Some Razzmatazz and All That Jazz...

Well, I actually made it... 4 pieces in less than a month. That is one thing I won't try again I think. We are going to Chicago in the beginning of September to do our final workshop of "Million Dollar Quartet", so that's where I'm planning on wearing this :-) 

Here's a quick breakdown since I have to try and post the review before the deadline...

This skirt is from a dress pattern; Pictorial Art Deco ca. 1931, which I reviewed last year. It's crepe back silk satin and metallic lace in the inserts.

This blouse is Evadress 1444, in silk charmeuse, and the jabot is in silk organza with black and silver sequins. Love this one. And love the button.

The YSL Blouse knockoff worked out okay, not great. But it's wearable. The fabric should have been lighter I think. Or I should have another body...

Okay friends, I got to get over to Pattern Review if I'm gonna enter this contest...

Our 6 Year-Old And Her 1st Garment

First off; our daughter is a poser. Just thought to get that out of the way :-)

Secondly, just take a look at that super adorable pin cushion on the table. That my friends, is a gift from Melissa to DD and it is just precious. Thank you again Melissa, DD loves it and she loved chatting and playing games with you on the ride to the airport.

In case you're wondering; DD's sewing machine is a Janome Magnolia 7330. It's working beautifully so far, and I'll review it when it has a little more milage.

She wanted to make something for her friend's birthday, so I suggested a skirt this time (3/4 circle). She's already made a pillow and a purse, so I thought it was time to 'kick it up a notch'! Nothing like the feeling of accomplishment when you can put it on and wear it is there :-) She picked the fabric and trim at Joann's. Her friend is the same size as her, so it was easy to calculate the dimensions. I marked the cutting lines before she got home, and then let her try to cut using my shears (with my hands over hers of course). She did very well, but halfway through she asked me to finish it (the shears are too big and heavy- do any of you know if they make some specifically for children? ) Then I sat her down by the serger; I did the foot control and together we fed the fabric. She was absolutely fascinated by what came out at the other end:-)

I pinned the seams together for her and we sat side by side- she pushed the foot control- we both guided the fabric. She learned to back tack and to cut the thread. After I pinned the trim in place, she sewed it on. The waist band and elastic was a bit too tricky, so I did that part.

She was super excited to try it on and even more excited to wrap it up and give it to her friend. This was a wonderful experience for both of us- and took less than an hour from start to finish. 

Pants To Go-Go

BWOF January 2008, style 110. These are sooooo comfortable. And, imo, stylish to boot. And into/over the boot. And over the shoe. Open or closed. Get how much I like these? The cotton/lycra fabric is very stretchy- and attracts cat hair and everything else like a giant magnet. But who cares, I'll just carry one of those roller-thingies in my purse. I didn't have to make major adjustments (see photos below, in no particular order), but the thing here is the yoke. Gotta be precise, mark and stabilize seams and points. I beaded the front zippers to add the "sparkle" and also attached my label in silver thread on the back waistband. I'm hoping these will go well with the YSL blouse, which I have finished draping. The fabric arrived a few days ago, and is washed and ready to be cut .

And look how they work with my coat :-)

Hugs and thank you to those who voted for me, it is greatly appreciated. We are going through a 'growing pain' period- those with past and present teenagers may know what I'm talking about. Nuff said. Sewing -and you- keep me sane.

Tagged, And It's About Books!!

Marji tagged me this morning:

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Turn to page 123
3. Find the fifth sentence
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people and acknowledge who tagged you.

All I can see are stacks upon stacks of sewing-related books... There's no way around it; I'm obsessed. Thanks, Marji, for clearing that up ;-)

I did manage to dig up one novel, "The Catcher In the Rye". 

I read it some time ago- I grew up in Norway, so most classics were introduced to me in Norwegian. The English language is far superior in its richness and nuance. Well, the following is not exactly a testament to that, but Salinger's style is what made this book a classic. Okay, page 123, sentence 6, 7 and 8:

I sat down in the big chair, next to her, and offered her a cigarette. "I don't smoke," she said. She had a tiny little wheeny-whiny voice.

So now it's my honor to tag the following: Vicky, Berry B, Lindsay T, Deepika and Connie

And then back to sewing...

To Mini Wardrobe Or Not To Mini Wardrobe

That is the question.  Like Melissa, I started contemplating this the other night. I'm a terrible planner when it comes to sewing. I love using silk and anything that sparkles :-), yet my day-to-day life is basically jeans and tees. We're going to Chicago in the beginning of September to do a third (and final) workshop of our bio musical, so I have a good excuse to add some 'sparkle'... "my kind of town"... and all that jazz :)

My one and only time in Chicago was back in the early eighties. Don't remember much since I was already severely overworked and sleep deprived from months on the road with "Up With People". Yeah, and now that that's out the box- horrible I tell you- I'll get back to the more pleasant aspects. My DH lived in Chicago way back in the days, he was part of "Second City". I'm really looking forward to see the places he's talked about.

Sooo... looking at my clothes, the timeline and my stash, there's only one choice: Black. And then I'll add silver for sparkle :-)

I just fell in love with this blouse from YSL Rive Gauche. The black one. But look at how they hang on the form; the white has the closure in front whereas the black is in the back. What's up with that? The surprise of those cascading flowers down the back is so gorgeous IMO, what say you? I haven't draped it yet, just making the flowers at the moment.

I'm using silk organza and silver metallic thread (steil stitch), stabilized with tear away and solvy in the hoop, and I go between computer and machine to change the sizes. I think the blouse is chiffon and the bodice is underlined with organza. Suppose I'll wear a cami underneath, not much of a 'showing bra' kinda girl. Here's the link to yoox YSL BLOUSE

I'm thinking to do one more blouse and a skirt and pants. But I have to do it step-by-step. I'm too much of a control freak and have to see everything as I go along. I so envy those of you who can pull together such fantastic storyboards. And then make them!! On time!! Maybe one day... It was quite hard to vote in the Wardrobe Contest. Marji's guidelines were very helpful, and I ended up voting for the one I felt was most pulled together and suited the person best.

Finally, thank you all so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave such wonderful comments. You brighten my day and help motivate me. And you also make me better at documenting the process and to include my thoughts- a quite new experience since I'm on the quiet, shy side. (always was, unless I was on a stage :-) )