Projects in Progress

So as I mentioned, I am currently working on a large commission which involves (at least) 4 dresses and a boy's bow tie. I've finished one dress and am almost done the 2nd. Here are some in-progress photos.

The yellow dress was the first dress to be sewn up. It actually has halter ties-it's not strapless. ;)

The seafoam green dress is almost done now, all that is left is finishing the inside side seams to prevent fraying, and the bottom hem-I'll be adding vintage hand-sewn lace embroidery. I plan on taking about 4 inches off the bottom to allow room for the lace so it doesn't drag on the floor. And some buttons at the top for embellishment. It should be awesome when it's done-not bad considering I didn't use a commercial pattern! And the sleeves turned out PERFECTLY! Whew!

Sewing, sewing, sewing

I've been commissioned by an old school friend - who happens to be a professional photographer-to make 4 dresses for an upcoming photo shoot. The dresses are to be made to fit a 6 month, 12 month, 18 month, and 24 month old. The four dresses are all of different design, so it's not like I'm using the same pattern to make all 4. Each one will have it's own unique twist, whether it's vintage lace, trim, ribbon, buttons, or ruffles. The shoot is coming up this summer, so I have a bit of time to get them done.

In addition to the dresses, I will also be making a little boy's bowtie (or two) for the same shoot. And maybe a newsboy cap.

Having announced the commission on Facebook, I immediately got orders for 3 full-sized bowties, one of which is due to be delivered this weekend. So I suppose I better get started on it. I'm kind of hesitant to cut into the beautiful silk I purchased--I don't want to mess it up. But I guess I have to, if I'm going to sew it!

So far I've completed two dresses (but only one counts for the commission, since the two dresses were practically identical in size and design-one was for practice) and have one that I already made that is suitable for the project. So technically I only have two to make, but I will likely make more than that. Just for funsies.

I have one in process right now--I made the pattern myself, and am learning how to make gathered sleeves, too. Should be fun. Haha. I'm more than a little intimidated by the idea, but we'll see how that goes. Once I get this dress completed, I'll make a tiny 3-6 month size shirred sundress to ease my brain. Easy to make the pattern, easy to sew the shirring detail. Just a little time consuming. THEN I'll start on the final dress, which will be completed using an actual PATTERN! A store-bought, commercial pattern! Almost unheard of-I generally make all the patterns for D's stuff using online tutorials, or I just wing it. Fun times.

Pictures will follow, as long as the customer doesn't mind.

MAY 1-7, 2010 = Spring Top Week

I've joined another challenge. And this one isn't about reducing your paper towel consumption, or replacing all your regular lightbulbs with CFLs. No, this is a sewing challenge. A TOP sewing challenge, to be precise. Made by Rae has issued a Spring Top Week challenge. Go over to see the details if you're interested!

Anyone who knows me will be aware that I've been in a bit of a sewing frenzy, lately. I've made D halter tops, 2 sun dresses, and about a billion pairs of pants. Well, that "sewing for someone else" phase is over, for now. I will attempt to make myself not one, but several shirts. Nice light summery shirts, and maybe a dressy one or two. We'll see.

In any case, I started my first one last night. True to form, I don't actually have a pattern, but will be using a tutorial I found online (actually my friend found it for me). Here is the link to the pattern. I've picked my fabric and got started on it last night. I'll use a lovely cream on cream dahlia print for the straps and (in typical me fashion) army green (ish) for the body of the shirt. We'll see how it turns out!

To cement the deal, I have challenged my friend Melanie to a little challenge of our own: we'll each wear a top of our making on our IKEA day trip we're doing the first week of April. I've thrown down the gauntlet!