Finally Finished! – Vogue 8726

July 25, 2011 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 2 Comments

I know, I know, I’ve been referring to this dress for quite some time. It took me exhorbitantly more time than necessary. But here is the finished product. If it looks pretty much like the view the model is wearing here it is because I ordered the exact same fabric from Vogue fabrics. I ordinarily steer away from linen because of the wrinkle nature, but in a momentary brain lapse, and with the ease of ordering on the Internet, I purchased said fabric. Yes, contrary to what the photos reveal, I did press this dress before being photographed. The lining is ambience black also ordered from Vogue fabrics.

Here’s a shot of the back:

A close-up of the embroidery on the back straps is in this post. I stuck to the pattern instructions completely with the exception of adding embroidery to the back straps. I plan to wear this dress to church and the embroidery gives the person sitting behind me something to look at!!! No that they won’t be paying attention to the preaching, mind you. Just saying.

And lastly, my sewing companion wanted to be in the pictures. He is my 80 lb. basset boy. We’re dressed somewhat alike wouldn’t you agree?

Lovely Lavender

July 20, 2011 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ 2 Comments

Everything about lavender is appealing to me. The leaves – long and lanky. The flowers – upright and slender. And oh, best of all, the smell – subtle and clean. Here’s one of the lavender plants in my backyard:

I gave it a haircut and and harvested the flowers. Here they are drying in my basement:

In about two weeks they will be ready for me to sew lovely lavender sachets. What a beautiful and fragrant sewing project it will be!

What’s Wrong with this Picture?

July 19, 2011 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

Are you kidding me??!!? Okay, so I’m not in control of my life like I so desperately think I need to be. But really! Is it so much out of control that I can’t even sew in a sleeve in the proper direction!

To make a long story short, my parents live out of state but they have been living with us since the end of March while my dad had part of his lung removed and is now going to chemo treatments once a week and radiation five days a week in Salt Lake. Yes, I am his taxi driver, cook, and laundress. To add to that, I am my mother’s primary caregiver right now as she is disabled. I’m not making excuses, mind you, but a little justification for such a silly mistake helps me convince myself that I am a more competent seamstress than I actually am. Just a word to the wise – when you’re stressed and in a hurry, don’t tackle any sewing that requires your full attention. Thankfully the sleeve is basted in and the seam has not been pressed, so it should be a quick fix. It did give me a good laugh once I got over the dismay. I’m sure nobody else makes such careless mistakes?

One of these days I will have this dress complete and will write a pattern review. It truly is any easy pattern no matter how difficult I make it appear.