Rootbeer for Breakfast and Early Morning Bus Blogging

I am headed to Calgary this morning on the 8am Red Arrow bus for the long weekend.  I slept terribly and was not prepared for the early morning.  I had no time for breakfast, so I am having rootbeer and bus cookies, blah!  I hope that Welder Boyfriend has something awesome planned for lunch when I arrive. 

Since I am going to be sitting for a few hours, I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to catch you all up on "Project Niagara".  This week I went back to the drawing board yet again, but I am finally on the right track. 

The next problem to arise, was the interfacing I decided to use.  Wayyy to stiff for the cotton and the front of the suit was standing up on its own.  No Good!  So I went to the fabric store to get some more blue cotton and redo the front piece.  I got the fabric home and it was the WRONG robins egg blue.  Hells Bells! So I got enough to restart and it is finally coming together. 

 Suit front and Artie.  Bound buttons, interfaced and looking good!

 

 Suit back, muslin stitched in the back to stabilise, all ready to piece together with the front.

 

 Collar steamed and pinned onto the tailors ham to shape it.

 

Cute!  The tailors ham has little wings!

 

Going to check out what I hear is an excellent Calgary fabric store this weekend, and hoping to come home with some fabric and inspiration. 

 

 

And I leave you with Artie looking all dapper in the morning sun!

 

 

Thanks soo much for reading!

 

 

~Miss World





Taking a Break from Jacket Tailoring Fun

As much fun as it is to tailor a jacket (especially a project full of peril), I decided it was time to take a break from "Project Niagara Suit" and make something cute and relatively easy.  Something that would help me regain my confidence as far as stitchery goes.  And thus came ``Project New Blouse``. 

I took the scraps and left overs of the ivory sateen from the discarded ``Seven Year Itch`` dress, and decided to make a quick pretty puffy sleeve blouse to go with a skirt that was a belated birthday present from my best gal.  So I pieced together bits of New Look 6808 and a puffy sleeve pattern I drafted myself.  And it came together like a dream. 

 Piecing it together, glad I could salvage something from the doomed dress project.

 

 

 Back collar and zip.  Could have used on less layer of interfacing in the collar, its a little stiff but alright.

 

 New Blouse to go with new amazing PUG skirt.  The skirt was purchased at my favourite store in Edmonton "Rowena".  I love love love everything in that shop.  And this skirt is the best!

 

One more outside photo, Brother in Law has just stained the front porch and it looks excellent! So let's show it off.

Ps. Photo credit goes to Sister, she is the tops!

 

 

In other sewing excitement, I received something by post today which I had preorder what seems like a gazillion years ago (OK, maybe only 2 months).  "Gertie's new Book for Better Sewing" by Gretchen Hirsch.  I am going to spend the remainder of the evening browsing through the pages and planning a new project. 

 

 

 Hello Lovah!  Excitement!

 

The Wiggle Dress might be my first book project.  Found some beautiful fuscia wool crepe after raiding Mom's fabric stash, perfect for the Joan-esque dress (and if you don't know that I mean Joan Harris, friendship off!)

 

So tonight will be a relaxing night of reading with some wine and Artie.  He is presently asleep beside me on the sofa, snoring like mad.  Hope to update on more ''Project Niagara" this week!

 

~Miss World

 

 

 



I'm Back!

Wow! Project Niagara Blue Suit has hit many many bumps over the last week. 

Firstly, it turns out I was very allergic to the original fabric I had purchased.  Most likely the fact that it was mystery discount fibre.  Arg, I was covered in hives after the first attempt at button holes.  So that sent me on a trip back to the fabric store for something a little less itchy.  I found some beautiful blue cotton that will make a lovely light weight summer suit.  And with that fabric purchase I was ready to get back to stitchin'!

I got home that night and pretreated the fabric, took it out of the dryer and got to pressing.  But it was not pressing very nicely.  I did not have any spray starch, so I was at a standstill until the next day when I was able to pick some up.  I decided to tackle the mending pile, which had started to grow with pants mending projects from the rest of the house hold. 

