Hunkered down

Black History Month

On this last day of February, I wanted to post about a seamstress who did not get her proper acknowledgement at the proper time.

Ann Cole Lowe (December 14, 1898 – February 25, 1981) was an American fashion designer and the first African American to become a noted fashion designer.^[1] Lowe's one-of-a-kind designs were a favorite among high society matrons from the 1920s to the 1960s. She was best known for designing the ivory silk taffeta wedding dress worn by Jacqueline Bouvier when she married John F. Kennedy in 1953.

I was pleasantly surprised to find these items at JoAnn’s

Happy Sewing!!!!

DC Frocktails

I attended a wonderful event for sewers last weekend! “DC Frocktails.”  “It was the first gathering to celebrate DC, Mary,and, and VA makers and sewists.”  The host committee @dhfabricsandco, @naomipjohnsom, and @threelittlebirds.sewingco did an OUTSTANDING job!  It was
held at the Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center in Hyatt’s, MD.  We enjoyed 2 free mock tails or cocktails, salad, delicious appetizers, and great pizza!  So many beautiful people mingling about and admiring each other’s creative clothing and enjoying the evening!  There were plenty of door prizes; however, Imwasnt lucky!

Everyone received a SWAG bag filled with goodies.  Can’t wait until the next event!

Remake

It's been a while since I blogged.  I am still enjoying retirement.  I  have been sewing non-stop since I retired last May....proms, weddings, alterations, etc. etc etc. 

I'm still sewing for me as well.  This is my second time making this dress...the first one I made in white, but the fabric started getting those little balls on it so I discarded it.  This fabric is a far superior one, so I don't think I'll have that issue again.  I purchased this fabric during my stay in Barcelona a few years ago.  I love how it feels.  It's like a thick knit.  I used my Babylock Evolve to sew most of the seams.  I used my Babylock Coverstitch for the neck edge, hem, and tie band edges.  It was a very easy dress to complete in about 4 hours.  Happy Sewing!!!!

Another Prom Season in the books

2019 prom season is a wrap!  I worked with this three young ladies and young man this year.  All dresses/gowns were drafted in Pattern Master V6 Wildginger Pattern Software.

I drafted a basic bodice,  flat pattern drafted the strapless under corset (boned), circle skirt and belt in Pattern Master V6.  I used pink Casa satin from JoAnn fabrics.  The over bodice and sleeves were made using a sparkle mesh from JoAnn. Her neckline and sleeve edges were finished with the Casa satin.

This next young lady is going to senior prom.  She's a return customer.  Here she is getting fitting in the muslin.

Here's the finished gown.  Fabric from JoAnn Fabrics Cosplay collection (lycra knit)  4" horse hair braid in the hem.  Top was self lined with gown fabric---no lining in the circle skirt with cut on train.

 This pattern is definitely for an experienced seamstress.  So many details left out of the instructions.  I referred to my husband's suit jacket for reference throughout the process of sewing this together.

 love how my welt pocket turned out.

 His lapels are made of her gown fabric.

 Love that fit!!!!

more welts

inside front pocket

 The happy couple on prom night!!!  

The next young lady is like a cousin.  I've been friends with her family since 1973!!!  In fact, I made her mom's sr prom gown in 1980!!!!!  Blair wanted me to combine the two photos below into one gown.

Blair went to Fashion Design High School in Baltimore City. 

Here she is cutting out her muslin pattern.

Here I am draping her sleeve to get the look on the picture.

I didn't know how in the world I was gonna make the bottom of her dress because the sequin fabric was a just the same panel design over and over in yardage.  It came to me one night....add godets.  Her she is standing in the gown.  I cut some slits and added godets caught from the panels.  I used about 10 yds of fabric.  It worked perfectly!!!!!1

The fabric is very, very sheer.  I created a underdress made out of fleshtone swimsuit fabric (JoAnn Fabrics) and added 4" horse hair braid  to the hemline of the underdress. 

I'm so proud of the finished gown.

I love making their prom dreams come true!!!!!