409_dc9a0a42c2_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for the changes that I made to this version of <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2024/02/floral-velvet.html">Vogue 1907</a>, they are minimal to the overall look, so anyone who has an eye for style lines would easily be able to tell that they are the same pattern. But I do think playing around with the design was worth the extra effort.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557358710_d5652d8a11_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557358710_d5652d8a11_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The addition of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C30c_6IJjiU/" target="_blank">the band that extends into a tie</a> at center back stitched into the underbust seam works very well.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557105308_ddf42c4525_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557105308_ddf42c4525_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qSUAxvnqE/" target="_blank">the sleeves</a>, I shouldn't have shortened the length quite as much. The shoulder seams sit slightly in, and the length of the pattern piece made me think that it was going to be extremely long.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53556905796_5ff40ba3f0_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53556905796_5ff40ba3f0_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That aside, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3aw8tARrh9/" target="_blank">the pointed sleeve hem</a> does work. The point has a tendency to rotate slightly toward the outside of my hand, so if I was to do this again, I might cheat the point a bit away from the center line.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557358650_3dba2b089b_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557358650_3dba2b089b_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I think that I will leave it for now.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557105538_9f22281faf_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557105538_9f22281faf_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I really do love the colors and the print, and the silhouette is really easy to wear . . . so overall, this was a successful project.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557105478_1d1478f9da_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557105478_1d1478f9da_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dress: Made by me, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2024/02/floral-velvet.html">Vogue 1907<br /></a>Earrings: Nicky Butler<br />Shoes: Royal Vintage</span></span></h4>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-4087522142775626252024-02-17T16:40:00.000-08:002024-02-17T16:40:48.242-08:00Floral Velvet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518132644_3866c013e4_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518132644_3866c013e4_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is the second version of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Rd5-VLctI/" target="_blank">Vogue 1907</a> that I have made and I posted a lot of the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2dCgOwPyCK/" target="_blank">process</a> over on Instagram. I'm not all that proficient with knits, but I was drawn to this pattern when it was released, and I decided to finally get to it with a sweater knit that I had in the stash for a long time. And then things got complicated with <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2024/02/my-valentino.html">Mr. Tino</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518133009_cadf7d6eb7_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518133009_cadf7d6eb7_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I went to work with essentially no sleep that Friday, and finally managed to exhaust myself enough during the day to fall asleep for more than a few hours that evening. When I woke up Saturday, I knew that I needed something to keep me distracted, and my hands busy.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516929822_9259d9143d_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516929822_9259d9143d_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This project seemed like a good option where nothing was too complicated or was going to be super involved. I also feel like this print reminded me of two dresses from the late 90s, one printed rayon velvet Nostalgia brand dress that Elaine from Seinfeld would have felt right at home in, and one rayon challis print that I made early on in my garment making journey with a winding oversized rose pattern. Velvet also seemed comforting in some way, even if this knit is polyester, and I don't have the greatest history with velvet sewing projects going my way . . . but my grief-addled brain wasn't really thinking in a logical way.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518133039_4b82db3ce8_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518133039_4b82db3ce8_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I did finally get around to trying a rotary cutter with a knit on my cutting mat that hadn't ever seen a blade, and used pattern weights that I picked up last year at an estate sale. I am not completely sold on the technique, but it does give a nice clean edge, so maybe I just need to give the rotary cutter another chance.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517983588_a5c99b5fbe_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517983588_a5c99b5fbe_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As with every other knit fabric I have stitched together (with the exception of <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2015/04/applique.html">my Alabama Chanin inspired outfits</a>) I used my machine to stitch the seam and then went back with the serger to trim a small amount off the edge to keep that cut edge from rolling.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817961_98d10843c3_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817961_98d10843c3_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I suspected that this knit velvet textile might be a bit less problematic to work with than a silk or rayon velvet, and I was right. There wasn't a lot of fighting to keep edges even as it fed through the machine, although it was not quite as well behaved as a crisp woven cotton, for instance.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518132969_06df859ee8_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518132969_06df859ee8_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Instead of that plastic stuff that I have seen used to stabilize knits at the shoulder seam, I like to use a length of rayon seam binding, since I have plenty of that stuff on hand.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517983568_735cc41515_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517983568_735cc41515_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The fabric also gathered down nicely, even with the added bulk of the velvet nap.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517983533_f47319a136_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517983533_f47319a136_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Since I just made this dress in a similar color (although it is a solid) I wanted to do something slightly different with this version.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817866_d7c7b7edb1_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817866_d7c7b7edb1_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first thought that came to mind was to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ZItXdLiA3/" target="_blank">add a point to the sleeve cuff</a>. I extended the sleeve by drafting a small addition to the pattern piece. To finish that new shaped edge, I cut a duplicate of that addition and used it as a facing piece after adding a lightweight fusible interfacing.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817871_d501326b88_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817871_d501326b88_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The skirt came together easily with the same technique of stitching with a narrow zig-zag on the sewing machine, and finishing the edges with a serger. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3OT208vYdQ/" target="_blank">The sweater knit did not drop</a> on the bias, but I made sure to give this velvet a chance to stretch before hemming it. Turns out, this one didn't need any evening out, either.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518132884_24335b8344_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518132884_24335b8344_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">After leaving the skirt to hang on the dress form, it was time to get back to the bodice.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817801_74cdafe9bb_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817801_74cdafe9bb_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As with the previous version, I extended the collar by an inch, just because the versions shown on the pattern envelope made the collar look slightly chintzy, in my opinion. Having just a bit more fabric to pool around the neckline worked fine, and I think I prefer it this way.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516929587_d4adf98b3a_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516929587_d4adf98b3a_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was curious to see how this would look on the dress form, but this was probably a mistake. Stretching the unfinished lower edge over the wider part of the form stretched the fabric slightly so that it wanted to curl under. This made attaching the bodice to the skirt slightly more aggravating than it would have been had I not stretched that lower edge prior to stitching the seamline. But that's just something to remember for next time. And I suppose it depends on the textile, because the sweater knit didn't do this.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817756_02b607e842_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817756_02b607e842_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For the second change to the pattern, I wanted to add a band to the high waisted seamline that would extend into two ties and would drape down the back of the dress.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516929802_076080733d_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516929802_076080733d_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I cut two ties on the bias (not certain that the bias was necessary considering that this is a stretch fabric) and folded it wrong sides together. At this point, I was unsure how much length that I wanted, so I wrapped the pieces around the dress form to get an idea of how large I wanted the bow, and how much length I wanted for the ties.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516929572_6d366c2339_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516929572_6d366c2339_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The portion of the ties that would drape down the back were finished, while the section that would be sandwiched in the waist seamline were left raw.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817731_66f7615155_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817731_66f7615155_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The remaining raw edges were serged and hand stitched into place for the sleeve facing hem, and the skirt hemline.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518132734_b823090503_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518132734_b823090503_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">While this dress clearly resembles the previous version, both in color and style, I am glad that I made a floral velvet version.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516929447_4fe4b99d82_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516929447_4fe4b99d82_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have already worn this dress twice in the last couple of weeks, and it makes an easy-to-wear, yet still put together outfit which is always nice for the dreary Winter weather. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Am I suddenly sold on polyester? Absolutely not. But this print was special enough to make an exception for . . . and since I always plan on wearing a silk slip underneath, the feel of the synthetic material is made a lot more bearable.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817661_cdebd59d15_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517817661_cdebd59d15_k.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And while I desperately miss my furry companion interrupting my sewing progress throughout the day and reminding me to take a break, having something to focus on is extremely helpful (although maybe not the healthiest way of coping). I am still struggling in moments where I am not multitasking at work, or completely distracted by something else other than missing his little face and tiny warm body keeping me on the couch, whether I liked it or not. Thank you to everyone for your lovely words about my little man. My world has changed, although I am extremely mindful of the fact that I wouldn't trade the sixteen-plus years I had with him for anything.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518132674_09dd8d2d63_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518132674_09dd8d2d63_k.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-81982758944524512802024-02-05T21:38:00.000-08:002024-02-05T21:39:25.616-08:00My Valentino<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0kBcfCYH_hcsiY5brD6l9iyNAFzuAkp-Xkn9kzTrUBIbkAVPMYUMnq69Es4B5wNk5qaKhQ2z69ypnUvDrYG-zCZe5dzdHigdV5BYHtfeTRJ4Qlffb-9qpYSJ6CYAQa8PL6Sm5Diz1TU2npo1WS9OlxZ3a97brFQq-A2RF1uijUCUE3yx19tfdyQMG2Xz/s2291/IMG_0593%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2291" data-original-width="1833" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0kBcfCYH_hcsiY5brD6l9iyNAFzuAkp-Xkn9kzTrUBIbkAVPMYUMnq69Es4B5wNk5qaKhQ2z69ypnUvDrYG-zCZe5dzdHigdV5BYHtfeTRJ4Qlffb-9qpYSJ6CYAQa8PL6Sm5Diz1TU2npo1WS9OlxZ3a97brFQq-A2RF1uijUCUE3yx19tfdyQMG2Xz/w512-h640/IMG_0593%202.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My precious Valentino came into my life on July 7, 2007.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">He pranced his way right into my heart.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">And while the prancing slowed down over the years, he could still put on a show whenever he wanted to impress someone (usually another canine) with his little tail straight up in the air and his high-stepping trot.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I never would have imagined that he would be such an incredible companion to me for over sixteen years.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">It wasn’t enough time.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvGB3dqWUwlnpVWTv1P35eJVgjNlxly21Ko77WRIbr2UU0rvXVga1yewaQmI5cL49zeZgJLD8Z24sy2mr7bphxG-Zv1yXWNqkdseZoKnSnAs_iM6h84KpkpG2CmDgIfPjXXwBJwP9bsUnneLfWoAMoAprVdS8VfelRBBGagbz-2JJZvmi-t3_BWoCzYHw/s3060/IMG_0179.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3060" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvGB3dqWUwlnpVWTv1P35eJVgjNlxly21Ko77WRIbr2UU0rvXVga1yewaQmI5cL49zeZgJLD8Z24sy2mr7bphxG-Zv1yXWNqkdseZoKnSnAs_iM6h84KpkpG2CmDgIfPjXXwBJwP9bsUnneLfWoAMoAprVdS8VfelRBBGagbz-2JJZvmi-t3_BWoCzYHw/w640-h512/IMG_0179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don’t know the story of his first few years of his life, other than the records that stated he was brought from Madera County to the Marin Human Society. We never could figure out why anyone would have abandoned him. He was amazing, right from the start. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am convinced that we were meant to find each other.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1UJuoVhl63K52PAhBly7BeF4Sx7bOXoFdqLwnBBYLKU5f5-m8CtV6WwHwt5RBoHV0EPFOFI63c39-nFJjaLee_Nvb8MCtaMLe_QDNneBeGXeVxc09S2YVLAHUP9qX7uNSviuZzzgZiKixI763Z_xDgJ_CfSq9iJx649NYXUSNL2LcnHFYT1kY3JHMjsP/s3060/IMG_0208.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3060" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1UJuoVhl63K52PAhBly7BeF4Sx7bOXoFdqLwnBBYLKU5f5-m8CtV6WwHwt5RBoHV0EPFOFI63c39-nFJjaLee_Nvb8MCtaMLe_QDNneBeGXeVxc09S2YVLAHUP9qX7uNSviuZzzgZiKixI763Z_xDgJ_CfSq9iJx649NYXUSNL2LcnHFYT1kY3JHMjsP/w640-h512/IMG_0208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>It took him a few months to find his voice, and for a while there, I thought he might never bark. He never was yappy like some chihuahuas, but he had plenty of vocalizations to choose from when he wanted to express himself.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02nT-j30TceOsD7nbVGfhTFCUMXxbuBIZAOPweZas7tLSTlnA23jkpqh2FFVMO0oNnPmsNT5-wMsKE3TPlmEaDWFK1lhkgQmcz92HYnlgWIBcZnZ7ZnyGYZ1vgbZWRsaf6YJePRXwKAaFkjXMwe0d9apFTHUt94Se21Ul113GY9wwknvIclK-3Rrz578J/s911/ibond.6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="729" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02nT-j30TceOsD7nbVGfhTFCUMXxbuBIZAOPweZas7tLSTlnA23jkpqh2FFVMO0oNnPmsNT5-wMsKE3TPlmEaDWFK1lhkgQmcz92HYnlgWIBcZnZ7ZnyGYZ1vgbZWRsaf6YJePRXwKAaFkjXMwe0d9apFTHUt94Se21Ul113GY9wwknvIclK-3Rrz578J/w512-h640/ibond.6.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>“<i>Errand Girl for Rhythm</i>” by Diana Krall was the only song he ever sang along with, although he would vocalize with me when I was warming up with scales, up until he lost his hearing.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7rsWdsrKIrQYFEToqHJDG2Tau3oxdww2VwEYrzSTFjkb0bjcpSweuOo4yuqdpLp0UPsNJnjwe4Ik2tE2mh1qNQwRAXXjnPpWVq3gnnCKB1dKrHzvUDUxEpgVGrCtWa-ILig5VkPjljer6atiQ-cH-AefZzENcSbbXokDWyJUV5hiJkKuZKVbbj_71vGh/s2122/IMG_0979.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2122" data-original-width="1698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7rsWdsrKIrQYFEToqHJDG2Tau3oxdww2VwEYrzSTFjkb0bjcpSweuOo4yuqdpLp0UPsNJnjwe4Ik2tE2mh1qNQwRAXXjnPpWVq3gnnCKB1dKrHzvUDUxEpgVGrCtWa-ILig5VkPjljer6atiQ-cH-AefZzENcSbbXokDWyJUV5hiJkKuZKVbbj_71vGh/w512-h640/IMG_0979.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>He travelled with me to Sonora, CA where we stayed with a lovely family that included a small pack of dogs.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">This was soon after his adoption, and he definitely learned some bad behavior from those goofy fur friends.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">A young vizsla named Amber was staying at the house for a few days, and my little 7 lbs chihuahua was out-lapping her in the back yard as they ran in circles on the grass.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw5yi-gKP3UAiXHyuNoKFV5njw88HNsSY5RyRITvKkIsa9uPqEHdARHoo507eUrgFYPIum9gDVDz2xYqPEZABsxApvz6luN5aGm4fMV0p5EL6RwYJNWDb9h0zd26mn4AQCb2vPaXdfI67GNtvVKFNHZgQLTC4c9Whis1zh41mSBoShKBOLvzxlFW-U5nQ/s2448/IMG_1016.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="1958" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMw5yi-gKP3UAiXHyuNoKFV5njw88HNsSY5RyRITvKkIsa9uPqEHdARHoo507eUrgFYPIum9gDVDz2xYqPEZABsxApvz6luN5aGm4fMV0p5EL6RwYJNWDb9h0zd26mn4AQCb2vPaXdfI67GNtvVKFNHZgQLTC4c9Whis1zh41mSBoShKBOLvzxlFW-U5nQ/w512-h640/IMG_1016.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>The home had pack of deer just outside the fenced yard and he was fascinated with them.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tino was small enough to escape through the fence and joined the herd of 20+ deer as they ran around the extensive property. It was terrifying for me, but he had the time of his life! The only mark on his body from that adventure was a tiny cut on one of his back legs, which is a miracle; I guess the deer considered him more friend than foe.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNgmy5tVCNaJZ0fDo3fCECAO3gnFolz5xnAFMfCFYu1kdIkJNlYT9L5onChKE8uHjO5LUCamdfIyiz9KBVJUBvysN-fCoLxuis2UXbhcUOxYbcpG4u-RHXYB9WsBtWfke-ufSVRjYML60mJKD6AsHQnCymxVMQHHoTU45xdLBV6wehg0EQEBOYRW7oaEb/s2746/IMG_0616.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2197" data-original-width="2746" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNgmy5tVCNaJZ0fDo3fCECAO3gnFolz5xnAFMfCFYu1kdIkJNlYT9L5onChKE8uHjO5LUCamdfIyiz9KBVJUBvysN-fCoLxuis2UXbhcUOxYbcpG4u-RHXYB9WsBtWfke-ufSVRjYML60mJKD6AsHQnCymxVMQHHoTU45xdLBV6wehg0EQEBOYRW7oaEb/w640-h512/IMG_0616.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>He was a little athlete.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">At my old apartment, he would run up and down five flights of stairs multiple times a day.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">He was a very independent gentleman, and did not want any help up that endless staircase.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Even in the last months of his life, when I would bend down to pick him up toward the end of our walks, he would suddenly take off in front of me, wanting to do all the walking for himself.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNBsISDcNDe4C_jr5leqxOUExK-dfhu7SbyU6W42h1YqFHY83xeUbeeuWvftbXVPW7PqS5dWV37zavNlMANA3wQpu1NlQ3eJ5_2s6n_8oNdec-wfwyCIjHkx1uA5M7zSp4N2Ofp1dnEH5jmV-TycXlQ0CFYuVJfsEtugaZQH89v9nCrvZkOzty4xw68Zh/s2448/IMG_4724.