Dirty Dancing Dress (DDD)

Dear readers,

Guess what?

Remember this?

Two weeks ago I was watching our hilariously funny local LA newscast - Good Day LA; the show featured Jennifer Grey - who was promoting her 25th Anniversary of Dirty Dancing - and announced tickets were available for the screening at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.  Apparently Skinny Cow sponsored the event and tickets were free.  I logged on and got tickets!!  Hurray!

Skinny cow set up a pink carpet (here I was entering - very late from work and LA traffic):

 A picture from inside the theatre:

Jennifer Grey was in attendance - as was the rest of the full theatre (95% of the audience consisted of a very raucous crowd of women) - it was ridiculously fun.  It reminded me of my college girlfriends watching this coming of age film at our campus theatre in Auburn.

See the dancers on the stage for the credits?

I didn't really stay at the afterparty (a typical promotional type of fare) - but on the way to see it - the dirty dancing costumes were featured.  Hilary Rosenfeld was the costume designer (I didn't see any information about her but wished they had more costumes) but they did have the pink dress (from the finale), a white shirt from the private dance scene with Baby and Johnny, and a pair of keds.  I took pictures of the dress below, and above:

The dress was simple, with a side zip.  The lace covers the seaming from bodice to skirt with a triangle in the back.  The front had side and front darts.  It seemingly was made of a lightish cotton blend.   I wish I took a picture from the back!  Darn it!  I do think would be relatively simple to reproduce.  The costumes from the movie are fantastic - I do wish they had more of them to display.

Some pictures from the actual movie showing the movement of the dress:

What a last minute treat!

I hate to admit it - but homedec revived my sew-jo!

Dear readers,

It's true.  I dislike home dec very much.  Seriously.  Interior design is not my forte.  But sewing a few pillow on our new sectional from Crate and Barrel (the lounge series - we just keep buying the same couches) revived my sewing mojo.

I sewed the pillows with invisible zippers (I have no idea why - the material is dry clean only and we have dogs).  I am recovering the round cube ottomans/tables in the living room as well in these colors.

And for the rest of the project  -  in the linen color below - we plan to put up curtains to protect the couch from the sun - and give us a respite from below.  We have a fantastic view to the ocean but hopefully the curtains won't interfere.  My other concern with the curtains - our window is 112" W X 64" H - that's a lot of fabric.

This weekend I sewed a lined A-line skirt, and two Anthropologie style tank tops, not to mention straps for a strapless dress.  So, more posts to come!

Good luck for those of you in Hurricane Isaac's path - my thoughts are with you!

Steampunk for Halloween?

Dear readers,

Where has the summer gone?  We've been super busy at work, and new people have joined our team - seriously reducing the workload for all!  More time for sewing, cycling, and other pursuits here at the Ps house.  Back in the sewing studio, I opened the new Simplicity patterns page and found some new costumes for Halloween, steampunk style:

I actually dressed as a vampire last year - but everyone at work thought I was steampunk:)  Crazy.  Here's a picture of me before J. and I went to the West Hollywood Halloween Festival.  I guess if I am going this route I better start watching the Downey movie version of Sherlock Holmes, stat. (which, while fun,  simply don't equate with the wonderful Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novels).

Audra has great steampunk style and has these lovely leather harnesses at Etsy I'd love to have for everyday wear!

And, Gertie  has me excited about making a corset as well.

Finally, I've been coveting the new vintage lingerie patterns at Mrs. Depew Vintage.

Have you begun thinking of Halloween?  I'd love to hear everyone's ideas.  


P.

Knitmania....

Dear readers,

I was in Jacksonville teaching while Tropical Storm Debby approached and passed us this week.  I was in a hotel during the deluge of precipitation when an idea struck and I braved the rains to shop at Michael for knitting and knitting related supplies!

So, I bought the book Simple Knitting: A Complete How To Workshop with 20 Projects, some Japanese wooden needles and with the help of Video Jug and Knittinghelp.com   - I learned to knit.

My creations so far are ridiculously offensive. I've learned the knit stitch, purl stitch, most combinations thereof, cast-on (two methods),  bind off.  I still have to learn increasing, decreasing, yarn off, and kitchenette.  But, good progress in a week.  I'm using wooden needles so far, feel free to add comments or suggestions.

I've been inspired by seamsters and fabric artists Kristin and Katie.

