Oh I've been failing here, my original plan was to post frequently. I guess what happened was that I got addicted to catching up on a few seasons of Grey's Anatomy and big time slacked off on posting anything. I have been working though and I've got things to report.
I finished, finished, finished the dress. I completed the liner and went through the slow work of attaching the lining to the exterior. At one point I had arm holes on the inside of the dress not the outside, sad. It was a quick fix though, I had to remove the basting stitch and put the arm holes where they should be. Once the two pieces were together I tried the dress on and there was too much fabric up by the top of the zipper. Basically it did not lay flat on my back. I brought the dress to work to have my co-worker help me fix the problem. She suggested darts, which is what I had been thinking. She also said I might remove the bias from the arm holes and just try tacking the edge inside the dress. It was a bit bulky at the arms so I figured I should take that advice as well.
So that night I had to rip a few seams, never a good time, and I was a bit cranky. I added the darts to the exterior and the lining and that seemed to fit a lot better. Then I got to work on the arms holes. I removed the bias, added a zigzag stich, and tacked the edge inside the dress. It looked a little odd and that's when I realized I did not clip into the edge and it's circular which is why is looked "odd". I was exhausted and kind of pissed that I hadn't remembered that earlier. I tried to rationalize the situation by telling myself I was learning things here by having to put things together to take them apart and do it again. Regardless I was tired so I went to bed and decided I'd come back to it the next day.
The following day I undid the stitching and cut into the edge all the way around, I re-zig zag stitched around the arm hole and re-tacked the edge inside the dress. I repeated all of this on the other arm hole, exciting! So yesterday the only things left to do were the hem and the hook and eye at the top of the zipper. I sewed the hem of the lining and the exterior and I think the length is perfect. I could not find a hook and eye anywhere in my sewing notions so I attached a cute button instead. Then my dress was done. It always feels less climactic than I hoped but I think the process is really exciting and finishing it just means I'm on to the next project. But I am proud of what I've created and I've done quite a bit since Walker has been away.
Tomorrow I think I'll compile a list of all the things I have managed to accomplish.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Day 16
I'm glad to say that despite having made plans to see a movie last night I went home instead because I was so excited to work on my dress.
Before I got pulled out the sewing machine and all my notions I figured I should finish my market bag since it was basically a bind off from being finished. I think it turned out wonderfully if I dismiss the fact that I was supposed to switch to smaller needles for the top ribbing. Either way it looks super cute with a few books stuffed in it like I just got back from the library. I pranced around the living room with it and look a couple photos.
After I'd eaten dinner I got to work on the dress. I had already installed the zipper so I finished the back seem and began working on the front panel.
I attached all three front panels together sewing and breathing slowly as I went around the bust lines. I then deciphered how to attach the upper bodice pieces, decided on the placement of the belt loops, and the front panel was in one piece. 
So at that point I had a front and a back panel that needed to be one. I carefully pinned and then sewed the two halves together and there in front of me was a dress! Of course the edges were all raw and there was still a lot to be done but I had sewn a dress! I could, and did, try it on for size and let me tell you the fit it just about perfect! Very, very exciting!
I did a minimal amount of sewing on the liner and called it a night, a very successful night.
Before I got pulled out the sewing machine and all my notions I figured I should finish my market bag since it was basically a bind off from being finished. I think it turned out wonderfully if I dismiss the fact that I was supposed to switch to smaller needles for the top ribbing. Either way it looks super cute with a few books stuffed in it like I just got back from the library. I pranced around the living room with it and look a couple photos.
After I'd eaten dinner I got to work on the dress. I had already installed the zipper so I finished the back seem and began working on the front panel.
I attached all three front panels together sewing and breathing slowly as I went around the bust lines. I then deciphered how to attach the upper bodice pieces, decided on the placement of the belt loops, and the front panel was in one piece. 
So at that point I had a front and a back panel that needed to be one. I carefully pinned and then sewed the two halves together and there in front of me was a dress! Of course the edges were all raw and there was still a lot to be done but I had sewn a dress! I could, and did, try it on for size and let me tell you the fit it just about perfect! Very, very exciting!
I did a minimal amount of sewing on the liner and called it a night, a very successful night.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Day 15
I guess the days are going by a little faster now, it's been 7 days since I've last posted. I'm happy to say it's not just because I forgot about it, I've actually been pretty busy.