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="1958" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNBsISDcNDe4C_jr5leqxOUExK-dfhu7SbyU6W42h1YqFHY83xeUbeeuWvftbXVPW7PqS5dWV37zavNlMANA3wQpu1NlQ3eJ5_2s6n_8oNdec-wfwyCIjHkx1uA5M7zSp4N2Ofp1dnEH5jmV-TycXlQ0CFYuVJfsEtugaZQH89v9nCrvZkOzty4xw68Zh/w512-h640/IMG_4724.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>In 2015, he travelled across the country to Pennsylvania on a plane with my Mom and me.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">He was a brave angel, and even had his own seat on the way there thanks to a kind airline representative who wanted us to have the entire row of three seats to ourselves.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I like to think that he enjoyed that little adventure!</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNzt6zxAm1Zg1liIZ9sMgcxbvkDbdyWgA1pBcGH9usghLb_TN_CcNWDaECfCQ8aC6B_Z07cZlvGwKqjOmM569mM9fUz-aqIebfQtUnU4Mx1zOAE4Vptmh_ZHuY0x9W9b2MJUP3tgSLgpDIdtol5yWlRKNJaDSw8tIrDtuX_DwUMgd-Je_o-g9jv9frwsR/s3018/IMG_6547.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3018" data-original-width="2414" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNzt6zxAm1Zg1liIZ9sMgcxbvkDbdyWgA1pBcGH9usghLb_TN_CcNWDaECfCQ8aC6B_Z07cZlvGwKqjOmM569mM9fUz-aqIebfQtUnU4Mx1zOAE4Vptmh_ZHuY0x9W9b2MJUP3tgSLgpDIdtol5yWlRKNJaDSw8tIrDtuX_DwUMgd-Je_o-g9jv9frwsR/w512-h640/IMG_6547.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>He survived hernia surgery in 2019 with flying colors.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The scar he returned home with was horrible, but within a couple of years, it had completely disappeared.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I wish my skin was that resilient!</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimY7gyQoQwfI6LPfJEclTgoICP6qmZTNiu0db7rBiDCvZoCRaUitWgokvN62EaLZ6uLA1-rZapTyY_Xf5vgd8Dey1nOj8Rk1W3PU2Dhxyct17ca8TSR_nre0WZ3WBYqvZHBd0k3cGGgoMZViq4JPtLDLX5dI6StE0BYKoQscQwNaSmkci7GdXgV6yuvwNw/s619/alice.054.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="495" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimY7gyQoQwfI6LPfJEclTgoICP6qmZTNiu0db7rBiDCvZoCRaUitWgokvN62EaLZ6uLA1-rZapTyY_Xf5vgd8Dey1nOj8Rk1W3PU2Dhxyct17ca8TSR_nre0WZ3WBYqvZHBd0k3cGGgoMZViq4JPtLDLX5dI6StE0BYKoQscQwNaSmkci7GdXgV6yuvwNw/w512-h640/alice.054.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>He was feisty, that’s for sure.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">And if anyone wanted to get too close to me while I was holding him, he was sure to let them know his displeasure.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkdX5GyVsHktX3Vo8lkZkYfVoqPtw1G4ahPCEMG9u6uwjG2BfILWzoi3p2kTGMIK8dUE-PSLKPLER871aW05FWYcD2wssj9zO7P00GznveF5tH42-f6QEI7js8xxVrm2nNbBN4wxfT86HvKasPB8JIQ6gVqI1B64KE4HfFUlAvE68yS93LxdRRTziLMrO/s3694/IMG_E7706.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3694" data-original-width="2955" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkdX5GyVsHktX3Vo8lkZkYfVoqPtw1G4ahPCEMG9u6uwjG2BfILWzoi3p2kTGMIK8dUE-PSLKPLER871aW05FWYcD2wssj9zO7P00GznveF5tH42-f6QEI7js8xxVrm2nNbBN4wxfT86HvKasPB8JIQ6gVqI1B64KE4HfFUlAvE68yS93LxdRRTziLMrO/w512-h640/IMG_E7706.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>In the last couple of years, he started to go deaf until his hearing was completely gone.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Once he wasn’t able to pinpoint exactly where I was with his ears, he started following me around.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I had the audacity not to carry him up the stairs with me (he stopped trying to climb the stairs a few years back), he would stand at the bottom of the staircase and yell at me.</span><p></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjq179WEb044O-Bnk6cSma2WfMoVYx9g892w0ToWcODBxMx0MGtcQvJlR3pVZz8YCjlzLENnzQW1T-JiuF6kWIq8_Jzvg_dtTlnkz2uJ5twBWpgrjlBEIJ25e12QNFi0y4wnyykxW-TLw5OXzarfnghWYoG71YK3G9jTJUPmeK-8mv-J7cTAZNp1XFU47P/s3780/IMG_1365.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3780" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjq179WEb044O-Bnk6cSma2WfMoVYx9g892w0ToWcODBxMx0MGtcQvJlR3pVZz8YCjlzLENnzQW1T-JiuF6kWIq8_Jzvg_dtTlnkz2uJ5twBWpgrjlBEIJ25e12QNFi0y4wnyykxW-TLw5OXzarfnghWYoG71YK3G9jTJUPmeK-8mv-J7cTAZNp1XFU47P/w512-h640/IMG_1365.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>And while he was never very fond of being held for any significant amount of time, in the last few years he became a consummate lap dog; any time I started moving in the direction of the couch, he was right there, waiting to get comfy.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8D1W7nyg748nf2mHLjYZ5V5ugenaRz0oQwybrfw1ZhiolpK9aICwgE5myP3L1aCTZucGLWNeMFm4251YDD-DsyQ4Uhbh_SoP5n64ff7AgF3Z6DR78_SRsiK5quJBqiTwR5TE6bPAVKBKAOfJ10TIo-Ox6Dw1IiJx2ph7bJ1AYGL63wvQVSIk40wX7i3gP/s3313/IMG_1637.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3313" data-original-width="2650" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8D1W7nyg748nf2mHLjYZ5V5ugenaRz0oQwybrfw1ZhiolpK9aICwgE5myP3L1aCTZucGLWNeMFm4251YDD-DsyQ4Uhbh_SoP5n64ff7AgF3Z6DR78_SRsiK5quJBqiTwR5TE6bPAVKBKAOfJ10TIo-Ox6Dw1IiJx2ph7bJ1AYGL63wvQVSIk40wX7i3gP/w512-h640/IMG_1637.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>He was my constant companion, and I was lucky to be able to bring him to the office every day.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> He was an excellent office mascot!</span><p></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhquHm8VVhiQdknl2R_oIUwy0bsGiV7aY4Hweu15GVOlciAc9FNM1MiyrpIRPjO7uqkgKwIV8dQJfSnPLyGp6yVuGypqOSuS28JveU8JuYL8aKyB_CXeTd4syUVuw763LBHT8msYQv6MUGWUxnK7RTC4fxtIvJQvykqTTn4fYNS4Doh0nAx06RBf7q8hB/s2783/IMG_3798.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2783" data-original-width="2226" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhquHm8VVhiQdknl2R_oIUwy0bsGiV7aY4Hweu15GVOlciAc9FNM1MiyrpIRPjO7uqkgKwIV8dQJfSnPLyGp6yVuGypqOSuS28JveU8JuYL8aKyB_CXeTd4syUVuw763LBHT8msYQv6MUGWUxnK7RTC4fxtIvJQvykqTTn4fYNS4Doh0nAx06RBf7q8hB/w512-h640/IMG_3798.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>He had his choice of beds at the office, but for the last year or so, as his hearing was failing, he preferred to stand in the middle of the hallway so that he could keep track of everyone's comings and goings. And when he finally wanted to settle in for a nap, it was rare that he actually made it into the bed, but seemed to prefer a half-in/half-out position.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BvWBdP9RtxtOUyZAt3QcfWGoYFU51zH5qUjw75X4uw4YvcG9anxWBQ__w4790SoP0VMLNl_wLJbQshFeAOiU852KDHxrkPERoP2D7UUYQe3WWfU7snoivQcIbNfmKuPAkY04cP3DDHc49m0WNIYrUZbcc7ouc3RSGDbL9QoRggM3Cat5Nf4j7s2Jp37y/s3377/IMG_2420.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3377" data-original-width="2702" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BvWBdP9RtxtOUyZAt3QcfWGoYFU51zH5qUjw75X4uw4YvcG9anxWBQ__w4790SoP0VMLNl_wLJbQshFeAOiU852KDHxrkPERoP2D7UUYQe3WWfU7snoivQcIbNfmKuPAkY04cP3DDHc49m0WNIYrUZbcc7ouc3RSGDbL9QoRggM3Cat5Nf4j7s2Jp37y/w512-h640/IMG_2420.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>Looking back, I think there were less than 14 days over those sixteen years that I was separated from him for more than a few hours.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-8RUg38TiaWpvYA-QERXa6j3DfaZKEcqFhLb_76hGdlWab_soARtB4ViAmf-25azWp-dkktjIa0prED23KT5FSiTY8tHDNZyKgKHcuBJgmGNvQ4LdP1Zt4KBEg0BcCCG-qQaozyBTYX31ML05pGej3Lz3djokH8zVBC_Tylwq2yH6pZZXv4FkP4igPIZ/s960/Snow%20White%20with%20Happy.1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-8RUg38TiaWpvYA-QERXa6j3DfaZKEcqFhLb_76hGdlWab_soARtB4ViAmf-25azWp-dkktjIa0prED23KT5FSiTY8tHDNZyKgKHcuBJgmGNvQ4LdP1Zt4KBEg0BcCCG-qQaozyBTYX31ML05pGej3Lz3djokH8zVBC_Tylwq2yH6pZZXv4FkP4igPIZ/w512-h640/Snow%20White%20with%20Happy.1.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>It’s very disconcerting to run up and down the stairs and not have to make sure to let my little man know that I will be right back.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I keep looking under the table in your bed for your little face.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> And </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I keep expecting to see you when I turn around, waiting for me to pick you up onto my lap as soon as I sit down.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS37n_TMYTAUUHkvWYyHG6G9oV2RVcXhRxDDj_9WdEA2jjzKnQOgAcEzGQ6T6z7gN4Rs81zgKNxEebrVill21Iw1X-dcDEU_Q57ed5S_JQyu3C9VvLInbegsYFVfoYUJ8YyK3lZ4PRwo5rabeyS_iUhKAo3oARghUVK0StgyDorcMEgKi1jSbY5Y4J2R5g/s3485/IMG_1308.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3485" data-original-width="2788" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS37n_TMYTAUUHkvWYyHG6G9oV2RVcXhRxDDj_9WdEA2jjzKnQOgAcEzGQ6T6z7gN4Rs81zgKNxEebrVill21Iw1X-dcDEU_Q57ed5S_JQyu3C9VvLInbegsYFVfoYUJ8YyK3lZ4PRwo5rabeyS_iUhKAo3oARghUVK0StgyDorcMEgKi1jSbY5Y4J2R5g/w512-h640/IMG_1308.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>Mr. Valentino was my world for so very long, and I don’t know what I shall do without him.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I keep expecting him to be right at my side, only to have the heartbreaking realization that he won’t be there ever again.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieTj_SxPAfvviZD338L8o6nYiJRI0286BaJJCxAGxV6GE1nNIi82qmU8PxgCydDuzKjILkg3SoCkkVEv9ki4v_M9NYJPMqgykTKpJapojqCkYfYoQB6yJI0Rjf21EyEfPV7ptHE1PRWznGjwXoXpJgvMh-_fSv7gOFw_C6W0Vi-NfHPB_VIjJHRaKGqiJ/s3444/IMG_6784.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3444" data-original-width="2755" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjieTj_SxPAfvviZD338L8o6nYiJRI0286BaJJCxAGxV6GE1nNIi82qmU8PxgCydDuzKjILkg3SoCkkVEv9ki4v_M9NYJPMqgykTKpJapojqCkYfYoQB6yJI0Rjf21EyEfPV7ptHE1PRWznGjwXoXpJgvMh-_fSv7gOFw_C6W0Vi-NfHPB_VIjJHRaKGqiJ/w512-h640/IMG_6784.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>Seven hours before his passing, I saw a rainbow on the drive home from the office, right as we were turning onto our street, and I like that think that it was a sign that his journey on this earth was coming to an end.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrnToxcOsF1Fb5qRk8hk_Vr2L4T2KlqG24cYNJVUOmyHxn7oHmQR4L9eZxlvpaOSSkjcmJTflg1sne6NY4XJ-NqfoN__2SKSebpHH5EhosDRsjL0Qq4kkh7-Tt6yNmKN6kHEPMtnM4q8qYNqp9RnCYryseVEZjxF6ZmMnLUIhM_NZ8td1_tzJhxdxPVsw/s3201/IMG_E2577.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3201" data-original-width="2561" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrnToxcOsF1Fb5qRk8hk_Vr2L4T2KlqG24cYNJVUOmyHxn7oHmQR4L9eZxlvpaOSSkjcmJTflg1sne6NY4XJ-NqfoN__2SKSebpHH5EhosDRsjL0Qq4kkh7-Tt6yNmKN6kHEPMtnM4q8qYNqp9RnCYryseVEZjxF6ZmMnLUIhM_NZ8td1_tzJhxdxPVsw/w512-h640/IMG_E2577.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>I take comfort that you no longer have any pain or discomfort, and your little body is no longer holding you back.</span><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlxSVvFoNkPRAH2JByvLPWh8JUpYVgH4eIn3ylkVto6ilY0w3spyF4i8jP-dBVrnR3HXpbzl7_-OansWqqGjhgFUFKpGsMzv49BFtzsv79jq93W_9mHWd_vmwwAIJdSCqbtxOB1opkSgdI3F7aQ5sjxkgc2-kRyTiwpo5BScnFn3h81AN4cKNfeagzxTk/s3364/IMG_5163.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3364" data-original-width="2691" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlxSVvFoNkPRAH2JByvLPWh8JUpYVgH4eIn3ylkVto6ilY0w3spyF4i8jP-dBVrnR3HXpbzl7_-OansWqqGjhgFUFKpGsMzv49BFtzsv79jq93W_9mHWd_vmwwAIJdSCqbtxOB1opkSgdI3F7aQ5sjxkgc2-kRyTiwpo5BScnFn3h81AN4cKNfeagzxTk/w512-h640/IMG_5163.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>I feel so very privileged to have had this amazing little creature in my life for over sixteen years. I could not have asked for anything more in a best friend.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPFjzBeTgE6XiFbKMCDVLlcF47dBSkcwTS4KMua38SeDlZJXZqGk0eYEUgNOk54RbGdsCw3UFYWdD_u2JAysNiPzqBzVR-axsFhZDpku8xB4FpaOlkANA7rAhJvucyCh2OPr9rTMSaoXoFxpDNV8rdkhJlROvQ52-IhLrQxk8nbFEGjjQGmb_X1oxVOMV/s4032/IMG_6022.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPFjzBeTgE6XiFbKMCDVLlcF47dBSkcwTS4KMua38SeDlZJXZqGk0eYEUgNOk54RbGdsCw3UFYWdD_u2JAysNiPzqBzVR-axsFhZDpku8xB4FpaOlkANA7rAhJvucyCh2OPr9rTMSaoXoFxpDNV8rdkhJlROvQ52-IhLrQxk8nbFEGjjQGmb_X1oxVOMV/w480-h640/IMG_6022.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>I love you, Bubba, and I miss you so very much.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Say hello to Buddy for me, Baby.</span><p></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL1VqJjjykbhvWEo_5mcIj8nF_MCFNOtEwrkVXU1LIo3HCpMlBOCyax4eMzCsqUkXvx-MHR4TOruv0TgTf27MP46zNQIVFLX60IDld_0liq_ULlZ5zDfBdIU38BLEzn6deWiVdJ7AKL7GVJHfiFBOSEDR0JLAPGugc5RtKNVj4TLIwaq4sRC4Ewe4bI-y/s924/tino.5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="739" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL1VqJjjykbhvWEo_5mcIj8nF_MCFNOtEwrkVXU1LIo3HCpMlBOCyax4eMzCsqUkXvx-MHR4TOruv0TgTf27MP46zNQIVFLX60IDld_0liq_ULlZ5zDfBdIU38BLEzn6deWiVdJ7AKL7GVJHfiFBOSEDR0JLAPGugc5RtKNVj4TLIwaq4sRC4Ewe4bI-y/w512-h640/tino.5.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div>Valentino</div></div><div>July 7, 2004 - February 2, 2024</div>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-48524704169136425702024-01-27T12:22:00.000-08:002024-01-27T12:22:11.841-08:00Estate Sale Pattern Finds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476117023_0a8244be6f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476117023_0a8244be6f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For so many years I avoided most 1970s styles. But since I have been searching for a "perfect" blouse for at least a decade, when I found <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/11/dark-florals.html">this pattern</a> at an estate sale, I decided that I needed to give it a try.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475976336_311e1fcf9a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475976336_311e1fcf9a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now, to be fair, I don't think that a fairly stable woven cotton is exactly what this design calls for. On the other hand, it's easy to work with, I thought that the floral design would look nice with the style lines, and I had enough stashed away to give the pattern a try. Which was good enough for me!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476388935_4aabb7b724_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476388935_4aabb7b724_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now is it my dream blouse? Probably not . . . I'm beginning to think that one doesn't actually exist.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475975896_f3f351e24c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475975896_f3f351e24c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But a high neck silhouette has been growing on me over the last few years. And I do like the yoke, even if it's difficult to see the style lines with this busy print.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476117103_8b3e1248a0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476117103_8b3e1248a0_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The sleeve is pulled in with elastic for this design. And while I absolutely prefer a buttoned cuff, it's nice to change things up a bit every once in a while.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476286629_8dcb93ff37_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476286629_8dcb93ff37_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't believe that my wrists are particularly small, but it was almost impossible to get that elastic small enough - perhaps something to do with the fabric choice being slightly thicker than called for?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476388915_172db5292a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476388915_172db5292a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am thinking about making this up in a rayon challis . . . if I don't get distracted by something else in the meantime.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476388900_3cd5c116c0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476388900_3cd5c116c0_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for my cotton version, it's very comfortable to wear. I had some misgivings about a center back zipper on a blouse, but it all worked out. But I might not be as happy about that with a drapey rayon challis . . . something to think about.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476389410_660c06e334_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476389410_660c06e334_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I suspect that there is enough excess fabric that a zipper would get lost in the folds of fabric, but I would probably use a regular zip instead of an invisible one just to maintain as much of the drape in the rayon as possible.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475975906_6f59b4ac98_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475975906_6f59b4ac98_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And now I've decided that I need to dig around in the stash and find a suitable rayon.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476389515_de48f14310_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476389515_de48f14310_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And the project queue continues to grow . . .</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476389070_ba15875734_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476389070_ba15875734_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Blouse: Made by me, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/11/dark-florals.html">Vogue 9345<br /></a>Skirt: Made by me, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/06/dark-wash-denim.html">Simplicity 8458<br /></a>Earrings: Etsy<br />Shoes: Sam Edelman</span></span></h4>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-59119315406348934642024-01-21T19:36:00.000-08:002024-01-21T19:36:26.935-08:00Smocked Knits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471321388_69f73ea87e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471321388_69f73ea87e_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tis the season for hand knits.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53470278667_936d280bf2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53470278667_936d280bf2_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have been spending a fair amount of time in the evenings sitting on the couch with Mr. Valentino, who seems to be most comfortable in that particular spot. In the past, he would bolt from my lap as soon as the yarn touched him; these days, he refuses to be rousted for almost anything - which means that I have had plenty of time for knitting.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53470278662_3282b4dba4_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53470278662_3282b4dba4_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I wanted something that would not require a massive amount of attention. I found this <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/smock-top-sweater" target="_blank">Smock Top Sweater pattern on Ravelry</a>. I can't recall exactly what my search terms were, but I have been very into turtlenecks as of late, so I suspect that was what led me to this pattern.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471182086_8e50b0d92b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471182086_8e50b0d92b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was also intrigued by the smocked pattern and how that might be accomplished. But since the majority of the sweater was a simple 2X2 rib pattern, I figured I could space out and relax with an easy knitting project.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471321563_b6482310bb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471321563_b6482310bb_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The only real change that I made was to keep that smocked detail going all the way to the shoulder. As the pattern reads, that detail stops at the neck decreases, but I thought that the design would look better to continue the detail all the way through the top of the sweater front.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471494784_eb4a3b8f1f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471494784_eb4a3b8f1f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because this sweater is made of a ribbed knit, the pieces were looking rather narrow as they were completed. I made a gauge swatch before casting on, but to check how stretchy this yarn/ribbing combination actually was, I pinned it to my dress form.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471599250_33612932f2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471599250_33612932f2_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which made it look more appropriately sized.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471321328_55937e43b3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471321328_55937e43b3_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pattern calls for a gentle blocking prior to stitching all of the pieces together, but that seemed like way too much trouble to me!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471182011_931722f47b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471182011_931722f47b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I waited until everything was seamed together before giving the sweater a gentle soak in soapy water.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53470278562_cb18099046_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53470278562_cb18099046_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And the simple process of being dunked in water stretched the ribbing slightly.