But, I've got a project on the horizon - a endless scarf or cowl.

Here's some great tutorials, I'm not sure which one to go to yet (thanks Ravelry.)

1.  Cashmere Cowl Pattern by Purl Bee

2.  Burberry Inspired Cowl by Garter Girl

I still plan to take at least a two-three week sew-cation.  But, am trying some knitting while I am traveling quite a bit; and hopefully this will help me cut down on my nail-biting habit.

P.S.  Inspiration for the day:  These jellies are too much!  Have a great weekend!

Original Design vs. Patterns?

Dear readers,

Final modern quilt square challenge, second try.

A few weeks ago I attended a meeting of the Ventura Modern Quilt Guild.  When I asked why I joined -  I replied that I wanted to be excited and enthusiastic about quilting.  If you remember, I felt that while doing the actual quilting - rather than piecing - I literally felt that I was working in a sweatshop.  I discussed my concerns of my previous quilting experiences with the group.

Photo courtesy of Chicago Historical Society, Link Here.

(they don't exactly looked thrilled, do they?)

A few members thoughtfully offered that my issue with boredom is hat I was using a pattern, rather than my own design.  And, they shared that they felt the same issues with quilting patterns.

But then I began to reflect on the experience.  Perhaps this is true as well with making commercial patterns.  I did very much enjoy making my own designs from my slopers (or basic blocks).  Of course with commercial patterns, we do tend to move a bit more up and down from sewing as well - pressing, cutting, recutting, etc.  And, the design for garments are much more three dimensional.

We did a challenge block - which I sketched out; surprisingly (or perhaps not so) - I actually found it easy (except for the execution - I have never attempted applique).

 Satin Stitch Fail

Original sketch

We were asked to make a modern block for the challenge, with something borrowed (which we exchanged - the wonderful striped fabric), something old (the red circles), something new (the background and green), and something blue (blue circle).  I like to experiment with space.  I made two - one with the machine applique stitch and one with an absolutely horrible satin stitch.

Better execution of a applique machine stitch:

Horrible execution of a satin stitch, below - obviously I need some improvement of my technique:

Any thoughts from readers, do you prefer your own designs, or do you, like me, struggle to adapt commercial patterns?

P.S.  Visual inspiration:

A little visit to Pendleton Woolen Mills in Portland

Dear readers,

I'm not sure if I have mentioned this - but I visited (on a work trip) Portland for a week.  I took my Brompton and rode around the city after hours.  I learned the quadrants, met with a custom bike builder (I'm planning on buying a custom or semi-custom bike) and went to several bike shops.

The one fabric shop I was completely swooning over was a little more than 5 miles SSE of downtown  - Portland Woolen Mills  -  Here's a sampling of the fabrics I bought seriously on sale:

 Riding back from the Woolen Mills (a side trip down Sweetwater trail) loaded up with fabric:

It is worth it - I highly recommend it.  I didn't get to go to those other Portland sewing institutions, like Fabric Depot, Bolt or Scrap.  Next trip.

Here is what I plan to make with the fabric draped on the dress form - this vest below was offered as part of the Pendleton Winter line this year (for an outrageous amount (I think $278?) - I purchased the fabric above for $40.00:

Conclusion:  Portland -  a "Must See" location and visit for sewing and biking fanatics:)

Side notes:
At the Rose Garden with my Brompton:

New Project - Treadle anyone?

Yes, Dear Readers,

A new project.  Like I'm not busy enough, right
(ok, enough of the Southern California colloquialism).

What do you think?

J. won't allow it in the house.  It needs some, let's say, refinishing.
The treadle and existing machine do, seemingly stitch.

I'm thinking of sanding and either staying with a light stain, natural or maple, if I can.  The veneer is rather thin - but on top about 1/4".  Or, perhaps a lighter paint.  I'm not sure yet.  My father thinks a cabinetmaker might be in order, obviously he knows my woodworking skills (and my dad is a general contractor).

I also plan to convert this 1957 Singer 201K below  - which has a fabulous stitch - into the treadle machine.  My only concern is that it is a wonderful electric machine - and I have never previously treadled, as it were.

Any thoughts? Stain or Paint?  What about switching the machine?

P.S.  I'm getting on a knit shirt kick I believe (although I may quickly sew some summer skirts). . . my work schedule is full BUT I am taking a sew-cation in August and September!