Failure IS an option - Titanic - L

The bodice for the Sense and Sensibility pattern (S&S going forward) is not a difficult build, but it has a lot of drape so I need to get it right.  My first attempt at the modified pattern didn't work.  I got the 'volume' correct for the bust, but I didn't add enough length.  I'm going to add in more and ask Robin to help make sure the fit is accurate.  It's difficult to hold the back in place while trying to make sure the front fits.  It would be helpful to be Doctor Octopus at times.
This is when you are supposed to schedule a ladies room fitting after work, ya silly git!

Meanwhile, a large part of my brain is churning through options for embellishment and how much that will impact the basic bodice design.  And also pondering dealing with using the bird in my freezer as part of a hat (no worries, it was dead when we found it).

And, for the record, it is 100% illegal to catch, kill, or collect songbirds in the US.  Why?  Because we nearly killed off many species specifically to make hats!  I'm on a shared permit to collect dead via a beach volunteer group I'm in.  I really probably shouldn't have kept the bird in the freezer.  For myself.  And yes, crows and ravens are songbirds.  Now I'm off to read up on taxidermy.

Our Sunday Sewing Bee - R

Our sewing bee on Sunday was a success.  Of course we scheduled waaay too much "stuff to do" in one day, but I'm proud of all we got done.  In return for my machine embroidery of Lisa's black work for her Ren chemise, Lisa helped me cut out my Ren chemise and farthingale.  Her house has an area where we can lay out a huge swath of fabric all at once, however, I hate her iron because it doesn't steam enough!  And you know what's really great?  Finding out you made a cutting error on a nearly finished garment and trying to figure out how to compensate without do-overs.  Cause I did, and I did!


These sessions leave us exhausted but full of the feeling of accomplishment while reigning in our admitted procrastination/time waste tendencies.

Titanic Project (but not the 1912) - L

We signed up for the 1912 project.  The facebook page is open-sourcing at its best.  We can't wait to get our first pattern.  BUT, since we don't know what that pattern will be, and if it's something we'd actually want to wear, we decided to go ahead and make dresses from the Sense and Sensibility Pattern.  There are events in SF related to the Titanic anniversary and we wouldn't want to attend in less-than-appropriate attire.

We got some very robust coupons from JoAnns and went on a fabric buying binge.  Oddly, we both really liked similar stuff.  Normally I trend to dress like the maid.....  Anyway, I suspect we will have to claim 'twins' or just stay far apart.  As usual, though, we don't care!

Here is Robin's choice.  The picture didn't come out well.  The color is 'celadon' and is really flattering.  We both have embroidered lace overlay.  I think we will be able to differentiate ourselves with embellishments.  Also, Robin is staying focused on the green for both layers and I'm all over the place.  We'll both be dying some linen that Robin has in her stash for our underlayers.  You can see the pattern in this picture.

When I bought the pattern, I was so enthusiastic that I forgot to buy the 'DD' add-on.  I'm going to have to wing it again on the bodice.  (although DD doesn't really help - I'd have to add on anyway due to fat).

I went with a dusty rose color with ivory.  I plan to make my underlayer out of a medium grey. I put a grey scarf under the fabric to demonstrate but it is actually quite a bit darker than what I have in mind.  Tsunami (sewing cat) decided she's a good match.  Ed (the spider eating cat) would have claimed Robin's fabric but I chased him off.  She's allergic; he has wicked, fabric eating claws.

Last night I traced the bodice pattern and 'guessed' in some modifications.  As usual, I cut the back to my size, and expanded the front to one size larger.  Then I added an inch and a half of length in the front and about 3/4 inch at each dart.  I will try and cut a muslin today and see how I did.  If it's a disaster, I will re-trace and actually take measurements. I can always toss the muslin AND the traced pattern.  The center panel gives me a lot of leeway in this construction.  I think.
Only one question...does the bodice stop directly under the bust, or in that nebulous region betwixt bust and waist?  Do I get to decide?

You get to decide where your underbust ends up - where it looks good on you! I can't really tell where it should be from the fashion plates of the time as we know they elongated the body just as we do, so just put that where it looks best on you.  Mine will probably be somewhere around the sternum just to have some separation between boob and underboob.