Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Tough Week! (a.k.a. No Sewing)

This week is the last of the semester, which means I've been very, very busy fielding questions, finalizing grades, reviewing 20 weeks of material, and writing/xeroxing final exams.  Today, tomorrow, and Friday are half-days, but only in length of time with students!  I still didn't leave until 3:30 today, after checking the finals and entering the grades.  If there ever was a week I needed time in my sewing space, it's now!

I've been looking for a quick and dirty project, just something to fix my sewing appetite, but indecision is haunting me.  Another mini-skirt?  Maybe an easy knit top.  Little Miss Princess needs a new "Daddy-Daughter Dance" dress.  Those corduroy pants are all cut out and waiting... but I'd really like to wear a new top tomorrow!  Decisions, decisions.

The most exciting "sewing" thing to happen this week is when my student brought me a picture of what she wants her prom dress (May) to look like.


Yup.  Taylor Swift.  To. Die. For.
It's all in the draping, though... and guess what I don't know how to do.  Drape.
So, I told her that I could get close to it.  Could she live with "close"?  Yes, she could.  She'll have to!  As much I want to learn how to drape, between now and May there just isn't enough time.  I started searching the pattern websites and found this Vogue (by Tom & Linda Platt) that is pretty darn close.  And guess what?  She loves it.

Better than the Taylor Swift dress!!!  Oh, yeah....
My student is a tall, thin brunette, and her only request is to lengthen the gown to floor length (to hide her shoes).  Easy, peezy.  Fabric recommedations, anyone?  She wants red (of course), and I want that front flounce to lay just right....
So, I'll bounce over to Joann's tomorrow and grab the pattern while it's on sale, and start the first muslin.  Hey, Lindsay T and Ann?! I'm gonna need some advice in the "boning" department!

And in the "What a nice surprise!" column, a very big Thank You to a special sewing friend for the book, "The Collection"!  When I'm done grading on Friday, I'm really looking forward to grabbing a glass of wine and curling up with this one!  You are the best!!!

Hope you all have had a very productive and successful beginning to 2010.  Can you believe that it's gonna be February next week???

8 comments:

AllisonC said...

Well that was a dangerously enabling post, it took me about 30 seconds to buy that book for my kindle! looking forward to seeing how the Taylor Swift dress turns out. I guess a silk crepe or something similar would work well for it, satin or matt.

Meg said...

Yes, definitely something drapey like silk crepe or 4-ply silk (though I know you are working on a teenager's budget). The boning should be easy, just two small pieces? You'll need a few layers for that bodice, just like I did with Annie's red dress. Annie always picks out Taylor Swift dresses for me to knock off too.

Marybeth said...

The vogue dress is beautiful! I can't wait to see how it turns out! Are Vogue patterns on sale at Jo Ann's?!?!? I didn't know...

Dawn said...

Wow, that's a fantastic dress. I would be waaaay to scared to do that.

amber said...

Oh, the copycat dress is really pretty - nice job finding such a similar pattern. :) No idea about fabric since I'll be making my foray into "fancy pants" fabrics this spring for a dress to wear to a wedding. Good luck and can't wait to see how it all turns out.

julia said...

Oooo... I can't wait to see that prom dress!

Bunny said...

That is a gorgeous dress, Kristine, and if your teen can only afford a poly charmeuse, I think that would be wonderful too. Oh, to be tall, willowy, and brunette.....

Michelle said...

I think that pattern will be perfect to recreate that dress. I can't wait to see what you do with it! I have yet to take on a formal dress, except for my niece. Satin and silk scares me a little!