Saturday Sewing Projects

Today I was able to complete Ashley’s maxi dress. The unfortunate thing is that is not a maxi dress after all. I ran out of fabric and didn’t realize it this until one night at midnight. I was just sure that I could get more at Joann’s the next day. I managed to get off work a little early and rushed to the fabric store, found a clerk and pushed the fabric swatch into her face, “DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE OF THIS?!” in a frantic voice. She smiled and yes, she did still have some, in fact a woman just about 15 minutes ago asked about the same fabric and she believed her to be at the cutting table. I rush over and see her. There lays the fabric on the bolt and I see the clerk begin to flip off the fabric and the woman says, “I will take what ever is left on the bolt.”. NOOOO!!  I wanted to scream out and get down on my knees and beg her not to take it all, I only need one yard, a mere 36 inches. But of course I didn’t. I just walked out of the store, clutching my swatch, and began to envision Ash’s reaction when I told her that she would not be getting a maxi dress, unless she was willing to have the skirt be a different color. I tossed around ideas of color choices in my head, and decided that a navy blue skirt would look ok. But alas, she reminded me that her chest was rather large and she believed that if the bodice was patterned and the skirt was plain that her chest would look even larger (if that is possible). Of course I realized she was right. So the bodice stayed on the dress form for a couple of weeks. I couldn’t bear to take it off, I had taken so much time with muslin to get the perfect fit. She had resigned to the fact that it was a lost cause.

Today Ash and I had set off on what is quickly becoming our weekly fabric store trip to acquire her a vintage style apron pattern for an upcoming cotton challenge and had stopped to get something to eat. She quietly mentioned that perhaps we could complete the dress on the form, even though it would not be a maxi dress. Sure, I said, no problem, and then the words, “Do you think I could wear it tonight?”. Immediately I froze, remembering scenes from last Saturday evening with the blouse. I told her we could try but it would not be a repeat event, that if I could not finish it in time she had to have another outfit in the wings. She happily agreed, saying of course I could finish it, I had the bodice done, all I had to do was cut the skirt out and attach.

I did complete it, after several alterations, many trial runs, a few pulled stitches and a couple of redesigns. Instead of a straight across hem, she wanted it to be longer in the back and I have to admit it was perfect. She again left for a night on the town with her friends, sporting her dress and ok with the fact that it wasn’t a maxi dress. I was happy to look over at the dress form and see the bodice gone, the dress completed.

 

Did I get my pencil skirt done for the Sew Weekly Reunion, no.. It still needs a final try on and then a hem, and I have missed the deadline. But perhaps tomorrow I can get it done. I have plans for a new challenge that starts Sunday! More about that later!

 

 

 

Advertisement