Saturday, August 31, 2013

Beautiful Brocade

As I have mentioned at least a couple times in previous posts, Mother of the Bride/Groom dresses are almost impossible to find. That is unless you want to look like one of the bridesmaids, or the grandmother. Which is not a bad thing, just not necessarily what most fashionable mothers want to look like!

Because of this glut (is that a word??) in bridal wear marketing, I have been finding myself working with more and more mothers to create their attire for this special event. This week I have been working on just such a project. It is quickly becoming one of my more pleasurable creations, for several reasons! 1) the fabric is so lovely! It is a gorgeous green and blue turquoise paisley with silver and gold accenting. Though it ravels terribly, it is so pretty that I don't really mind the extra work!  2) The pattern, though not difficult, is not your usual slap together the matching seams kind of pattern. I am actually needing to read the pattern directions! Can't tell you how long it's been since I've had to do that! It's just enough of a challenge to keep it interesting. 3) The lovely lady I am creating the dress for is fun and entertaining, with definite ideas of what she wants, interesting stories and a sense of humor.

Yesterday I spent several hours cutting the fabric out; it shouldn't have taken so long, but I found myself about 6 inches short of what I needed, and it was a bit of a challenge to rearrange, adjust and re-align the pattern pieces to all fit. After our first fitting, this afternoon, I got busy sewing.

The pattern is a Retro Butterick:
http://butterick.mccall.com/b4919-products-5273.php?page_id=371

Today I was able to finish the bodice:
                                                                      Bodice Front

Bodice Back
(minus the zipper!)
 
The front needed a little tweaking (added side darts and reduced some of the volume across the front). Tomorrow I will attach the skirt and the zipper; then will wait til our next fitting to measure for the hem.
 
The skirt panel are ready to be sewn together and sewn to the bodice. One of the most enjoyable parts to my sewing today was finishing the skirt seams! I used a green turquoise silk shantung for both the bodice lining and the Hong Kong seam finish.
 
 
I do love a pretty Hong Kong finish!!

2 comments:

  1. HI! I came across your blog via the Pattern Review.com page. You made a review on a pattern from New Look 6670 that I'm looking at using to make bridesmaid dresses for my wedding. I know it's a long shot but was wondering if you could e-mail the picture you used or link me to it. The one on your review won't enlarge. I'd like to make them long, but your short version LOOKS the way I think I want them to look only short. :P my email is jacquelynkollar at gmail if you would be so kind as to do so.

    I so appreciate it. I also want to let you know I stalked your blog (and your previous blog as that's how I found this blog) and you are so talented. :) I truly enjoyed looking through.

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  2. Bom dia ! Estou surpresa em saber que tem um blog e uma pessoa com mesmo nome que eu e por sinal trabalha com vestidos de festa assim como eu :) sou Brasileira e me chamo Candice Louise rssss Lindo seu blog , espero um dia fazer sucesso assim como vocĂȘ :) beijos carinhosos .

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