Body Block: Sheath Dress Progress

The body block has been made, and from that I have created the pattern for my sheath dress. I altered the neckline and shoulder line of the dress. Above is a shot of all the pieces starched and ready to go. Once on my fabric I need to add ease to the pattern and add the length of dress plus hem.

Another Goal: New Home Sewing Machine

Remember this beauty? I am pretty ashamed of myself. I have owned this for a little less than a year (about ten months) and haven't touched it until yesterday. Honestly, I was so worried about breaking it that I hesitated to even thread it. Using this machine was on my list of things to do before I left for Italy the last time and I never got to it. This time (since I have ten days left) I thought I might give the sheath dress a try on the New Home. So, toss another goal on that pile!

2011 Resolutions

You all have them, even if you don't admit it outright. At the end of the year, I think we all make a mental note at what we want to accomplish or do differently in the next year. Whether it be health, work or hobby related, I think no one is really void of this. So here are my goals for 2011:

The sewing elves were a bit distracted...

...and realized too late that a size ONE sleeve should not be attached to an altered size FOUR bathrobe. Otherwise you end up with this:

It looks like I made it for a little T-Rex. (And those pockets are in the same place on either side, it just looks funny because of they way it is laying. I swear!)

Christmas Sewing and *New* Lessons Learned

As I do to myself every so often, I have decided to sew something for my niece fro Christmas. Now, after the last dress I made for her, I said never again. But I should never say never. This time around I was swayed by her recent excitement/interest in sewing, the fact that it is only a fleece bathrobe and (I'm sure mainly) because of such distance from the last project. And the pattern is adorable; a 1970's Simplicity robe and nightgown pattern that is too cute.

Body Block Update: YAY!

Okay, so I finally have good news to report about the body block saga. I am done with it! Yay! And I *even* did the sleeve block this weekend as well. Sorry that there are no new pics for all of my block-done-ness. The last tweaks that I did in this post seemed to work out just right. Now, I have all my pieces and I can move forward to the sheath dress.

Body Block Update: Grrrrr.

And that doesn't stand for Grrrrrreat! Nope. Not at all. So I am on the third round of fitting with the block. Well, technically I am on two and a half or something. But first let's back up to where we left off.

Apron Distraction

Sorry to let you all down. I'm sure you are waiting for phase two of the body block, but yesterday I had to sew an apron for a birthday present. It took me about four hours to finish from cutting the fabric to the last topstitch. Isn't it cute! Hopefully said recipient will appreciate it. And if you are reading this, Miss Recipient, and you don't like it — I will gladly take it back ;)