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Mar 2010

mrs. march and the mad hatter

Took out my Alice in Wonderland dress for a test run. The boyfriend thought it was a lazy afternoon vegetarian pizza date but really, everything I did was for Johnny Depp.

I kid, I kid.

I’m happy with the way this dress turned out. I’ll pat the ric-rac on the back for sneakily interfering if I could. I was afraid it would look too much like an apron but once I added the bottom, it looked cute enough.

This fabric is called Antique Rose from the Mrs. March collection of Lecien. I assume Mrs. March as in mom of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. The name fits, right?

Warning: More photos below.

more…

Category: clothing 27 Comments

Feb 2010

you know how people say…

By Meream

…that the best laid plans are ruined by gorgeous ric-rac?

Oh, people don’t say that? Well they should, because it’s true.

So there I was, humming while sewing the top part of my dress when I saw this maroon ric-rac sitting prettily near the buttons. I laid it against the fabric and thought, “Huh. This looks better than the yellow lace.”

I asked the boyfriend what he thought but he did his Jedi mind trick thing. “What do you think?” he asked. “It looks better with this ric-rac,” I answered. “I agree,” he opined.

Not very helpful but somehow compelled me to GO WITH IT.

My dress form, Lane, is awfully flat-chested but a wonderful help.

UPDATE: Dress is finished! I am ashamed to admit that after three years, I have just discovered the correct way to use the zipper foot when sewing an invisible zipper.

Category: clothing 10 Comments

Feb 2010

it’s always summer where i live

By Meream

So how about a summer dress?

Here are my ideas:

A is based on a dress that I saw Reese Witherspoon wear a month ago. I always love me a layered dress. There are many similar styles in stores these days but I’m actually not concerned about that. At least I know mine will be better-constructed. HA! (Sorry. I’m nuts.)

B is a design I’ve always wanted to try. Unfortunately, I still don’t know how to use my serger. I need it in constructing the sleeves.

I’ll probably go with the first design. I can never resist a balloon-y bottom anyway. Too bad my red ballet flats are about to break into sad little pieces. They’d be perfect with this fabric, no? You may read the last two statements as an internal longing to buy new red ballet flats. Because yes, I’m hopeless.

The fabric is a Japanese Lecien on sale. The vintage feel is just lovely. It’s great with one of the lace I bought several days ago, too. The goal is to have this dress by next week, before Alice in Wonderland is shown in theaters. Did I tell you that I have this thing about dressing up when watching a movie with Johnny Depp in it? Yes, I do that. All right, no blogging until I finish this dress.

Feb 2010

bowed in disappointment to geniosity

By Meream

The last time I went fabric-shopping, I scored a meter of Lecien Matryoshka doll fabric. I love a skirt with cute and fun prints and I decided the fabric’s fate even before I paid for it. I was aware that it called for lining but I didn’t care. How hard could it be to line a gartered skirt, right?

Not hard but the end result was pitiful.

The plan was to sew a skirt that screams fun and cute and trendy. Hence, the huge bow. But the skirt did not fit right. To make myself feel better, I spent the remainder of the night taking silly photos with the ribbon.

There was only one thing left to do and it involved zipper. Shorter and form-fitting were also inserted into the plan. But the ‘zipper with lining’ part had me worried. No help via good ol’ Google. So I took out a few ready-made skirts from the closet to study how they were made. A real head-scratcher, this zipped and lined skirt creation.

I needed a good night’s sleep to tackle it properly.

Thankfully, with the guidance of the Matryoshka dolls, I had a few moments of pure geniosity. I did not even curse! (Okay, I did. ONCE.)

I know it looks simple. But seriously, I feel like I deserve a badge.

And to congratulate myself, I will buy new shoes. I kid, I kid.

Category: clothing Tags: japanese fabric, Lecien fabric, lecien fabric skirt, lining a skirt, sew a skirt with zipper and lining, sew zipper to a skirt, skirt with huge bow 14 Comments

Dec 2009

one should not live without an apron

By Meream

apron We have some progress in the “making aprons for friends” front.

These days, my craft area is the unfortunate victim of sunlight reflected on newly installed tin roof. The landlord constructed a garage/shed. Sunlight hits the roof most of the day and showers my craft area with unwelcome heat. I am praying that they paint the roof soon because clearly, I do not have time to sew curtains.

But I have figured out the hours when my sewing machine table is free from reflected light. Hence, the apron-sewing progress.

I am also tickled to be using my new embroidered tags.

The first apron I made:

This photo is missing a tray of freshly-baked cookies. But I don't know how to make 'em, so...

I am happy to report that I have gained weight and the dresses I made before February 2008 now fit me again. This bed sheet dress with circular bottom is one example.

apron2

Paired the dress with these new boots I got from eBay for a bit of a vintage look:

apron3

Neckpiece is a rosette hair pin clipped onto a layered beaded necklace.

Category: clothing, domesticity 10 Comments

Nov 2009

how to sew a simple gartered skirt

By Meream

This is a fun project for beginners. The fun factor will be doubled if you use fun fabric, in my opinion. So I used this hippo print Ikea fabric that the ever-lovely Emmich sent me a few months back.

Okay, on with the tutorial.