Getting Started: Constructing the Bodice Foundation

There are many layers underlying a wedding dress and as I have learned, not what you might expect.  The foundation reinforces the structure and shape of the dress bodice, keeps the weight of the skirt from dragging the dress down and makes me look smooth and shapely!  I have enjoyed making this part of the dress even more than the rest because the drab cotton canvas and plastic bones get so cleverly hidden, no one will ever know it is there.

Dream Pattern Number Two

I think I bought this pattern more because of how much I liked the "retro" illustration, not for how much I thought I would use it!  I found the bodice on my original Vintage Vogue pattern difficult to fit perfectly since it strictly has darts to form the bustline.  I don't have experience working with those kind of darts and also had difficulty finding resources to help.  I turned to this pattern because the bodice is joined to the skirt at the natural waist just like the Vogue pattern, and the princess seams of the bodice are much easier to fit than darts.  I can still use the cuff around the top of the bodice from the Vogue pattern, so I basically have the same dress, but a lot less frustration.

Making a Mantilla Wedding Veil

Halloween 2010 Part Two: William Cutter Couture

With my costume out of the way, I can move on to Justin's costume - William Cutter a-la "Gangs of New York".  Justin has the tall, sinewy features to pull it off and in full mustache, even bears an uncanny resemblance to Daniel Day Lewis as "Bill the Butcher".

Halloween 2010 Part One: Wonderwoman!

The days are getting cooler and the sound of rustling leaves tells me fall has arrived.  I prefer the heat and humidity of summer, but it is my fiance's favorite season.  I do however look forward to Halloween and the fun of finding inspiration for creating a new and original costumes.

I Can Has New Quilt?

My cat, Sophie, finds her way into almost every sewing project I endeavor.  Her ears perk up at the rustling sound of pattern tissue; she is ready to make a sneak attack as I smooth out fabric ready to cut and has her whiskers within inches of the scissors!

Dream Pattern Number One

This is the pattern I chose over a year ago from the Vintage Vogue Series.  This beautiful gown is out-of-print now and I got mine second-hand at the time I purchased it.  If you look closely, I think the model in the illustration resembles Grace Kelly and she is freakishly tall with a nipped-in waist only contributing to my distorted fantasy of how awesome this will look on me.  Thank goodness for spandex lingerie!  I also love how this gown does not have a dramatically swaying train, but instead the back of the gown is just slightly longer than the front and will gently sweep the floor.