Current and Future Projects

  Good Morning from the sewing room cats!

 Today I wanted to throw out my new 18th Century projects. I'm still on this hand sewing kick and have started a new set of hopefully better stays.

They are the half boned stays from JP Ryan. The outer and inner layers are linen with 2 inner layers of canvas and another stiff fabric. I decided they were slightly too thin and light with only the three layers.

Here is the fabric I found and the JP Ryan Jacket pattern. So I spent around two hours looking for a fabric that would be remotely acceptable for this pattern and I found this. I go to the cutting counter and the girl who is cutting my fabric calls it..... "retro"...... thank you for squashing my confidence. Now whenever I look at this fabric all I can imagine is the big spoon and fork from my Grandmothers 1970's kitchen. Oh well its purchased and it's going to be used.

 I found this cameo pendant at Hobby Lobby and converted it into a pin for my German Day Dress. That poor project is on the back burner...again.  : /

1845 Day Dress: False Start

Today I started really working on my 1845 day dress. The fabric that I purchased just doesn't work for me. Initially I had wanted to purchase a beige window box plaid. But there wasn't enough on the bolt to get the 8 yards I needed. So in a desperate moment of just wanting to get the project started I foolishly purchased this cream fabric with green vine things. Bad idea.

I don't think it looks terrible in the picture. But as I look at it on the dress form. I just don't like it. On the bright side I'm liking the way the pattern is coming together. I know there will be a few adjustments to be made. Such as the neckline will need to be trimmed because it chokes me. The bodice in the picture here has been folded up to shorten it because it is very long. I also redrafted the center front pattern piece to eliminate a seam down the front of the bodice.  Now I just need to figure out what the heck I'm going to do with the leftover fabric.