Here I Sew Again...

I dug out my dress project this weekend to try to make some headway. I did get a lot done, but it is HARD and frustrating! My machine is not sewing correctly (still) so I need to take it in again. I ran out of material (user error...) and needed to fuse a couple pieces of fabric together for the last panel of my skirt! Then, the godets didn't come out the same size as the pattern. Not sure what I did wrong, but I needed to cut eight and no two came out the same. And now that the over-skirt is attached to the bodice, I found that it will be a perfect fit for someone 4 inches taller and 5 lbs lighter than myself.

I keep forging ahead, telling myself that this is a learning experience and my next dress will be all the better for it. Doug helped watch the girls a lot, otherwise this would never get done!

Here's where I am with it now:

Spring Crafting

I was inspired by the neat craft C made at F's house last week:


and decided to look up something fun for the girls to work on today. Kristi tipped me off that F likes using the glue stick, so we had a successful craft time, where the girls each pretty much constructed these little bird nests on their own:

Weekend Warriors

My friends and I have long been planning a girls-only scrapbooking weekend. It finally arrived this past weekend and it was fabulous! Doug has been really sick all week, and I was just not sure if I'd be able to go. But he went to the doctor on Friday and was feeling well enough for me to leave. What a super-dad!

For me, the weekend was just what the doctor ordered. Some time away from mommy-duties and plenty of scrapping and socializing. We laughed SO hard this weekend. I don't think there was any topic left untouched... I kept a quote-board of some of the crazy things that were said, but, sorry, "what's said at scrapbooking, stays at scrapbooking."

Dress Progress (or lack thereof...)

To be fair, I have been making some progress on my dress. I had sewn up the bodysuit a while ago and tried it on. (It didn't fit my duct tape dummy because I sewed the crotch shut. Dionne wisely pointed out that I may want to change that to use snaps as it would make potty-breaks easier in the dress!)

It seemed a little big for me. I had made the size 12, which is what my measurements said. I guess patterns are like bridesmaid dresses - they always end up a lot bigger than ready-to-wear clothing.

SO - off to the store to buy the smaller size pattern and go forward with a size 10. I made the bodice part and took in the bodysuit I already made. Now I am worried that the bodice is too tight on me! (Oh brother.) So I need to buy some Spanx, go on a diet or let the bodice out. Or all of the above.


Here it is on my dummy:

And a rear shot:

Here's the bodice pinned to the dummy:

I asked C, "Doesn't it look sparkly?" She said, "No - it looks SILLY!"

Dress Fabric

I went to several local fabric stores today and purchased some fabric for my dress. Or at least for the first attempt! I really wanted to make the main body out of dark navy stretch velvet, but am going to try this glitter stretch stuff first.
Left to right: Body of dress, godets, underskirt, bodysuit

My Future Smooth Dress

Ok, so here is the inspiration for all the duct tape madness. After 7 years of dancing, Doug has agreed to do a smooth solo with me for our showcase in June. We are doing a Viennese Waltz. Of course, this is exciting to me for many reasons, one of which is that I get to have a smooth dress!

I love this dress. It was designed by the guy who does all the Dancing with the Stars gowns. I love the dark blue color and the neckline - love the sleeves, but don't know how/if I will manage that. I would probably like more godets in the front, but other than that, it is so gorgeous!



After weeks and weeks of searching the web, I found a pattern that I believe will get me close to the inspiration dress:

It obviously doesn't have the sleeves, but it is supposed to include instructions for a bodysuit. And it is only $2.99!!! (Other patterns I looked at were $40+) Also, it has a two-piece bodice and skirt. Any suggestions for making that one solid piece? Or am I once again biting off more than I can or should chew for my first gown???

Patchwork Tree

Our Christmas tree is finally up! I had dreams of C helping mommy and daddy hang ornaments and having this great family moment, but it just didn't happen. Doug and I put the tree last night by ourselves (minus ornaments). C did reward me with a wonderful little gasp of delight when she came downstairs this morning and saw it all lit up. :-)

However, she wasn't interested in helping hang ornaments. So I did it during nap time by myself. It is always a fun trip down memory lane when looking at various ornaments. Thought I'd share some special ones with you:


This is an angel that I bought Doug before we started dating. He invited me (or I invited myself?) to help put up his tree shortly after we met. I brought this along as a gift for him.






My friend Leslie has an identical ornament to this. We bought them when we shared an apartment together. It was my first Christmas "on my own!"

This is one of three similar ornaments that my mom gave me the Christmas after Doug and I were married. Apparently she bought them for me back when I was in Junior High (is that right mom?) and made a comment to her that "I'd love to have a ornaments like that on my tree when I'm all grown up." She had saved them for years and I didn't even remember making the comment!


This is pretty self-explanatory. I love these picture frame ornaments!