Summer fabrics ....PIC HEAVY!!!!...

Hey Guys,

I want to start off by thanking you for your very supportive comments...it helps a great deal and encourages me too go on...First off, you remember the dress I started to draft?... Well I had to do something about and since I already paid for today's session I had too go...( No matter how upset I am I still can't afford to not show up)....and it started off with her doing the same old same routine....but I cut that s*(& right out from the beginning...I had too say at some point I got a little gruff, but she took a note and calmed herself down...which made me calm down...I don't know why I didn't tell her how I felt but I guess I was thinking I didn't owe her any explanation...but the reality of it all is ...I do and I will make it a point to address my issue..and hopefully we can continue on...

But she did do something real nice today... she made my life allot easier by helping me adjust the bodice of my summer dress, which was awesome...What was real nice is that she got a little excited about it and gave me tips on how to construct it better...so it would look more professional... which was great...all I really have to do now is too stitch it together and attach the skirt segment too it...I think for the sake of time...I will continue doing it that way...she likes too get detail oriented and it takes up too much time which cost me since this chick is not free...I pay her by the hour and believe in me it's not easy
for me too keep skipping lunch and scrounge around for pennies to get a lesson with her

Anyway moving on...I got some fabrics ...and the only thing I wanted was bright, youthful colors...so I picked out the most vibrant fabrics and purchased them... looking back I had a tacky attack... but hey sommer is coming and I may as well make the best of it...

Here are some of the fabrics I purchased ...some are from Jo Anne's and some are from Wal-Mart...so far these are all I have for some dresses I plan on making...there will be more later on this month...So far I am liking the flower and paisley patterns...I just need to figure out where I can purchase the fabric with the large prints...
That's all for right now..
A.S.

So here I go again....

Yup I did it again...I have been obsessing over the idea of making a summer dress, so I decided to start by making the pattern for a simple dress...well the original muslin had darts, but I eliminated the darts and did gatherings under the bust and cut out some fabric from the under arm since there was now a huge gap...it worked!!!
Then i proceed to do the back which was very simple since I didn't have to put any darts....well you wouldn't you believe how proud I was of myself... until I tried it on the freaking thing... it's humongous on me...my dress form is no longer me!!!!... she must of grown a couple of inches wider in the last year..I mean the bodice just hung there on my shoulders and when I pull the sleeves ...it just flops to the ground...was I upset...NOPE!!!...just more determined...I was happy too see that after all this I have actually learned something...and I am still proud of myself...I just need to get the details right...I will post on my improvement and take a couple of pics..The picture above is what I want it too look like when it's all done.

LAPTOP!!!!!!

Hey Everyone,
Exciting news I got my new laptop too work!!!...I thought I was going to be able to just turn it on then Viola!!!...but NAH!
But the great thing is after a few phone calls I was on the internet....so...I look forward to posting updates on my day to day sewing activity....this is awesome...I just cant wait...
Peace
A.S.

It's Over!!!

I seem to be caught between a rock and a hard place....I am thinking of getting a new sewing instructor...if I do this it will be my third in the last two years...I don't know the first was way too slow and expensive...and this one is a little irritating...plus she makes me feel inadequate...ever since I got her as an instructor...I have been very anxious and insecure about my abilities too sew... plus every time we talk I find that we don't have anything in common...she seems to be in another state of mind...it could be because of her experience as a designer and a seamstress...but I am not impressed....I want someone who is down to earth and have the patience and ability too help get the work done for a reasonable price... maybe I am asking too much...but I don't want to be discouraged, especially doing something I truly love......every time I look at the sewing machine I get upset or just depressed because I don't know if I could master this craft...I used too love it, I used too love the process of making something just for me...now I am confused and upset...it could be other things that are getting too me...but that's what I had sewing for too help me relax and just let go for the moment...and I think she is taking that away from me....
What's frustrating me the most is that damn maroon dress....I cut the crap out myself so we are bound to get into some kind of trouble...but damn!!!! I didn't think it would take us this long too get the top together...but it's getting there...and the bolero jacket is still in the construction process...I think I will replace after these two projects... hopefully I will get it right this time..
Well that's all for right now...
A.S.

So far, so BLAH!!!

The last couple of weeks has been a little trying so I have been doing some research and too my delight I found a couple of books that can help me with my fitting issues...this all started when I added the sleeves to my jacket. I kind of forgot to add the notches so I will be able to distinguish the front from the back...so that was a mess. It is still hanging on my dress form I have not hade the strength too deal with it yet...but I will tackle it soon enough. But I noticed that I am always having fitting issues with any pattern I use so I decided to make my own sloper...It's quiet easy actually. At least the beginning stage but there is allot of measuring and re-measuring...I am using...

