not excited

[madamemodiste]

I hit a snag with the Regency dress. I have no idea what I'm doing and it's frustrating. Victorian dresses are easy because I've done them 70 times already. I understand how they work. No idea with this dress. I've already written to the pattern maker twice for help, and I'm loathe to bother her again. Plus, I'm a visual learner, and I tend to go, "Huh?" when people try to explain how something works verbally. Oh well. At least I don't need the Regency for anything soon!

In other sewing news, I've become totally disenchanted with the grey silk NF dress I'm making. It doesn't excite me at all. I guess that's what happens when you don't plan a dress out fully before you start sewing. This just isn't what I want to spend my Winter Break making. I think I'm going to put it away.

Problem is, I know what I want to make, and I don't have the fabric for it, nor the money to get it at the moment. I have all this other fabric instead, and none of it is speaking to me. How sad is that? I was inspired for a few days to make a francaise out of this gorgeous black cotton/poly damask, but now I'm afraid to cut into the dear fabric for fear that the minute I do, I realize that the fabric is really perfect for something else. I'm so crazy!!

At least I was productive yesterday. I put on the 2nd coat of sealer/primer in the bedroom and spot cleaned the downstairs carpeting.

Comments

[ghost-ofa-rose.livejournal.com]

All those things have happened to me too! What you have with your grey nf dress, I have with my steampunk nf gown. I've only made the fantail skirt and have no idea of how to continue.

And I'm also always thinking and rethinking my designs before cutting fabric. Is this the right fabric for this gown? Should I make something else? So you are not the only one there! As with the non-speaking fabric. I have loads of fabric, but I always want to make something for which I don't have any fabric in my stash. Yep, I'm just as crazy as you.

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

That really does make me feel better -thank you!

[chloeandrudy.livejournal.com]

Which pattern company are you using?
If it's S & S, she has a photo website w/ instructions. http://www.sensibility.com/sewingtips.htm
I'm going to be tackling my LaMode Bagatelle pattern soon, and like you, am not enthused about trying a new one. Ditto w/ the Victorian ones.

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

It is, and I did, but she doesn't show photos for the drawstring dress, and that's what I'm having trouble with.

Thanks anyway! I really appreciate it!

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Just wondering in case I have something on hand, what kind of fabric were you wanting?

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

email sent!

[valleyviolet.livejournal.com]

I was thinking exactly the same thing. I've been incessantly sorting my fabric for the last week trying to get rid of a lot of it (including some nice things that are the wrong colors for me).

[dragoneyes19.livejournal.com]

yeah same here, what are you looking for? Lord knows I've got quite a stash going...

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

Looking for a white with a black pinstripe. Either suiting or cotton. I'd need like 14 yards, though!

[degracieuse.livejournal.com]

I have that too... a growing stash of fabric I once thought up dresses for but never got made or decided on else ways and all the new dresses come with new fabrics needed.... sigh. That's it! I'll try and get rid of some stash, it's just such a waste doing nothing!
Once I am working on a dress, forcing yourself won't do, that is the one time I ended up with an outfit I absolutely dislike and have tossed out...even though others liked it :P
I'm always a bit hesitant starting a new outfit.

[chloeandrudy.livejournal.com]

Your stash and mine must be related. That's exactly what mine does. I have a plan for a fabric, then later decide to use it for something else. Then I buy a new fabric for that original plan, etc, etc...

[degracieuse.livejournal.com]

It's absolutely evil that way! Or it makes you decide to change your mind on the dress...inevitably the fabric already bought comes up short in yardage and will have to wait... a year, or two years...

[aylwen.livejournal.com]

What is your snag? I've made quite a few of these dresses. Have you read about the sleeves? Jennie has an oops page as the markings are in the wrong spot for elbow and long sleeve options.

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was alerted to the sleeve problem. For me, I can't figure out what to do after I attach the bodice to the skirt. Can you explain it to this Regency newbie?

[aylwen.livejournal.com]

Once I attach the bodice to the skirt I hand sew a casing across the front, this is for the ribbon to run through. Earlier on you were told to sew the side seams down, but not all the way. The ribbon comes to the outside on both sides so you can then use it to tie at the back. This ribbon is what gathers the front bodice under the bust - you will note that the front bodice piece is exactly the same width as the front skirt piece.
If this doesn't make sense I'll see if I have a photo as I, too, am a visual learner.

[dragoneyes19.livejournal.com]

I've never used that particualr pattern but have made regency before. I'll be home from Arizona tomorrow, perhaps I can help? Up to you :-)

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

I hope you had a great time in Arizona!

I'm not looking to finish this project right away, so don't want to drag you around in the cold for something that can wait :)

I was thinking of making a trip to the Norristown Jomar...

[blackcat452.livejournal.com]

I've made that pattern before, I could try to take pictures or come up and look at it sometime if you want