The Itch

yesterday was a big day. I finished Cassandra, did my homework, made a whole presentation for my History of Apparel class on Marie Antoinette, worked on my evening gown, and made a delicious dinner for my husband of sweet potatoes and quick chili all before 8 pm. I was in bed looking up patterns and clothing to potenially buy or make myself when i saw this Shabby Apple dress:

Now, even though Shabby Apple did not even consider my Dare to Design Dress a couple of months ago, I do realize that they have at least some fashion sense. I have been drooling over this dress for quite some time, and debating whether or not i should make it.

Last night, when i should have been enjoying my time off for at least one night, when i should have remembered that i had just vacummed the mountains of thread on the floor, i had to start making this dress.

But with my own modifications, of course. :)

Here is the top that i started with a camisole for modesty's sake. 

This deep V-neck is what i am doing for my evening gown as well, and since i already had the pattern made, i saw no reason to start on this dress. I was going to use the top for Sunshine in winter, but i never got around to making it. My modifcations from the SA dress are:

Empire waistline (ten times more flattering)
deep v-neck for an ample-bust reduction (100 times more flattering)

but i will be putting the giant white flower over the deepest part of the V so my decolletage is not busting out. The waistband is a lycra-wool blend that i used on my scallop dress over Christmas. I realized later that i should have checked to make sure that i had enough gray wool left to make the skirt... i'm thinking i'll have to buy more. But no worries! I have a wonderful husband who supports my sewing 100% (and with all the new readers, he realizes now his investment in my fabric may actually go somewhere than just pictures for the world to see...perhaps a clothing line?? i'll let you simmer on that one).

So the skirt will be basically the same as SA- gathered, a little poofy. unfortunately, i dont have the pattern made for the skirt yet. the actual pattern making is the worst part of sewing. pretty boring.

I'm REALLY excited for this dress. it is going to be fab-o.

Meet Cassandra, Piper's Cousin

This blouse is another version of the infamous blue shirt, Piper, that was seen on cjane. I bought this fabric last spring when i went to NYC with my sewing teachers and twenty other girls who love clothes as much as i do. I found it in on 7th avenue, Fashion Ave, where fabric store after fabric store is lined up, fulfilling every sewer's dream. I even went shopping in the infamous Mood fabrics where all the designers from Project Runway shop. I bought about 40 yrds of fabric the last time i was in NYC, and i am DYING to go again to replenish my stash.

I've been meaning to use this cabbage-rose printed linen for a while now. I recently designed a dress using the fabric for Shabby Apple's Dare to Design contest a few months ago, where non-professional designers can submit a dress for Shabby Apple to use in their spring line. Sadly, i didn't even get the top twenty.

 

I was indeed heartbroken. 

But when life throws you a dud, make a shirt out of it!

  

My headband is from Fleur and Feather

  

  

I love the little lace detail. I decided to do the longer sleeves instead of the stand-by petal sleeves that Piper has just to mix things up.

Which shirt is your favorite? Cassandra, Piper, or Sheila?

Nothing more humbling.

So today was a great day for me, as you all know. Being featured on cjane has changed my blog and my work forever, and I am so grateful for this opportunity to show my work to a national audience.

I think I was skipping to school today. This morning was all a blur as I thanked my lucky stars for this chance. 

Then I went to meet with my sewing teacher, the Doc, about my evening gown I am designing for my senior capstone. I had sewn part of the bodice last night in my fashion fabric which i LOVE to death. I was just on a cjane high as i went into her office. She took one look at my bodice and said:

"You didn't even interface the neckline."

"I thought i interfaced the facing...?"

"NO. the bodice. you interface the bodice. who cares about the facing? interface the bodice. interface the bodice."

"oh. ok. so should i just--"

"--and you didnt even stay-stitich the neckline! what is wrong with you, ellen?"

Now, if this sounds harsh, that's because it is. the Doc is known for her rough and toughness,a no bull-crap approach to sewing and teaching, which i highly appreciate simply because i know that she is a great teacher and is merely preparing me for the real world. She has made me cry several times, especially when i took advanced sewing from her and made this empire waisted coat:

Now i know the coat looks cheery, but the class was full of tears and doubts as i came home and let go of all my frustration and self pity to my husband, the poor guy. 

But I'm convinced that its this kind of teacher, the hard-on-you-you-have-no-excuses kind of teacher that you thank later on. Because they didnt take any crap, means that you were worth their time, and in a weird, indirect way, they believed in your talent enough to invest their time, and they expect so much more than a student forgetting to stay-stitch and interface the bodice. 

I can only hope to be as a good of a seamstress as the Doc someday. 

Thanks for all my new readers, C!

Anyone who is interested in me making them an article of clothing, please email me at 

couturegirlellen@gmail.com

My New BFF... who is actually a really great woman, and not some piece of clothing.