Finally the fabric was all pressed and smelling fresh from the spray starch.  I was able to get the pattern pieces all cut out of the blue cotton and got to work on the bound button holes.  As this was my second attempt, it was much easier to measure and mark on the blue fabric. 


And then something horrible happened.....

My sewing machine would not sew.  I thought it was the usual kind of problem, maybe I had put the bobbin in the wrong way, or perhaps I had oiled it too much.  I spent the whole weekend and the last few days trying to figure it out.  Tonight I decided to call in the big guns, Mom.  She took a look at it and we decided it was time to send in the old girl for service.  But a week without a sewing machine was too much to bear.  Thank goodness Mom was able to give me a loaner.  And what a loaner!  It is one swell machine, I have named it "Robostitcher".  It does everything a girl could need, I think it might even do the dishes! I will be too spoiled to go back to my old machine after the week is up. (Though I must say that I love my sewing machine, it will be greatly missed and I cannot wait to get her back!)

 Button holes all done!

"Robostitcher"

One big pile o' pattern pieces

Now I have all my pattern pieces cut, the button holes are bound and I will get to putting an actual garment together this week.  Fingers crossed that I have seen my last problem on this project!  I hope to have an actual jacket pieced together for next week.  Hopefully no more stitchin' stress!

And I will leave you with the song I like best today. JD McPherson "Northside Gal"

~Miss World



Bound buttonholes

Today I stitched for the first time evah, BOUND BUTTONHOLES! 

I have always been a little scared of bound buttonholes, attempting them once before after reading a tutorial in Threads.  The tutorial made no sense to me, most likely because it is very hard to see how the steps go together in print instructions.  But now that I have watched the bound button hole tutorial included in the Sew Retro Starlet Suit Jacket course, I feel like a pro! 

For those who are not avid sewers in the audience, you may be asking "what is a bound button hole??"  I am going to refer to the Wikipedia - Buttonhole where the different types of buttonholes are described (aren't fasteners fascinating!)

 Example of a machine buttonhole, very common on most anything!

 My first bound buttonhole, not the prettiest but I am practising! But you can certainly see the difference in craftsmanship between this type and the machine type.

The measuring, stitchin' and cutting process.

The only real problems I had with the buttonholes was the fabric.  The crepe does not seem to hold up very well to any cutting or stitching, which is are terrible qualities to have in a fabric.  I may have to go back to the fabric store and find something with a little more body to it, as the fabric seems to shred when it comes in contact with a needle.  But I did get it from the bargain bin, so no big loss (Can I interest anyone in some 3 meters of crepe that will shred and make you sneeze?). It was very hard to find something in this aqua blue colour in a suitable weight, most likely because it is a little out of fashion for a suit.  So I may make this suit in a different colour all together.

For the rest of the evening, I am going to practice more buttonholes.  They are very fun once you get over the initial panic of cutting a hole in the middle of your fabric! 

Wish me luck on the search for fabric! 

~Miss World





Niagara

Niagara is one of my all time favourite Marilyn Monroe dramas. Quick Synopsis: Mr and Mrs Cutler take a trip to Niagara Falls for a long overdue honeymoon.  When they arrive at the cabin where they are staying, they become acquainted with another couple, George and Rose Loomis.  Cue the drama. George is jealous and depressed, having recently been discharged from an army hospital. Rose, played by MM, is a beautiful young woman who does not love her unstable husband.  She is in fact planning to murder him at the falls with her lover Ted.  The poor Cutlers get mixed in with the darkness and drama. All of this set to the backdrop of one of the Seven Wonders of the World in Technicolour!

The first time I saw this film as a girl, I fell in love with the costumes.  There are no spangled gowns, just beautifully tailored suits and sportswear. I love 1950's sportswear, the cuts and how the jackets nip in at the waist.  So I have decided that my new project is the gorgeous blue suit she wears at the beginning of the film. I love the tailoring of the classic 50s style suit and when Welder Boyfriend suggested that I make something that I could wear to work and for play, this was the first thing that came to mind. 

Check out that nipped in waist, le sigh

Beautiful view!

Recent photograph of the blue suit. Debbie Reynolds auctioned off this and other costume pieces worn by MM from her private collection.



