Sep
16
Bridesmaids all in a row
Filed Under bridesmaid dress, sewing, wedding | 6 People Talked Back To Me
The darling daughters and I have been Facebooking photos and bridesmaid dress ideas galore. With one in Calgary, one in Ottawa, one in Windsor and only 2 nearby, getting a cohesive concept is not a simple task. I am not used to having some of them so far away. Sure facebook and cell phones make the world a smaller place, but it is difficult to fit a dress, or even choose one when the darlings are not here.
We cope though.
And I am definitely NOT complaining!
Do you know how well I can spread out my sewing stuff junk essentials, now that I have THREE empty bedrooms!!
Back to bridesmaid dresses. To sum up my thoughts, Bride to Be Erica’s ideas, and the 4 sisters - AKA “the lovely bridesmaids” often not-on-topic ideas; this is the “Brief” (as they say on Project Runway Australia)
“Design and construct 4 bridesmaid dresses. They must not LOOK like typical bridesmaid dresses and may all be different in design. They must flatter each clients body type and her wishes. They must look cohesive as a grouping and emulate but not imitate or overpower the wedding gown. The fabric to be used is either chiffon OR Silk Double Georgette , and may also include a dot-flocked netting. The colour must be Eggplant. (although depending on palette names, may also be grape, raisin, or prune, but colour must be okayed by the bride)”
Here are what I am envisioning as the final Inspiration Pictures. Well, except for the last one. I am hoping that lovely bridesmaid #4 (daughter #5) will like the idea as she hasn’t seen this pic yet. If you are not yet familiar with the lovely “Five Blondes“ check them out!
Today’s Postscript….
So how does one get rid of spam comments? I can handle a few - but 150 a DAY??!!
Yowza!
Sep
13
EEk- If you posted a comment in the last few days and are a titch miffed that I erased it - whoops sorry!! I have been hit by a boatload of spam comments and I think I went a bit overboard spamming them! Sorry and please be reassured that I adore comments- unless they come from John*1* or anything to do with certain member enlargement devices!!
cb
This weekend I finally got some work done on Miss Erica’s dress. FYI- we are using Vogue 2931 for the basic shape. The bodice will be completly different, but we liked the style of everything from under the bodice down.
Emily of All Sewn Up is using the same pattern for her wedding dress. It will be interesting to watch what we each come up with.
Erica’s dress will have a form fitting silhouette flaring out starting out just above the knees with an empire style bodice, and free formed shirring on the bodice. The dress will be floor length with a detachable train. I really like the idea of a detachable train. Lots of impact in the church and for photo’s, but practicality for movement and dancing afterwards.
Fitting was remarkabley easy. This girl of mine is tiny! 5″10 and not 120 lbs. I cut out a 6 and had to take the dress in at almost every seam about 1/2 an inch! That and add about 4 inches to the length. Other than that the fit is dreamy.
We discovered today- okay I discovered- that my baby girl is deformed! Her hips are noticeably different in shape! One side has a nice gently curve- and the other does not! Since I fitted her mockup on her inside out, I am going to have to be verryyy careful that I place the pattern pieces correctly on the silk!
It does look lovely on her though. I think it is starting to be what she is envisioning.
For the mock up I am using Polyester Poie de Soie. I got a bolt of it for $20 at a garage sale!!!! At that same garage sale I scooped a huge industrial sized roll of tracing paper for 5 dollars. It will ast me a lifetime, I’m sure.
NOTICE TO MR DENIS
Spoiler pictures ahead - abort reading this blog
I repeat - go play with your Wii !!
So it is back to ye olde sewing machine for some fit finesse and a redrafting of the bodice, which, in my opinion, sucks. And my opinion counts here!
A question for y’all- I think I am going to do only a partial inner corset. One that just encompasses the empire bodice. I am really afraid that lines are going to show under the dress.
The pros- no lines. natch!
The cons- Erica is tiny. Like 5′10 and under 120 lbs. None of that is bosom! And not an ounce of fat. Keeping the baby tight enough to stay up without a waist stay may be dubious.
So what would you do??
Moving on to other dresses…
Bridesmaid dresses are on a slow burner. I think that I have concrete ideas for Kate and Leah. Lauren is a bit more difficult - I have the concept in my head but have not been able to make it work yet. I am trying to talk Micaela into some thing like this Badgely Mishka dress - which I adore. I could make it work using this Butterick pattern and some alterations, but really it has to be what she wants, not what I want.
See girls - I am learning! But Mic really- what do you think?
Even though this wedding is not until next May, I really want to get most of the work done early. I do have Micaela’s dress and wedding to think about too you know!
