Monday, February 18, 2013

February Stashbusting: The Happy Recipient

I really wanted to have finished sewing another stash piece into a garment for someone else, but alas, life got in the way of my plans. Instead, have some quick iPhone pictures of the skeleton corset on its intended owner!

These were taken at night in pretty bad lighting, so they really aren't great. I swear, my sister's skin is not actually orange. 

I started freaking out when I noticed that the back lacing gap wasn't even, until I realized that she was wearing it a bit high. Once it was adjusted to the proper location, it laced up the way it should. 
Emily tries not to laugh (and I try not to shake the phone) when she realizes how hard it is to pose naturally for blog pictures. 

I'm so glad that it fit my sister and she's happy with it! This marks the first time I've really ever sewn successfully for someone based only on measurements, without any fitting during the process. I'm glad that this was successful, because I've got some pretty major sewing projects coming up for long-distance friends.

First off, something like this purple lace dress for my dear friend Shayna, for a professional photoshoot:
I've got the perfect purple lace in my stash, courtesy of Meg the Grand!

As if that wasn't scary enough, my best friend Elaine, who possibly has more faith in my skills than is warranted, asked me to make her wedding dress for her. I'm beyond flattered, honored, and scared out of my mind, as this is what she chose as her inspiration:
[source]

Ack! Dear readers, wish me luck -- it's going to be a challenging next couple of months!

52 comments:

  1. Wow! That purple dress is amazing - I can't wait to see what you come up with. No pressure. ;)

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    1. Oh, it's just a wedding dress...oh, it's just for a photoshoot...no pressure at all :)

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  2. What an incredible complement to be asked to make a wedding dress for your friend. And how incredibly special for her too..... there is really something to the phrase "made with love"! You will do brilliantly I'm sure..... I look forward seeing the outcome (will we be able to follow progress with it being a wedding dress and all?).

    PS I'm attempting to make my first ever home-sewn dress - and I think you should know that you have been one of my main inspirations to give it a go! (And Sew Ruth of course who has been wearing her own creations to work and wowing us all for years!) So, I've scrolled back through loads of your sewing adventures and your enthusiasm has given me confidence to try. :)

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    1. I'll definitely be posting my progress with it! After all, I'm not sure how much other sewing I'll be doing until I get such major projects done. And of course, my best wishes for your first dress!

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  3. So glad your first long distance sewing project worked out so well!

    The lace frock is lovely- can't wait to see how that ends up. And that wedding frock. Wowser! That is going to be an amazing piece to make and what an honour to make your friend's dress!

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    1. I'm still working on finding the right lining for the lace dress, but there's no reason I can't start tackling the wedding dress now...yikes!

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  4. Cannot wait to see that wedding dress! The inspiration is amazing!

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  5. That's a stunning dress! And you'll do great-- just think of it as the ultimate costume project. :)

    Also, I meant to comment on yesterday's post but didn't get around to it. Your shieldmaiden dress looks so good!

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    1. Hahaha yes, it is kind of like a big fantasy gown, isn't it? That's a good way to frame it!

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  6. The purple strapless dress is gorgeous, I can really see your friend's inspiration in it. Millions of luck with it, it will be brilliant!

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  7. The corset is pretty awesome, but that wedding dress inspiration is so incredibly gorgeous!!! All the luck I can spare is headed towards ya! :-)

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  8. Wow! Those are some pretty amazing dresses! Can't wait to see what you come up with!
    Glad your corset fits your sister and she likes it. That's always a nervewrecking moment!

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    1. Sorry to write in here but did you get the email I sent you yesterday?

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    2. Yeah, I can't imagine sewing for others on a regular basis -- it's too nerve-wracking!

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  9. I have just the right amount of faith in your skills! I know the dress will come out amazing, and the fact that it will have been made by you will make it all the more awesome! Besides, I'd rather pay you than a random person I've never met! :)

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    1. I suppose I need to have faith in your faith in me?

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  10. You have some really exciting projects coming up - I can't wait to see what you do with that wedding dress! I've been a reader of your blog (one of my very favorites!) for a while, even though this is my first comment, and I want to thank you for sharing such inspiring projects :)

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Kelly! I'm glad you find them inspiring!

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  11. I have faith in your skills to make a beautiful wedding dress. I did it for my SIL and it work out fine. There were some nervous moments where I thought it was ruined. And my skill and patience is no where near yours. So have courage. I can't wait to see it when it's done.
    Here is a pic: http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/vogue-wedding-dress

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    1. Oh wow, that dress is lovely! How sweet of you to make it for her...I do see some similar moments in my future though!

