I can't post the dress but I can post the petticoat

Here is the completed petticoat. If you can believe it it is three layers of the net I talked about earlier. This is bit stiffer as I said so for the bottom layer I used an organza so it wouldn't be so itchy. Every petticoat I make I improve on. I think I will use the organza or I think I could use fabric at the bottom layer to keep the netting off the skin. I eventually am going to use true crinoline. It is STIFF. I was conversing with Femia from Porshes Place. and she said when she made one she had to hand gathered it instead of using her machine. I believe it. She also said it will hold any fabric up. I want more POOF!

Thank goodness she loved her wedding dress

The wait seemed like forever. That is why I prefer priority but it is outrageous to ship priority when it is over 3 pounds plus with a gown I have to go on a quest for a big box. USPS boxes just won't work for the fuller gowns. The dress with the petticoat weighed 4 pounds. They don't seem so heavy when you're wearing them. I think this gown is so pretty. Really breathtaking even on a dress form. I hope to see some pictures after the big day.

We were debating on the rouching effect of the dress. At first I thought it would look good with it just around the bust line kind of like the Keira Knightley dress but when I tried it it looked horrible. It made the dress so blah. I think with the blue dress it was ok because it was solid no overlay. We also wanted options so I made a pleated detachable cummerbund. I tried the rouching and it was ugly. It was overkill on the rouching.

I think it looks great with or without it. The green matched perfect. It was hilarious when I msged my customer telling her I found a perfect green to match she thought I meant the green was for the actual dress. I understand this since her inspiration photo was a green dress. Could you imagine wanted a ivory dress and getting a green one?

New stiffer netting

Believe it or not Joanne's has some great netting. It is stiffer than your usual netting. Perfect for petticoats of course. Only downfall is that it so far only comes in ivory or white. I usually buy my netting at fabric.com they have the best selection of colors and it is stiffer than Joanne's of course aside from this stuff. fabric.com doesn't have ivory for some reason either. I make quite a few ivory petticoats and I'm pretty happy with this stuff though it a little harder to work with. There is no props holding this petticoat up. It is standing on it's own!

I have completed another wedding gown, from my sketch! I'm so very proud of it and can't wait to share it with you all. I ran into quite a few issues with it but in the end the dress is remarkable. I hope the bride to be loves it. Hurry and get to her Mr. Postman! The above unfinished petticoat was for her gown.

What a doll! Silken Flame Barbie on a real doll.

Here is my customer in her Silken Flame Barbie outfit. She is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing and allowing me to share your pictures.

Congratulations Making Changes WINNER pattern and fabric!!!

Congratulations Making Changes you are the winner of the not so fabulous pattern and fabric! I don't have an e-mail but I tried to contact you through what I believed was your Etsy site. I will ship it to you as soon as I have an address!

Thanks all that participated!

Fabric downer what's up with this?

So I went to cut my next wedding dress. I've had the fabric for a bit now but never thought to check it over since I've never had an issue with (well not going to say where I'm sure it was a honest mistake) I've never seen anything like this and would really like a machine that does this stitching which started about a yard in of my fabric.

I ended wasting a couple of hours going to the fabric store just to find everything I wanted they didn't have enough of! I did end up finding something I was happy with though. It will gather really nice not too thick not too thin. Thank goodness. I don't have time for stuff like this! Just look at that perfect stitching though. It looks like they way I use to lace up my shoes. Does my thumb look fat in the picture j/k :)

A Special Gift from my Mom

So I hate to admit it but I'm a bit of Hum Bug this season. Not sure why...being laid off, stress of life in general, being cynical about the meaning of Christmas and how it gets buried in presents just to be returned the day after Christmas. Ok I will stop now so I don't bring everybody down.

Today I got a surprise visit from my mom and sister. They brought me over a Christmas tree! I love it so much!!! and it made my day and it is so fitting for this year. My Charlie Brown Christmas Tree! No after New Year's taking down the tree and decorations!

Wedding Dress and two other dresses

So I'm still trying to catch up. I'm almost done with the wedding dress. I braved it up and cut the overlay. I think the only thing I could use what was left is for a Barbie outfit.

I know she follows this blog so pictures of the dress will have to wait.

Here is the 50's dress with the stand up collar that I under estimated the fabric for. I also added a sash per customers request to dress it up a bit. She is going to a Mad Men's Inspired party. I got my fabric quick and shipped it today. Also here is my strapless version of the green dress (black per request) with bolero completed.  

