Summer Sewing Time -- Quick Update

Summer time has arrived for me!  Although it is still officially spring according to the calendar, temperatures here in the South will soon be rising to a steamy heat daily!  The summer break (that my career as an accounting and business instructor at a local community college allows me to take) officially began almost two weeks ago at graduation.  This year was rather special as my youngest child and only daughter graduated.  Faculty march each year, but having her in this year's ceremony made this year's event more special.  She will be attending a university next fall with her soon-to-be husband.  I am very proud of her 4.0 GPA which has helped her to secure full tuition scholarships in her major in communications and public relationships.

Trial Run of V1250 Bridesmaid Dress

Having been inspired by  Sew Intriguing's pictures, I made a wearable muslin of what I wanted to sew for the bridesmaid dresses for my daughter's wedding in June.  I used Liann's suggestions from this post.  I started approximately six inches above the pattern's bottom cutting line and I angled all the way out to make the most of my 60"+ fabric.   I added 22 inches to the bottom.   Here is what the layout looked like after I made my changes to add flare and a mini train to the back:

The fabric is from Gorgeous Fabrics.  I had wanted to make a maxi dress for myself, but Danielle loved the fabric so much that I thought that she could have a wearable muslin.  She will probably have me to remove the train portion and use it for  dressy maxi-length dress that would be appropriate for church or for dressier occasions--maybe even her bridal shower coming up soon.



Here is the back view:

And, a view from the side:

This is a view of the dress from the front--I have not hemmed it since we might alter this to be a shorter dress.

She loved the dress, and fortunately, there is enough fabric left over for me to make a dress.


Update:

We ended up cutting the length to just above her knees so that the dress could be more versatile for her.  Pictured below is  Danielle wearing the dress at her bridal shower.  The fabric came from my stash and was purchased a couple of years ago from Gorgeous Fabrics.  The fabric was easy to sew and feels great!

This pattern is so versatile!  She has a turquoise jacket that she can pair with this dress and she instantly looks appropriate for her leadership conference this week which requires business attire  with closed-toed pumps.

Fortunately, there is enough fabric left for me to make a dress or a tunic for myself.  First, however, I have five bridesmaid dresses to make.  Stay tuned . . . !

Panel Print Top

I recently purchased this panel from Marcy Tilton's online fabric store here:

Here is a detailed picture of the panel:

After it arrived, my daughter liked it so much that I ordered another panel for her.  Obviously, she is too old for mother/daughter outfits, but she is moving away next month after her wedding.   As a result, we can each wear one since we will no longer be in the same vicinity.  Since I am still sewing bridesmaid dresses for the upcoming wedding,  my sewing time for other endeavors is very limited, so selecting a simple pattern such as Vogue 8877 allows me to show off this beautiful panel quickly.

I used the version above and paired it with a soft, black dotted tissue knit (also from Marcy Tilton Fabrics) that I think is now sold out (SEE UPDATE BELOW--FABRIC IS AVAILABLE!)  , but similar  fabrics can be ordered here.  The mesh fabric is going to be used for the top piece and the three quarter length sleeve shown in View C below.  I lengthened the top front piece approximately an inch and a half in order to use every possible inch of the length of the panel.  I used the panel for the bottom front and back, but I could have used one panel for the front piece only  and had enough to use for another top had I chosen to make the back piece out of the mesh knit also.

The results are stunning and it feels luxurious! The black knit was a bit tedious to manage, but well worth it!  The combination of the two types of fabrics was similar to many tops in high-end local boutiques,  I do not think any of the fabrics of the boutique tops, however,  felt as  luxurious as Marcy's fabrics.   I finished Danielle's top first,since she will be taking her version with her to a leadership conference this week.  I will post pictures  of the finished garment when she returns.  Meanwhile, I need to order some more of the black mesh knit in order to finish mine.

UPDATE:

The black knit that I used for the sleeve is a tissue knit--NOT a mesh knit that I originally mentioned before I edited the post above.  I found the shipping invoice and noticed that the black fabric is called a tissue knit, and I was able to find the exact fabric here:

Since it is a semi-sheer fabric, it does not overwhelm the panel print, and it makes a lovely combo. This fabric feels totally luxurious.  I think it would work very well for lingerie, also.  I love it, love it, love it!!!!

Here is a detail picture of the dotted tissue knit: