Not sewing related...

My husband, Donald, suffered his second heart attack on Saturday, 11/30/2013.  The first one was in May, 2007.  The similarity of his syptoms and my insistence that we go to the ER saved his life----well I know in my heart of hearts that God wasn't ready for him to come home just yet!!!!

I felt compelled to write this post since many people will probably read it.  Click on the link above for important information about heart attacks.

Please keep Donald and our family in your prayers.  He will undergo triple bypass surgery on Thursday, December 4, 2013 at 7 am at St. Joseph Hospital in Baltimore.

God bless you all!

Cruise wear

This outfit was so comfortable on the cruise!!!  I used a silk chiffon purchased on one of my my garment district excursions.   http://www.simplicity.com/p-8778-misses-separates-in-sizes-xxs-to-xxl.aspx  

The pants are Marcy Tilton for Vogue 8859?  I used a knit purchased at Metro Textiles in NY   http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8859-products-44619.php?page_id=264. 

Both were super easy.  The pants were so comfy!!! I will get a lot of wear out of them, and I plan to make them again real soon!!!

BTW...we cruised on the Oasis of the Seas!!!!  Marvelous, marvelous, marvelous!!!!!!! This ship was unbelievable!!!! Happy sewing!!

Simplicity 1657

This my latest project.  A dress I made for my client/friend!  She will be wearing this on the cruise. I normally make a long gown, but this time her husband said show your legs!!!

I'm very pleased with the way it turned out.  The pattern was very easy and came together nicely.  She chose Casa Satin coordinates from Joann's.  It used an invisible side zipper and sewed it using french seams since it's only faced, not lined.  If it didn't have this chiffon drape, I would have lined the entire dress.  

I added piping to the sleeve and neck line front and back. I think piping give a garment a rich couture look!!!

 The dress is too big for the mannequin so it clasping around the dress form at the bottom. It fit her very nicely.  I initially made it up in  muslin, fitting and marking the adjustments with a Sharpie.  I then used the muslin as my pattern.  I have had great success with this method, especially when sewing for my clients!

Thanks for stopping by, until next time!

Happy Sewing!!!!

Love this lady's designs!!!!!

Happy 116th Birthday Edith Head!!!!!!!

Not much sewing this week!!!!

My youngest, Nicole, had some serious health issues this past 2 weeks causing her to be hospitalized for a week!  Our prayers were answered and she on the mend.  However, during that time I took care of my 2 GDs (14 & 3 mos old)What a time we had.  I so enjoyed them, but I only managed to get one dress cut out out and my friend's crocheted poncho lined with fleece.  Otherwise,  Miss Niyonna pretty much had my full attention!!  Here she is sitting in her chair allowing me to get a small bit if work done!!!!  Mom is home now so I have a lot of catching up to do!

Alterations

Well I've been busy with wedding alterations. I love doing bridal alterations.  Why do you ask?  Because I love getting underneath these beautiful gowns --- I've learned so much about professional garment industry construction this way!!!!  Take these bra cups...I've seen them and never used them.  It was neat seeing how they were inserted in this bridesmaids gown. They are sewn directly to the foundation of the dress.  They will be sandwiched between the foundation piece and the lining. They appear to be only good for small/medium bust women.

Now this gown, was very well made.  It has a foundation and waistline stay, both with bra-like closures.  I had to take it in the side bodice seams and reattach the boning.  I also bustled the dress.  I did an under bustle with 3 ties.  Her shoe heels were so high I didn't have to hem it. 

bustled gown

Happy client, dress drafted in Wildginger.  Used a white poly shantung from Oriole Textiles, NY.  She wanted a dress inspired by this dress from the movie Under the Tuscan Sun.



This was a very simple dress.  The dress fabric was so similar to the lining, some kind of taffeta.  I hemmed it and removed the train from the back.  The belt in the middle was a long tie sash,  I shortened it and added snaps.  She could not zip the dress past small of her back!  So luckily there was enough fabric in the side seams to allow for me to let it out.  Turned out great, another happy customer!

3 down, 2 more to go....until next time!!!!!

Vogue 1091

  My friends gave their mom a surprise retirement party and wanted Vogue 1091 made.  Well the dresses turned out beautifully!

this one has a lace overlay

The retiree is in the blue dress!  Congrats Jackie!!!!