Reinventing a $4 dress

In my never ending quest to hone my fitting skills, buying XL dresses from the sale rack has become a favorite activity. I scored this size 3X plaid dress from Old Navy's extra, extra sale rack for $4 dollars. It is a least a yard of fabric, and since it is already cut out like a dress, it will cut some corners while I practice tayloring. It is hard to fit sleeves and shoulders and this will show me exactly what specific adjustments do in respect to the original size of the garment. Also, the plaid makes it easy to drape the fabric on grain - something all beginners need to practice. 


I am less than thrilled with the placement of the front pockets (Old Navy designer, what were you thinking?), so I was excited to come across this blog, where the author does an amazing job with a similar oversized, unfitted outfit. I can only hope that mine will work out as well! 


Back to the front pocket issue: The author suggested turning the dress around and using the back as the front. You can look at her genius here: http://threadsquare.wordpress.com/


So far, I've opened the side seam and taken off the sleeves.....

My Blob Dress project

'via Blog this'

Finished purse

I love my new purse. It's so cute! Finishing the edge banding with the black brought it all together.

Mola

Just took a class on mola, an reverse applique process using a free form embroidery foot.  So cool. The technique will complement my current chenille phase! We started making a small purse. The random fabrics really work together in the end.

My first attempt at Chenille rocks!

I am experimenting with ways to attach the bridal lace to the denim. I first tried a 3-thread overlock with metallic threads, but the beads on the fabric kept getting caught under the foot. So, plan B. I recently bought a cool book on making chenille from Half Price books and Bingo! What a cool way to edge finish any garment. I bought a fat quarter from The Cotton Cupboard (a beautiful quilting shop) and made continuous bias strips 3/8" wide. Then I sewed it directly on a piece of jean leg that I had from making my friend Paige's shorts shorter. Doesn't this look cool! It will get fringier once I wash it. The left side has 2 layers of bias strips and the right side has 3. The more strips, the fringier it gets. Second picture is after I worked the fringe…I like the left side (2 layers)…more delicate.

Experimenting late at night

I have GOT to make time to sew more, so I decided to sew after the kids went to bed. I worked on "The Jeans project". I am 2" shy of having enough fabric to do an even repeat on both legs, so I think I will make one side more lacy than the other [work with what you got!!] which actually will be much more interesting.

I painted some of the small seed beeds a metallic dark blue. I cut the top half of the tulle and put it under the embellished side. I like the look! I hand basted the two layers together watching my recorded episodes of "The Killing" on AMC.

In order to cut them out, I need to make appliques, so I experimented with the chainstich on my new Evolution. Wow. I need to get a different thread, but totally cool effect. But I think that I will machine baste an outline around each lace section and then serge them with a 3-thread overlock in navy and light blue. That way I can cut, pin and piece the various elements on the jeans to see what looks good.

Work in progress

The jeans are back in the picture. I've painted the lace. I am trying to figure out how to attache it. I will probably put a washaway fusible lining behind it before I do anything. Here's a picture of the fabric just pinned to the jeans...giving me lots of ideas...

I also received my order of Fine Embellishment Techniques book and The Art of Manipulating Fabric. Can't wait to dive into that world of fun.

Draping Class at Austin School of Fashion Design

I've temporarily abandoned the jeans due to taking my new owner Serger classes at Sew Much More and now, this week, I'm taking Draping class for 4 days. I've learned so much my head is spinning. I wonder if this old dog can learn all these new tricks. Also, a big shout out to my baby boy, Max, who turned 14 today. You are amazing. Not much sewing gonna happen this week with classes and my in-laws arrriving for Mother's day!