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17
A bit of a 'do' / Re: Bridesmaids dresses...one down one to go
« on: September 13, 2018, 12:23:16 PM »
This is a long post 
and I apologise now.... 
..but I feel I have to explain my dilemma, one, to get it out of my system and two, hopefully help anyone who also can identify, with my situation... who like me....has a tendency to panic when it all goes wrong... 
Firstly the reason I went into panic mode, was brought on by the fact that my own dress to attend the wedding in,....is now unavailable to buy in any of the stores....and definitely not available in the store warehouse....
which in reflection, serves me right for not buying it when I had the opportunity...( I foolishly thought, as you do...'there's still loads of time to get it')....but now, months later...and knowing there's only a few weeks left for me to find a dress or something, that will fit me correctly across my chest area, that I won't have to alter around the waist and hips, due to my shape and knowing how difficult it is for me to find anything that doesn't require altering... on finding out the dress was no longer available and I still have the 2nd dress to make...I panicked ! ! !... and despite not feeling like sewing, when I got home....all I could think was.... 'there's no time, there's no time,...Arghhh, there's no time .... I'd better start on the bodice of the second bridesmaids dress NOW', ... ...! ! ! ! ..........Really not the right thing to do, when in a 'panic mode'.... so, naturally I couldn't remember, how or what I had done on the first dress, and so cocked up the bodice of the dress and the 'heart shape' cutout....BIG style...
I tried to unpick what Id done...and further disaster ensued...thus more panic took over....then even more panic, when I realised I don't have enough lining fabric to re-cut the bodices out.....I went shopping the next day to get more fabric...and yes more panic, when I found out...the shop had sold out of the fabric I used for the lining...and they didn't have any light weight interfacing either, ....now at this point, I'm really panicking...(feeling sick in the pit of my stomach, panicking), knowing the wedding is three weeks away and that it will take me about another week or two, to get the 2nd dress done.....My son bless him, (in an attempt to soothe me), said 'just use an alternative colour, it's only for the lining...no one will know......so I went shopping again and bought instead something that is almost the right shade, (more pink than peach)....but it's still not quite right....and although it's not what I really want to do...I settled my self with the idea that's it's the best option to rectify the situation and headed home.....however, (and here is where I think my guardian angel stepped in)... on the way home, I remembered I still didn't have the interfacing I needed for the 'face fabric' either, so I decided to make a detour to the little fabric shop, near to where I live, just to buy the interfacing.
Interfacing bought, I was just about to leave the shop when I glanced upwards and saw 'right on the very top shelf at the very end of the row...I spotted a roll of fabric, very similar in shade to what I needed....I retrieved the sample from my bag and whilst the guy took the roll down, I explained the situation I was in...once the fabric was on the counter, I placed my sample against it and all I can say is that, someone up in heaven must have been looking out for me, as it was a littel darker, but an almost perfect match.. 
.... there was only 45cm of 'usable fabric' left on the roll, but still, it was enough for what I needed.....and the guy must have felt sorry for me, as he didn't charge me for the piece of fabric, (as he said it had been there for a while and no one is probably going to want so little amount of fabric, other than me)...so I left the shop feeling considerably more relaxed and calm...I have since, washed it, ironed it and it is now.... a perfect match in colour....... So now....panic over.. ..and strangely 
I can remember how to do the heart cutout again....I'm calmly going to make the second dress...and fingers crossed this time nothing will go wrong.. 
.and no one will notice me wearing my jeans on the day.. ..
and I apologise now.... ..but I feel I have to explain my dilemma, one, to get it out of my system and two, hopefully help anyone who also can identify, with my situation... who like me....has a tendency to panic when it all goes wrong... Firstly the reason I went into panic mode, was brought on by the fact that my own dress to attend the wedding in,....is now unavailable to buy in any of the stores....and definitely not available in the store warehouse....
which in reflection, serves me right for not buying it when I had the opportunity...( I foolishly thought, as you do...'there's still loads of time to get it')....but now, months later...and knowing there's only a few weeks left for me to find a dress or something, that will fit me correctly across my chest area, that I won't have to alter around the waist and hips, due to my shape and knowing how difficult it is for me to find anything that doesn't require altering... on finding out the dress was no longer available and I still have the 2nd dress to make...I panicked ! ! !... and despite not feeling like sewing, when I got home....all I could think was.... 'there's no time, there's no time,...Arghhh, there's no time .... I'd better start on the bodice of the second bridesmaids dress NOW', ... ...! ! ! ! ..........Really not the right thing to do, when in a 'panic mode'.... so, naturally I couldn't remember, how or what I had done on the first dress, and so cocked up the bodice of the dress and the 'heart shape' cutout....BIG style... I tried to unpick what Id done...and further disaster ensued...thus more panic took over....then even more panic, when I realised I don't have enough lining fabric to re-cut the bodices out.....I went shopping the next day to get more fabric...and yes more panic, when I found out...the shop had sold out of the fabric I used for the lining...and they didn't have any light weight interfacing either, ....now at this point, I'm really panicking...(feeling sick in the pit of my stomach, panicking), knowing the wedding is three weeks away and that it will take me about another week or two, to get the 2nd dress done.....My son bless him, (in an attempt to soothe me), said 'just use an alternative colour, it's only for the lining...no one will know...