Let's see...
So last Wednesday I finally finished both of the pillow cases I was working on. Other than a few minor details here and there that could have turned out a bit better, they look great!
Thursday I had drinks with some co-workers after work and didn't feel up to a whole lot of crafting. I did do a little knitting on my market bag though. I don't really think of that as crafting, just keeping my hands busy while I watch movies.
Friday wasn't all that productive either. I stopped by Walker's after work and watered the plants and checked on his mosquitoes (they are trapped in a glass). At home I read quite a bit of Bonk while laying on a pillow in front on the kitchen of all places. I did some knitting while I re-watched Julie and Julia with my roommate who wasn't up to much due to the removal of a few teeth (ouch). It was pretty early in the evening and I was exhausted (still trying to shake this sickness) but I was determined to stay up as long as possible. I was hoping Walker would get on line before he started his mountain trek. I made it until 12:45 with a tiny nap and no word from Walker before I gave up.
Saturday morning I was up at 6:45 am to see if I had gotten any e-mails. There were none, good thing I didn't stay up any later. I attempted to fall back asleep, I succeeded but not soon enough because shortly after my 8:15 alarm was going off.
I had made plans for the morning with my friend Lauren and I was committed so I got up got dressed and was ready before 9. She picked me up and we headed to meet her mom for breakfast before strolling around the farmer's market. Strolling soon turned into sitting under a tent eating popsicles because at 10 in the morning it was already quite warm.
After a bit of regrouping and cooler packing the two of us and olive, her adorable puppy, went to the greenbelt to enjoy some water and some more sun. It was a short hike and we were all glade to have a seat or play with other dogs as olive did almost immediately. When we had sufficiently settled in we found a nice spot in the water where I could cool off and my friend could wade. Olive wanted nothing to do with the water, bless her heart. We did bring her in once or twice so she could practice and get a feel for it but she mostly could not wait to get out.
A couple of other friends met us after a while and they had plans to go to a spot even farther down the trail. Normally this would not have been a big deal but I had not planned on much of a hike today and this would be another 20 minutes or so. Another 20 minutes of carrying a really heavy bag, taking turns carrying the cooler or the umbrella, and having to do it all wearing rubber flip-flops. I sucked it up though and about 20 minutes later and with extremely sore shoulders we made it.
Perhaps the water was deeper here but since I really don't spend all that much time swimming it really wouldn't have been necessary to hike all that way. But since we had come all the way I got in the deeper water and swam around just a but before going to the shallows to play with Olive.
We played around for maybe an hour and then decided it was time to head back. First though, we emptied that cooler which made the walk back so much better. I also tossed my sandals in my bag, at that point bare feet were better than anything rubbing up against the blisters that had formed on the sides of my feet.
After the greenbelt we all went our own ways and showered and got ready for dinner. What I really felt like doing though was passing right out. Instead I got in the car and met up with everyone for dinner and margaritas.
I had a nice time at dinner and really could have ended the night there. Instead I found myself in a car headed down to a dive bar to play air hockey and pool. This probably would have been more fun if my head hadn't have been pounding, my leg didn't feel like I had growing pains, and I wasn't so tired I felt like I was dreaming.
Despite all the "ailments" I had an ok time but I was quite happy to finally get home at the end of such a long, long day.
The next two days I pretty much spend at home sleeping, reading (finished Bonk), knitting, and starting to sew a dress.
Yes, I finally got the dress pattern in the mail so Sunday I ironed the pattern and the fabric and cut out the fabric for the exterior of the dress. Sunday I cut out the lining fabric and sewed all the darts for the back. It was still somewhat early in the evening so I figured I'd give the invisible zipper a go. I read everything very carefully and read a tutorial for attaching the zipper foot to the machine. With everything in place I carefully sewed on one side of the zipper. It looked pretty good for my first one. So I attached the other side and slowly sewed that one as well. Then I noticed the zipper appeared to be twisted. I was distraught, I had followed all the directions exactly. I sat on the couch deflated and tried to figure out what I would have to do to fix it. I turned some things around and looked at it this way and that and then I realized the zipper was exactly where it was supposed to be. I had done it! I had successfully attached an invisible zipper to the back of the dress! How exciting!
To wind down a bit I packed my lunch for work and did some knitting on my market bag which I think is just about done. I will probably just finish that off tonight.
