Blog Catchup: End of Spring 2014 Semester & Summer Sewing

wow, i can't believe how badly i've neglected my blog and updating my wonderful readers!!  I could've updated over my summer break, but i'm a Professional Procrastinator (lol) and didn't feel like it.  last semester was absolutely insane!  there were so many nights where i didn't sleep a wink and by the end of the semester i just wanted to cry!  the main culprit of the sleepless nights was my final gown for my Draping class.  it turned out beautifully but the process was kind of a pain.  more about that later on but first i'll post the projects i completed before then.

first up is the floral day dress, which was the first project of my Draping class.  i did yellow piping accents, pleats at the neckline, a little flutter sleeve with bias tape hemming, hand sewn buttonhole for the back strap.  it is fully lined (minus the sleeve piece) and i did a bias tape faced hem with bias tape i made myself.

next is the final dress i made for my Silk Embroidery class.  i completely sewed the dress and did all the embroidery myself.  we even had to add "embroidery" to a coordinating hat.

now for the project that was the real pain.  this 1950s inspired evening gown was the final for my Draping class.  we had free reign of what we wanted to do, so of course i had to go with my 1950s! lol  for my gown i did a sweetheart neckline bodice from yellow satin, then i did an overlay of yellow ruched chiffon (which i painstakingly ruched myself).  on the front bodice i started the chiffon so that it would hit right under the bust.  the bodice is also fully lined and has boning.  the skirt portion is intense.  i cut two full circles from the satin, then the chiffon i cut 4 full circles.  i wanted it to be full!! lol  i also added 4 layers of tulle, and did a lining.  i made the gown to fit myself, but my gown ended up being chosen to be part of the school fashion show so i ended up having to make my gown fit a size 2!  let me tell ya, i'm no where near a 2!! lol  luckily my teacher helped me in figuring out how to tack it in so the bodice fit.  and i must say the gown looked fantastic going down the runway!

once the semester was over i was so happy! it was great to finally get some sleep after that gown!  next up on my sewing to-do list though, was sewing my bridesmaid dress for my best friend's wedding in June.  she let all of us bridesmaids have different style dresses, as long the color was plum, and she even said i could make mine!  for the dress i used Simplicity 2442.  the upper portion ended up being a tad big, but at least the dress looked good on!  i used a plum satin and lined the bodice with a purple pongee lining.

i had a few other random sewing projects i did for myself after my dress, but the final one for this post is a duffle bag i made myself.  my mom and i went to Las Vegas with family in August, and i needed a bag that i could use as a carryon.  i found a great tutorial online on how to make the style bag i was looking for, then i just substituted my desired measurements.  the fabric was a quilted cotton i found at Joann's.  for the straps i used the opposite side of the fabric.  since the bag is soft it was perfect as a carryon, it just squished right into the overhead, and was big enough for taking clothes for 5 days!

so that's some of what i was up to this summer!  i'll try not to neglect y'all as much anymore.  until next time!

Seein' Stars

4th of July is coming up, and although i have to work i wanted to wear something patriotic.  i bought this star-covered white chiffon a while go from JoAnn but could never decide what i wanted to make out of it.  i remembered my Simplicity top pattern and decided to make a tunic top since it's so hot here in TN.  this way i can wear the top with my red bike shorts and a cami underneath.

my basis for the top was letter 'd' of the pattern, but i made some modifications.  i cut some material off the arm holes to make them fit a little bigger, and i also cut off some of the neck so that it falls lower around my neck.  i also decided to bo black bias tape around the arm holes and neck.  and to add a little spice i used red buttons.  also, for my seams, i did the normal 5/8" seams and then with back with my serger to prevent fraying.

Raspberry & Teal Retro Beauty

not only have i made a new top and new skirt this time, but i've made an entirely new outfit...and i must say that this is the cutest outfit i have in my closet now =)  so, if you've read my previous post, you know that i've been accepted to O'More College of Design where i will be getting a degree in fashion design.  well, every year the school puts on a fashion show showcasing the designs of select juniors and seniors.  as an admitted student i was invited to attend the show and i couldn't be more excited!  this is why i needed a new outfit.

so, for my skirt i reverted to my favorite design...the circle skirt.  i saw this gorgeous polka dotted stretch cotton fabric at Hancock Fabrics a while ago, but continued to pass it by.  when this opportunity arose i knew exactly that i was going to use it.  i mean. it just screams vintage and retro! 

in making this skirt i actually used some new techniques other than the ones i typically do for my circle skirts.  for this 1/2 circle skirt i inserted a side zipper.  for the waistband you will notice i strayed away from my usual elastic waistband and did a real waistband, featuring two fabric covered buttons-which i covered myself-for a tight fit.  another change was to the hem.  usually i do a bias tape hem so that i don't have to go throught all the trrouble of trying to do a hem on a circle...b/c it can be a pain.  doing the narrow hem actually was fairly easy.

i absolutely love how this skirt turned out and next on the agenda was to make a top that complimented the skirt.  for the top i went to Joann Fabrics.  while perusing through the red-tag fabric section i spotted this raspberry-colored chiffon.  in my head i envisioned a sheer chiffon top being paired with the skirt, so i knew this was the fabric.  i had also bought this great pattern from Simplicity a while back and knew this style was what i wanted.  i love the vintage feel the ruffle adds to the top.  for those of you that have done/do quite a bit of sewing, you probably just read this section and thought, "chiffon? nooooo! what is she thinking?!"  well, i did some research online about sewing with chiffon and found all the horror stories.  i was a little afraid before starting the project but decided to continue on.  since i used chiffon i did have to do some tweaks.  like for the seams, b/c chiffon frays easily, i used french seams. and all hems and edges, unless encased, are double turned.  doing those little changes did add extra time to the process, but i knew if i didn't do them i would be very unhappy once the top was finished.  even with the difficulties i went through in sewing the top it turned out great and looks gorgeous with the skirt.

now, i am ready to put my best foot forward at the fashion show tomorrow night and watch all the amazing student designs head down the runway!