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471321518_1761565931_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471321518_1761565931_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The smocked bit, however, wanted to pull inward, so I placed a couple of pins to keep that part stretched to the width of my shoulders.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471494739_03fab3e423_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471494739_03fab3e423_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That worked great. The shoulders now sit wide enough on my body and don't pull inward.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471494669_cfaa4c0820_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471494669_cfaa4c0820_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This was a fun project. I know some people dread more than a few inches of ribbing at the hem and cuff, but I find it rather relaxing. I wouldn't be against making another one of these in a different color if the right yard came along. Honestly, the most annoying part of the process was waiting for the wool to dry on the blocking board.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471599280_d55e5e840c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471599280_d55e5e840c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I do believe that this sweater will make an excellent addition to my collection of hand knits!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471599310_f5ef45ec5c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471599310_f5ef45ec5c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-52442578245286629892024-01-14T22:07:00.000-08:002024-01-14T22:07:51.876-08:00Cozy Shades of Green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449819279_ea7a616008_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449819279_ea7a616008_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why do I retain items from the late 1990s that I haven't worn in close to twenty years? Because of this, right here. Who knew I would need a green silk skirt decades later? I surely didn't . . . but it suddenly seemed the perfect choice for my oversized and very fluffy sweater.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449819174_bd545d408d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449819174_bd545d408d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">After discovering a <a href="https://www.knitpicks.com/yarn/wonderfluff/c/5420285">fabulous yarn from Knit Picks</a> that is fluffy and cozy and doesn't shed (how do they manage that?!) I had a hankering to make <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/01/fluffy-knits.html">a bunch of comfortable sweaters</a> out of the miraculous fiber, this time in the shade "Kale."</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449917245_23d45536e3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449917245_23d45536e3_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2021/03/sweater-weather.html">My bright pink turtleneck</a> gets quite a bit of wear in the colder months, and a somewhat similar silhouette in a evergreen shade seemed like a wise choice.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449818729_0eeb6c04e9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449818729_0eeb6c04e9_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And honestly, on rainy Winter days when I can hardly be bothered to get dressed, a turtleneck paired with a long skirt and boots is my go-to outfit. So why not give myself a few my options?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449628958_1d16bdfe5f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449628958_1d16bdfe5f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am not clear on why I am suddenly all about a turtleneck . . . even <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C15DF83vqVp/?img_index=1" target="_blank">my most recent sweater</a> includes one, and I just cast on another. What is happening?!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449629163_a9bdfa306f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449629163_a9bdfa306f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I have always enjoyed a dramatic collar, so I am just going to go with it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449509456_18a3cb0d52_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449509456_18a3cb0d52_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This particular design calls for a plain stockinette stitch for the entire body of the sweater, but I decided to swap in a moss stitch just for fun.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449628838_af82cace35_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449628838_af82cace35_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which is something that I should remember next time I want to add a bit more texture to a plain knit.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449509136_39c2e551b8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449509136_39c2e551b8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Something I else I should remember is to dig around in the depths of the closet to see what other late Nineties garments are hiding out back there.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449819349_9486a9e944_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449819349_9486a9e944_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because while I am slightly aggravated that people are calling these items "vintage," I am not unwilling to give them another try!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449509181_a2c4d4e54a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449509181_a2c4d4e54a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sweater: "<a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/01/fluffy-knits.html">Magnolia" by Kim Hargreaves</a> from Vintage Knits<br />Skirt: Express<br />Earrings: Nicky Butler<br />Shoes: Chinese Laundry</span></span></h4>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-79434073607223500532024-01-07T19:24:00.000-08:002024-01-07T19:24:09.282-08:002023, A Year in Review<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53442581097_365ec62db6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="641" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53442581097_365ec62db6_b.jpg" width="513" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/12/a-christmas-plaid.html">McCalls 4769</a> / <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/12/a-comedy-of-errors.html">Vogue 1965</a><br /><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/10/spooky-owls.html">McCalls 8401</a> / <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/01/polka-dots-circle-skirts.html">Ostara Top</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's that time of year . . . time to look back at all of the projects I posted to this blog in 2023. Some of the items made early in the year feel like they were made at least two or three years ago, not less than 12 months ago! I have lost all sense of time over the last few years. And to be fair, a couple of these items were technically finished prior to 2023, just never posted here (and if it's not posted to the blog, does it really exist?!). Last year has both felt like an eternity and feels like it was gone in the blink of an eye; either way, I am ready to move on!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53442581067_78d5438376_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="641" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53442581067_78d5438376_b.jpg" width="513" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/01/jammy-tweeds.html">Quiet Reflection</a> / <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/01/strawberry-tweed.html">Sodapop Sweater</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was slightly more productive than I thought; and my attempt to add more separates to the wardrobe was a success, so that's nice.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443917730_f8011b6a4a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="641" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443917730_f8011b6a4a_b.jpg" width="513" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/08/toga-party.html">Vogue 1735</a> / <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/06/wardrobe-basics.html">McCalls 8108</a>, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/08/it-would-give-me-such-thrill.html">Stanwyck Skirt</a><br /><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/07/birds-of-feather.html">Collar Confection</a>, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/06/wardrobe-basics.html">Stanwyck Skirt</a> / <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/09/picnic-ready.html">Picnic Blouse</a>, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/06/dark-wash-denim.html">Simplicity 8458</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I still feel like my clothes are a huge mismatch of all sort of styles with no real theme - which makes for some fun when it comes to getting dressed in the morning, but there are days when I do wish that I had a more cohesive sense of style.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53442581087_ccfc5a9fc0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="641" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53442581087_ccfc5a9fc0_b.jpg" width="513" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/02/metallic-brocade.html">Vogue 1908</a> / <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/01/jumpers-pinafores.html">Simplicity 9449</a><br /><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/10/wrapped-in-vintage.html">McCalls 8358</a> / <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/06/a-la-carmen-miranda.html">McCalls 8280</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I do love being able to make my own wardrobe. If I don't have my hands in a sewing or knitting project for a few days, something feels off. So there are no plans to stop making whatever tickles my fancy in the moment any time soon.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443827194_4669f4f321_b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="641" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443827194_4669f4f321_b.jpg" width="513" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/09/peter-pan-collars-and-pleated-skirts.html">Simplicity 8736</a>, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/09/lavender-twill.html">Vogue 9249</a> / <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/11/florals-in-shades-of-blue.html">Picnic Top</a><br /><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/09/pleated-florals.html">Lily Dress</a> / <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/10/wrapped-in-vintage.html">Simplicity 3034</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thank you for following along with my shenanigans for another year!</span></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-50028255392879474162024-01-04T22:25:00.000-08:002024-01-04T22:25:37.187-08:00A Very Mod Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443651195_0f548a5baf_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443651195_0f548a5baf_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Christmas holiday has now passed, but I did manage to finish <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/12/a-comedy-of-errors.html">my dress</a> before 2023 ended, even if I didn't manage to take photos until New Year's Day.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443651360_4b707e266e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443651360_4b707e266e_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I would say that red velveteen bows are appropriately festive for New Years as well as Christmas . . .</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443241321_45055e3ce5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443241321_45055e3ce5_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am rather pleased that with as many issues as I had through <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/12/a-comedy-of-errors.html">the construction process</a>, this dress actually turned out quite well.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443650795_cbb1873364_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443650795_cbb1873364_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And perhaps the mistakes were meant to be, since the end result is better than the original design I sketched out in my head, if I am completely honest.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443651050_032843b78f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443651050_032843b78f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">To top it all off, I was able to use velveteen remnants that would not have been useful for much else - which feels great. I just love when it turns out that there is a reason for keeping all of those bits and bobs!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443380353_dc83b076e4_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443380353_dc83b076e4_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My original thought was to use the printed fabric for the whole dress with no contrast, and wear a pair of swanky red tights. But then <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1RCgV-rCSM/" target="_blank">I made a major cutting error</a>, the red velveteen presented itself as a solution, and finding a pair of red tights that were a good enough match to that particular red seemed difficult, if not impossible, on short notice. So I went with nude fishnets.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53442315062_a53d725d39_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53442315062_a53d725d39_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I may have to search for appropriate red or green tights for next year.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443241011_f89825c0d1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443241011_f89825c0d1_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And yes, the dress is short sleeved. But as long as I don't plan on spending a large amount of time outdoors, short sleeves can work in December here in Northern California.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443559984_892949b22f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443559984_892949b22f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Making this dress also reminded me of <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2022/12/red-velveteen.html">my velveteen jacket</a>, so I could also add that to the ensemble if necessary.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443379918_6815072129_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443379918_6815072129_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Having made holiday themed garments for quite a few years means that I have a couple of weeks worth of Christmas dresses and blouses to wear as the holiday approaches. Now that it is January, I have suddenly forgot how to dress myself without having a theme to fall back on.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443380213_c44b24c4f8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443380213_c44b24c4f8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I do have a few smaller cuts of fabric stashed away, and since these more fitted dresses don't take up yards and yards of fabric, I feel like I should make a few more 1960s themed garments while I am feeling so inclined.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443651315_a72e9064d1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443651315_a72e9064d1_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I do have a hankering to wear some fun colored tights, so I think it's time to pull out those fabrics and find suitable patterns. Or I can work on my latest knitting pattern and have some tea while sitting on the couch. This will probably depend on the weekend weather and how gloomy it is. But at least the days are beginning to lengthen . . . because I am OVER getting home in the dark!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443559814_043292c1e1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53443559814_043292c1e1_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dress: Made by me, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/12/a-comedy-of-errors.html">Vogue 1965<br /></a>Earrings: Gift<br />Headband: Made by me<br />Shoes: Miss L Fire "Dame"</span></span></h4>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-14741388025112982822023-12-29T13:29:00.000-08:002023-12-29T13:29:28.728-08:00Ribbon Candy Colored<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417670840_fb1ccc4a47_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417670840_fb1ccc4a47_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This dress has reminded me that I need more plaid in my life.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417560459_df935dfe91_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417560459_df935dfe91_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sure, it's a bit of a bother to work with, but the finished garment sure looks nice and festive! And really, once everything is cut out, it's not too much of a pain so long as the fabric isn't super drapey.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417233321_288d0ac0ec_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417233321_288d0ac0ec_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am still slightly grumpy about not having enough yardage to match every stripe (as much as that is possible), but looking at the photos, it really isn't hugely obvious unless you know what to look for. And honestly, this dress looks quite good in comparison to most stripe/plaid matching that I see in mass manufactured garments. Why are we so hard on ourselves when, with very few exceptions, something hand made is so far superior to something purchased in a store?!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416314637_204e849167_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416314637_204e849167_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I am supremely pleased that I finally managed to make this fabric into a shirtdress. I only wish every fabric was so clear about what it wanted to be.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417233581_f970fa3bd7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417233581_f970fa3bd7_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or perhaps what I really want is the time and focus to make every project that pops into my head without getting distracted by the next new shiny thing, be it a pattern or a length of fabric.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416314957_875c1da4af_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416314957_875c1da4af_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But then I remember an old pattern that I have made before, and I feel slightly guilty for ignoring the pile of new patterns waiting their turn.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416315257_4ea562b4c6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416315257_4ea562b4c6_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am currently in a place where I just finished one garment and am looking for the next project to dive into. There is that black wool skirt that would be an excellent basic to add to the wardrobe and would pair well with dozens of things, or do I make another floral printed dress? Or will I actually manage to get a coat made this Winter? Sometimes too many choices can be overwhelming. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417670565_67d244d86f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417670565_67d244d86f_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p>Turns out, the lining that I thought I would have to purchase for the black skirt is unnecessary because I just found another length of black lining stashed with my interfacing. Why did I put it there? Unclear. But it does mean that I already have everything that I need to make that skirt . . . so that may be my answer.</p></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416315147_067abbfba6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416315147_067abbfba6_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Or is it time to dive into a really complicated project? Because I could use that kind of distraction . . . then again, that black wool is beckoning . . . or perhaps I should work on that sweater (Tino would certainly appreciate the lap time that comes with that choice). And that may be the answer, right there!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417670715_60ebf637dc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417670715_60ebf637dc_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></h3><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dress: Made by me, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/12/a-christmas-plaid.html" target="_blank">McCalls 4769<br /></a>Belt: Banana Republic<br />Shoes: Kate Spade</span></span></h3>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-20620628929543640842023-12-25T20:47:00.000-08:002023-12-25T20:47:57.880-08:00A Comedy of Errors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416459622_3189125945_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416459622_3189125945_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This dress doesn't look too complicated, and quite frankly, it shouldn't have been . . . but a combination of being distracted and rather crabby over the last few weeks created an environment in which quite a few silly mistakes were made that meant that I had to do some creative work arounds.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379341_f3b2750069_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379341_f3b2750069_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Vogue 1965 is a recent vintage reproduction release, and I was rather interested in the back view of that gown. Of course, I have no need for a floor length sleeveless formal at the moment, but I thought I could add a bit of drama to the shorter version.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416460232_357db72569_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416460232_357db72569_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And somewhere along the way, I decided that it would make a nice Christmas frock. I wanted the shorter skirt, but I did love that drape back and the scooped out neckline, so I was going to swap those pieces in. Of course, all of this was dependent on having enough yardage, and I was cutting it close with this cut.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417704364_c1037b97e9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417704364_c1037b97e9_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I stabilized the neckline with seam binding. This may not have been necessary, but I didn't want the back neckline to stretch out, and this will keep that from happening.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546688_4672097012_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546688_4672097012_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I ended up lining the bodice with a cotton voile remnant that I found stashed away. This makes is easy to trim away that princess seamline without hesitation since it's going to be covered with a lining.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417816225_e304ddb43d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417816225_e304ddb43d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The facing was interfaced and the edge finished with my standard <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2011/12/how-to-apply-seam-binding-tutorial.html">seam binding</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379281_2fa6e5b5a9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379281_2fa6e5b5a9_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And for whatever reason, the instructions suggest finishing the sleeve hem prior to installing the lined sleeves in the garment. So I went with it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379291_bc4cbda558_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379291_bc4cbda558_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So far, so good.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379236_164f26c146_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379236_164f26c146_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's giving a very classic 1960s shape, and I'm not mad about it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379216_42eeff56c5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379216_42eeff56c5_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because I was expecting to wear some kind of tights with this dress, I decided to underline the skirt with a bemberg rayon. And let me tell you, finding enough black bemberg in the stash was a challenge. I have quite a few scraps, but these skirt pieces took a bit of a creative layout to fit. Which begs the question - why am I keeping all of those small scrap pieces?!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417816140_a1d955065c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417816140_a1d955065c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Part of the problem is that extra length from the waist to under the bust - I am used to cutting knee length skirts that sit at the waist.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379166_07e1151861_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379166_07e1151861_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And then came my biggest mistake. [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1NKi9ePMbG/" target="_blank">The first</a> was that I actually had to draft a back facing for this garment since the scooped back goes with the sleeveless version that is self-lined and doesn't have a facing . . . but I wasn't paying attention and cut out the given facing which obviously wasn't going to work. And there went more of my scarce fabric.] But I was rather determined to add that back drape. I would have been fine if I didn't start cutting out that drape using the foldline as a grainline. In my defense, the foldline for this piece is a multi-sized edge, which is not very common in Vogue patterns. Then again, I should know better. I stopped cutting as soon as I realized my mistake, but the damage was done - that large pattern piece was never going to fit on my meager remaining fabric.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379206_cc48df4929_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417379206_cc48df4929_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But the main reason for my pattern choice was that lovely pseudo-Watteau-backed 1960s design, and I was pretty cranky about making another mistake with this dress. Readjusting the pattern piece left me with quite a bit of fabric missing from the lower edge; too much to get folded up in to a hemline.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417704204_0755cb030d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417704204_0755cb030d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I did plan to use <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2022/12/a-cozy-coverup.html">some leftover red velveteen</a> for the under-bust contrast, and it struck me that the same contrast might work on that lower edge of the drape.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417816050_94ee93abff_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417816050_94ee93abff_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unfortunately, there was significantly less of the velveteen than I remembered having . . . but a center seam solved that problem. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417816015_b946d307e2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417816015_b946d307e2_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It wasn't perfect, but it might just save that back drape.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546453_e3068140a3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546453_e3068140a3_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The piece gets folded, stitched down to the underlining, and attached at the lower bodice/upper skirt seam.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417816010_dbe4f5ea46_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417816010_dbe4f5ea46_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The red contrast on the drape is wider than the band on the bodice, but I was hoping that the proportions would work (it had to be wide enough to cover the cutting mistake, but still fit on the velveteen scraps, and I was hoping for the best).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417815950_eaa6a74d79_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417815950_eaa6a74d79_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The design calls for a side zipper, which I applied by hand with a lapped application.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417378951_b2c0d3cecc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417378951_b2c0d3cecc_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And as long as there are no other crazy mistakes, this looks like it's coming together.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546378_d69ec3c5d3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546378_d69ec3c5d3_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was still uncertain about that back contrast at this point, but I was pretty sure that after I added the contrast band to the bodice, this would look much more balanced.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417378901_7cf75c18d8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417378901_7cf75c18d8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because it's just so much more interesting with that extra skirt piece back there!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546333_c35f04532d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546333_c35f04532d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">To keep the underlining layer in place along the hemline, I ran a line of stitches just inside the fold - this keeps the two different fabrics from separating. It also gives me an easy mark to follow for the actual hemline.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417815845_84b0784043_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417815845_84b0784043_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">According to the instructions, the bottom of the panel is hemmed, and the sides just fold into place over that finished hem.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417815825_a18d2e9978_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417815825_a18d2e9978_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Most contemporary patterns would have the contrast band stitched right into the under bust seamline, but the original vintage instructions have the bias strip finished before hand stitching it along the seam.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417815830_34681ebacc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417815830_34681ebacc_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is helpful to eliminate some of the bulk that would otherwise be stuck in the zipper opening. I definitely prefer this manner of adding a contrast belt and bow.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416459722_4f5c435b9d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416459722_4f5c435b9d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It all means that you can choose the exact placement exclusive of the seamline; if you want the band to cheat slightly higher or lower, you can do that with this technique. That won't work if the raw edges are already enclosed within the seam.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417703899_be26e4f8bd_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417703899_be26e4f8bd_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For the skirt hem, I used some seam binding, per usual.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546273_14844dc60c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546273_14844dc60c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And for the finish at the contrast band, I did something a bit different than the instructions. They would have the contrast hand stitched along both short ends. But with such an obvious contrast, that would mean that the zipper would break up that line. Instead, I added some length to the bias piece and had the excess overhang the front bodice. This flap then gets snapped into place on the back bodice once the zipper has been closed.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417815750_716a00044d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417815750_716a00044d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And that seamline right in the center the red velveteen was still bothering me . . . so I scraped together the remaining scraps and made myself a bow to slap right over that aggravating seam. It's a lot, but this is a holiday dress, so I'm just going for it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546238_9c86df8629_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546238_9c86df8629_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Do I still prefer a fluffy petticoated skirt? Yes. I probably always will. But every once in a while, it's good to switch things up a bit.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416459577_991a6af817_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416459577_991a6af817_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And yes, that double bow is rather silly. But I had velveteen scraps that are a lot more fun to have on this dress than folded up in a remnant bin. I can't actually believe that I managed to get a second bow out of the bits - it's almost as though it was meant to be.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546158_45173f9d0a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417546158_45173f9d0a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That's another Christmas themed novelty printed dress for the collection. It won't get worn this year, but there's always next December.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416459517_cff0c6be45_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53416459517_cff0c6be45_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And if I ever have the need for a floor length 1960s inspired gown, I know where to start.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417703704_af9c8ede4b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417703704_af9c8ede4b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Perhaps I will even add velveteen to next year's possible holiday textile choice . . . if I think I have the patience. Because it's not half as terrible as working with silk velvet!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417703709_9a99d8e234_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53417703709_9a99d8e234_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-89630287150634646662023-12-14T00:04:00.000-08:002023-12-14T00:04:15.552-08:00A Christmas Plaid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389579956_4727e6a91d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389579956_4727e6a91d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This fabric is from a fabric swap that happened in Fall of 2022. It was seasonly appropriate when I picked it out, and I had immediate plans for a shirtdress. But, as with so many of my project ideas, some other sewing project distracted me, and once the weather got cold, I lost the motivation to work with the fabric.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390017235_ffacd0bffc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390017235_ffacd0bffc_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fast forward a year, and once again, cold weather was approaching, but I really wanted to use this fabric. So I went rummaging through my patterns searching for something appropriate - which is when I remembered McCalls 4769. I made this up in a black rayon/linen blend about 15 years ago, and I remembered it being a great pattern. The only issue was that I really wanted a tea-length dress, and my fabric was four yards, however, it was only 45" wide, so fitting all of the pieces and getting a decent plaid match was going to be challenging, if not impossible. But once I get an idea stuck in my head, I'm pretty stubborn, and I wasn't going to let this go.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53388659432_50bb25e9f9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53388659432_50bb25e9f9_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For whatever reason, this fabric just felt like it was meant to be a shirtdress from the moment that I spotted it, and that was the only silhouette that would do.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390017220_128443b66b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390017220_128443b66b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One of the reasons that I picked this particular pattern was for that bias cut banding that runs down the center front of the dress. I thought that it would be a nice break in the plaid (although it doesn't eliminate the need to match up those horizontal lines).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390017150_bf26cc3f4e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390017150_bf26cc3f4e_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One quirky feature of this pattern is the three-quarter cuffed sleeve. I have never come across another pattern (vintage or contemporary) that uses this method of cutting one long sleeve piece and creating a notched cuff by folding and stitching what amounts to a dart in the middle of that fold.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390017180_9a1b99b1c0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390017180_9a1b99b1c0_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I posted <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0HqxxxPEc3/" target="_blank">the process</a> on Instagram, and from the response, it looks as though no one else has seen this technique before, either!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390017170_6a4d5f8b32_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390017170_6a4d5f8b32_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">After fighting to fit all of my pieces with less yardage than the amount required, things went together fairly easily. Well, there was that hiccup with the collar when I clipped one side at the notch instead of the marking for the clip, but I managed to get through that after a bit of cursing. Don't start sewing when you are distracted by other things! When will I learn?!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389887224_38c3ca118c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389887224_38c3ca118c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And speaking of plaid matching, it seemed to me that the yellow stripe was going to draw the most attention, and so I did my best to focus on that part of the plaid.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389580486_7f9021e5a1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389580486_7f9021e5a1_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you can see here, the bodice and back skirt look pretty good from the horizontal perspective, however there was just no way to get those vertical lines to match and cut a long skirt from the fabric that I had. If I stare at it long enough, it really bothers me, but I don't have to look at my back when it's on my body, so I am going to enjoy the dress as it is. And since I plan on wearing a belt, I would wager that most (non-sewing) folks wouldn't even notice the issue.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389887169_8394e65187_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389887169_8394e65187_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Seams were finished with <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2011/12/how-to-apply-seam-binding-tutorial.html">seam binding</a>, of course.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389887149_d2758663a5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389887149_d2758663a5_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This cotton/spandex woven was easy to work with, so there was not any frustration from that perspective. And at least I managed to get that center back skirt seam to match - because that would have made me truly crazy!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389580471_17bc273834_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389580471_17bc273834_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't usually trim down my waist seams, but this fabric, for whatever reason, did have a tendency to fray more than expected, and I thought it would be a good idea to give myself a fresh edge for the seam binding application.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389887079_5dd18e58d5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389887079_5dd18e58d5_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Facing pieces were interfaced, as was the bias strip down center front.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389767463_bc81b5bc68_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389767463_bc81b5bc68_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And honestly, that's not looking too terrible.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389767368_22f974a336_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389767368_22f974a336_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I got lucky with the collar, and the points matched up great on the first go, which is always nice.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389886954_ef997dff82_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389886954_ef997dff82_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I do love any excuse for a bit of hand sewing!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390016865_17e3430a21_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390016865_17e3430a21_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For my buttonholes, I pulled out a vintage automatic buttonholer made for an old straight stitch machine.