First up, my sewing dare!
I have had incredible support from Colette at Tessuti over the last couple of weeks where she helped me with the fabric planning around my sewing dare dress, sending me 3 lovely sequins fabrics to choose from and two jersey. I really couldn't have asked for better service. All this over the email too!
This afternoon I snuck in an hour of 'sew time' so cut out the 'top' part of the dress, using the Briar as my basis. I was very tempted to cut the curve out at the bottom but decided not to as it wouldn't work for the dress ... But I'm worried. I think the sequins will be too heavy for the material and might pull the whole thingt down. I plan to stabilise the shoulder seams but I don't think it will be enough. The easy way out will be to make separates. A sequins skirt and a jersey top. This of course will increase the wearability of both pieces.. proabably something I should seriously consider. I have also noticed that there are a number of 'easy sequins skirt' tutorials out there so this could definitely be a solution.
Second up is the Cami dress. I learnt a lot from sewing my muslin last week....about the brain space that we need to be in to sew well. My mum thinks that this dress doesn't look good and that I shouldn't make it, but I'm taking the advice from so many of you that commented and also from a part of my stubborn nature and will forge on with this. Pauline is doing a sewalong at a nice easy pace so, today I also cut out the Liberty for this dress and am on track again for the sewalong.
Are any of you doing Inna's the Little French Jacket sewalong? I'm so keen but just need to find some time. Anyone know where I can buy some? Inna is taking a nice slow pace, so I might even be able to catch up. There was a great post on colour theory the other day so even though I'm not yet sewing along, I'm loving the posts.
Oh and don't forget Red October - but that's a little way away! First things first.
Your new fabric looks great, and tempted by the French jacket sewalong..but I don't do sewalongs!! Too much distraction. http://myfabrication.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThe inter-continental sewing-sequins bug bit me! I now want something sparkly! What about a Very Sparkly Little French Jacket? Do you think I will look like Michael Jackson? And you are right to do the Cami dress sew-along - maybe with some modifications you will look like you were born in it?
ReplyDeleteJust to read your post makes me feel very lazy! I´m sure that cami dress is going to be brilliant, and I just looooove the sequins! Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteWhat divine sequin fabrics! I love the colours, how are you going to choose between them! I was interested that you are going to stabilise the shoulder seams - would a fusible tape on the side seams help to stabilise the top?
ReplyDeleteI attended a fantastic demonstration of Freudenberg products at Tessuti Surry Hills in June and am now using fusible tapes and stabilisers on most garments and am thrilled at the results - can't imagine not using them now.
Also, I second your comments about Collete at Tessuti. I live in Perth and am making 5 bridesmaids outfits for my daughter's wedding in November using a range of silks I bought at Tessuti when I was in Sydney in June. Colette and the Tessuti staff have been incredibly helpful in providing ongoing assistance, particularly when I've needed extra fabric and notions. No request has been too difficult, I'm extremely grateful to them!
Jenny
Those sequins are gorgeous! Love the shades of grey together. If you do want to keep it a dress, you could always underline the jersey with a tissue jersey (lightweight and not too stretchy) for some extra oomph. On the other hand, it would be a lot easier to launder seperates!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how it turns out!
Ooh, a little French jacket sewalong? That looks like fun! You've got a nice line up here.
ReplyDeleteLoving the sequins!! No matter what you decide to do with them, they will look stunning!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I've bitten off more than I can chew, but I'm in on the LFJ sewalong. The long timeline definitely makes it seem like it might actually be achievable :-)
Great news re the LFJ sewalong!! I should get on board because it would be such an achievement. I did quite a bit of the top and I'm feeling good about it.. fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Leila. It's hard to keep up with all the fun!
ReplyDeleteGood idea re underlining... but I think I'm going to do seperates. It's a bit of a cheat isn't it.. but it does mean that the jersey top can just go in the wash - and well I'll just wipe down the sequins :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny, yes I have just used a fusible tape for the shoulder seams. I think there are other ways but this seamed the easiest. In the end I've decided to do separates as unless I take Gillian's advice and underline then it is too heavy. I really wish I'd analsysed the dress better when I was in France - but I know the fabric was more like a 'sloppy joe'. I must look up the Freudenberg products! Good luck with the dresses for your daughter's wedding. 5!!! yikes. Make sure you send a link through,
ReplyDeleteI don't really have anywhere to wear it either.... but I'll have to make up an occasion! What are you thinking of making for Red October?
ReplyDeleteThanks Merche - you should hardly feel lazy - I know you are up to that much and more !!! But yes, we should all carry a little bit of sequins around in our pockets to make up happy !
ReplyDeleteOh Inna, if there is anyone who could pull off a sparkly little french jacket it's YOU! Please please do one :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Gail. I know what you mean by too many distractions :)
ReplyDeleteI have a jersey fabric in fall colors that I want to use for a Lady Skater dress. I'm just hoping it's red enough and not too rust colored. I hope you've had time this week to work on your projects - can't wait to see them!
ReplyDeleteYour sequins are beautiful, I think they'll look really amazing as a skirt or dress.
ReplyDeleteI'm not participating in any structured sewalongs at the moment - I find it really hard to stick to a project plan in my free time (feels too much like work!) - I'm trying to meet the monthly challenges in The Monthly Stitch though.
Inna's colour theory post was great... very educational!
They really are the best! Thanks and I'm so loving your jacket posts :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you but sometimes a sewalong - a slow sewalong - is the only way for me not to get stressed and try and finish things in record time! Are you having time off for school holidays?
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