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There is going to be some sewing, hopefully not made of Fail this time...
Our store is going to have a "VIP Event" on the evening of the 11th, where it's invite-only; they've invited people like, I don't even know, the mayor of whatever, &tc., presumably hoping they'll spend a crapload of money on our stuff. (We were supposed to open tomorrow, by the way, but as no one had the register system figured out by the time I left at 5pm today, I'm thinking not.) So we're supposed to dress a little nicer than usual, if we want. And we have to wear all black for work. Of course I want! I had a nice black dress, but it has mysteriously vanished from my closet, and I have not a clue where it's gone. Seriously. All I know is I brought it home from school when I moved out in May, and I didn't look for it all summer, since it's not exactly a summer dress. Cue the plotting for a new dress!
(I was going to start sewing the cranberry wool gown, but since I still have to watch another tour at Pomona Hall, and I don't even know if they want me to dress up for it yet, I figure it doesn't matter if I put it off a little longer.)
It's going to be vintage-inspired...of course it's going to be vintage-inspired. After a lot of thought, I decided I want an early-Sixties type dress, with a straight skirt. I've got this Butterick pattern I like, so I'm using that, except I want to put 3/4 sleeves on it if I can manage that. Mainly because I'm always cold.
My only sticking point was the fabric...the only black fabric I have in the Stash is silk shantung (really too thin for a cold-weather dress, plus I already have Plans for it) and cotton velvet (which I really tried to convince myself to use, because there are no Plans for it, but I couldn't get past the feeling it's Too Much...I want to be able to wear the dress on an everyday basis at work!).
So...well, I had a 40% off coupon for Jo-ann's, which meant I could afford that nice wool again! And I really don't have time to order fabric online for this. So after work ("I AM GAINFULLY EMPLOYED SO I CAN TOTALLY BUY THIS. Even if I haven't been paid yet.") off I trotted to Jo-ann Fabrics. And...I couldn't find the bolt of black wool. ("I KNOW IT WAS HERE BEFORE. You people SERIOUSLY sold all of a big bolt of $25/yd wool since last time I was in?! Come ON.") There was the cranberry wool, the brown wool, the grey wool, and a whole mess of wool blends (I wouldn't have minded one of those, but...no black). I crankily walked to the taffeta section ("Maybe I could do a 50s dress? I was contemplating those as well...No, there's only about 2 yards of the non-completely-crappy taffeta, THAT'S COOL.") but found nothing. I was walking towards the door, less than happy...when what did I see in the "Silkies" section? Yes, my quarry, the bolt of black wool. ("BITCH I FOUND YOU! CAN'T HIDE FROM ME!!")
So I've now got my lovely black wool for a Mad Men-type dress for our VIP event for work! Tonight I cut out the pieces for the lining...normally I'm too lazy to line things (it's terrible), but 1/ it's a cold-weather dress, so lining can't hurt, and 2/ wool is lovely, but to me is far too OMG ITCHY to be on my skin in large pieces. Maybe I'll actually finish this dress...
Our store is going to have a "VIP Event" on the evening of the 11th, where it's invite-only; they've invited people like, I don't even know, the mayor of whatever, &tc., presumably hoping they'll spend a crapload of money on our stuff. (We were supposed to open tomorrow, by the way, but as no one had the register system figured out by the time I left at 5pm today, I'm thinking not.) So we're supposed to dress a little nicer than usual, if we want. And we have to wear all black for work. Of course I want! I had a nice black dress, but it has mysteriously vanished from my closet, and I have not a clue where it's gone. Seriously. All I know is I brought it home from school when I moved out in May, and I didn't look for it all summer, since it's not exactly a summer dress. Cue the plotting for a new dress!
(I was going to start sewing the cranberry wool gown, but since I still have to watch another tour at Pomona Hall, and I don't even know if they want me to dress up for it yet, I figure it doesn't matter if I put it off a little longer.)
It's going to be vintage-inspired...of course it's going to be vintage-inspired. After a lot of thought, I decided I want an early-Sixties type dress, with a straight skirt. I've got this Butterick pattern I like, so I'm using that, except I want to put 3/4 sleeves on it if I can manage that. Mainly because I'm always cold.
My only sticking point was the fabric...the only black fabric I have in the Stash is silk shantung (really too thin for a cold-weather dress, plus I already have Plans for it) and cotton velvet (which I really tried to convince myself to use, because there are no Plans for it, but I couldn't get past the feeling it's Too Much...I want to be able to wear the dress on an everyday basis at work!).
So...well, I had a 40% off coupon for Jo-ann's, which meant I could afford that nice wool again! And I really don't have time to order fabric online for this. So after work ("I AM GAINFULLY EMPLOYED SO I CAN TOTALLY BUY THIS. Even if I haven't been paid yet.") off I trotted to Jo-ann Fabrics. And...I couldn't find the bolt of black wool. ("I KNOW IT WAS HERE BEFORE. You people SERIOUSLY sold all of a big bolt of $25/yd wool since last time I was in?! Come ON.") There was the cranberry wool, the brown wool, the grey wool, and a whole mess of wool blends (I wouldn't have minded one of those, but...no black). I crankily walked to the taffeta section ("Maybe I could do a 50s dress? I was contemplating those as well...No, there's only about 2 yards of the non-completely-crappy taffeta, THAT'S COOL.") but found nothing. I was walking towards the door, less than happy...when what did I see in the "Silkies" section? Yes, my quarry, the bolt of black wool. ("BITCH I FOUND YOU! CAN'T HIDE FROM ME!!")
So I've now got my lovely black wool for a Mad Men-type dress for our VIP event for work! Tonight I cut out the pieces for the lining...normally I'm too lazy to line things (it's terrible), but 1/ it's a cold-weather dress, so lining can't hurt, and 2/ wool is lovely, but to me is far too OMG ITCHY to be on my skin in large pieces. Maybe I'll actually finish this dress...