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53388659072_14033ed16a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53388659072_14033ed16a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If I have to make machine buttonholes, it's nice to be able to count on that attachment instead of fighting with a modern version. The Bernina foot with that plastic eye thing is atrocious. It is so finicky and rarely works properly, so I have given up on it completely.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389886959_1d1000ed6c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389886959_1d1000ed6c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I broke down and purchased a gross of covered button forms from Wawak in a few different sizes. It's rather freeing to think that I can cover buttons to my heart's content without worrying that I am going to have to run to the store to get just one more for that placket front.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389580196_bfa4d41162_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389580196_bfa4d41162_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I also can't figure out why my stash of red buttons is wanting. Then again, I think the self-fabric buttons really were the best choice with this fabric/design.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389580246_0c3a2210fc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389580246_0c3a2210fc_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And here is one of the ways I cheated my lack of yardage. The bodice facing had to be cut from self-fabric because of the fold back design, but the lower skirt facing pieces I cut out of a red cotton. Would I have preferred it to be the plaid? Yes. But at least this allowed me to make the dress in the length I envisioned it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389886829_8b71f51b13_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389886829_8b71f51b13_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I did shorten the skirt pieces slightly, but then used a narrower than suggested hem, so it all worked out.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389580181_8d53a707a6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389580181_8d53a707a6_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some cotton spandex blends can be difficult to hand stitch; I find that I almost want a ballpoint needle (do they make those for hand sewing?). But this one was quite lovely to work with.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389767153_671bc100d8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389767153_671bc100d8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And to keep that bodice closed (the buttons are not spaced very closely) I added a hook & thread bar at the waist, and a snap between the two bodice buttons.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53388658967_ca5b4b0e41_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53388658967_ca5b4b0e41_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">After wearing the dress for the day, I added another snap between the first two buttons on the skirt. Since the hips are fairly fitted, I noticed that the interfaced band had a tendency to pop open when seated.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389767083_f0997ce53b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389767083_f0997ce53b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But a single snap took care of that.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389767073_ba656ee099_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389767073_ba656ee099_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Overall, I am very happy with the way this dress turned out. I might try interfacing the cuffed section of that sleeve with a lightweight fusible if I make this again, but it still looks nice in this fairly crisp textile.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390016550_eaece1f707_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390016550_eaece1f707_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now if only I had an extra yard I could have made that darn back really match up! But we don't always get our way, now do we . . .</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390016585_ff1b58f22f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53390016585_ff1b58f22f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-56403728753310882822023-11-26T11:09:00.000-08:002023-11-26T11:09:24.032-08:00Dark Florals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352653384_dac2876d56_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352653384_dac2876d56_b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">About a month ago, I found this vintage pattern at an estate sale. I don't often find myself drawn to 1970s designs, but for whatever reason, I liked this one, and it followed me home.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352548903_cea5d99043_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352548903_cea5d99043_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">When I opened up the envelope, I discovered that something had attacked the sleeve tissue. I did my best to carefully iron things flat, and traced the destroyed piece onto a piece of Pellon.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53351449777_5d41635f25_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53351449777_5d41635f25_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But it wasn't the sleeve that I was most excited about. What made me take a second look at this pattern was the yoke. Generally, I prefer v-necks and angular lines so I don't look any more rounded, but I thought this might look really nice tucked into a full skirt.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352548888_11883c4acb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352548888_11883c4acb_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of course, the pattern also comes with a belt. This may not be the way I choose to wear the blouse, but since I had enough of this cotton fabric, I decided that having more options is always nice, and cut out the belt.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352548868_4435cef868_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352548868_4435cef868_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gathers are definitely not my favorite part of the sewing process, but I was hoping that the added aggravation would be worth it in the end.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352327336_87a4802ce8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352327336_87a4802ce8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I wanted to see how that yoke was going to work for me.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352548863_6118fa1ce2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352548863_6118fa1ce2_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because the neckline is fairly fitted, this blouse has a zipper at center back.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352327311_2639cc6f2d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352327311_2639cc6f2d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I contemplated using a pick stitch for the zipper, however, as there was going to be a bit of topstitching along the yoke if I followed the pattern instructions, so I decided that it might look slightly odd not to use a machine stitch for the zipper insertion.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352778205_118e2f6511_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352778205_118e2f6511_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And with some hand basting to keep everything in place, it went well.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352327286_bbe0561427_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352327286_bbe0561427_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">After a bit of trimming and clipping, the neckline facing was ready to stitch into place.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352778150_273edd8e94_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352778150_273edd8e94_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I did hand stitch that facing into place, even with the top-stitching - it just works better - and the instructions agree!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352778125_cd19e822ee_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352778125_cd19e822ee_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Along with gathering, I often avoid projects that require elastic. But these sudo-bishop sleeves seemed worth a small amount of elastic.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352548773_2776b4f720_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352548773_2776b4f720_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The directions call for use of a purchased bias tape, but I prefer to make my own. And it will always be a perfect match!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352653479_dc790413b2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352653479_dc790413b2_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Stitching the two ends of elastic together in such a small circumference was a real pain, but in the end, I wrangled those silly stretchy bits.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53351449632_12a28e0caa_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53351449632_12a28e0caa_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And raw edges were finished with <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2011/12/how-to-apply-seam-binding-tutorial.html">seam binding</a>, of course.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352778095_e8f9f35113_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352778095_e8f9f35113_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I also decided to hand stitch the hem in place, even with the top-stitched details; I just prefer the soft finish that it gives.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352653449_718ea5b382_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352653449_718ea5b382_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The finished blouse is a bit shapeless through the body, but the tie cinches things in nicely, as will a skirt waistband.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352778065_be1112fa10_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352778065_be1112fa10_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I rather like the way this blouse turned out.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352327201_66425c705d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352327201_66425c705d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So exploring this particular 1970s pattern was well worth it (shredded pattern tissue, and all!).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352653379_893c8c693f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352653379_893c8c693f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-10908504987191111892023-11-18T21:06:00.000-08:002023-11-18T21:06:15.058-08:00Florals in Shades of Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335138958_ec00bf6164_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335138958_ec00bf6164_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had a fairly good idea that a puffed sleeve was going to work quite nicely with the <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/11/lavender-blue.html">Picnic Top</a> pattern - what I didn't realize was that it would make me rediscover <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2015/08/new-denim.html">this skirt</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53334903971_3f2a0a02b6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53334903971_3f2a0a02b6_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have been wearing <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/06/dark-wash-denim.html">my new denim skirt</a> to death lately (because it really does go with just about everything), and while it would work perfectly with the blue floral design of this top, I was hoping that I could find another option in my closet.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335242944_f295617960_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335242944_f295617960_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Sewaholic "<a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2012/12/pattern-testing-hollyburn-skirt.html">Hollyburn" skirt</a> was the belle of the ball around the internet sewing world when it was first released back in 2012, but I don't see it all that much anymore.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335363620_a7f19ddd7e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335363620_a7f19ddd7e_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's a great design, so much so that I made myself two versions. And they saw quite a bit of wear until more recent projects took over the prime sections of closet and I forgot about them after a while.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335243324_a63a45b2df_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335243324_a63a45b2df_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But as I was rummaging around the depths of the closet looking for the color blue, I spotted <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2015/08/new-denim.html">this skirt</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335139073_74bc326214_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335139073_74bc326214_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which was exactly what I was looking for!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335138693_fea827ee4e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335138693_fea827ee4e_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's always fun to rediscover garments. Maybe not quite a fun as a brand new shiny finished sewing project waiting to be worn for the first time, but after years of not being worn, they almost feel like new.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335243199_b129b23fcc_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335243199_b129b23fcc_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And since I have been on <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/06/dark-wash-denim.html">a bit of a denim kick</a>, I am surprised that I didn't think of this skirt right away. That has to be a sign that I have too many clothing choices, right?!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53334023942_aa2b385074_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53334023942_aa2b385074_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which is not to say that a wardrobe could ever have too many blue toned skirts.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335242934_3eb2ac8eb5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335242934_3eb2ac8eb5_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p>As a matter of fact, I keep meaning to add more blue and purple shades to my fabric choices. Both colors are high up on my list of favorites, but somewhere along the way reds and pinks became my go to.</p></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335139088_7f32a1aba5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53335139088_7f32a1aba5_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p>But the cool tones are gaining traction, and I absolutely feel that a tea length navy wool skirt would be a very welcome addition to my collection. And there I go adding another project to the sewing queue . . .</p></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53334023677_d82874121c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53334023677_d82874121c_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></span></div><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Blouse: Made by me, "<a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/11/lavender-blue.html">Picnic Blouse</a>" from Charm Patterns<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Skirt: Made by me, "<a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2012/12/pattern-testing-hollyburn-skirt.html">Hollyburn" Skirt</a> from Sewaholic Patterns<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Necklace: Nicky Butler<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Earrings: Gift<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Shoes: Marc Fisher "<a href="https://www.nordstrom.com/s/marc-fisher-ltd-chela-platform-raffia-sandal-women/7270164?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=001" target="_blank">Chela</a>"</span></span></h3>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-35681862265443093302023-11-10T19:49:00.000-08:002023-11-10T19:49:43.081-08:00Lavender Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309654835_e5d419287c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309654835_e5d419287c_b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">After being quite pleased with <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/10/a-fresh-bouquet-of-flowers.html">my initial attempt at making a Picnic Blouse</a>, I decided that I wanted to make another, this time with a different sleeve treatment.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309539204_4712f10bdf_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309539204_4712f10bdf_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had remnants of this upholstery fabric leftover from <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2016/06/what-you-up-to-with-miss-ellens.html">a dress that I made back in 2016 out of my Grandmother's old drapes and bedspread</a>, and it didn't really require a full lining, so I decided to use the interfacing pattern pieces as a facing.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309539139_b0a5230dd6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309539139_b0a5230dd6_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That would take care of the neckline and opening edges, but not the bottom hemline, so I drafted that facing piece.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430948_5479cc5b18_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430948_5479cc5b18_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Seamlines were finished with <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2011/12/how-to-apply-seam-binding-tutorial.html">seam binding</a>, as usual.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430943_9018d7576c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430943_9018d7576c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I decided that <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2012/09/tips-and-tricks-covered-button.html">a covered button</a> would look rather nice with this fabric.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309539124_9ba19f8fda_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309539124_9ba19f8fda_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And, as with <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/09/picnic-ready.html">the previous version</a>, I used <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2012/08/bound-buttonholes-tutorial.html">bound buttonholes</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53308314587_f6a2f5e2fb_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53308314587_f6a2f5e2fb_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because, why not!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309655285_96514064ed_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309655285_96514064ed_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">At this point, I find the process rather relaxing, especially when working with a stable fabric like this cotton.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309180691_96439a908a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309180691_96439a908a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I highly recommend trying the technique. It's not complicated; it just takes a little bit more time compared to using a machine to make your buttonhole. And I get a much more consistent result with my bound buttonholes than a contemporary buttonhole attachment!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309180631_06c0232f1b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309180631_06c0232f1b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But any extra effort is absolutely worth it, in my opinion.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430738_671d99f4d2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430738_671d99f4d2_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have made a few <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COgGkwGsj_-/" target="_blank">handworked buttonholes</a>, and I would like to do more of those at some point, but I thought that the bound version would look better for this particular project.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309539004_e4c63ea38f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309539004_e4c63ea38f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I do interface the section of fabric where the buttonholes will be worked for extra stability.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430678_684bfbe854_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430678_684bfbe854_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I always work with a larger square of fabric than is necessary. I find it much easier to play with; you can always trim away, but having a tiny bit of fabric start to fray where you are cutting a hole into your garment is not fun.