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  12. That corset looks great! And that bustled corset gown is incredible. Absolutely amazing. I can't wait to see what you make and I know it'll be extraordinary and beautiful.

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    1. I certainly hope it turns out that well! Thanks for the good wishes.

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  13. Those dresses are so stunning! I have complete faith in you - you are a sewing rock star! The corset looks marvelous on your sister - how generous of you, and it turned out beautifully!

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    1. You are too kind! And thanks for the lace that makes one of the projects possible, Meg!

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  14. Oh man, you're brave! One of my coworkers asked me to make her wedding dress, and I declined so fast, I had to go back and make sure there were no hard feelings later. I just couldn't bear the thought of messing it up at the last minute. That picture is gorgeous though, and I'll bet it's actually easier to fit than many other styles would be, with such a full skirt and a corset (which you already have a good handle on). I can't wait to see how it turns out!

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    1. Hahaha, I would've declined if it weren't my best friend who asked. And you're right, the corset and full skirt are definitely easier than some other styles I've seen!

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  15. wow! youll do a great job! honestly, i mean uve clearly go a corset down packed, the skirt is just fun draping! enjoy!

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    1. Heh, I wouldn't say I've got corsets down, but thanks for the confidence!

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  16. the corset is so awesome, great job fitting! i made a wedding dress last year (and three bridesmaid dresses and a flower girl dress...). while it wasn't technically that hard, it was mentally exhausting! i vowed to never do it again, though i'm sure i'll be talked into it cuz i have two more sisters who are not married yet. it was a learning experience for sure! i'm sure you'll do great, wishing you all the best!

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    1. Ooof, just thinking about that many dresses is tiring! Fortunately, I only have the one sister and she's not getting married anytime soon that I know of ;)

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  17. Yay! So glad it fits! Sewing long distance is always kinda terrifying.

    Also, ZOMG that's an amazing inspiration dress! I'm doing my first wedding dress, too, for a friend, but it's much simpler than that! Good luck---you're going to knock it out of the park!

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    1. Ooooh, a wedding dress fake sewalong! Best of luck to you too!!

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  18. While in LA get thee to Richard the Thread, 10405 Washington Blvd. Culver City. They have everything you need for corsets, which is what the top part of this wedding dress is. Also they are very nice and helpful. You will want steel boning - much more comfortable than the plastic stuff. You will want Coutil - the fabric the corset is made of - even if you face it with the outer wedding dress fabric. You won't be doing the lacing, but believe me - this is a must place to go. While you are there - pick up every color of their tracing paper - you will never go back to the crappy thin sheets that JoAnn sells.

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    1. Yup, been there, picked up the busk and coutil! They are indeed helpful. I didn't know about their tracing paper, though, as I don't use it regularly enough to know!

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  19. Wow you have your work cut out for you. I can't wait to see the finished product!

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  20. The corset it great on your sister!

    What fun projects you have coming up! They cannot possibly be as bad as the job I'm currently trying to rid myself of (I never really got the types of fittings I wanted and the measurements I was given were so WRONG it's not even funny). Can't wait to see what you build based on those inspiration photos!

    ~ Brooke

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    1. Oooh, how does one end up with such a terrible job? I hope you are able to get out of it!

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    2. I "got out of it" by finishing it - somehow. I'm still not quite sure how I managed to pull it off. Just glad it's over and my check is in the mail. =)

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  21. Oh my... if you make that purple dress I want one too!! :D

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    1. I just realized that both dresses are purple and I don't know which one you're referring to :)

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  22. The wedding dress will be epic. EPIC.

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  23. Thanks for the wedding dress photo! I really needed an idea for a costume, and this pushed all my Gollum-buttons! WANT! I'm sure you'll rock the wedding dress, and how awesome that you're willing to spend such an amount of time for your best friens.

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    1. Thankfully, she's paying me to make the dress, but I also wouldn't bother if she weren't my best friend ;)

      So glad that the inspiration worked for you too!

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  24. Wow! That's quite a dress. I'm sure you can do it, hopefully if you deconstruct it it'll seem manageable, and you seem to have corsets cracked with that great one for your sister.

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    1. I think I've got my plans all set, I just need to work up the courage to cut into the fashion fabric!

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  25. Wow! Happy sewing! I have to selfishly admit that I'm really looking forward to seeing these two dresses on your blog, even though it will be so much work for you!

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  26. Wowser. I'm terrified of the idea of sewing a wedding dress for ME, let alone someone else! She has great taste though - that inspiration dress is GORGEOUS.

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