A few days before Christmas, I took out all the items I needed to start on my dress and jacket for the wedding January 16th. There was much preparation before I could even start the dress and jacket. I had to pre-shrink all the fabric before cutting. And then I did a little research on adding a silk organza underlining to the silk dupioni.
This is one of the best books on the handling of different fabrics, and whenever I have any questions, I quickly and easily find a clear and concise answer in this book.
It has become my sewing bible, an indispensable tool and guide.
The dress and jacket are plain so I intend to dress them up a bit with this beaded trim that I will hand-sew to the bottom of the jacket and sleeves. I may also add a bit of silk crinkle chiffon with the trim. It is hard to describe, but I saw the embellishment on a Vera Wang dress that was very beautiful.
I am heading into the new year preoccupied with the various sewing projects that I have to complete before the wedding deadline. It is keeping me focused exclusively on this. However, as I sew I am also thinking about the year ahead and my path for 2010. I may be changing a few things here in my blog. I will continue to feature old textiles, but I am planning on using them in unexpected ways, experimenting with some designs that will give me a chance to re-use and recycle more of what I have. I will post on this as I step over the calendar into the new year. Also, the blog with my daughter is on hold until after the wedding for obvious reasons. More on this later as well.
Oh you are really sewing! My first love. I haven’t made anything from a pattern since last year. I love the process, thanks for sharing it. Your fabrics are beautiful. Have fun. I have Sandra Betsina’s little book and you are right, it is indispensable for making a home sewn garment look professional. Just little things like her telling what size needle to use on your fabric make all the difference. I went to Sew Expo one year and stood in line for Espresso behind her husband. He was wearing a wonderful tweed sport coat she had sewn for him. My girl friend and I asked his pardon if we could just touch his coating fabric. He was very nice and availed himself of being petted by a couple of fabriholics. What fun!
You have such wonderful stories. It is funny, but I did not imagine her with a husband. Isn’t that odd? Not sure why, but she certainly has the best books on fabric and garment sewing. I think she is pretty amazing.
I love Vera Wang and anything that she does. Your wedding suit looks wonderful and your choice of trim is very exciting. I am sure that you will feel great and the wedding will be a blessing to all of you.
I found your recomendation for the book exciting. I am always a sucker for fabric books. I will go to Amazon directly and get it for myself.
I did find a Vera Wang dress that I loved, but when I realized it was acetate, not silk taffeta, I walked away from it. I cannot justify spending that kind of money on cheap fabric. That is when I decided to make my dress!
You might also like her book Power Sewing.
I love that book! Have a copy of her Power Sewing too. Also great. Looking forward to seeing how you reuse and recycle, one of my favorite things of course!
Yes, she has the best books, doesn’t she? I think we have a similar library, literature included. My ideas for the new year are all about finding ways to use vintage and old textiles to their best advantage.
I can’t wait to see the finished project. How wonderful it will be! The color is divine and the embellishment is lovely. I will have to take that book out of the library although my goal is to do less sewing on the machine in the new year. I love Vera Wang too. She makes such beautiful pieces! Happy New Year(although I cannot think of a better way to start the New Year then a lovely family wedding). Congrats.
Your comments are so dear and very much appreciated. I know you are going to spend less time on your machine this year, and I think that is good, given the love and beauty of your handwork and embroidery. I wish you the very best in the new year as well!
there is no better reason to sew than to make something needed. and so you are paying the best respect to the craft itself. the trim rocks.
Yes, I think there is something to be said for sewing a dress for an occasion of importance and memory. We have lost our ability to see this, but I think this is turning around. We seem to be returning to the craft and the mindfulness of what this brings.
It is touching that you have chosen to make a dress for the wedding…so many happy memories and stories it will hold.
Your words are very special and deeply appreciated. It is bringing back some lost ritual in some ways to read your response. In fact, my daughter told me she had read the comments and thought they were all so meaningful.
It’s going to look amazing on you and it will truely be one of a kind! I can’t wait to stand beside you, proud to have you as my Mother.
You are the beauty…inside and out. I think I will be the one who is most proud!