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309655045_5fa7f77e9d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309655045_5fa7f77e9d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I bound the outside edges of the facing instead of folding over and stitching because it creates less bulk (and I think it looks pretty).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309180526_264ab34203_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309180526_264ab34203_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know that some people avoid facings, but I really like the finish that they give. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309180481_a418701d2f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309180481_a418701d2f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In some cases, a length of bias binding works great, but I think I will always prefer a facing.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309180456_e5dabeda8a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309180456_e5dabeda8a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I even remembered to grade my seams.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309654985_ef3cceb757_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309654985_ef3cceb757_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The lower facing was hand stitched into place along the seamlines and dart legs.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430513_ae7dcfabfc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430513_ae7dcfabfc_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because I had enough fabric to work with, I was able to get a nice pattern match at center front, which I alway prefer.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430648_3de076220d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430648_3de076220d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">For the sleeves, I decided to see if the puffed sleeve from the Scout Dress from Charm Patterns would swap in for the pattern's cap sleeves.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53308314212_b1078f0bef_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53308314212_b1078f0bef_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I figured that there was a good chance that the block for both bodices would be similar since they are from the same company. And also, I would be dealing with a puffed sleeve, which is rather forgiving.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53308314137_29ece86335_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53308314137_29ece86335_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I ended up shortening the sleeve for the look I was going for, but overall, the pairing worked out great.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309538644_c3f9ef6123_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309538644_c3f9ef6123_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This top is a very quick project, even with the substituted sleeve, and I am very pleased with how it turned out.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53308314122_52abe11b7e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53308314122_52abe11b7e_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I probably don't need a third version for the time being, but I wouldn't be opposed to making another should the right fabric show up and/or one of my skirts needs another top to pair with it!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430478_df6b20525a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53309430478_df6b20525a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-23869018505874546722023-10-31T19:59:00.002-07:002023-10-31T19:59:41.161-07:00Spooky Owls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300607668_0e28c1a70d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300607668_0e28c1a70d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The street I grew up on dead-ended into open space, so I spent a good deal of time walking through the nature preserve that was less than a mile from my doorstep.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300734189_606723a1d8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300734189_606723a1d8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One evening around dusk I was walking with my Mom and we heard, and then spotted, an owl perched on a tree. My Mom decided to attempt to communicate with said owl with a few hoots and some jaunty head movements. Whether this attempt at communication was some sort of blasphemous threat or the commencement of a mating ritual, we shall never know. But whatever she managed to say did not please Mr. Owl, to say the least. He came swooping down directly at us with a screech and we had to duck and cover.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53299499522_4a4c7550ce_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53299499522_4a4c7550ce_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Traumatic experience with a raptor aside, I am rather fond of the feathered creatures. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300733739_cee4cc7100_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300733739_cee4cc7100_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">These days I usually only hear them, but every once in a while on a late night walk I see a light colored flash of movement swoop on by. It's truly amazing how SILENT their flight is, and I have been startled more than a few times. Thankfully, they don't seem to be aggravated by a lone human being walking along their flight path, minus the awkward hooting and any exaggerated head movements, so they never come directly at me. And they are definitely welcome to any rodents that might be living nearby.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53299499957_f970c09678_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53299499957_f970c09678_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A few years ago, I started an annual tradition of making myself a novelty print themed Halloween outfit instead of costume (although I am quite certain that a large percentage of the population would consider a large portion of my wardrobe a "costume").</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300360906_8fd45237fd_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300360906_8fd45237fd_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Part of this has to do with the fact that the availability of fabulous novelty prints has improved over the years.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300734159_edd9fd5607_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300734159_edd9fd5607_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It has always been easy to find Christmas themed designs printed on fabric, but the Halloween themed prints have come a long way, probably due to the increased number of individuals who are quite obsessed with this holiday in recent years - because I do not remember the entire month of October being spooky season when I was a child. I am sure it has a lot to do with the commercialization of the holiday, similar to Christmas, which is a shame, but I will definitely take the opportunity to make and wear more novelty prints.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300840415_a4dc5541bc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300840415_a4dc5541bc_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p>So when this whimsical owl print grabbed my attention last year, I knew I would enjoy making something with it. And I am very pleased with my choice for this year's holiday themed project.</p></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300839975_0af7799015_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300839975_0af7799015_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have also come to the realization that the idea of working only with "flattering" colors is easily forgotten when a print is just too good to pass up.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300360411_5f04792432_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300360411_5f04792432_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p>I now have one more lovely choice to add to my arsenal of Halloween appropriate frocks.</p></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53299500202_5981b400ce_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53299500202_5981b400ce_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p>And this project has reminded me that I should recall the existence of my rick-rack collection more often, because scallops of any kind are always a fabulous choice. Happy Halloween, everyone!</p></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300840140_a6c69f1449_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53300840140_a6c69f1449_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dress: Made by me, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/10/orange-black.html">McCalls 8401<br /></a></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hair Bow: Made by me<br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Earrings: Etsy, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/GlitzOmatic?ref=yr_purchases&section_id=27409739" target="_blank">Glitz-o-Matic<br /></a></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Shoes: Miss L Fire "Bel-Aire"</span></span></h4>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-3609232262304763762023-10-29T23:21:00.002-07:002023-10-29T23:21:57.991-07:00Orange & Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286784584_177df027d7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286784584_177df027d7_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ah yes, the annual Halloween novelty print dress project. I do enjoy this process!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522472_2dceec6f2a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522472_2dceec6f2a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I picked up this adorable owl print last year after the aforementioned holiday had passed. There was slightly less than four yards left on the bolt, and I had to have it! I didn't know what I would do with the fabric, but I was quite certain that it was worth taking home.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286877140_e702700a3a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286877140_e702700a3a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fast forward to this year, and a rummage through the seasonal printed fabrics in my stash reminded me of this print.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522467_a9265ca4a2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522467_a9265ca4a2_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unfortunately, McCalls 8401 requires more than what I had on hand. Ggrrrr. But I was convinced that this pattern was the perfect option for this print. And once I get an idea in my head, my stubborn streak rears its ugly head.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286416146_30a30947ed_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286416146_30a30947ed_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But as you might have guessed, I figured out a solution. As is pretty clear from the illustration, the skirt is a dirndl; in other words, just a bunch of rectangles stitched together. After a quick look at the fabric layout, it was clear that the four skirt pieces were the biggest fabric hogs, and was the obvious place to make some adjustments.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286416106_52e54dfa9b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286416106_52e54dfa9b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So after laying out the bodice and sleeve pieces, and figuring out exactly how much fabric was required, I measured the remaining yardage and divided by four.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662443_c67856cdee_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662443_c67856cdee_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I actually ended up cutting out two sizes larger for the skirt width to give myself even more fullness in the skirt (and utilize as much of my fabric as possible). Why leave a narrow scrap when it can be incorporated into a full skirt?!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286416061_42af431b3b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286416061_42af431b3b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The next question was whether or not to add rick-rack trim.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286877040_a564bc7966_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286877040_a564bc7966_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That was an easy decision!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286877065_7f345fec61_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286877065_7f345fec61_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I wasn't sure how obvious the scalloped edges would be laid next to the black and white gingham, but it was worth a try.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286876980_792089e3c3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286876980_792089e3c3_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The rick-rack that I found ended up being slightly narrower than I liked, so I stitched it in place favoring one edge instead of right down the middle - which ended up working quite nicely.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522277_8315fbfdf7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522277_8315fbfdf7_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And just to make things interesting, I made a rookie mistake on my sleeves. Can you spot the problem?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522267_a60fc0d0e8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522267_a60fc0d0e8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The sleeve in the back of the above photo has the facing pinned right side to wrong side. I don't think I have ever done that before. Not only did I pin it, I stitched and trimmed that seam before realizing what I had done. Thankfully, the cotton is pretty sturdy and I was able to salvage the sleeve. Which is a good thing, since the scraps that I had remaining would not have fit another sleeve piece.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286784369_e8f03426e0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286784369_e8f03426e0_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The midriff overlay had me a bit stumped. I kept browsing the instructions looking for where the buttonholes were mentioned. The pattern piece itself had three circles indicating where to place the buttons, but no lines for the actual buttonhole. Turns out, the pattern has you sew the buttons through both layers to secure the pieces with no functioning buttonhole.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662343_c893412238_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662343_c893412238_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, that just wasn't exciting enough for me, so I added <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2012/08/bound-buttonholes-tutorial.html">bound buttonholes</a>, cut on the bias to contrast with the gingham checks.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286876915_94f00f164c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286876915_94f00f164c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had already chosen my buttons, which included a pretty significant shank, so the buttonholes just seemed necessary in my mind.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522202_4f1581b91d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522202_4f1581b91d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I think they look rather jaunty, so the extra bit of effort was absolutely worth it!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662293_66704504d8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662293_66704504d8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That contrast gingham also came in handy for my facings. My fabric was about 41" wide without the selvedge, and even though the pattern layout suggested that I would be able to fit the collar pieces next to the skirt pieces, that was not possible.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286415946_3664c861de_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286415946_3664c861de_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I actually think that the contrast is fun, so I'm not mad about it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662253_ecef3c1f55_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662253_ecef3c1f55_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This particular design has a side zipper. As mentioned above, those button are not meant to be functional, and the back bodice midriff is cut on the fold. The center back bodice opens for about six inches to allow the dress to be pulled over the head. If I was to make this dress again, I would think about adding seam allowance to the back midriff section and using a center back zipper. The skirt already has a center back seam, so this would be a fairly easy alteration, and I find a center back zipper so much easier to get in and out of instead of a side zip.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286876840_bd50f8b820_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286876840_bd50f8b820_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The instructions call for single fold bias tape, but I like to make my own, so I used the contrasting fabric for a nice bias finish to the neck edge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522132_6a07ab0284_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522132_6a07ab0284_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I actually love the rick-rack trim on the collar with this fabric. I think that detail would have been easily lost in this busy print without the extra bit of contrast on the edge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662198_dd674f04d8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662198_dd674f04d8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And as for for the skirt, since I added a bit of width to the skirt pieces, I was slightly nervous that they might not gather down to the bodice waist. It was a tight squeeze, but I managed to keep the extra floof.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286415901_a62a0280a2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286415901_a62a0280a2_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I contemplated adding the piping that the pattern suggested to the waist seam, but I thought that the skirt gathers were just a little too bulky for it to work.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286415896_4808d31cc3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286415896_4808d31cc3_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I think that there is already enough going on here!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522057_8e26f29351_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522057_8e26f29351_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I installed a side lapped zipper by hand, per usual.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522017_99a5cdb7fa_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522017_99a5cdb7fa_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I did make sure to match my center front midriff in the gingham check, but I didn't think enough about the side seam match. Oh well, most of the time it will be covered by my arms, so it's not the worst mistake in the world, but it's still aggravating to have missed that match.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522042_9d9dd2dc8e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522042_9d9dd2dc8e_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I do love the way that the contrasting prints work together.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522047_2b513691db_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522047_2b513691db_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you might have noticed, I was inspired by the cover illustration.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522537_31d8a31723_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522537_31d8a31723_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is one of those projects that was just sort of meant to be.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662638_95d3c0db72_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662638_95d3c0db72_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I only have a very small pile of scraps left of this fabulous novelty print, and I think that it really suits the style.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522617_9c5afb89f9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53285522617_9c5afb89f9_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I did have to purchase the black and white contrast fabric, as well as the rick-rack. But I guarantee I will find a use for the rest of that rick-rack. And everything else (including the buttons) were from the stash, which always feels good.