Merlot/Lace: all but the hem and buttons

I closed up the bodice yesterday and got the hem turned, stitched, pressed and pinned. I'll see about hemming it tonight or tomorrow. The back panel where the buttons/button holes will go has been stretching...I interfaced the facing to try and stabilize it a bit. The facing is stable...and puckery. Any future suggestions for stabilizing a facing in a flowy fabric without making it look stiff/interfacing the fashion fabric? I feel like short of fusing something to the fashion fabric this was inevitable.

I'm very happy with the sleeves. some of my best. The real magic is in the back though...so we'll see how that all works out as I haven't gotten a chance to look at it yet... For all I know it's all wrong.

Merlot/Lace: it's the inside that counts

Sort of...I mean the outside needs to look nice, but I'm really doing a bang up job on this lining. I so rarely have the time or the necessity for a nice lining. Not cutting any corners with this job. The only exposed seams are French, and the kind of exposed facing seams are going to be pinked. Everything else is completely enclosed. Here are pics of the lining and a shot of the back bc I realize I haven't posted a picture of it yet. It's hard to get the back to look good on the form bc the dress is so crooked and the form is so short. This is what you get. And it's the inside. Bet you couldn't tell but for the favored collar.

So yeah, basically did the sleeves today. Haven't finished slipping the second closed. Tomorrow I'll slip the bodice shut then either a break or straight on to the buttonholes!

FYI: I've worked up to the end of Season 5 of Doctor Who since Christmas. Into the Matt Smith seasons I realize my mood during the day is completely different because of his influence. It's a completely different show. If not for the Ponds I'd really be out of it. And Van Gogh. Such. A. GREAT. Episode!

Confession: I kind of skipped the Pandorica episodes...so this is the first time I'll watch them....I bet a lot more about season 6 will make sense.

slipping the sleeve lining in, no serging for me!

this is the inside. Check out those sharp seams!

insides

Merlot/Lace: working so hard today

I worked last night and had Monday and today off so it feels like I've had loads of time to work on my dress, because I have. I work for the next three days so I won't get back to it until next Monday, which is fine, because I need a break whether I want one or not.

This morning I had my bodice and bodice lining together. Now I have the skirt attached, the collar on and all but one side of the center back lining put in. It's been great fun as you might guess because the open back with a collar and all of that is a riot to line. No really, I love doing it. It's so precise, like making a million crotch seams, which are also a favorite of mine.

I must say I've been doing a bang up job and am really happy with how everything's been going so far. The collar looks smaller on one side, and did in the mock up too, but the pattern pieces are the same width so I don't know what's up with that. It's only a fraction of an inch, so I'm the only one that notices right? I feel like I'm so close to being done, and when you make the list (sleeves, attach lining waist, button holes and buttons, hem) it doesn't seem like that much, but it is. It's always more than you think it is in sewing. When I just have the buttons left to sew on it'll still take longer than I think it will. Ripping the button holes open might actually take a reasonable amount of time...

Anyway, I'm sure you want pictures. Because the form is so much shorter than me I can't really give you the best idea, but here are some shots to pique your interest.

bahaha, I'm so crooked.

before pressing, but still great. 

Merlot/Lace: let's get going!

Merlot/Lace mock up

I've been working all week on getting the pattern right for my merlot and lace dress. I don't have all the appropriate facilities or personnel and it's a beast. I draped it on a new form so that is an adventure, it has a Peter Pan collar to change whenever I change the neckline or shoulders, the absence of half the shoulder because of the open back is fun, and I discovered I have a forward right arm joint. I did a full mock up minus sleeves, then a bodice #2, then a bodice #3 with sleeves. I'd post pictures of the mock ups on me, but my garments are all over the place so ya'll get to see bodice #3 on the form.

I promise it looks much better on my crooked body. Real drapers probably wouldn't need three mock ups, but with my craziness and the open back and the collar etc. I want to get this right. Also, my life would be so much easier if I didn't have to worry about sleeves, which I will be changing to gusseted sleeves bc even though, as Jack has reminded me, I'm not an actor and won't be doing cart-wheels on stage, I hate not being able to move my arms.

Mock ups are so nice because you just draw all over them and chop them out. Now I have to be all careful about my marking blah blah blah, and the fabric is kind of squirrely.  I still have 5.5 weeks (eeeeee!!!) to get this done, but it's going to take some brain power. I better get started. Best case scenario I finish it early and it sits waiting for its debut. I won't wear it before New York. It needs a proper city introduction. 

New Project: Merlot and Lace in March

I'm crazy. I'm crazy bc I already have two irons in the fire and I'm writing this entry instead of getting presentable for company.

As you may recall I have the OND'13 I'm working on and long ago I draped my Striped Dress which I want to finish by the summer, if not by my NYC trip. Since NYC is in March I wanted to make a dress that can match the mood of March at its best and worst and still move into summer. I've also been looking for an application for a panel of vintage lace that like many other bits and bobs, found its way into my bedroom whilst I was away. Along with the lace I inherited some nice dark floral rayon that I think will make a nice late winter/early spring dress:

So, the panel is going to be the center front with the fabric behind it. I got the idea for the silhouette from the above Vivienne Westwood dress.

Here's the fun thing: Since the center front is going to be high bc that's a beautiful piece of lace and I want to use as much as I can, the Westwood dress is the inspiration for the back. The front will have a Peter Pan collar that will go around the back, which will be open.

I got a dress form for Christmas so I draped the bodice last night. The collar is JUST FOR SHAPE. This WILL NOT be used with my beaded collar. Right now the plan is to have the collar on a band that will button in the back. We're going for a quirky Zooey Deschanel kind of a thing. The form is my measurements but significantly shorter (which all are), and I'm counting on it not having the precision of a Wolf form, but I'm so excited to have a form to work with!

So there it is. I need to correct the pattern for OND'13 and get this pattern together. I also start work for real soon and go to my brother's wedding, so my off time will be very full, but I love it! I love getting new clothes. And by getting I mean spending a lot of time making them.

And lest you doubt, I am making this 100% LDS modest. I'm as pleasantly surprised as you are that the back can be that low.  Mormon fashion revolution!!!