Wow! I didn't sew a single thing last week. Not one stinkin' stitch. Lots of good intentions and preparatory internet surfing, but no sewing.
That's what happens when you fall into the internet rabbit hole.
Anyhoo, two weeks ago when I was in Minnesota, I thought to myself, "self, you should try Anna Maria Horner's Evening Empire Dress, again." So, I decided to do just that. I had purchased several yards of Lisette fabric at Joann's during a sale and I had planned to make a Continental Dress with it, but given how mine turned out, I changed my mind.
I have tried to make the Evening Empire Dress (view dress A with the straps) before - I made a muslin with some homespun. It was not a success. There is quite a bit of volume there and it's lined, so two layers of gathered homespun did not make for a nice silhouette. The top fabric here is a light poplin (if I remember correctly) and the blue floral is an even lighter cotton lawn. I love that you can get these fabrics at Joann's and they are affordable. Getting this weight 100% cotton, with the nice hand feel and drape, at an affordable price is a challenge. And though I drool over the quilt shop lawns and voiles, those just aren't in my budget. (Oh Liberty, you high-priced temptress!)
I was able to get the two bodices kind of done last night. There is some gaping at the sides, so I'm hoping to finnagle that this afternoon. (The open side is where the zipper will go.) I made a medium and when I cut out the skirt, I left off about 2.25" of the width, so that it will gather a little less full. I am going to do something with the lining too, to make it less full, as well. I went with a very thin, soft 50/50 cotton poly knit that shouldn't interfere too much with the drape of the fabric and still feel nice in the summer.
Some day I will get back to quilting. Some day I will get to making that Ice Cream Social Dress that I have the perfect ice cream fabric for. And Anna Maria Horner's Baby in the Hood Jacket which I've had cut out for over a year... And my bee blocks... And my Patchwork Chevron blocks... So many projects, so little time. Having a job really gets in the way!
Must.get.off.the.internet.
1 comment:
You're talking about someday getting back to quilting from clothes, and I'm think I need to try getting back to clothes from quilting. By the way, are you familiar with Connecting Threads? They just came out with a new line of fabric that is a cotton lawn for just $6.96 a yard. It's called Matsuri and it's inspired by Japanese cherry blossom festivals.
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