When I was a kid my mom bought me a tutu and matching bodice when the local ballet theater had a costume sale.  The top was pink water-stained taffeta with a big fake rose right in the middle.  The skirt had layers and layers of pink tulle and another fake rose at the waist.  I think it goes without saying, that little-girl-me was enamored.  I wore the outfit for Halloween that year, but would (when I thought no one else was around) put on my taffeta and tulle and a record and dance around the living room of my parents’ house.  I have very distinct memories of jumping and twirling off the brick fireplace to the crackly 33 1/3 rotation of The Nutcracker Suite.

Alas, I never took dance, (My folks were more instrument type people.) which is a shame since I grew to be a six footer, and I really think the training in coordination and balance would have helped me out.  Nevertheless, I still do daydream about high kicks and pirouettes . . . and also shuffling off to Buffalo, but that’s another dress.

Granted this dress is red.  I am just not so much into pink anymore.  But, the combination of the sheer fabric and fullness of the skirt at the hem sort of took me back.  The cut of this dress and the way it draped made me feel like I used to when I would dress up.  I like the way the fabric lightly tickled my knees.  I don’t think grown-up dresses do a lot of knee-tickling.

So . . . I may, or may not, have had the house to myself this past weekend.  There may, or may not, have been an obliging fireplace.  And I may, or may not, have done some twirling.

The Facts

• Fabric:  Red (cranberry?) chiffon, probably synthetic, which someone gave me.  Satin for the lining.
• Pattern: Vogue 8615. I was going to go real risque and make the whole dress sheer and wear it over a slip or something.  I got a little shy, so underlined and lined the bodice and added a loose-fitting straight skirt to line the chiffon full skirt.  I have been wanting to try this pattern for quite a while.  With a stiffer fabric, I think it would be a totally different dress.  I want to try it again.  Next time I will remember to add length to the waist.
• Year:  2009
• Notions: Zipper and thread.  The latter of which I ran out of, so some of my hand stitching is done in a non-matching true red.  Embarassing!
• Time to complete:  About 10 hours.  Hemming the sheer skirt by hand took forever.  Felt like it anyway.
• First worn:  Just for photos so far.  I need more fancy parties to go to.
• Wear again?  I think I will.
• Total price:  zipper – $2 + on sale satin – $9.73 = $11.73

I originally started working on this dress because I had the red fabric in my stash and wanted to try out a new pattern.  When it all came together, I thought it looked like a 1970s bridesmaid’s dress.  (I know it’s probably the bow, but I like bows!  OK?) It wasn’t until I put on the finished product that I thought it was actually cute.  Sure, maybe slightly juvenile and very modest, but still cute.

If you only had a heart . . .shaped Valentine woven thing.  

But you can!  Want to learn how?  Then you might want to check out my latest endeavor: Keats|Yeats.  

It's all new and still figuring itself out, but we'll get there.

I am very excited about a new upgrade from my current dress form to (basically) a foam version of myself.  I spent hours (and hours) fitting the cover to get as close to my own body shape as possible.  Then came the all-out-on-the-floor fight to get that cover on the rather large foam body.  It wasn't easy.  I hurt one knuckle and broke a fingernail.  

The new me is a little stockier than the actual me - about 2" thicker in the waist - but everything else is in balance.  Vertically, she looks pretty good.   I might get around to further adjustment at some point.  Like, when I feel like another wrestling match.  It actually might be less troublesome to just eat a lot of ice cream and cookies.

Fabric:  Brocade (that used to be a too-big 1960′s dress) on top, Double Georgette for the skirt, and satin for the lining.

Pattern:  None.  I searched my collection of patterns (which I am also trying to put to good use) and couldn’t find a single one with princess seams on the bodice.  Not too surprising, though, as  I tend to have trouble fitting princess seams.  Rather than taking the time to draft something from scratch, I used the bodice of a dress I had recently taken apart (upcycle!) as a guide.  As expected, I had to make some modifications.  Surely I am not the only person whose chest has issues with this cut. Surely.

Year:  Bodice fabric – 1960′s/Style late 1950′s/”Pattern”- 1990′s

Notions:  Zipper and rust colored satin piping which was salvaged from the original dress.

Time to complete: About 10 hours (including picking apart the “original”) (oh and I was watching a movie while doing the hand stitching, so . . .).

First worn:  Today.  Just to snap some quick photos.

