Twitter

Hello everyone! Just a quick post today. I now have a twitter account, so you can follow me if you are on twitter too.  Follow me @ErikaMadeIt. I'm just starting out so bear with me.

I also just posted my engagement dress on Sew Retro. It's very exciting to post on such a big blog.

Any exciting plans for the holiday weekend? (If you are in the US) I think it will be a slow week for sewing.

Bug Dress: Simplicity 2444

Remember when I posted about this fabric from the designer Milly? I've been in love with the dress that is made out of it and made my own version. I used Simplicity 2444 again, but this time without the sleeves and collar. The fabric is a silk crepe and has a lovely flow. I added a grosgrain ribbon at the waist by sewing it to the back seam before inserting the zipper.

My favorite part about this dress is the lining. I used an article from Threads, "A shortcut to Great Linings". To make a quick and easy lining that looks professional. I cut the facings out of the silk bug fabric and then a lining in cotton from the pattern from the dress. Then I sewed the facings to the lining, and then the lining to the dress. The tricky part is turning it inside out and underlining it, but I finally figured it out. I will definitely be doing this technique again.

I loved making my own version of a $400 dress, and I only spent $45! This pattern is very quick and easy. I also made a size smaller than I did in January because I've been losing weight, yay!

Engagement Dress: Vogue 8728

Another dress done, Vintage Vogue reissue pattern 8728 from 1946. I've been wanting to make this dress ever since it came out a few months ago, and now that I have a vintage engagement ring from 1943, it was a perfect time to make it.

I used a tangerine cotton knit, which is really great for easy summer dressing, and looks good with a tan! This pattern does require some hand stitching of the collar. It has two options for a closure, a side zipper or snaps, I chose the zipper. The pattern also includes a lot of pieces for shoulder pads, but I opted out of that.

It was a breeze to put together, but it did turn out a bit big, I even cut a smaller size than my measurements and still had to take it in. If I was going to make it again I would make it 2 sizes smaller. All in all it's a great dress, I think that it is a flattering shape, and I would make it again.

Happy News

I'm back! I'm happy to share my good news,I got engaged! Even though we have been together for almost 5 years, it was a complete surprise, and I have never been happier. I'm very lucky to have received the ring that belonged to my Fiance's Grandmother, it's from 1943 and in the original setting! Tomorrow I will post a dress I made this week which is inspired by my ring.

Happy Father's day to everyone, and enjoy this beautiful Sunday.

On Vacation

Hello everyone! Sorry for the lapse on posts, I've been on vacation!

I'll be back soon with new projects and an exciting announcement.

Couture Disaster

My blue dress is huge. I don't know how this happened. I was a good girl and made a muslin, and it fit. So I take apart my muslin and use it as a pattern. And then I make the entire dress, with all the couture techniques, the spiral cut boning in between silk organza and cotton batiste. So it was a lot of work. And it looks like this....

It's too big, all over the top. I've never needed had this much space in the bra on anything! The darts in the bust also make me look like I have pointy nipples, which is not a look I was going for. The best thing about this dress is that it matches my slippers.

AHH! That's how I feel.

I'm feeling discouraged, but hopefully I can snap out of it because I have a lot of fabric to get through.