Sewing Inspiration

Hello Dear Ladies,

Time goes by so fast for me and I always have great plans for a post but all the things that need doing seem to crowd it out!  Regarding this post, I was waiting til I had a picture drawn of the scene, but it will be some time before that gets done so this is a better-than-nothing post!  If I wait to get the painting done, there Ffcpossibly will not be a post for quite awhile, so I thought I better just post what I have.

The above photo of the lady arranging her hair is from the movie I reviewed here called Love Finds Ypu in Charm.

adapted from the book, "Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio" by Annalisa Doughety.  It is about a young lady who is seriously into Jane Austen, and it airs on September 20 on UP TV  (Uplifting Television) at 7 p.m. Eastern time, for those of you who have access to television.  I do not have television so I will have to wait til it is available on Internet or DVD. I have read the book and enjoyed it very much.  It is available on my other blog, Lovely Whatevers.

This is my version of the dress, above, in the mirror.  This style of mirror also happened to be in the movie.

I liked the colors of Emma's garments and when I saw the one that I posted here, I recalled I had cut out something in that color a few years ago.  I had lost interest in it and put it away.

I finished it and added white piping on the neckline and sleeves.

I really enjoyed the scene from the movie, of these colorful dresses waltzing in the wind on the clothesline,

...much like the ones I made for the summer out of cotton fabrics.  I do like other fabrics but I enjoy the feel of cotton so please don't think I am telling everyone they have to wear only cotton :-)

My "line" of clothing: These are four colors I made for the summer, most with added ruffles on the hems.

The colors are sea foam green, light pink, beige, and sky blue.

Not ironed yet, but I wanted to quickly out it on the dress form, to show the style and the trim.

Get a look at these shoes!  I found them at one of our cheaper stores and liked them because they matched the dress. They look like the rubber boots we used to wear, only they are very soft and flexible.

Below is the picture I am hoping to paint, but I must say I am finding the trellis bench a bit of a challenge, and all those leaves, so I am going to watch the leaf-drawing tutorial before I attempt this as a painting.

As I did not keep the pattern in the bag with the cut out dress, I cannot remember which one I used but will post the picture of the pattern envelope when I do.  It is princess seam and a slightly rounded V-neckline, with added sleeves from an older pattern.

Thanks for coming to see me. It just makes me so happy to read your nice comments.

Fabric from Walmart, and there is a pink version of the same fabric. It has a linen-look print, where the threads in varying shades are visible.

Trying to get a picture of the sleeve:

The shoes are made of rubber and feel As soft as moccasins and the brand is "Western Chief."

The facings of the dress, illuminated by the ultra bright sun today, do not show through the fabric when wearing. The sleeves vary per garment, and I made these for the home.  It is a way of dressing up without being too fancy, and I wear matching aprons with them.

Two Simplicity patterns that might work for this teal dress:

I have not used this pattern so I can't say if it is easy....looks like a lot of pieces...but if I were to choose, I would sew the one, below and use a more Victorian style sleeve or use the sleeve shown on the middle.

If I ever had my say about shops in towns, I would have dress shops with a variety of styles and sizes , and give away free dresses for ladies who would be willing to wear them to church, while shopping, or when with friends at home and on vacations, so that they could get feedback on the dresses and give business cards with where they could be bought. This would include mother-daughter dresses.  My daughter and her daughter and I wore a blue floral dress one day while visiting the antique stores and we were always stopped and talked to by everyone, all ages. Little girls and their mothers, and older couples, as well as the young men and young ladies walking home from high school, made a point of telling us what an inspiration it was to see the dresses and the fabric, and liked that they were matching.   So I know people would enjoying seeing more of these long dresses and would enjoy the seasonal prints and colors.

This is a pattern with side front and side back pieces that cause the skirt to fall into two nice pleats in front and back, as you see above.

I know not everyone sees, so I want to say that there are ways of doing this with purchased clothing. Just buy a top and skirt in the same solid color, and maybe add a coordinating cardigan.