Wear again?  The next time I have a fancy event and the mood strikes me . . . yes.  Although, I can’t say I am completely sold on this dress.  Maybe it’s the color – too much brown? Maybe it’s the cut – is the skirt too full?  I’m on the fence with this one.

Total price: Double Georgette – $11.98/Satin – $9.98/Zipper – $1.26/Thread $2.65 for a grand total of $25.87.

I am such a sucker for fitted bodices matched with full skirts, but I am coming to terms with the fact that it is just time for a more grown-up (and slimming) go-to style.  More wiggle dresses in 2012!  Alas. A wiggle dress would not have worked for this project.  So, if I were to tweak this dress and still keep the silhouette and style of “Go for Brocade” I would probably have made the neckline just a tad deeper.  I also would have done something more interesting with the back.  You can’t see it, but it’s just real high and real snoozy.  (But effectively guards against drafts and sunburns.)  I do like the vintage brocade very much.  I will have to keep my eyes peeled for vintage dresses for the purpose of re-purposing.  I mean, after I use all the fabric in my stash, of course.

Name & Location: Liz Cowin.  Portland, OR.

Blog: I just finished up a year long personal challenge with Dress of the Month Club.

How long have you been sewing: Sewing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  My mother was at her machine for a good chunk of my childhood.  As soon as I was tall enough to reach the pedal she showed me the basics and it all grew from there.

Why did you want to commit to The Sew Weekly Challenge:  The Sew Weekly is a super fun read and I have to admit that there were a great many challenges I wish I had participated in last year.  Now I have my chance.

What do you love most about sewing garments: Being able to answer “Yes!” every time someone asks “Did you make that?”

What do you hate most about sewing garments: I don’t know why, but I can’t stand marking darts.  I love the darts, themselves, though.  Curious.

What do you want to accomplish this year with regard to the challenge: I am really working to stock my closet with classic, quality pieces that fit well and will stand the test of time.  All the better if I can make them (and show them off!).

Your biggest non-sewing goal of 2012: I guess I hope to pull off a really fun, stress-free wedding.  We just “decided” to get married about a week ago so . . . we’ll see.

What are your favorite sewing/fashion blogs:  Apart from this one, I enjoy A Beautiful Mess and Coletterie.  I really wish The Selfish Seamstress would make a prolific return.

Well, that's twelve of twelve for the year 2011.  December's dress is a really beautiful dark, dark blue wool.  I admittedly splurged.  

The deep squared neckline is something new for me, as are the long princess seams and 3/4 length sleeves.  I like the outcome -  not too dressy, but not casual either.

I added a cutesy leather bow belt because I like to accentuate waists.  The back is very high.  For the lining I used a bright plaid that used to be a dress.  The red shoes are a non-sequiteur.

Happy New Year everyone!  That's a wrap!

It's always fun to dig into the holiday decorations box.  I had forgotten about the stocking I made for Adorable Boyfriend last year.  He loves mountain climbing, so wool socks and crampons seemed very fitting.  I used little black nubby buttons to look like shoelace hooks.  I was going off the cuff, so it's not perfect, but I was pretty pleased with the end result.

I don't have my own stocking in Portland, so I whipped one up this afternoon out of some scraps of Sari fabric that I have been hanging on to.  See?  Hoarding pays off.  Everything eventually finds a purpose.  I wouldn't say that sequins typify my personality by any means, but the colors were just too perfect.  And sometimes shiny is nice.

Now if someone would just put presents in it.  I am guessing my stocking could hold about three kittens.

Ug.  Now the worst part.  Taking pictures of myself.  Hate it.  Which leads me to believe that I really should rethink the whole theme of this blog.  Hmmmm.  Maybe change is in the air.  But not until 2012.  

That actually reminds me of a fortune I got out of a cookie the other day.  It said something like "Your best and most creative ideas will come tomorrow".  And I thought "Growl.  It's always tomorrow".  Then I thought "Yum!" because I am partial to fortune cookies.

Delicious snacks aside  . . without further ado . . . November Dress has finally arrived.  I wanted sort of a Milkmaid Meets Wiggle Dress Chic.  Maybe got it?  I don't know.  (Can you tell the year is nearly over?  I'm losing steam. And am feeling indecisive.)  While I absolutely do love this hand painted fabric, I am not sure that I feel comfortable in such light colors.  I feel more exposed and not so pulled together. 

{anticlimactic}

So, December is here.

I think it's time for something more practical and wearable.  I have some nice crepey wools.    'Tis the season for crepey wools, as they say.  And actual sleeves?  I'll get back to you on that. And more!