Friday 27 January 2012

Wedding Bolero Part 1


My sister's wedding bolero was definitely a labour of love. Thinking about it now, I can't believe I agreed to REMOVE something from my sister's very expensive wedding dress. I knew I could make the bolero, but detaching the sash was not fun, and my heart was thumping away. When I first suggested making the bolero my intention was to unpick the sash from the waist band, and hem. The hem was simple enough. It was essentially tacked to the bottom of the dress at each corner of the sash. These were easily unpicked, and the embroidery and beading on the dress continued under the sash so there was no unsightly empty patch remaining. The problem occurred at the waistband. When I looked at the dress in the shop, it was needless to say fairly brief, and with my sister standing in the dress, not very detailed, I certainly couldn't look inside. When we brought it home (1 week before the wedding!!!) and I looked at the waistband I realised that not only would I have to unpick the lining inside the dress (I should have realised this), but that the sash was sewn into the zipper at the centre back, not the side of the zipper as I had assumed. Aaagh! The dress was also very heavy as there is lots of fabic, beading and embroidery. I was very reluctant to unpick any of the waistband where the skirt was attached to the bodice, as I knew there was a lot of strain on this seam. And unpicking, and redoing the zipper was a big no-no. Especially with the lace/gauze overlay. No way. And only having a week to make it in, I didn't have the luxury of time which would be required.

Monday 23 January 2012

Confession time



So, as usual I haven't been on here in months. Aah, that's a lie. I go on blogger most days. I've guiltily looked at my blog at the top of the page and quickly scrolled down to my blog feed. Naughty me. And what prompted this terrible behaviour, I hear you ask. Well... I still haven't finished my Colette Sencha blouse. Don't get me wrong. I love the pattern still. It sewed up like a dream. I learnt so much, catch stitch is a new favourite for instance. Just look at this beautiful stitching.