Now, I have never made a tailored suit jacket like this before.  I have to admit that this project was one of the last ones on my list, because I was feeling a little intimidated by the whole process.  But I found an excellent online class on Craftsy.com,  Sew Retro The Starlet Suit Jacket which is taught by Gretchen Hirsch (who I think is the bee's knees x20).  I am really excited to get this project on the go, and happy to have found such an excellent resource to learn jacket tailoring techniques.  My fabric is all pretreated and pressed and I am ready to start cutting the pattern pieces!

  Aqua blue crepe, perfect weight for a spring/summer suit.  Had some beautiful floral satin in my stash that I have been saving for a jacket lining. 

I will keep you up to date on my progress and learning, but now it is time to get back to stitchin'!

~Miss World 

                                                                    



Back to the drawing board

So I thought this would be an easy project, something fun for the weekend.  I went to the fabric store and picked up some pretty ivory fabric and was going to get to stitchin` right after work today.  And that is what I did.  But I am not liking my fabric choice, I am not liking my pattern. 

I had thought using a cotton sateen would be nice.  No need to line the skirt because of the weight, and contrary to Miss Monroe, I did not want to have a dress that was soo light and airy that it would blow up over my head.  But the fabric choice was wrong, oh sooo very wrong for this project. 

Bodice attempt, it's alright but not quite right. 

Now as for the pattern I selected, I though I would use Butterick 5209 .  I have made this dress before, once with the sleeves for a wedding and once in a polka dot.  I like this pattern, but it is not quite right.  I was going back and forth between this one and the dress pattern from the book "Famous Frocks"by Sara Alm and Hannah McDevitt.  It is a beautiful book, but I do not like the pattern for the classic "Seven Year Itch".  So as I started cutting and sewing, there was a doubt in the pit of my stomach saying "Amanda, don't do it! Don't cut the fabric, the pattern is not right and neither is the fabric." But I went ahead, and boy oh boy should I listen to that little voice inside.  I want to do justice to these iconic garments, and continuing with this would have just been a poor copy that would be missing the details and character of the original garment (think cheesy Halloween store costume awfulness).



Butterick 5209, seemed like a good idea at the time.  Great pattern, but not for my project.

I feel like it is time to go back to the drawing board, and maybe put the "Seven Year Itch" dress to the side for the moment.  Not a failure, but not a project for right now.  Everyone makes mistakes here and there, so I am going to sleep on it and maybe watch a film for inspiration and head to the fabric store in the a.m.  Sorry to disappoint anyone who was expecting a super cool dress this week, but I want to deliver quality to my readers.  Thanks for reading, next post I promise a more well thought out plan! 

~Miss World



Just a little hint....

It's been a long week at daylight slave job, and I have not been doing as much sewing as I should be.  I have been sitting around watching "Daria" on DVD, and working on some scarf knitting.  Oh how I love a good dose of  mid 90`s sarcasm after a day of corporate perkiness!

Anyhoo, I am back at it tonight!  I came up with a quick 2 day kinda project for my next Marilyn frock.  I came home from work, and got to the cutting table.  I am using a pattern that I have already adjusted and made a dress from.  It will work perfect for this dress.  I will give you a little hint, and then its back to the sewing room for this lady!

Any guesses?  Champagne, potato chips and some ivory sateen?!

Will post more later once progress is underway.

~Miss World

Some Like it Hot

My dress is finally finished!  It took a little longer than I thought to get all fringe-ey, but here it is! 

Thanks to Sister who acted as official Project Marilyn Photographer this evening!

Took forever to get the fringe lined up in the back.

Three layers of fringe, 12" on top and two layers of 9" for extra fringe-ey goodness!

Artie loves it too! (Can\t leave this guy alone with a frock lying around)

A couple close ups of the completed details.

I guess it is now time to start figuring out the next project.  There are soooooo many gorgeous outfits to choose from.  I have been sitting on some pink sateen, so I might give the "Diamonds" dress a go.  Or I really love the light blue suit from "Niagara".....  which will it be? 

I hope you enjoyed project "Some Like it Hot" and I hope I did the original dress justice!  As I said before, if you have not seen the film yet, it is delightful.   



Thank you evah so for reading! 

~Miss World

Sneak a peek!

