Hello Dhaaarlings...
Despite still feeling completely knackered...
Princess has pressed on with the workload as she has a Debutant Gown... as it turns out... to deconstruct and then reconstruct before Saturday...
When taking on the job Princess thought that there would be very little re-working required as the gown seemed simple enough to alter.
A little in at the waistline and up an inch and a half at the hem...
Silly me... by the time the client came for the initial fitting... We had ddecided that we wanted straps altered on the bodice, more taken in at the waistline and we had changed from wearing high heels to flats which meant that the length had to be shortened by 4 inches....
I have had this project on the go for the past week and a half initially thinking that I could simply detatch the bodice from the skirt and shorten it from the waistline... Ok for an inch and a half.... but not for a full four inches..
The gown consists of a heavy satin underskirt which is fully lined and then not one but two outer layers of crystal organza...
The outer layer has an applique of guapure lace on net... machine sewn at the hemline.
Needless to say... this lace had to be unpicked and removed by hand... which took me 2 days to complete!
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| Half pinned Hem detail... |
The under gown was then re hemmed at four inches and the two layers of crystal organza cut and hemmed to the correct length.
I'm currently in the process of re pining the lace back on to the hemline in readiness to commence machine sewing it back on tomorrow....
Not only did the lace edging have to be removed and re-sewn but the bodice is heavily embroidered lace on net and highlighted with silver sequins and clear glass seed beads.... During alteration many of the beads and sequins had to be removed to make sewing the seams easier and so now... they too need to be re sewn by hand...
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| Bodice Detail |
Don't you just love secondhand interweb purchases?...
Secondhand, but triple the work.
ReplyDeleteOy!
You are so right Bob... The customer is yet to realize that the "reconsruction" fees will possibly be substantially more than the initial outlay!
DeleteGorgeous though!
ReplyDeleteBlimey, what a labour of love... and a satisfied glow when it's done.
Qx
Dear Ms Quotes...
DeleteThe satisfied glow shall come from my exhausted shoulders and prickled fingers me thinks... all the hand sewing I'm finding takes it's toll on my dexterity these days... I seem to end up with aches upon my aches...
I don't know if I have mentioned this before... but you bare a remarkabe resemblance to another of my regular callers... tho I've noted of late her absence from my comment box...
the gown is very pretty all the same...
"Costly thy habit (dress) as thy purse can buy; But not expressed in fancy — rich, not gaudy."
ReplyDeleteThe Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Act I, Scene III
William Shakespeare (maybe)
Hello Mr Lax... What a lovely bit of "Billy's Banter"... Sadly i must inform you that unlike other prestegious sites...*waves to "Ms Quotes"*... I am unable at this moment to furnish you with a prize... You are however... in my heart... a winner...
ReplyDeleteIt could be worse, she could have gotten knocked up and you'd have to be letting the waist out enough for two.
ReplyDeleteWho wears flats to a formal event?
My thoughts exactly peenee darling...
DeleteThe youth of today have no concept of the real cost of glamour or the pluck reqires to carry it off... I mean pinched toes, aching calves and lower back pain are surely worth it to look like a princess for the night and be "belle of the ball"...
As the Empress always says... "Just screw your earings on a little tighter darling and you won't even notice your aching feet...
I attended a lesbian civil partnership yesterday, I was one of the witnesses, and both the brides wore flat shoes!
DeleteDoc Martins per chance?
DeleteBloody hell.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it would have been easier if she'd have got you to make it up from scratch!
I bet she'll look amazing in her gown by the time you're through with her.
xxx
Hey Roses... I had one very happy little customer this evening when the family came along to collect the frock and they didn't even bat an eyelash at the reconstruction fee...
DeleteMate - what would Rambo do?
ReplyDeleteJust take that scissors and cut the rag short!
Good to hear that they paied without much ado.
Believe me Mr Mags... I came this close... *holds up thumb and index finger 2 mm apart*... to doing just that!
DeleteThey were more than happy with my work...
You can't have a bad day wearing sequins and seed beads.
ReplyDeleteI've taken to wearing a seed bead and sequined cloche hat contantly darling MJ...
Delete"Crystal Organza"
ReplyDeleteAh...I just like the sound of that.
It sounds just like a lovely "Drag" name... It probably is somewhere...
DeleteI never realised the saying "if it doesn't look right, throw sequins at it" entailed such hard work!
ReplyDeleteWell done, Princess!
That system seems to work for a lot of things around here Mr DeVice... Ball Gowns, Frocks, Vests, Hats and even sometimes the garden.....
Delete