Dreams meet Reality

Remember my entry about my dream dress?

Well, I was wondering about the cost to start working on such an endeavor, and would I be able to afford such an expense, especially after shelling out $220.00 to get my sewing machine fixed. (And yes, my machine is still in the shop, I'm borrowing a coworker's sewing machine.)

Currently, I have some 50% off coupons for Joann's, so I plan on getting most of my supplies there, since I can pick the fabric in person, take it home and work on it, plus I won't have to pay for shipping. When I bought my fabric for my current project (strawberry fields top) I looked at what Joann's had, and I was pretty happy with the selection.

I've chosen an emerald green taffeta


and a cream colored lace


The lace doesn't look cream here, but it does in person.

I've also decided a few things for this project as well. I've decided to try my hand at invisible zippers, which are pretty difficult, however they blend in with the fabric and tend to look a lot more polished. I want this dress to look 100% awesome and I feel like adding small things like an invisble zipper will enhance it's appearance.
However, I will have to get an invisible zipper foot for my machine in order to do that. It adds to the cost, but I feel that it is worth the investment.

So, without further ado, here is the cost break down:

$15.98* Lace Fabric
$11.96 Emerald Green Taffeta
$10.00 Vogue Pattern 8446
$3.19 22 inch Invisible zipper
$2.59 Thread ( I don't have any in the right color in my current stock!)
$2.29 Invisible Zipper for For Singer Machines/Coats and Clark Zippers
$5.99 Lining Fabric
$4.42 Taxes
TOTAL $56.42

* 4 yards, this is after the 50% off coupon discount is taken.

Hmm Let's see.....Custom made, custom fitted one of a kind dress to wear to Marine Boy's homecoming for $56.00.....Can I afford it?
YES I CAN

I could buy something off the rack for much cheaper in this instance, but it wouldn't be THIS dress.

I'm sold, this dress just got bumped up to next project on the list.

Strawberry Fields

I pretty much spent all weekend in my apartment working on a few things. I wasn't in the mood for people in general, so I decided to stay in and take care of things around my house. I did venture out on Saturday for a few things I needed, but other than that, I had minimal contact with the outside world.
Some days I just would rather stay away from everyone else.

I'm feeling a little better today, and since there isn't much to do here at work, I figured I'd give you a preview of the newest sewing project that I've been working on.


This a new blouse I am working on. This is how it looked on Saturday.



This is what I have so far. I properly attached the sleeves last night, and it is coming together just wonderful.

I'm pretty happy about that.

I also grabbed some strawberry buttons this weekend, that I will be turning into strawberry earrings.

I am also working on a few more projects that will remain a secret until I am finished and they are on the way to their new owners.

I got a letter from Marine Boy this weekend, and I think I've read it 351652156465464 times. He basically just let me know he is okay, and that he was sad he couldn't be home for Love n' Lasagna/Valentine's Day. He let me know he misses home and can't wait for this to be over with.

Only in Dreams

I had the best dream last night.

I made the most perfect dress for Marine Boy's homecoming.

Don't laugh at me. I've been really worried about what I am going to wear to see him for the 1st time in 7 months. I wanted to wear something that would be beautiful, deilcate, and not overly ostentatious.

Last night, the dress came to me, and I am determined to make it.

I was standing outside looking at a parade deck of some sort, waiting for my Marine to march out in front of me. My hair was perfectly colored and worn with a side part in gentle cascading curls. I wore my favorite pair of earrings and my mother's pearl necklace.

The dress was perfect, it was a dream in lace and emerald taffeta. The bodice of the dress was fitted with a gentle sweetheart neckline, and sort of almost cap sleeves. The sleeves were just enough to cover up the tops of my arms, but small enough to not be constricting. The bodice was fitted, so I wore a big green ribbon around my waist, like a belt, and I had tied it into a giant bow, which was pushed off to the side.
The skirt of the dress was really full, it flared out, which when I turned it made this swishing noise, it went down a little past my knees, the perfect length.
The color of the dress might have been the best part. I was the most beautiful shade of green, and over the green color was cream colored lace. So it looked cream colored, but you could see the green under it. It was amazing.
I wore a pair of peep toe green wedges with it. Just awesome.

All morning I've been looking for the right dress pattern, and I think I found one that will work.
Possible Dream Dress

Now, I am just on the hunt for the right kind of fabric. I am going to have to do some research on a few things before I start though.

I am really excited.

Purple Passion

I finally finished the wiggle dress. It really took me ages. I am hoping that I can crank out some more dresses and such soon. Currently my sewing machine is in the shop for the next two weeks, which is going to cost me about $220.00.

Anyway, here are pictures of the dress, complete with matching hair piece that I also made.

Sew Excited

Due to my sewing machine being down and out for the count, and having to use a borrowed machine, I have been really not wanting to sew at all. Last night I decided to get on the ball and work on the wiggle dress I've been trying to finish for the last couple of months. I'd been having issues with getting the bodice completed, so much so that Monday night I just got so irritated with it that I swore off sewing for the next several months.

Last night, I decided to give it another go. I am so glad that I did.



TAKE THAT BODICE, I WIN.

I'm not sure what I won, I just know that I did.

I also decided that my victory was not complete without giving the serger another try, and I hit two for two last night.

I figured out how to get the serger threaded so that I can finish my seams! So excited!

Hopefully, this dress will be a done deal come Friday.

Also, Marine Boy called. I was super glad to hear from him. I miss him a lot.

Half-Hearted

I haven't posted in a while. I really meant for this blog to be more than it is, but I find that work, school, and my personal life have really been getting in the way of things that I want to do.

Marine Boy is off in Afghanistan fighting a war and I am home, heartbroken that he isn't here. I miss him.

My sewing machine is currently down and out for the count and I don't have the $200.00 at the moment to get it fixed.

I'm still trying to learn how to use my serger, but that is turning into a fiasco in itself. I'm hoping I can make some headway on the dress that I've been working on for months now, and learn to use my serger in one swoop.

Anyway, I plan to have some really great things coming up, just bear with me while I pull myself out of this funk.

Long Time No Post?

I know, it's been forever since I've posted a thing. I promise I am working on getting pictures of the last dress I finished up soon.
Sadly, my personal life has gotten in the way, again.

Also, this week I will be starting the 1950's inspired wiggle dress that I have been dying to make.

More later, I promise!