Sunday, July 7, 2013

Draping on my new dress form

I spent the long weekend draping on my new dress form - it is a HUGE help.

 I've started in on a dress in fashion fabric and am running a bit short so may need to get creative.  The fabric is a beautiful red lightweight, drapeable cotton I bought from Britex about 4 years ago.

I'm lining the bodice with another batiste weight cotton so I was able to transfer all of the markings to the liner and not the fashion fabric. The fashion fabric is so lightweight I thought marks would show through.  I ironed the two layers together and then thread traced all the seams. 

Everything I've done so far is pinned to the dress form.

Also - I stored my pattern pieces (self drafted) by rolling them up and placing them in a toilet paper roll with a drawing of the design taped on the outside.  Clever if I do say so myself. : >

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Lynda Maynard, my famous teacher

I started another summer class tonight, Copying Ready To Wear, with Lynda Maynard at Canada College in Redwood City, CA.

Lynda is a fun teacher with a laid back style.  

Lynda is also becoming famous! She is featured in her own new Crafty Class, sew-the-perfect-fit and was also published last year: 

The Dressmaker's Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques: Essential Step-by-Step Techniques for Professional Results




How lucky am I to be in this program? Seriously lucky.  : >

The garment I am copying is a thrift store find from Pleasanton, a sleeveless dress fitted at the top, with a scoop neckline and then very full flaring out starting half way down the bust. 

The color on the one I am copying is not good on me but I embroidered red trim on so it looks better.  I want to make this style in another color (Red!) as it is a very comfortable sumer dress.  People seem to like the cut on me and I do as well.  I think I could easily make multiples and live in them all summer.