Setbacks Make Me Wanna Holla!!

I shared with you that I spotted this Michael Kors dress in the Bloomingdale's window display in Chicago recently and really want to make my version of it.  On a whim, I dropped by Haberman Fabrics in Royal Oak last Saturday to see if they had a wool crepe that would work for my "Kors" dress.  I didn't find a wool crepe, but there was a Tencel/Spandex fabric with a crepe texture that I felt would work well for my dress.  The color was not quite the "daffodil" I wanted; in fact, I'd describe it as "bile yellow" because it has a greenish undertone to it.  But, I bought 2 yards anyway because I thought I could work with it.

Plight of the Project Clingers

How many unfinished projects do you have occupying space in your sewing studio?  A question I asked myself recently after reading a post on Erin McKean's "A Dress A Day" blog.  She wrote that, before a recent move, she went through plastic bins housing various sewing and alteration projects which have been "languishing, untended and uncompleted for two moves now."  After looking through them, she realized many of these "zombie projects" felt like "obligations" and it was time to let them go.  I recognize that I also suffer from a condition that I've coined Project Clinginess - yeah, I know it's not a real word, but just work with me for moment.  So I looked around my space, and here are just a few lingering projects I found.

The Suno Floral

Recently, while surfing the internet, I saw a video clip where Lindsey Lohan made an appearance on "The David Letterman Show".  What prompted me to watch the clip was the caption, quoting her saying, "I thought you were going to be nice."

"Hmmm...what did he say?"  So, I watched part of the interview, and while in my opinion it was rather dull and no earth-shattering news shared, I did take notice of the dress she wore on the show.

The Michael Kors Plan

After a quick search on the various pattern company websites and browsing through my own collection of patterns, I found one that I believe will serve very nicely for my interpretation of Michael Kors' wool/spandex sheath.

Michael Kors in Chicago

My younger kids were out of school this week for Spring Break, so we decided to hit the road and spend a few days in Chicago.  While walking the Mag Mile Wednesday night, I was drawn by the color combination in this Michael Kors window display at Bloomingdale's.

Easter 2013 (aka Vogue 1329)

I finally finished Vogue 1329 earlier this morning, and after about 2 hours of sleep, my family and I woke early to attend 8am church service and had Sunday brunch.  We just returned home, and you know how it is when you've had a hefty meal and little sleep.  But, before I slip into something more comfortable (not to say this dress isn't), I wanted to share a couple of pictures of my finished dress.

Easter Fix-Up

While out shopping with my family today, I bought this dress for my daughter.  We discovered about 2 years ago that she loves the black-white-pink color combination, so she was bound and determined to not fall into her color comfort zone again.  I tell her "Why fight it?  They're your signature colors - go with it!!"  We spotted this dress at Sears (yes...Sears!) and she tried hard to not love it, but it was useless.

dress front

Projects in the Hopper

I'm still working on my two Carnival of Skirts submissions.  The black faux leather and crepe skirt is still in its holding pattern because I want to figure out the most-attractive way to attach the lining and facing to the zipper closing.

Mmmm...Almost Embarrassed to Admit This

As I shared with you yesterday, I planned to take a 5-hour Energy drink while at work so I could make significant progress on sewing my skirt - and so, I drank half a bottle as I drove home.  Once I arrived, my daughter and I took Max for a walk in the neighborhood, ate dinner and I caught up on some of my favorite blogs.  Only after all of that did I begin working on Carnival #2.

I constructed the lining and facing, pinned and then sewed them both to the skirt body.  Everything looks good, right?

Tuckered Tuesday

I shared with you all last evening that I had a new training class starting today.  Well, as I expected, I am pretty tired this evening and really want to go to bed for my much-needed beauty sleep.  However, I didn't want the day to pass without doing something on Carnival #2.  I sewed the centered zipper in the skirt back.