I made these little earrings to go with the strapless dress. She is wearing it to a New Year's Eve party.

Next weeks projects will be EtsyKetsy123 green dress and another wedding gown. Then I think it is the YOU dress and skirt. I may have my sister come over and at least help me cut to speed things up!

This dress is so unique

Etsy has this feature that will show you stuff from your favorite shops and this little dress popped up today. It is from traven7. It is a vintage shop. Could you imagine recreating this dress and the work involved! Look at the details!

I just love the skirt! Never worn reasonable priced click here for dress listing.

I think it is just going to be a crappy week

I'm stressing! I think I I over estimated my skills this month with orders. I goofed on one yesterday and then after receiving a message from another customer who needs her order for New Year's Eve I realized a couple of things. One she wanted a black dress not the green and two she is from Canada! So I ran to the fabric store and whipped out her dress today. It is almost done just need to do some hand stitching and hem the skirt. This is the strapless version of this the green dress with bolero. If you missed it click here. I did the piping all around the top and boned the ta ta area of the bodice. After she receives it I will post better pictures. I really like it strapless.

One of my biggest pet peeves is putting a project a side and starting a new one. I hate to do it. Now I have three projects going. This dress that still needs the bolero, the wedding dress, and the dress with the high collar sitting waiting for fabric. I'm getting quite the mess! As soon as I'm caught up I'm taking a day to clean my work space. Hey mom if you're reading this c'mon over and help me clean ;)

Just a bad sewing day

I should of been done with this dress today but I under estimated the fabric. I have the bodice completely done even the hand sewing. I love the collar and cuffs and love the black faille I used. I haven't pressed yet almost looks like Dracula right now but it will be all good in the end. I had to call my customer with the bad news and told her I could either make it all over again with satin that I had in stock or wait at least four days to get my fabric in. It seemed like everything I touched today went bad....

I've also been working on a wedding dress. I have the lining all done except the hem! All the boning and underlining is complete. To me that is almost the worst or at least the most time consuming part. It probably would go a little faster if I didn't do an under lining, less cutting, less sewing, but I notice a real difference especially in strapless gowns. The final result is worth the extra work. This is what she will see when she looks in the dress.

Since I have until April though I plan on shipping it this month I'm going all out. I want it to be perfect. She send me the most beautiful overlay. I'm scared to death to cut it because it is not replaceable and I'm having to modify some things to make it work since there was limited supply. It is going to work but I have no room for errors. For every visible seam I can I'm doing a french seam. For a good tutorial on how to do a french seam click here. It really is a must at least for overlays. I have a serger and that makes a nice finish but nothing compared to the french seam.

I feel I'm falling behind on my orders! Tomorrow's another day and I hope I make more progress than I did today.

For those who don't follow Sew Retro I'm having a give away there too

Give away for one made to size petticoat and I'm sure you will agree it is better than my Pattern & Fabric Give Away. Please go here to see the details.

Pattern and Fabric Give Away!

Here is what is up for grabs...A very ugly Vogue Pattern 0995, with matching ugly vintage fabric. I am sorry to offend anyone that thinks it is cute. Winner is picked randomly. All you need to do is make a promise to make this outfit with the provided fabric there is enough to do the pants and jacket! When the project is done just send me a picture of the finished project. Leave a comment to enter you don't need to be a follower! Pattern size 8-12. Winner to be picked Dec. 15th just in case you want to give it as Christmas present.

Disappointments but still a pretty dress

My grey wiggle dress. She loved it and didn't expect it to be so pretty. I did some extras for her since I knew she was getting married in it. It fit but was a little too snug. She is going to make it work but these are the times I hate the most. I feel horrible. You always wish for perfection, you always wish for OMG it fits amazing I love everything about it. I think I have about a 99% good rate but the 1% will always bring me down.

I absolutely loved the back of this dress and the lace sleeves.

My newest skirt and experimenting with jewelry

What a BIT** I don't get how I can breeze through gowns and sometimes struggle with skirts. After numerous seam ripping I finally completed it. The fabric was sent to me by my customer and it is boucle for anyone that has used it they know how it can unravel easily and you want to take extra care if you have to take out the seams.  I've pressed it but it still needs some more pressing as the pleats are not pronounced enough yet.

My newest jewelry

Update on projects

Well here is the two green dresses with bolero. You can see already that is going to be flattering for all sorts of shapes and sizes!