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662593_c28e6b533b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286662593_c28e6b533b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I do love the way this turned out. In fact, I wouldn't be opposed to making this pattern again if the right fabric comes along. It's a wonderfully classic silhouette, and I do love any excuse to pull out a petticoat!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286784619_70292c0d48_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53286784619_70292c0d48_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-20829993122446619392023-10-22T23:26:00.002-07:002023-10-22T23:26:18.608-07:00Wrapped in Vintage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53119596466_6baa67a99e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53119596466_6baa67a99e_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am getting better at making newly released patterns. I have a tendency to get excited by a new pattern, think up all sorts of options for said pattern, and then get distracted by other shiny things. Then the weather changes and I lose track of the pattern, and out of sight, out of mind, and that projects gets lost in the shuffle.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53118991122_a7f44b8d23_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53118991122_a7f44b8d23_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I was definitely intrigued by <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/10/just-dye-it.html">this vintage reproduction</a> and wanted to give this one a try . . . sooner rather than later.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53118990882_918f697212_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53118990882_918f697212_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's a fabric hog, so my choices of stashed fabric were limited. But I did have a lot of this print. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53118991017_02a8c9c040_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53118991017_02a8c9c040_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/10/just-dye-it.html">One dye bath later</a> (in an effort to make the color story slightly more palatable), and it was time to cut into the pattern.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53120000655_499df84815_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53120000655_499df84815_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The sewing process itself was a bit of an adventure, and I was convinced halfway through that the project was destined to fail. Some designs give you a good idea of the final fit along the way, but this is not one of them! This looks like a shapeless sack right up until the end.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53118991012_16378fe5a9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53118991012_16378fe5a9_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I kept going, and surprise, surprise, this dress turned out to be a super comfy, easy to wear option for lazy days when I can't be bothered.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53120000700_0cc5dff115_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53120000700_0cc5dff115_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The print has certainly grown on me, but it's never going to be my first choice, which is keeping this dress from being a favorite. However, it has certainly earned its place in my wardrobe. And I do think that all of the elastic casings and gathered ruffles improve the fabric print, so this particular pattern was a great choice for this fabric.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53120000510_2af6ef47b8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53120000510_2af6ef47b8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And for that, I am very pleased.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53119596456_54310d0a2e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53119596456_54310d0a2e_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This version was always intended as a wearable muslin, and after completing the dress, I was rethinking that. Do I really need another version of a dress that doesn't thrill me? Well, having now realized that this is the perhaps the ultimate throw on and go dress, I may have to make myself another - only time will tell. And if I come across the right fabric, it is quite likely that this design will make an appearance in next Summer's sewing queue. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53119596186_472499ac80_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53119596186_472499ac80_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dress: Made by me, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/10/just-dye-it.html">McCalls 8358<br /></a>Shoes: Sam Edelman "Kanya"<br />Necklace: Vintage, from Mom<br />Bracelet: Vintage, from Mom</span></span></h4>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-44739621569969773712023-10-19T12:08:00.002-07:002023-10-19T12:08:58.884-07:00Just Dye It!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53000898777_f5594a149b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53000898777_f5594a149b_b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Well, I finally found a project for the roll of fabric that has been sitting in the corner of the sewing room for about five years. I rescued the bolt because it was going to get tossed, but it was never going to be my favorite print and/or color combo.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645714_05852428a7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645714_05852428a7_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This vintage reproduction pattern struck my fancy as soon as I saw it, but it uses a massive amount of fabric. Or, at least, the ruffled version does, and that one looked much more interesting to me . . . but isn't that the way it always goes.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001497261_74fe4dba10_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001497261_74fe4dba10_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So I pulled out the bin with all of my fabric dye and decided to see how over-dying would work with this extremely colorful textile . . . because I had plenty of it to work with. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645744_b41452acfc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645744_b41452acfc_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are a lot of colors to contend with, but I thought that a green would work, both for the blue background and the yellow (which I definitely wanted to tone down). Unfortunately, I only had a small amount of dark green dye left and I had seven yards of fabric to cover which was going to need a fair amount of water, and therefore, a significant amount of dye.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53000899347_920f3ea9c6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53000899347_920f3ea9c6_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I didn't really want to purchase any more dye, so I ended up adding some blue to the mix. The color of the water was lovely, but the white sections of the fabric turned out looking very turquoise, which was NOT the color of the water. I happen to love turquoise, so I'm not mad about it, but it goes to show that you never can tell what will happen with dyes!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001971468_028e94a97f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001971468_028e94a97f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And, most importantly, what I ended up with is a fabric that I like infinitely more than the original. So I am going to call this a success.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001876445_d0f45deeed_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001876445_d0f45deeed_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is a whole lot of top-stitching involved with this dress design and I didn't have any thread that was an exact match to any of the colors, but in keeping with using only what was on hand, I found something that worked well enough. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53000899312_e2b97fbc3a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53000899312_e2b97fbc3a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And honestly, there is so much going on with this print, I don't think it's obvious at all - especially once the elastic scrunches everything up.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001971803_1a12bef68b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001971803_1a12bef68b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The pattern calls for bias tape to use as a casing for the elastic bits at the neckline and armholes, but I don't like the premade poly-cotton stuff, so I made my own.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001876385_8a2df3112c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001876385_8a2df3112c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It takes a bit of extra work, but it's absolutely worth the effort, in my opinion.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645614_f3e44b4572_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645614_f3e44b4572_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">After even more top-stitching, I was ready for that elastic.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645604_926b5be0a9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645604_926b5be0a9_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And it now looks like I have created a rather unattractive muu-muu. Oops. This is not what I was going for . . .</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645524_101e291e9f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645524_101e291e9f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But this is one of those patterns that does not give any sort of indication how the final garment will look until almost all of the sewing is complete, so I figured that I might as well keep going.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645534_0bf6b3cac3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001645534_0bf6b3cac3_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One eternity later, I finished and gathered the ruffle and attached it to the muu-muu.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001876215_9a9c13d258_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001876215_9a9c13d258_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And since I can't leave raw edges alone, I went ahead and finished them all with <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2011/12/how-to-apply-seam-binding-tutorial.html">seam binding</a>. I even had the perfect blue for my project.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001971618_47c0f6bcf1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001971618_47c0f6bcf1_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">At which point, I am beginning to have some hope for this project.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001876145_06978d20b5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001876145_06978d20b5_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is still hovering right around muu-muu territory, but the additional length added with the ruffle has improved things considerably.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001497036_53ae68762f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001497036_53ae68762f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The final step was to add the fabric ties which allow for some shaping.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001496986_a711c7791d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001496986_a711c7791d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Interestingly enough, one of the first steps is to finish the side seam opening that one of those ties feeds through, but the placement of that opening did not work for me.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53000898942_9cb91ec13d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53000898942_9cb91ec13d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">When I tried the dress on, that opening placed one end of the wrap along the hem significantly lower than the rest of the dress. I was slightly puzzled by this, but decided that I would simply raise that opening by an inch or two.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53000898882_781f37aa1f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53000898882_781f37aa1f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Having now worn the dress, the hemline does not want to sit entirely straight. It's not a huge problem, but something that does bother me slightly. I wonder if it has something to do with the large overlap. Most wraps do not provide as much coverage as this one does, and I like that, but I have a feeling that it may be a part of the problem. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001971383_8484637112_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001971383_8484637112_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p>Still, it is a perfectly serviceable dress; it's never going to be my favorite item in the closet, but it is super easy to wear and this project has proved that I can handle a fair amount of top-stitching. So that's a bonus!</p></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001971473_40f020b3ef_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53001971473_40f020b3ef_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-23337034276894028002023-10-09T18:57:00.000-07:002023-10-09T18:57:49.373-07:00A Fresh Bouquet of Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53217014064_669d978de6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53217014064_669d978de6_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As expected, the addition of a jean skirt to my wardrobe was an excellent idea.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53217014114_da5ec0b354_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53217014114_da5ec0b354_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It has already been a workhorse since I finished it a few months ago, and I would not be adverse to making another if I come across more denim yardage that I like.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53216934593_a1042918cc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53216934593_a1042918cc_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm not a fan of light wash denim, but perhaps another dark blue would be a nice addition; I'm thinking that a knee length option would be very useful.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53216624326_83d9bb9ef7_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53216624326_83d9bb9ef7_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But am I done with this skirt pattern? I have made <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2021/11/basic-leftovers.html">quite a few of these</a>, and I would absolutely make another. I'm not entirely sure how full this is . . . maybe somewhere between a 1/2 and a 3/4 circle skirt? And it's a great option when I don't want to deal with all of that extra fabric from a full tea length circle skirt, but still want a classic shape.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53217131330_8de3d48713_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53217131330_8de3d48713_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for the top . . .</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53216934463_c6f138746b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53216934463_c6f138746b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am quite pleased with how this turned out, and I am thrilled that I finally found a use for this vintage remnant of fabric! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53217131665_98ab5a9ba2_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53217131665_98ab5a9ba2_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lengthening the sleeve worked fine, so I probably should have done a better job of marking those changes on the pattern for the future, but I can always reference the actual garment if I need to.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53217131725_42d4ef3032_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53217131725_42d4ef3032_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">One thing to note is that the front neckline is quite low. I don't mind a low neckline, but this one required me to go searching in the back of the drawer for an appropriate bra, so it's definitely something to keep in mind with this pattern. And it would be a super simple alteration to make (just make sure to make the same change to the matching facing!).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53216624401_e34db571b0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53216624401_e34db571b0_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But overall, I am going to call both of these items a success. And I do understand why people love jeans; this blue twill really goes with everything - just don't expect me to get on the pants bandwagon any time soon; I am very happy with a few good jean skirts.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53216624436_ef3298808a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53216624436_ef3298808a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><h4><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: normal;">Blouse: Made by me, "<a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/09/picnic-ready.html">Picnic Top</a>" from Charm Patterns<br />Skirt: Made by me, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/06/dark-wash-denim.html">Simplicity 8458<br /></a>Necklace: Rafael Jewelers<br />Shoes: Colin Stuart</span></h4>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-73023168894537326262023-09-26T22:48:00.000-07:002023-09-26T22:48:01.258-07:00Pleated Florals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174072561_871118c56d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174072561_871118c56d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Give me a squared neckline and I'm on board with a design; add to that a pleated bodice, throw in darted sleeves, and I definitely need that dress in my wardrobe.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174561788_c3bc3ef83b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174561788_c3bc3ef83b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/09/pleated-and-puffed-sleeves.html">This pattern</a> from Daria Patternmaking doesn't take a massive amount of fabric, but it does require 2.5 yards of 55" wide fabric. And since I was going to be testing this design, I didn't want to go searching for and spending more money on fabric. Luckily, I had a queen size sheet set worth of this cotton print.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174072046_88aefe1871_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174072046_88aefe1871_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which is not to say that this design wouldn't work in a more sturdy textile.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174509525_e11419fc6e_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174509525_e11419fc6e_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If the right fabric comes along, I would definitely think about making another version.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174072476_cd2f5c3a47_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174072476_cd2f5c3a47_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It might also be fun to raise the back neckline slightly so that the ribbon is not necessary to keep the shoulders in place to give the dress a different feel.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174561543_0ea988b82c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174561543_0ea988b82c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That would require a bit of fiddling with the shoulder yokes and the back of the dress, so who knows when I will get around to it, but it's on the rather long list of projects that lives rent free in my head.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174561408_71e6d72cd1_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174561408_71e6d72cd1_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But I'm not saying that I don't love that back bow, because I do!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174509275_d1ff0b0902_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174509275_d1ff0b0902_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have re-discovered my love of white/off-white background prints in the last couple of years. Because of my pasty skin, I often feel that white tones don't do me any favors. But in this case, I think that there is enough color in those fabulous florals to make up for mine as well as the fabric's lack of pigment.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174509755_af3e889cdc_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174509755_af3e889cdc_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p>Because the print is pretty darn amazing! I can't really decide if it's the design or the print that I love more; or maybe it's just the combination of both.