Which is very helpful...it gives step by step instructions on how to make your own personalized pattern right now I am working on making a pant sloper which is a little involved but I think it's worth it...especially knowing I have always been intimidated by making one.

Another I am reading is called....

This book is extremely helpful and it's seems so easy the way they explained how to create your own custom made pants....I truly enjoy reading it.

And last but not least.....

this book deals with all the issues plus size women like me deal with on a daily basis...I love this book and I plan on using it for every one of my projects...

Well that's it for right now... since this month will be a slow sewing month, I probably will be posting on research materials more than anything else...but I promise when I am done addressing other issues I will get back into action.

Later,

A.S.

Sooo how was my trip?

All I have to say is WOW!!!!!...let me tell you something... I am the kind of girl that is almost impossible to impress let alone being satisfied. I admit it takes allot to get a smile out of me, but when you do. You know you did a good job. I was sooooo amazed with the exhibit.
I first saw the Seduction Exhibit. The detail work on each gown was simple inspiring, each gown for each period had a function a purpose. Which too me is fascinating, you see how people lived in those time period and how for the most part made everything into an occasion. I was really happy with the display and learned a great deal....
So leaving the exhibit... I saw two individuals walking out of an exit near by the entrance...and wondered what was going on downstairs...People I have too tell you something about myself..I have never been the curious kind...but that day I was..me and my mentor were wondering what was going on so we decided to take a chance and just go the worst that could happen is just walking into an empty room...right?
Well boy was I happy I was sooo wrong! The most amazing thing happened they were doing a Gothic exhibit called Dark Glamour... I can not stress enough how beautiful it was. Just so decadent, so glamorous and regal.
Afterwards we took a trip to a well known fabric store...wow these people got a stick up their asses...I couldn't stay too long because I couldn't stand to arrogance of the employees...Yes I know they cater too designers and my little pennies wouldn't change one ounce of there prestigious world. But give a f*c%ing break... it's still a fabric store! Or am I wrong. I know, I know I should of expected it!!! but I sometimes forget the snobs of the world, and how easily they can discard the little average ones from their inner sanctum of dumb ass ignorance....let's just say the next time I walk in there it won't be nice...or the next time I walk in there I better have enough money too buy them b*t#ches OUT!!!! But you know what I had a good time looking at their selection of fabrics!!! there was so much variety, especially in the price ranges... there were fabrics that cost 500 dollars a piece. Get THE F&#@ OUT OF HERE!!!! Even if I could afford it..I would tell them YOUR M*THER!!!! Not my black ass even if I won the lotto..NOOO!! the mega millions I wouldn't do anyone that favor! It's clothes not a life saving devise! And even then I would try to bargain!
Then we gracefully left and went to other fabric stores... One I did enjoy was a store that sold trimmings... Oh my goodness!!! It was crazy!! there was not a trimming in the world they did not have!!! and they had ones that glitter and shine!! All kinds of different materials and just endless amount of accessories... I was just blown away.
But the price once again, stopped me from my madness...I can't afford 35 dollars a yard for a stinking trim...they had other's but I wanted a particular one for my project! but I will be back.


Finally we went into a fabric store and I got my shopping on!!! I brought 7 yards of red satin like fabric and 6 yards of black embroidered fabric. Which came up to 84 dollars not bad! Since I couldn't get the exact fabric that is displayed on the Butterick b4315. I had too think of a way of getting the same effect without driving myself nuts!!!! With the help of the store assistant I was able to get something that was similar too the picture and give it that wow factor.
I think it's the same kind of effect? Don't you? I really like it !!!Got some more shopping done. I finally got my Viva La Juicy!!! and I parted ways with my mentor and got back HOME!!!
All in all I had a great time. Next trip The Metropolitan Museum!!! I just can't wait...until then...

(P.S. I wrote most of this post in good humor, so I hope I didn't offend anyone.)

A Trip to Manhattan!!!!

I am so looking forward to Friday! I will be doing some fabric shopping for my halloween costume! YAY!!!
AND! on top of that I will be going to F.I.T too visit an exhibit, which is absolutely awesome....I just can't wait! I keep fantasizing me being surrounded by thousand different variety of fabrics, all different shades, color, style, print, texture's. Just the thought of this get's all me giddy.
Anyway, I will post on my adventure too the fabric district. I am sure I will have a story too tell.
PEACE,
A.S.