...so I went shopping again and bought instead something that is almost the right shade, (more pink than peach)....but it's still not quite right....and although it's not what I really want to do...I settled my self with the idea that's it's the best option to rectify the situation and headed home.....however, (and here is where I think my guardian angel stepped in)... on the way home, I remembered I still didn't have the interfacing I needed for the 'face fabric' either, so I decided to make a detour to the little fabric shop, near to where I live, just to buy the interfacing. Interfacing bought, I was just about to leave the shop when I glanced upwards and saw 'right on the very top shelf at the very end of the row...I spotted a roll of fabric, very similar in shade to what I needed....I retrieved the sample from my bag and whilst the guy took the roll down, I explained the situation I was in...once the fabric was on the counter, I placed my sample against it and all I can say is that, someone up in heaven must have been looking out for me, as it was a littel darker, but an almost perfect match..
.... there was only 45cm of 'usable fabric' left on the roll, but still, it was enough for what I needed.....and the guy must have felt sorry for me, as he didn't charge me for the piece of fabric, (as he said it had been there for a while and no one is probably going to want so little amount of fabric, other than me)...so I left the shop feeling considerably more relaxed and calm...I have since, washed it, ironed it and it is now.... a perfect match in colour....... So now....panic over.. ..and strangely I can remember how to do the heart cutout again....I'm calmly going to make the second dress...and fingers crossed this time nothing will go wrong.. .and no one will notice me wearing my jeans on the day.. ..
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A bit of a 'do' / Re: Flower Girl dress
« on: September 13, 2018, 11:04:20 AM »
Hes beautiful @Francesca, such a lovely bunny and a beautiful keepsake, and the dress is gorgeous....well done you.
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In the wardrobe / Re: Here we go again
« on: September 07, 2018, 16:06:46 PM »
@Gernella ...Noooo never a clear out...just add it under the sofa cushions...they'll never notice.... No seriously, I agree with you and I must admit I daren't go into fabric shop, to browse anymore...I go in for what I need and then head straight back out for the door... ...
No seriously, I agree with you and I must admit I daren't go into fabric shop, to browse anymore...I go in for what I need and then head straight back out for the door... ...
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A bit of a 'do' / Re: Flower Girl dress
« on: September 07, 2018, 12:37:04 PM »
Keep going @Francesca , it's a labour of love when making things as a 'special gift'....and we tend to put more of ourselves into garment than is necessary.......There were many times when I was making the first bridesmaids dress, I thought I'd actually have to resort to telling my son and daughter in law...'I cant do it'..but perseverance, dedication and using your own knowledge (of which you have plenty) will see you to completion...and as DF says...it's going to be worn once on the day, and there will be so much going on, on the day..that only you will see any possible faults with the outfit..... Everyone else will be aawwing and aarrging at your work....
Everyone else will be aawwing and aarrging at your work....
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In the wardrobe / Re: Threadcount 1607 Shirt Dress
« on: September 07, 2018, 11:38:18 AM »
I actually quite like your dress, it looks good on you and you have made good job in sewing it up....but, I do tend to think we criticise ourselves far too harshly, when we have made something that we ourselves, aren't truly happy with.. ...so I understand what you are saying, (I also do this) but to me.. it looks really good....and well done on continuing with it, even though you had issues with the fabric and fit. To do that is sometimes is an accomplishment in its'self. You have however, answered one of the queries I have when buying magazines, simply for their patterns...on how they will fit....and how much ease they have....I usually end up not buying a magazine or pattern due to the fact the my upper part of my body is considerably 'larger' than the rest of me...and knowing that this particular patter sews up 'BIGGER' to my ears a good thing....I have this pattern and will probably now take the plunge (at some point) to make it, however I will also take heed of the things you stipulate in your blog.....and make a toile....