</p></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174072231_dab975eb7d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174072231_dab975eb7d_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></span></div><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dress: Made by me, "<a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/09/pleated-and-puffed-sleeves.html">Lily Dress</a>" by Daria Patternmaking<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Shoes: Soludos Lace Up Espadrille<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Necklace & Earrings: Etsy</span></span></h4>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-44853419732314267172023-09-16T12:20:00.000-07:002023-09-16T12:20:12.911-07:00Pleated and Puffed Sleeves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174299499_7e578d346a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174299499_7e578d346a_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Back in January of 2022, I was a tester for the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1177616689/pleated-dress-with-a-bow-back-detail-and?click_key=2d94e03061038cc84ddfecf2a98f11e7b92825d6%3A1177616689&click_sum=1745726f&ref=shop_home_active_7&crt=1" target="_blank">Lily Dress from Daria Patternmaking</a>. I didn't get many photos of the construction process because there was a quick turn around for completing the pattern and communicating feedback to the designer, and I was doing most of the sewing on this project at night when the lighting was not great. (I mostly blame the crummy lighting and lack of daylight hours.)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174536185_cbe09cce15_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174536185_cbe09cce15_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I loved this design as soon as I saw it and was excited to be a part of the testing process. I did make a few alterations to the pattern. First, the skirt was a bit short for my taste, so I added 2.5" to the length. I will note that the only reason that I was able to fit the rather wide front skirt piece on my fabric is that I was using a sheet set (<a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/08/floral-explosion.html">this print may look familiar as I recently made a blouse from it</a>!). If I was to make this using a standard width fabric, I would probably add a center front seam to that front skirt piece so that I could lengthen the skirt, perhaps an inch or two more than I did on this version.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174536195_eae5fa226f_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174536195_eae5fa226f_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I also added sew-in cups to the bodice since the rather wide-set shoulders were going to make finding an appropriate bra somewhat challenging.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174536180_e49393188c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174536180_e49393188c_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's a quick alteration that involves tacking the cups to the lining fabric and proceeding with the rest of the construction as directed.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174299644_f5a68da1d8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174299644_f5a68da1d8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Besides the lovely pleated bodice, the other design detail that caught my attention was the sleeves. The exaggerated puffs are made by pleating the excess into the armscye instead of the standard gathering option. This is a technique that is commonly seen in 1940s designs, but I rarely see it being used in contemporary fashion. Now if only more basque waist styles get released as new designs, I would be quite pleased!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174536135_7356083b96_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174536135_7356083b96_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I definitely enjoyed making this design and should pull the dress out to wear again before it gets too cold for a lightweight cotton dress.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53173504687_f2357e7020_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53173504687_f2357e7020_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And one more thing I should mention . . . this pattern calls for the use of a ribbon to hold the wide-set shoulders in place. I didn't have any suitable ribbon stashed away, so I just made my ties out of self-fabric.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174536070_2c850bc5dd_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53174536070_2c850bc5dd_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Overall, I definitely like the way this turned out and would not be adverse to making another version in a solid colored, slightly more heavy weighted fabric for a cool weather version. I'll just add that to the list of projects that I would like to get around to at some point!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53173504747_3f7901ba8d_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53173504747_3f7901ba8d_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-8143234227128268032023-09-12T21:13:00.001-07:002023-09-12T21:40:45.211-07:00Peter Pan Collars and Pleated Skirts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156027821_d27d569237_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156027821_d27d569237_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Making myself another version of <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/08/floral-explosion.html">Simplicity 8736</a> was a wonderful idea. I just love this blouse!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226984_783429045b_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226984_783429045b_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I never knew that I needed a lavender skirt in my wardrobe . . . and yet I obviously did!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226894_ee737e5126_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226894_ee737e5126_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I wasn't entirely sure that I would love this skirt design, but I am now thinking that I should make myself another version in blue denim because it would be a great wardrobe builder and match a whole bunch of items in my closet. So I guess I like it!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226714_38bcb90811_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226714_38bcb90811_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for that waistband, the boning channels are helpful, but the front does develop horizontal wrinkles throughout the day.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156454040_0f4be6aa21_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156454040_0f4be6aa21_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is probably unavoidable, and I don't think it would be as obvious in a darker colored fabric. I guess I should just get over it, because other than that, it's the perfect easy to wear skirt.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156027671_2c40f2c8c3_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156027671_2c40f2c8c3_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p>I don't mind the front pleats, and I do think the cut-away pockets are fabulous.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156027826_ae4d228bb8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156027826_ae4d228bb8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And as for <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/08/floral-explosion.html">the blouse</a>, it's wonderful. The cotton is so soft and the design is easy to wear, and it doesn't get much better than that. </span></p><p><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53155442947_190a1f0aa9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53155442947_190a1f0aa9_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am not sure that I am completely finished with the pattern, although I will put it away for the moment. But should the right fabric come along, I would probably make myself another one. And I could always make one of the other versions to add some variety to my collection of Simplicity 8736 blouses.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226894_ee737e5126_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226894_ee737e5126_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But there are plenty of long sleeved blouse patterns to distract me for more Fall/Winter appropriate items should I feel the urge to make a blouse.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226709_dd01d29b39_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226709_dd01d29b39_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because I always miss my window for Fall sewing, and I am going to try not to do that this year. And I do have that linen fabric that I meant to make into a top of some kind, so I should probably get to that.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156454125_c7108a74af_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156454125_c7108a74af_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p>But then what shall I do with all of the warm weather dresses that I want to make this year? There just aren't enough hours in the day . . .</p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226809_fc4779e26a_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53156226809_fc4779e26a_b.jpg" width="512" /></a></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Blouse: Made by me, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/08/floral-explosion.html">Simplicity 8736<br /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Skirt: Made by me, <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2023/09/lavender-twill.html">Vogue 9249</a><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Shoes: Marc Fisher "<a href="https://www.nordstrom.com/s/marc-fisher-ltd-chela-platform-raffia-sandal-women/7270164" target="_blank">Chela Platform</a>"<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Earrings: Etsy</span></span></h4><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823578805242157520.post-77068959398029867132023-09-04T16:08:00.001-07:002023-09-04T16:08:50.652-07:00Picnic Ready<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937188_c82a15f4be_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937188_c82a15f4be_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">When I found this fabric at an estate sale, I was immediately drawn to the print. I normally avoid bright yellow, but the blue, yellow, and green florals were too fabulous to pass up.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058840290_8129946bef_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058840290_8129946bef_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unfortunately, once I got it home and unfolded it, I realized that the fabric was only 12" wide. I had more than 3 yards, but it was going to be a challenge to find something that would work with that extremely limited width. My original thought was to make a 1960s style shift dress when I found the fabric, but that was obviously out.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457726_c437ba8c86_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457726_c437ba8c86_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And then I had a revelation. I wanted to try out the Charm Patterns "Picnic Top" in order to use up some remaining yardage that I have leftover from making a skirt, but I wanted to make sure that I would like the pattern before cutting into that particular fabric. And then I remembered that I had this print stashed away.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53057872842_4484ec2b28_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53057872842_4484ec2b28_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I actually managed to find it exactly where I thought that I had left it (that doesn't always happen with the amount of stashed yardage I have) and so it felt like it was meant to be.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457711_2e43672f77_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457711_2e43672f77_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now, these days 36" wide fabric is considered quite narrow, and I only had 12" to work around. Plus, there were a few stains that were not lifting and I was hoping to avoid those sections altogether.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058639229_1f20f720a9_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058639229_1f20f720a9_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Turns out, that was all I needed! I even managed to do a fairly good job matching that center back seam. It wasn't going to be perfect with the cut section of printing that was remaining once I happened upon the yardage, but it's close enough to look intentional, which is all I could ask.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53057872772_f83b12d055_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53057872772_f83b12d055_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I found yellow buttons in a stash, and even though these were slightly wider than the pattern calls for, I decided to use them anyway since I have a rather limited choice when it comes to a lemony shade and I didn't want to purchase anything new for this project.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53057872757_e740354dd8_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53057872757_e740354dd8_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And since it had been a minute since I worked some <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2012/08/bound-buttonholes-tutorial.html">bound buttonholes</a>, I decided that I might as well add a few to the project.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457666_9a2fd77431_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457666_9a2fd77431_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I actually find the process relaxing. Maybe not if I am in a hurry, but in a stable cotton like this, I would much rather trust a tried and true process than subject my finished garment to a machine buttonhole that I am always slightly suspicious of, even with my lovely vintage buttonholers.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937198_73a477e0ec_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937198_73a477e0ec_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Since the background of this fabric is rather light, I had some slight misgivings that the extra square of fabric might show through, but I decided that if I avoided the print and cut out plain little squares, it would probably work out.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457661_e918612032_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457661_e918612032_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And this is going to be worn close to the body, not held up to a window full of sunlight, so a shadow of extra fabric is probably never that big of a deal.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53057872717_281f673340_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53057872717_281f673340_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have shown <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2012/08/bound-buttonholes-tutorial.html">this method</a> here on the blog many times, and it's my favorite.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058639159_29d6d55a34_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058639159_29d6d55a34_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And the plain white fabric squares worked perfectly - the show through was not a problem.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058639164_51562b8f21_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058639164_51562b8f21_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The main alteration that I wanted to make to the design was the sleeves. As drafted, the high cap sleeve cuts my arm at it's widest point and I don't find it very flattering.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058840230_b59bac59e0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058840230_b59bac59e0_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My first thought was to substitute a puffed sleeve (I've been making a lot of those lately), but my fabric limitations weren't going to allow for that.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058639134_d27950baf6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058639134_d27950baf6_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My initial addition of fabric at the bottom of the sleeve was a little too much, though. I pinned it in place and tried on the top and it felt quite restrictive. Now granted, it was ridiculously hot up in the sewing room that day and I was feeling rather grumpy which could account for part of my discomfort, but I still thought it best to shorten my altered sleeve just slightly.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457561_a4b56020cd_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457561_a4b56020cd_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The slightly longer sleeve did not affect the construction method recommended by the pattern instructions, so I went ahead and followed them.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457576_49f0214a20_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457576_49f0214a20_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This creates a fully lined garment. It's not my usual method, but it works nicely with a cap sleeve like this.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457606_1ea2ffc439_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457606_1ea2ffc439_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This project was a real pleasure. I just love when a fabric behaves so nicely, and bonus points that the print is so cheery.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457566_33bd635ba6_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457566_33bd635ba6_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was unable to match the center front seamline at all because of my limited yardage which slightly bums me out. On the other hand, I found a use for 12" wide fabric, so I call that a win!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058840035_bd4213f1b0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058840035_bd4213f1b0_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And now I have an idea of how the pattern fits and if I would like to make any additional changes before cutting into my fabric remnant that will match <a href="http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2021/03/whatever-happened-to-that-wingback-chair.html">this skirt</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937253_35136db477_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937253_35136db477_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And I have a cute garment to wear in the meantime.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53057872597_25a37c67b5_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53057872597_25a37c67b5_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So while the extra time spent on things like bound buttonholes may seem silly for a wearable muslin, there is always a chance that the practice garment may turn out even better than expected, so why not make an effort on the details?!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457536_b7cdb28465_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058457536_b7cdb28465_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And that's the story of this little project.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937188_c82a15f4be_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937188_c82a15f4be_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The oversized buttons turned out fine, although this version is probably a bit tighter than the pattern sizing originally intended because of the change.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937213_d4c298d930_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937213_d4c298d930_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But this will definitely be a great option for wearing during the Summer months.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058840010_e367cca348_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058840010_e367cca348_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And it feels like the pattern was meant for this particular patterns seeing that I can't think of another that would have worked with this vintage textile remnant.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937193_836fc74779_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058937193_836fc74779_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And that makes me very happy! Sometimes things are just meant to be.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058639039_f42ee3bbac_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058639039_f42ee3bbac_b.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div><p><br /></p>Laura Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01288197213619181028noreply@blogger.com3