Sunday Night Reflections

And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: it is only with the heart that one can see rightly.
What is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

One More Walk Away Post

I just received a cute message from Brenda, "Apparently I'm a little obsessed with this idea, since I just remembered this resource too."

I found Brenda's link extremely interesting and thought that you might as well, so I wanted to do one last post on this type of dress. 

You can read about this project on Alabama Chanin's blog here, http://alabamachanin.com/journal/2012/09/diy-thursday-andrea-zittel-smockshop/

There is a link to the pattern which does not work. But what you can do is order the catalog and the pattern is included for only $10.00. Here is a link to ordering a catalog from the exhibit,  http://www.pratt.edu/about_pratt/exhibitions/pratt_manhattan_gallery/catalogs_for_sale/
I always say that there is more than one way to do just about anything :) So.....good luck!!!!

An Update On The Walk Away Dress Pattern

Happy Sunday Everyone! I have to start by saying thank you for all the lovely compliments on my dress that I wore to the zoo ball. So many of you responded that you would like a step by step process, so that will be up and coming. One person who commented had a great idea. She said that she really wouldn't have an occasion to wear the dress, but a top would be great. The bustier is hip length so I can wear it with other outfits. Both pieces are easily drafted from Butterick 5678. I'll start with the dress and then move on to the bustier.
Many of you commented on the wrap around dress that I wore last week made from a "vintage 1994" Butterick pattern. I laugh a bit because 1994 doesn't seem like it should be a vintage year. Oh well, time does move on!!
I found one pattern on an Etsy site and it was gone almost immediately.

 Brenda commented that Kwick Sew has a pattern that is similar.

This is Kwick Sew 3225 and here is a link to the pattern, http://kwiksew.mccall.com/k3225-products-19881.php?page_id=3034

You can see that the skirt is a straight skirt and the top wraps around a back halter. It's not quite as forgiving as the Butterick pattern. With the Butterick pattern you can gain a pound or two and the skirt will still fit!!! Always a good thing :) I just looked and it seems that there are none of the original Butterick patterns to be found on the internet at this time. If you have your heart set on the pattern, put it in your saved searches on Ebay. I have found that sooner or later I'm always able to find what I want.

A big thank you to Brenda for doing the research and finding a similar pattern! 

Butterick 5678 Given a Cinderella Transformation

After all the work and preparation, the zoo ball is over and becoming a memory.

The pattern that started out as a shirt, became a little more stylized, 

and finally became a gown.

The pictures aren't the best, 

but at least you can see how the gown looked on me.

I have a question for all of you. Would you like a step by step process of how I did the dress? I would be happy to show you if there is enough response. Just leave a comment and let me know.
Happy weekend everyone!
Rhonda

OOTD

Quite some time ago I had promised Lisa of  http://www.poldapop.com/ that I would help her with her first wedding gown creation. Mistake of all mistakes, I did not write down the appointment. Last night as I was thinking about my day today, I knew that there was something I was supposed to do, but nothing came to mind, so great, a catch up day. Finally, this morning it came to me about 15 minutes before I needed to leave, "OMG!!! I'm supposed to help Lisa with the fitting today!!!" I jumped up from what I was doing and quickly grabbed a dress that I knew would be easy to throw on and would allow me to get out the door quickly and still look half way decent.

I made this dress nineteen years ago. Hmmm, just how long should I keep something in my closet? Trust me, there are pieces that are far older than this dress. It's such an easy dress to wear. It wraps to the back and ties and then the back wraps to the front and ties. So, two ties and you're done. Typically, I would not post something like this, but Lisa asked if I made it and if it was one of my patterns. She especially liked the way the ties tie just under the bust and give such a slim look.

It is just a super simple, old Butterick pattern (the pattern was published in 1994. How can  something from 1994 be old?!!!).

I did find a link to a copy on Etsy, https://www.etsy.com/listing/129535114/wrap-and-tie-dress-butterick-pattern?ref=sr_gallery_8&ga_search_query=butterick+3485&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=butterick+3485
The pattern is an all sizes included pattern. Here's the back of the envelope with all the information.

Lesson of the day.....write down your appointments!!!!!

By the way, Lisa really didn't need me. She is doing a fabulous job on her first ever wedding gown. I hope that she'll post her progress as this is going to be a beautiful gown.

The Mary Bridge Children's Hospital Weekly Update

Have you ever gotten involved in a charitable project and felt that you are receiving more than you are giving? Well, that's how I feel about this project. I am having the best time, a little overwhelmed at times, but always finding the whole process such a joy. Today I thought that I would show you just a few of the cases that I have made. You can see that I take the fabric and get the most out of it.

I love bight colors and busy prints. The four cases below were a medley of prints I bought some time ago. How can you look at a print like this and not be happy? :)

 This is a favorite.

 Corvettes!!!

I have lots of others with airplanes, chili peppers, a Mexican village print that is so bright and fun and even Elvis Presley!!
My little pin bag is getting quite the workout. I just love it. If you are new to the blog, it was inspired by a post from  http://cosircosersewing.blogspot.com/2013/04/antes-muerta-que-sencilla-once.html Isn't this just the cutest little bag?

And here's mine. I have realized that I am going to need to make at least a couple more to hold all the pins as we start getting closer to the 450 and the ultimate 900 count goal. It'll take a lot of clothespins to hang up that many pillowcases! 

I loved how Maria decorated her bag with the ladybugs. I went through my things and found this little butterfly that I bought while on a trip to Belgium many years ago. 

The little carrot clothespins were found in a floral shop in Germany. I was there visiting one of our former exchange students. 

The drive for pillowcases will continue through the summer so there is plenty of time to make a few if you would like. The pillowcases will go to the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, Washington. Each child who is admitted into the hospital has the opportunity to choose a pillowcase of their very own. They have found that something as simple as a pillowcase brings color and joy to an all too white and sterile environment.
Here is a link to the simplified instructions that I did for making a pillowcase,  http://www.rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-simplified-pillowcase-instructions.html
If you would like to participate, email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com and let me know.
One last thing, if you would like to take a look at all the posts that have been done for this project, you can see them here, http://www.rhondabuss.blogspot.com/search/label/Mary%20Bridge Pillowcases are coming in from literally all over the world.
Thank you so much!
Rhonda

Dress Update

The dress is progressing quite well with only a few mishaps.

The dress only needs a hem, so I am in great shape there.

The bustier....well...I had it just about finished, zipper sewn in, boned and ready to for the petersham ribbon. I had been wearing it and then I noticed that the zipper had begun to separate. I have no idea why. There was no way to save it, in fact, I was barely able to get the thing off over my head. It ended up being a two man job. Thank goodness for husbands!! So now I am armed with a metal zipper.

I was asked about accessories. The bracelet that you see in the top right hand corner is a piece that I found at a garage sale. Shhh, don't tell anyone :) The feathers will be a little head piece and I plan to use the ribbon, but twist it around so the stripes are  going in lots of different directions. I found the beads and I plan to use for them earrings. By this evening I should be in good shape. I hope!!!