I woke up early this morning to get a head start on sewing and also because Artie cat insisted on "meep meeping" at 6 am, waking up the whole house.  So with a cup or 4 of cawfee in me, I got to work.  I was able to complete most of the dress today and I am going to give you a little sneak peek.

Now I know it does not look like much all flat on the table, let me assure you it looks excellent on this blond!  I  was able to get the entire dress stitched together, except for the fringe.  I am going to have to wait for tomorrow and have the Mom baste in on so that it sits in the right place before I sew it.  Its a beautiful dress and I may use this pattern with the same adjustments again.  After every step I completed throughout the day, I would show Sister for approval (she is a tough critic, seriously!).  She liked it so very much without the sleeves, she was contemplating having me make the dress for the bridesmaids at her upcoming nuptials.  Something to consider, though it would be a lot of work to dress 5 lovely ladies. 

It appears as though the dress will not be completed until tomorrow, which is the 50th anniversary of MM's death.  50 years, golly! 

It may be my going out dress tomorrow night as well for champagne and belated birthday celebrating.

 Artie trying to get into my shot, he is a camera hog! 

Sister and Artie getting into my shot, 2 camera hogs!

Stay tuned.... Same bat time, same bat channel!  For the reveal of the completed "Some Like it Hot" dress!

~Miss World



Dressmaking and Tarzan

Today was a rather stressful day at daylight slave job, busy busy!  To relax and reset my brain, I spent my lunch break at the fabric store.  I needed a zipper anyways, so that is my excuse.  I decided to flip through the pattern books, and suddenly I felt compelled to purchase Vintage Vogue pattern 8789 for, get this, FULL PRICE.  No pattern sale, the curse of emotional shopping.  Which is better than emotional eating (mmmmm...poutine!).  I can feel my mother cringing as she reads this as she taught me better, ALWAYS wait for the pattern sale.  Alas, I stick by my purchase (it is final sale after all) and I am excited to make a nice vintage style dress at a later date.  Possibly something red and white stripey. 

V8789 photo from Vogue Patterns website, cute!

I was really happy to get home from work and after a little drool time, I got off the sofa and started to sew.  This evening I was able to piece together most of the "Some Like it Hot" dress, and even installed the zipper.  I decided to go for the little bit of gathering up the front of the dress, and I achieved this by zigzag stitching elastic down the centre of the front skirt piece and on the bodice. 

 Inside of the front skirt piece with elastic zigzag stitched in.

 Front of the dress all stitched together.

Back of the dress before the zipper was installed.

I was also ablt to do a little top stitching to define the seams around the waist after a good press.  Thus far I am very pleased with my progress and should be able to finish it up by the weekend's end.  Tomorrow morning I will stitch up the sides, add the facing and sleeves and time permitting I will add the button details and fringe.  I am getting really excited to wear this dress!

Might be time to quit for the evening and relax before bed.  It is the Johnny Weissmuller movie day on TCM, so I am going to watch another Tarzan flick before heading off to dreamland.  That reminds me tomorrow is Marilyn day on TCM, which will be great to have on the television in the background for my Project Marilyn morning stitchery.  Thanks for reading, next post should be the completed project.

Tarzan awesomeness Johnny Weissmuller!





~Miss World

Bodice Muslin and Sleeve Drafting

Today I got home from work a little early and worked on making the bodice muslin for the "Some Like it Hot" dress and drafting the sleeve.  The muslin looks excellent and fits well, the only adjustments I made afterwards was to lower the neckline even more. 

The bodice is looking fine and fits great!  Ready to cut my nice black satin.

Now the sleeve drafting was another battle.  I decided to use the cap sleeve pattern that come with Simplicity 1882 and use my measurements to lengthen the sleeve to the wrist.  I used the Threads website as a resource.  http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/24362/create-a-custom-sleeve-pattern/page/all . It looks like it is going to work out well and I will make a muslin of the sleeve later tonight, after I dig out some sacrificial fabric. 

Artie helping with the sleeve pattern, he is such a great assistant.

The weekend coming up is a long weekend, and I am hoping to get this dress all the way finished for Monday. Will keep you posted on progress! 

~Miss World