My Silken Flame Barbie Dress with cute little petticoat

Bodice detail comparision. I'm pretty proud as I made the bodice myself :)

I also shipped out my grey with black lace wiggle dress. I can't show it yet because she hasn't received it. I dressed it up some because she is getting married in it. As always I'm stressing about it PLEASE LET HER LOVE IT!!! I put my whole heart into my creations and simply hate it when they don't work out!

Tomorrow I'm hoping to ship out a skirt from a vintage pattern my customer sent me. Simplicity 3748. I am making View 1.  

Then I get to make a wedding gown. I got the fabric to match the overlay today and OMG I can hardly wait! I love all my orders but sometimes you love some more than others. I've been looking so forward to doing this dress

Inexpensive sewing feet

I'm always looking for better ways to have a better finish to my projects. What better way than to buy accessories for your sewing machine. I use a standard Brother machine for my straight stitching and also own two sergers and a Singer machine. Recently I purchased a rolled hem foot for my Brother. It was only $13.99 and shipping $2.00. What a deal! If I was to go to my local Sew & Vac they would of charged me $34.00! Here is the link. They have an assortment of different brands plus lots of other goodies at reasonable rates and no RIP OFF shipping costs.

Here is my foot well not literally I guess I should say here is my Brother's foot...well no it isn't any of my Brother's feet. Okay here is my machine's new foot

I tested it and it works wonderful! I think my next one will be the gathering foot.

Update on Little Aaron strutting his stuff!

Well here is the little guy in his new shark outfit. The patch idea worked for his store bought pj's. He is so adorable! Again if anyone wants to donate a little fabric and time you can contact the Luce Family directly. His measurements are here.

I shipped the Barbie dress and now am working on a grey with black lace wiggle dress. My customer is getting married in it. Well back to work I need to get it done to ship by Friday! 

A little splurge on myself

I just had to splurge a little....before Christmas and in our family the rule is no buying for yourself. I guess that is to assure you don't buy something that someone else may buy for you for Christmas. So I got myself this great little Marilyn Monroe top you can check out the shop here I really wanted a Kurt Cobain one that was in her sold items but was denied! I also got this unique little top from marcellamoda. I even when outside my box, instead of black I went for blue! Kind of proud of myself there. I bought a tank from her shop earlier this year and let me tell you I wore it all summer. LOVED IT! I highly recommend her shop. Well here are my purchases.

Oh crap just looked at the shop where I got the Monroe shirt and she's got another listing that I WANT...OH Yeah Johnny Depp. For my family MINE and I mean both of them! Here is the Kurt shirt I was denied and the new Johnny Depp shirt. I haven't received my shirt but I will update you if the shop is worth buying from. They have 100% feedback so I'm not too worried.

I'm a Barbie Girl in a Barbie World

OK now that I got that stupid song in my head. I'm wrapping up my Silken Flame Barbie dress. I had to make the bodice myself as I could not find a pattern that resembled it. It looks orange in the picture but it is a true red. As you can tell I need to take the left side spaghetti strap in a little and still have to stitch up the middle of the bodice for that gathered look.

My customer requested straps either halter or spaghetti. I thought the spaghetti would be a better choice for this style of bodice. They are adjustable so she can fit them to size. I have the skirt and skirt lining cut and sewn. I will attach them tomorrow. This is just a sneak peak. It has been a lot of fun reproducing  a vintage Barbie Gown!

Aaron a very special project

This was an Alchemy request:

My infant son just had a g-tube placed and I'm looking for some clothing that will accommodate his tube. I would really like to have him in some cute and cozy clothes rather than the icky institutional garb he is in right now :( There would need to be an access panel (maybe a Velcro or snap pocket) just to the left of the belly area.

Here is little Aaron. If you want to read more about his family and how he is doing you can go here.

His story broke my heart. Myself, sister and mom will be making some outfits for him. I have completed one and  I will also be attempting to place a hole in some pj's that were purchased for him. I'm going to use a patch to cover the hole and reinforce it with some hand stitching prior to ironing it on.

Here is the first outfit:

If any of you seamstresses are up for it I'm sure he could use more clothes made to fit his special needs. Here are his little measurements:

torso to shoulder- 9in
shoulder to tube- 7.5in
shoulder to toe- 21in

If you are going to place a hole it should be the size of a quarter.  A little flap may work too.