Wedding Dress Success! Simplicity 1775 & Simplicity 1876 Part One

So, as I've said in a previous post, I made my wedding dress. The fact was that I couldn't find what I wanted in my price range (under $500). I know I had a very small budget for the dress, but I figured it was a Vegas wedding- I didn't need to go balls to the wall!

 I started with finding my inspiration. I scoured Etsy and eBay for vintage dresses. Too bad I don't have a size 2 rib cage...... But I did fall in love with Leann Marshall's design.

I did some more research and realized she has a line of patterns with Simplicity, and I could probably finagle something out of those!

    I used the bodice from 1876 and then made 3 different skirt bottoms, because, well,  I couldn't make up my mind. I did 2 skirts from 4070 and the one skirt from 1755 (which I've made before and loved)

What a goonie face...

The first one has no pleats, just cut on the bias. It's a very flattering cut, but just wasn't enough of a statement for a wedding dress. Dress 2 has some pleats.  I liked the volume it added, but still not enough. Dress 3 has millions (ok, not millions) of knife pleats, giving the skirt tons of volume.

Step one: Done!

Sewing Room & New Look A6094

A view from my mess sewing room. I'm working on a quick project, since I'm always for wont of dresses!

I picked up New Look's A6094 pattern a while back because I was, well, bored. New Look are, how you say... economical patterns and I think I got this one for under $3. And, frankly, it works like a cheap pattern. The total ease in this particular pattern is 2 1/2", so in my (limited) experience, there will be a lot of fitting to make the dress look nice.

 I've already had to modify the bodice, but that didn't come as a surprise to me, since I usually have to do that with every pattern. My "problem" is that I have a smaller bust, but a larger waist. So I generally cut the pattern to fit my waist, then alter accordingly (my boobs just ain't that big!) The sleeves of this are going to be frustrating:

The pattern doesn't have the sleeve go all the way around, leaving a large unfinished gap by the armpit. The solution that they provide is using bias tape...I'm not too thrilled with this.

The fabric that I'm working with is a vintage full-sized bed sheet that I picked up for like maybe $4 at St. Vincent De Paul's. Sheets are one of my favorite 'secret' resources for fabric. They are a decent amount of fabric (enough to make a dress with a full skirt), you can find some pretty cool and interesting patterns and THEY ARE CHEAP!

Never enough projects.......never enough dresses......

Fall for Cotton: Picking Fabric and Pattern

I am soooo excited to be doing the Fall for Cotton vintage sewing challenge! I've been following Tasha at by gum, by golly for a while now, and when I saw this, I knew I had to join. I've never done a sew a long, but this one really seemed like that best place to start.  The idea is to fall in love with cotton and all it's versatility. That being said, the fabrics chosen should be 100% cotton (or as absolutely close as possible). The pattern should be vintage or vintage inspired. You can see why this all spoke to me.

The biggest challenge, thus far, is determining whether or not the fabric is 100% cotton or a cotton blend.... :/ I've followed some advice and tutorials on assisting in figuring this out, but to be honest...I'm still confused. I did burn tests and all I got from it was a pile of ashes, haha! But I will persevere! I will do this!

He thinks he's helping

He's lucky he's soon stinkin cute.

Success! Simplicity 1755

I feel so accomplished! I actually, finally finished* a sewing project in a timely manner!  I had this fabric in my stash for a while and I had picked them up at my favorite thrift shop, knowing I wanted to use them together. When I laid eyes on the Simplicity pattern 1755, I knew the fabrics had a destiny. The pattern was really a breeze. Any problems that I ran into were the fault of my own, sleep deprived brain. I usually am hesitant with full skirts, as they tend to make me look hippy. I love how this skirt/bodice combo make my waist look slim(mer). I also love the loose raglan sleeves that fit over my "helga" arms (you know what I'm talking about *points to mom*). I found it a simple delight that the seams and pockets were hidden in the pleats of the skirt. I also lined it with a flamingo pink pop of color. 

The reasons I usually procrastinate with sewing projects is: HEMS AND ZIPPERS!!!! 

<insert a slew of curse words and tears of frustration>

YET! this time around, I think I finally got the hang of zippers, all it really took was one handy trick: 

READ.THE.INSTRUCTIONS.  who knew.

*I have not totally finished this, there is a belt in the works.

It's sooo "back-to-school"!! I need to work on my posing, haha :/.... also, you may note that in one picture I'm wearing thigh high stockings. Well....these photos were taking on a day that reached almost 90 degrees outside, and it was more than likely hotter in our apartment. SO, the stockings didn't last.