...so I understand what you are saying, (I also do this) but to me.. it looks really good....and well done on continuing with it, even though you had issues with the fabric and fit. To do that is sometimes is an accomplishment in its'self. You have however, answered one of the queries I have when buying magazines, simply for their patterns...on how they will fit....and how much ease they have....I usually end up not buying a magazine or pattern due to the fact the my upper part of my body is considerably 'larger' than the rest of me...and knowing that this particular patter sews up 'BIGGER' to my ears a good thing....I have this pattern and will probably now take the plunge (at some point) to make it, however I will also take heed of the things you stipulate in your blog.....and make a toile....
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In the wardrobe / Re: Blue and white striped top
« on: September 07, 2018, 11:24:26 AM »
Very nice,..looks good on you too....
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In the wardrobe / Re: Here we go again
« on: September 07, 2018, 11:15:13 AM »
Love those jackets @Gernella, I haven't made a coat in years, the last one I made I think I was about 17 years old, maybe it's time for me to have a go at another, as I'm now 53....as for not buying the fabric you liked, my resolution is always BUY..(hence my signature line and avatar )..afterall, they may not have it when you need it.... 
)..afterall, they may not have it when you need it....
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A bit of a 'do' / Re: Bridesmaids dresses...one down one to go
« on: September 07, 2018, 11:06:11 AM »
@Acorn, You are right, They are more like purple and pink in reality, everyone who has seen the dresses has said it too.......lol.. . but my Daughter in law, is adamant it's Aubergine and peach...... 
@Sandra, Thankyou and yes, I agree that bow in the original photo was a little too big for my liking too....again everyone has said the same, so I toned it down...just a little...and made it 'puffy'....
I started on the smaller version for my youngest grandaughter yesterday, so far so good....at least this time I have a better idea of 'how to do it'...so may get it done quicker than the last dress....and more importantly, in time for the wedding....
. but my Daughter in law, is adamant it's Aubergine and peach...... @Sandra, Thankyou and yes, I agree that bow in the original photo was a little too big for my liking too....again everyone has said the same, so I toned it down...just a little...and made it 'puffy'....
I started on the smaller version for my youngest grandaughter yesterday, so far so good....at least this time I have a better idea of 'how to do it'...so may get it done quicker than the last dress....and more importantly, in time for the wedding....
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A bit of a 'do' / Re: Bridesmaids dresses...one down one to go
« on: September 06, 2018, 15:29:57 PM »
@Samantha ...Thank you...and at first when my daughter in law suggested the colours, Aubergine and Peach.. I thought....Urgh... 
but when we went shopping and she started to pick out colours I began to think Oooohhh nice... and now like the colours too...
Only five weeks to go till the BIG day so not long to show the full photos...
but when we went shopping and she started to pick out colours I began to think Oooohhh nice... and now like the colours too... Only five weeks to go till the BIG day so not long to show the full photos...
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A bit of a 'do' / Re: Bridesmaids dresses...one down one to go
« on: September 06, 2018, 15:23:35 PM »
Hahaha...what a coincidence @Francesca ...Understandable to wait with teenie tots with the sewing up though....Livvy (youngest granddaughter) was only just born when they set the date, they are now 3 and 6.....and I wanted to do lots of research before I started making the dresses, so I knew what to do best when it came to doing the 'heart cutout'...I've had to keep measuring the girls often during the six weeks holiday as typically this is the time, when they grow the most, .... luckily the girl next door to where I live, is the same height as my eldest grandaughter, so shes loved being my model...
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House Beautiful / Re: Sausage dog pattern for draught excluder?
« on: September 06, 2018, 14:54:03 PM »
Oh I do like those...they look wuffly.....sorry I'l get my coat...
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A bit of a 'do' / Re: Bridesmaids dresses...one down one to go
« on: September 06, 2018, 14:37:43 PM »
There was more than one moment when I thought I'd have to throw in the towel @Acorn , ..... ..
..
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A bit of a 'do' / Re: Bridesmaids dresses...one down one to go
« on: September 06, 2018, 14:23:44 PM »
Okay....maybe just a couple of photos in the making....
For some reason I cant add the other photo of the bow....I'll try resizing it...done...
For some reason I cant add the other photo of the bow....I'll try resizing it...done...
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A bit of a 'do' / Re: Bridesmaids dresses...one down one to go
« on: September 06, 2018, 14:10:05 PM »
I only stared sewing them a couple of weeks ago @Lowena ..... and yes I agree, the dress above does need a good ironing....
I've completed the first one for my six year old grandaughter, I just need to do the same again for my three year old....sadly I cant show the pictures of the ones I've made yet.....as the wedding is soon approaching....but afterwards I'll post pics of them both....
and yes I agree, the dress above does need a good ironing....I've completed the first one for my six year old grandaughter, I just need to do the same again for my three year old....sadly I cant show the pictures of the ones I've made yet.....as the wedding is soon approaching....but afterwards I'll post pics of them both....