Today’s postscript…
I never take pics of myself. Quite honestly I hate photos of me-the girls got their photogenics (damm is that a word??!!) from their dad! Last night I quite liked what I was wearing when I went out with some friends to go Line Dancing. Line Dancing??!! Yup Line Dancing. It was fun! So here I am- with not one Couturesmith item on! 
Sep
1
Bridesmaid dresses
Filed Under Uncategorized, children, fabric, sewing, wedding | 5 People Talked Back To Me
With TWO weddings coming up in the next year, I think I had better get my groove in the move gear!
Erica is having her 4 sisters as bridesmaids- this mothers dream come true! This makes for a great opportunity to get us all involved at the design level. Erica has stipulated only colour and fabric. They are - a beautiful Aubergine (I like that word better than eggplant!) chiffon with a lighter mauve underlining, and maybe - just maybe, some great netting that we found - aubergine with loonie sized black flocked polka dots. If we don’t use it for the dress, it will be great for decorating.
Erica is letting each of the girls choose their own style. Once we got past silly ideas such as this one….!!!!(it was just a joke -REALLY!!)…
we got down to business. I am putting together a storyboard of dresses that they like, and pattern interpretations, and they are going to choose from them. . This one is my favourite right now. THE PURPLE ONE PEOPLE, THE PURPLE ONE- SHEESH!
Unfortunately - okay maybe fortunately as I am still working on my figure drawing skills!!- you can’t see the interpretations that I am adding to the presentation.
Perhaps I should get back to REAL work now!!
Aug
30
Ottawa…and Montreal.
Filed Under Uncategorized | 4 People Talked Back To Me
I get around don’t I?
My Mike happened to have a conference in Ottawa this week and begged me to come along. I had a huge pile of computer work to catch up on, and THAT you can do anywhere! So I holed myself up in the Westin, and let Mike visit with the Premier and such.
Of course I had to to some visiting as well! The great thing about PatternReview is the wonderful people you meet with similar interests. I got a chance to fabric shop with Lornaat Darrell Thomas Textiles. He is Wonderful, with gorgeous fabrics. Wondering what is in the bag? Some bown merino wool that feels like cashmere, finally some perfect green linen, and the happiest teal silk charmeuse. And YES I do have definite plans for each piece! Darrell was lovely enough to offer us the special sale price that was supposed to only be for the following day. Do us all a favour and visit him on Bank Street if you are ever in Ottawa. And take a look at that button wall behind us!
The evening was set aside for my best friend Katrin. We were too busy catching up to take photos- you know how best friends are!
Wednesday morning brought some challenges. I have a personal quirk- that is I hate to be late. I get agitated and generally very pissed off if anything or anybody makes me late. At that point I was already a bit anxious. We were going to meet Rhonda at 11am in Montreal. My PR friend Rhonda who was gracious enough to join me at the Yves Saint Laurent Exhibit!!
Check out took FOREVER- “what do you mean we were charged for two bottle of water from the mini bar? Do we look like the sort of people who would pay 7.50 a bottle for WATER“!!! So they had to check the room and - nope - the water was still there. Sigh Then Mike had to discuss motorcycle details with a colleauge who had biked to the conference. Can we get going puleeeze!!
SO you can imagine my dismay when the valet parking attendant came up to me in the lobby of the hotel and said “Um, Ma-am, you seem to have a flat tire on your vehicle?!”
Oh My Goodness! They must have already thought we were the hicks from the backwoods when we showed up with a van full of furniture. (moving the baby girl into her university house in Ottawa). Now a FLAT TIRE! Usually I am pretty easygoing. I handle things. Myself.
This time however, I marched over to darling husband and stated “Mike - the tire is flat. Deal with it- NOW please”! and told the parking attendant to show me the way. An hour later- we stopped at a garage to fix the leak, and had to pick up Baby Lauren who wanted to come along, we were finnalllyy on our way.
Did you know that when you are late, and in a hurry, you hit every traffic jam, the car always need gas and every traffic light is red- for you- forever!!!
We finally made it.
Rhonda is as much a dear in person as she is in virtual life! I so much enjoyed meeting her and visiting. The exhibit was as wonderful as you can imagine and it was great to see it with Baby Lauren as well! She was the official photographer, and this seems to be the only photo we have of her for the day!
You might be thinking that My Mike visited the exhibit? You would be wrong! He opted to hop on a bicycle and tour the city that way.
One last thing…
We came home to yet another engaged daughter!!!! It looks like 2 weddings next year for this family! And you KNOW that means another wedding dress that I will be excited to construct!! Check out FiveBlondes for all the details! And for photos…since I am on my work computer right now!
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