Busy, Busy, Busy...

I'll bet you were wondering where I have been.  I apologize for the lack of posts as of late.  I have been working on a new pattern that is due to be released soon.  I've been ironing out fit issues and redrafting and redrafting... but... here's a little sneak peek.  We are still working on a fit issue in the neck... but I'm loving this skirt!

I give you "The Trumpet Flower Dress".

The dress is inspired by one of my childhood memories.  I remember playing with trumpet flowers in my cousin's back yard in Alabama one summer.  Turning them upside down and pretending that they were ballerinas.  I wanted to create a skirt that was reminiscent of that.  This pattern is due to be released before the end of the month.  More on that later.

I've also been working on a new website.  I have a bit more work to do there before it is ready to go, but it is inching along.  Once it is up and running I will be closing my Big Cartel shop.  I just won't need both and the new site will be more full featured.

I'd love to know what has been keeping you busy!
Until next time, Happy Sewing!

Lauren's Flower Girl Dress - Finished!

A while back I posted about the flower girl dress that I have been working on for a friend's wedding.   The bride-to-be wanted a one shoulder design to go along with the bridesmaid dresses, but was having a hard time finding exactly what she wanted.  Long story short... she asked me to see if I could design something more like what she envisioned.  We conversed back and forth a bit and finally agreed upon a one shoulder design with a little strap on the other side to help hold it in place, because... well you know why. :)  This black ruffle elastic was perfect for the strap.

And I think the black sash is just what it needed to finish it off.

I love that I was able to draft the pattern from the little gal's measurements so that it will be a perfect fit for her.  I wouldn't have been able to do that without having taken the Pattern Workshop Course.  

Here is a side by side comparison of the real dress and the photoshop mock up of what I had planned.  I think I got it pretty close!  The skirt was intentionally longer and the sash was also planned to be different.    I think the fabric is almost, if not completely identical.

All in all, I am pretty proud of how awesome this dress turned out!  Satin charmeuse is NOT my favorite fabric to work with, but I pulled through.  I have to confess that I was a bit nervous sewing this kind of fabric and having two cats who think anytime the sewing room door is open that "kitty wonderland" is open for business.   It really is the perfect fabric for this dress.  It has such a wonderful light, flowing drape.  It just moves beautifully!

The skirt uses two pieces the full 60 inch width of the fabric minus just the selvages.  I was lucky enough that when it was gathered as full as it would go, it was an exact fit for the bottom of the bodice.  I couldn't have hoped for it to be any better than that!

I also made a little tiered, double layer cotton petticoat to go under it, which I think is just the exact right amount of pouf without being too much and without using that itchy tulle. Plus, added bonus, she can use the petticoat with other dresses because it is a separate piece.

I am so glad to be finished with the dress and I plan to try and get it to its rightful owner in the next few days.  The wedding is only a couple of weeks away!   This is a big check mark off of my list of things to do and I'm glad to have it done before I go on vacation next week. :)

What have you been working on?  I'd love to see!

Until next time, happy sewing!

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday.