Tag: patterns

Regrets Never Stopped Me

On By kittycalashIn Clothing, Events, Museums2 Comments

That moment of regret…promised work a cake and punch, promised myself a new dress, it’s going to be 99 today, and there’s still an exhibit to install. Once again, what was I thinking? Apparently I was thinking that all I have to do is want something enough and I can make it happen.

So the bodice muslin is cut out, I’ve asked someone else to find a punch receipt while I make cake and lemonade, and I’ve got labels underway. This is manageable, maybe.

The way I start with patterns, as you can see in the top image, is by tracing them. I use architectural trace, AKA onionskin or drafting paper, mostly because it is cheap and readily available, and because I got into the habit just because it was around. (I am a refugee from a graduate program in architecture, which explains a lot about why I have drafting tools, keep way too busy, and am comfortable working with construction projects.) I use the trace patterns to cut the muslin from, and after JennyLaFleur’s workshop at Dress U, I fit muslins and recut final patterns in Pellon pattern ease. Formerly I saved muslins, now I re-trace. So much smarter, much less space.

So tonight, I’ll stitch up the muslin and see where I am. Today, I work on labels. The lower image definitely illustrates the process. There’s a big whole where a uniform will go, and we’re still using the ladder. Why is there a doll in an exhibit about war? Because how else do you fit in a dress when the case is small?!

8 Days, a Pattern, and some Taffeta

On By kittycalashIn Clothing1 Comment

I did decide to make a dress, or perhaps more properly to try to make a dress in time for the opening. Since I really can’t wear the new Indian print cotton dress, I chose a 1945 Vogue pattern.

The red plaid taffeta from Jo Ann’s was 50% off, and normally I do eschew all fibers unnatural and rustling, but this is 1945 and heaven knows nylon and rayon were THE thing to have. It’s fancier than I normally trend, clothing-wise, but that’s the fun of making things.

I bought buttons, just in case, though I was pretty sure I had some in my stash–and I did! (Photo surely proof that I need to replace the camera, or at the least, get the D40 sensor cleaned, stat!) These are from my husband’s grandmother’s stash, if not his great-grandmother’s, so they are of the period. Flowers and plaid, pretty scary usually, but moderately apropos here. It will be something to do in the awful heat we expect, though I am tempted to cut this out at work tomorrow night in the chilly realm of the Library reading room. I did not make a muslin of the bodice last night, I lazily drank two beers, ate pad thai, and fell asleep.