Let's see...
So last Wednesday I finally finished both of the pillow cases I was working on. Other than a few minor details here and there that could have turned out a bit better, they look great!
Thursday I had drinks with some co-workers after work and didn't feel up to a whole lot of crafting. I did do a little knitting on my market bag though. I don't really think of that as crafting, just keeping my hands busy while I watch movies.
Friday wasn't all that productive either. I stopped by Walker's after work and watered the plants and checked on his mosquitoes (they are trapped in a glass). At home I read quite a bit of Bonk while laying on a pillow in front on the kitchen of all places. I did some knitting while I re-watched Julie and Julia with my roommate who wasn't up to much due to the removal of a few teeth (ouch). It was pretty early in the evening and I was exhausted (still trying to shake this sickness) but I was determined to stay up as long as possible. I was hoping Walker would get on line before he started his mountain trek. I made it until 12:45 with a tiny nap and no word from Walker before I gave up.
Saturday morning I was up at 6:45 am to see if I had gotten any e-mails. There were none, good thing I didn't stay up any later. I attempted to fall back asleep, I succeeded but not soon enough because shortly after my 8:15 alarm was going off.
I had made plans for the morning with my friend Lauren and I was committed so I got up got dressed and was ready before 9. She picked me up and we headed to meet her mom for breakfast before strolling around the farmer's market. Strolling soon turned into sitting under a tent eating popsicles because at 10 in the morning it was already quite warm.
After a bit of regrouping and cooler packing the two of us and olive, her adorable puppy, went to the greenbelt to enjoy some water and some more sun. It was a short hike and we were all glade to have a seat or play with other dogs as olive did almost immediately. When we had sufficiently settled in we found a nice spot in the water where I could cool off and my friend could wade. Olive wanted nothing to do with the water, bless her heart. We did bring her in once or twice so she could practice and get a feel for it but she mostly could not wait to get out.
A couple of other friends met us after a while and they had plans to go to a spot even farther down the trail. Normally this would not have been a big deal but I had not planned on much of a hike today and this would be another 20 minutes or so. Another 20 minutes of carrying a really heavy bag, taking turns carrying the cooler or the umbrella, and having to do it all wearing rubber flip-flops. I sucked it up though and about 20 minutes later and with extremely sore shoulders we made it.
Perhaps the water was deeper here but since I really don't spend all that much time swimming it really wouldn't have been necessary to hike all that way. But since we had come all the way I got in the deeper water and swam around just a but before going to the shallows to play with Olive.
We played around for maybe an hour and then decided it was time to head back. First though, we emptied that cooler which made the walk back so much better. I also tossed my sandals in my bag, at that point bare feet were better than anything rubbing up against the blisters that had formed on the sides of my feet.
After the greenbelt we all went our own ways and showered and got ready for dinner. What I really felt like doing though was passing right out. Instead I got in the car and met up with everyone for dinner and margaritas.
I had a nice time at dinner and really could have ended the night there. Instead I found myself in a car headed down to a dive bar to play air hockey and pool. This probably would have been more fun if my head hadn't have been pounding, my leg didn't feel like I had growing pains, and I wasn't so tired I felt like I was dreaming.
Despite all the "ailments" I had an ok time but I was quite happy to finally get home at the end of such a long, long day.
The next two days I pretty much spend at home sleeping, reading (finished Bonk), knitting, and starting to sew a dress.
Yes, I finally got the dress pattern in the mail so Sunday I ironed the pattern and the fabric and cut out the fabric for the exterior of the dress. Sunday I cut out the lining fabric and sewed all the darts for the back. It was still somewhat early in the evening so I figured I'd give the invisible zipper a go. I read everything very carefully and read a tutorial for attaching the zipper foot to the machine. With everything in place I carefully sewed on one side of the zipper. It looked pretty good for my first one. So I attached the other side and slowly sewed that one as well. Then I noticed the zipper appeared to be twisted. I was distraught, I had followed all the directions exactly. I sat on the couch deflated and tried to figure out what I would have to do to fix it. I turned some things around and looked at it this way and that and then I realized the zipper was exactly where it was supposed to be. I had done it! I had successfully attached an invisible zipper to the back of the dress! How exciting!
To wind down a bit I packed my lunch for work and did some knitting on my market bag which I think is just about done. I will probably just finish that off tonight.
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