Today I met with Courtney Kendrick, the mastermind behind the cjanerun blog, Utah (and might I say, national) celebrity, and all around a beautiful person. I'll be making 5 dresses for Courtney for her postpartum body that she will have in a few short weeks. Courtney's last pregnancy ended with mu-mus and ill-fitting clothes that did not bring her back to her true self after giving birth, so she has called upon me to make her great clothes that are easy to breast-feed in while still cute-as-all.

  

  

  

I really like her, and not just because she is going to be making me famous, but she has a genuineness that lives beyond the blogging world. I am so excited for this opportunity, and Courtney will be doing a whole series on the process of me making her dresses. 

be sure to check out at her blog, blog.cjanerun.com

and here as well!

In 30 years...

THe seamstress in the first part of the first episode of Signe Chanel is me in 30 years. I couldn't stop laughing. I KNOW YOUR PAIN, madame seamstress.

Click to view.
Signe Chanel

Wow! My 40th Post!

I love Tuesdays and Thursdays because i dont have class till 2. this means sleeping in, doing hw, and hopefully squeezing some sewing in. last week i finished the navy version of the white shirt i made last time. and because it's a Thursday, i dont get ready till about 1, which means the shirts are laid on the couch for the picture.... not on me.

They are best friends. And i LOVE them. Their names are (left to write) Piper and Sheila.

Piper has ruffles around the yoke, and the ivory flowers were a last-minute decision. I think it adds a lot of personality, and they were so easy to do! The biggest flower is made by just gathering a strip of fabric, placing it on the shirt, and stitching. Viola! A gorgeous accessory for any outfit.

 

Sheila needs some attention too. She is first-born, after all. 

Don't tell Shelia, but i like Piper more...

 

BFF. 

I really want to make another one with a cool gray and black rose-print linen. Hopefully i'll have time next tuesday to start!

Who Needs Chocolate?

My husband, the dear man he is, surprised me last night with a great V-day present. Decadent, yet still useful. Chocolates get moldy and flowers die, but books are eternal!

The 2004 Chanel biography filled with rare photos? For me? You shouldn't have!

Very entertaining and full of fun facts, such as affairs with Nazis, the fascination with muslin, and the first menswear inspired items for women! Duly noted! 

Before catching a movie last night, Steve and I went to a used bookstore in Provo, and I came upon this little treasure for a mere $6.50:

 

The Vogue Sewing Book, with all the great features of a torn book cover that every book-lover loves. Vogue is responsible for keeping home-sewers on their toes with tantalizing techniques that will make you thread-pick your eyes out. However, I am a survivor; I will be strong. 

Valentine's Day has been good to me this year. Steve always does it up right. I'll get more pics of my top later tonight when we head to the symphony! We are so cultured.

 

The look on my face may be of intimidation, but it is only fascination. 

I was going to wait until Valentie's, but.....

i just couldn't wait to post pictures of my Valentine's Day shirt! I finally found a way to use my hand-stitched jeweled applique, made a pattern for the shirt, and viola! take a looksy:

 

  

My husband isn't home, so i couldn't get a full body shot. The shirt is a-line style with my favorite petal sleeves! it was so easy to make, especially compared to the dresses! I want this shirt in every color, and i've already started on a navy version with ruffles. i was going to wait to wear it out on our valentine's date, but i couldnt wait anymore! Steve is taking me to the Utah Symphony in salt lake, so i'll be sure to get more pics of the shirt then.

Hugs and Kisses!!!

RIP Alexander McQueen

thanks...err..but no thanks

SO, everyone that replied to my last post said to do the duchess satin... but i'm going to use the silk metallic. 

i understand the concerns that the silk looks like denim, but i promise it is just the quality of the picture that makes it look so. Today i met with Dr. Burnham again and she said the silk almost becomes a mix between feminine and masculine details, with the sparkles and twill together in one fabric (twill is a type of weaving, also used in denim-- which is why it looks like denim!). I had to agree. i promise the material is more like a wool suiting than anything, and even though it looks like white material is woven into it, its just the sparkles being photocopied.

i hope i have defended my choice enough. please dont stop reading just because i asked for your opinions when i had kinda already made up my mind...it is nice to have other opinions, of course. I think it's better to have a good photocopier.

I Need Your Help!

So i got my swatches in the mail for my big evening gown decision. 

My decision fabric has to match the gold dupioni silk, because I can't afford to buy a new silk color when I'm already buying new fashion fabric. 

Here is the metallic silk i found with the gold:

 

The metallic silk has brown, silver, and gold metallic thread woven through black silk. I love the texture because it has the same consistency as wool suiting, but it isn't too bulky either. Dr. Burnham, my sewing adviser, is cautious about this black material with my gold dupioni silk because she thinks it might be too busy with both textures together. I don't know though... I think it is FABULOUS TOGETHER!

Here is the black duchess satin with the gold:

 

Now, this may be the "safer" choice when it comes to design, but this duchess satin is AMAZING. It's really sturdy and doesn't have that tacky shine that most satin comes with. This could make such a simple black evening gown, with a pop of gold coming through. 

I can't decide!!! Opinions Please!!!