Saturday, March 16, 2013

MSN Lace Challenge - Still Not Done!!!!

This lace dress has turned into an epic project!  I've spent 8 hours today working on it and it's still not finished...

Let's go to the photo evidence...

The lace hand stitched to the front of the dress

One side of the back hand stitched down

My daughter showed up earlier tonight to see if I was ready to take pictures...ummmm NO!  At that point I was just sewing the lining in...and for a hot minute I truly thought of taking some short cuts and finishing the dress up so that I could get the pics taken...

But then I came to my senses...let me tell you why.  

  • See I have between 25-30 hours of hand stitching in this dress to make the lace, wool tweed and silk organza underlining act as one piece.  
  • I've used both my February and March Mood allowances for the fabric, as well as about $120 of my own money.  
  • Yes, this does include the materials for the coat too but peoples there is a small fortune invested in this project.  So I'm only doing my best sewing.

On the honest tip, this project has challenged me because it's made me sew outside of my comfort zone.  I usually sew to have clothes so I don't always use involved techniques - mostly I just sew.  Hey I like clothes and I like having a lot of them.  I get bored wearing the same thing over and over and since I have the ability to make as many as I like, I do.  Call it the fulfillment of a childhood dream, or greedy or consumerism, whatever...  

However this project didn't NEED to be this involved or epic I could have chosen a simpler lace project...but going along with my intent of using this opportunity as a Mood blogger to stretch my sewing skills and to sew as many different types of fabric as I can, I went there.  

So my daughter went home and no pictures were taken.  She made me take a break and have dinner with her.  I'd been in the sewing cave since 10 am and had been sewing non-stop. She encouraged me to keep working on the dress without taking any shortcuts!  Love that child!!!

She won't be available for pics tomorrow since it's The Little Prince's fourth birthday!  Hard to believe that he's four already!!!




See those toy cars in both pictures, 
he goes nowhere without them!

I've been excused from the birthday party (Thank God! - because a room full of four year olds and younger at the bouncy place is not my idea of fun! *LOL*) so I will take my time and finish the dress.  I'm actually looking forward to sewing the jacket because it's going to be a breeze compared to the dress.

Photo shoot will be Monday evening allowing me to just make my deadline for publishing on the MSN site Tuesday.  I swear next month I'm sewing something easy!  *LOL* I need a break from epic projects!!!

A few more pics...

Inside showing the hand stitching and the silk organza underlining

Full shot of the front stitched together

Trimming the lace around the 
invisible zipper in the back


...as always more later!




27 comments:

  1. I know how it feels to have a complicated project: a break afterward is a must! Good luck, it's looking beautiful so far. My goodness, your grandson has the most gorgeous eyes. Such a Dude at 4 years old!
    Mary Beth

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  2. It's going to be a wonderful dress and I hope you get more places to wear it than Church on Easter. I can't wait to see the finished outfit. g

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  3. It is going to be so worth all the time and patience and money and love you are putting into this dress. I admire that you are taking the time to readyy do an amazing job even when rushing may seem like an option. It's going to be a beautiful finished product!

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  4. Carolyn, the entire staff of Male Pattern Boldness is praying for the successful completion of this challenging project -- it's going to be gorgeous.

    Don't forget Elmer's Glue for those quick hem jobs! ;)

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  5. It looks gorgeous, Carolyn, your hard work will be well worth it. Good luk finishing and happy birthday to the Little Prince.

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  6. What zipper? I don't see a zipper! LOL

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  7. It already looks beautiful. Well done for putting in so much work already. You need a quick knit project after this one!
    -Sewingelle

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  8. Yes, take your time. It is looking fantastic and will be worth it.

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  9. You ate working so hard and it's very inspiring to see your progress even if its slower than you are used it.. Gives the courage to try hard projects ourselves

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  10. I'm following this project (and the other MSN lace projects) closely in case my DD chooses a wedding dress that has lots of lace. Expect to hear from me if she does!!!

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  11. You can do it! Sewing has taught me to persevere and to take risks. It is going to be fabulous. I have found myself making a new dress for Easter .....

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  12. Your sewing is always inspiring, this dress is absolutely beautiful. I hope that you have a successful sewing day today and I look forward to the photographs tomorrow.

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  13. I'm so impressed with this project so far. It will be a real masterpiece and you will be so proud of yourself upon completion! Quick sews give instant gratification like painting walls with fresh paint but applying the trim paint makes a finished room. Your outfit will be totally complete and finished to perfection.

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  14. Your hard work will pay off... I am learning that a slow & steady pace is the key.

    Happy Birthday to your little Prince.

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  15. It is going to be gorgeous. You'll be the best dressed woman in church on Easter!
    He's 4 already. Wow! Time just flies my grandson was 3 in December. Hard to believe. You are so lucky to have your children and grandchildren living so close. Enjoy your day sewing.

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  16. I'm sure it will be exquisite. Can't wait to see it!

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  17. When it's done, you will be so happy you didn't take any short cuts. This looks amazing and you will look stunning in it. Can't wait to see the pics!

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  18. You can do it! This is going to be beautiful!

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  19. I also look forward to seeing the finished result and admire you for taking on the challenge. The dress will be beautiful because of all your hard work and time involved. The Little Prince is a cutie!

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  20. Oh, this is going to be beautiful! It's so worth it to take your time on special dresses like this.

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  21. This is going to be gorgeous and I assume it will be your Easter dress. I understand the way you sew because that's why I sew myself (not enough clothes as a child). But every once in awhile we need to make something extra special and this is certainly going to be the dress!

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  22. Can't wait to see your finished dress, been enjoying all your in progress posts! I think that the best thing about sewing your own garments is the pride you can take in making a beautiful garment as and how you want it. And also being able to develop couture skills to take forward and apply to other projects, ensuring all your hard work is seen and you can really admire your own work. I'm sure this dress will be super special to you and you'll treasure it for a long time!

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  23. That is going to be an awesome Easter dress. Happy Birthday to the Little Prince.

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  24. Please take your time. It's bound to be and already is gorgeous.

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  25. You have really stretched yourself lately and the results have been wonderful. Congrats on your decision to get "uncomfortable" and use those stellar fabrics in the process. I am enjoying your journey. Keep travelin'.

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  26. Your lace is so beautiful! It will be worth your hard work!

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  27. I can't believe your Little Prince is so big now! I still imagine him as that smiling baby you pictured all those years ago. Congratulations, and happy birthday!

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