Sew Awesome!

Sew, I had the privalege of altering a beautiful 50- 60ish party dress for my wonderful friend RK.  It is a delight to do anything for her because she is so appreciative and because she looks amazing in anything she wears. 

Sew, she bought a JLF Original yellow striped Chiffon like dress off of Etsy.  It was a tad bit too tight, she has a 27-28 inch waist, the dress was 24inches barely and the chest was compressing the girls.  With tucking and pulling, the dress fit, but was not going to be comfortable enough to work for a wedding party.    It had an old metal zipper that was coming out but the dress was a fairly simple band top and circle skirt.  I took on the task of making it fit. 

I took off the zipper with the intent of replacing it with an invisible zipper.  Those of you who prefer keeping vintage original should stop reading now.  I am about making clothes work for a new generation.

I took all the boning off, and opened all the seems on the bodice.  I then made the decision to cut off the skirt.  There was shirring at the waist but it was fraying and I thought if I took an inch off the top and regathered it, it would be as good as new.  After taking the bodice apart, I resewed the seams a 1/4 smaller,  I removed two darts on the back panels.  By adding 1/4 inch to all six seams and a 1/2 at the zipper, I added about 2 1/2 inches to the waist.  I then regathered the skirt band using my awesome ruffler attachment and reattached.  It worked beautifully.  I then finished the seams at the waistband with edging and hand sewed the facings and boning back in place.  Zipper went in easily and looked awesome.  Checked to make sure all hems and seams were good and ironed. 

I held my breath when RK tried it on; I had only seen it when she could barely zip it but I had a send that the top needed to be a bit snug but the waist needed letting out.  It fit amazing. 

The dress was sheer and needs a slip, but it also needed a petticoat. After viewing a couple of blogs, I decided to make a slip top with attached tulle (similar to a modified drop waist).  I found some beautiful glittery tulle and using the ruffler, ruffled up about 4 yards layered and attached it to a short slip top that I made with elastic top.  I just cut the tulle at the bottom and fluffed it out to finish.  Beautiful.  Mission accomplished.  I am not keen on alterations except for things that I can learn new lessons or get to work with fabulous fabrics.

Now I can't wait to see the photos from the party!  I will post those later.  Here are some photos of the before and after.

Sew Ready for Fall

Sew, it's fall and gets me wanting to make gifts.  I've spent most of the summer sewing for others, working, and going to school.  I got tempted to make the Bombshell bathing suit by Heather from http://closetcasefiles.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-bombshell-swimsuit-is-here.html So tempting to see all the gorgeous suits posted on line.  Sew, my friend RK volunteered to be my muse because she is a Bombshell and a sweet, sweet girl.  Here is RK looking majestic in the gorgeous suit.  I cut a straight size 8 and didn't have to do any adjustments.  I learned some things such as my old serger was not going to do this well, so my hubby bought me a new one for my August birthday.

I made a couple of skirts and blouses for me and I keep trying to make a decent pair of pants.  I will keep working on that.  I did make a particularly delicious fake suede skirt that I love.

 

 I've done a lot actually and I will post some of those projects later, but I'm dying to tell you about these wine coasters. 

For today, I have quick gift project.  WINE COASTERS

It is  great use of scraps, but you can also by some fat quarters.
These are wine coasters!  Since I am mad about wine, I have to make these. You could totally make them in different colors for parties so everyone knows which glass belongs to them. 

So here is what you do

Step 1:  Cut a circle with the diameter of 4 1/4 inches (if you make them for the larger wine glasses you will have to measure accordingly an add 1/4 to the diameter).  I  cut mine from cardboard so I could reuse it.

You will cut a total of five circles per wine coaster.

Step 2:  Select 2-4 fabric scraps. For this example I only used two.   I cut two circles from each fabric . And cut a 5th circle for the bottom.

I then folded each piece in half an ironed them. 

I then took each piece and placed them just like the picture shows.  It is similar to how you close the lid of a box.  Position the pieces so that edges line up and pin to hold in place.

Use the fifth circle and place on top, finished side down.

 



Sew around the edge about 1/4 in and make sure you catch all the layers.   Turn it inside out, remove the pin and iron.  YOU have made a sweet little wine coaster!

To make them less slippery, glue  a piece of felt on the bottoms.