A Real Update (Well...Sorta)

[gracefullady]

Okay, update time! I know it's been awhile since my last post. Either I haven't felt like writing or there hasn't really been too much to write about. Or I've just been busy and when I have free time I'm too tired to write. There's my excuse. :)

Anyway, lately I've just been trying to get inspired to work again. I have been working, just not having

Comments

[everjoyfulsong]

And you're sure y'all weren't drunk. ;-) Glad you all had fun!

That craft book looks like it has some fun things in it. I'll have to look at it sometime. :-) Does it have english in it or are you going to get to learn Japanese?

Looking forward to more update later! :-)

[everjoyfulsong]

Oh! And I definitely want to see pictures of the ballgown! So pretty!

[gracefullady]

Yes, definitely sure we weren't drunk. hehe. The books are pretty much all in Japanese! But they have great diagrams for the instructions so I don't think I'll need it. I'll try to bring them next time I see you!

[radiantlove]

Ooh, the dress is gorgeous! Definitely post pics when you're done! :-D

Fun stuffins- the Japanese craft books look like they have some cool things to try :)

hehe... you guys look like you definitely were having a fab time ;)

[nuranar]

Simple, eh? That draping/pleating is simply exquisite. Asymmetrical, too. Golly. And the sleeves seem double-puffed, but very short.

That straight waist makes it pretty fashion-forward, I understand. (Or does it have the longer swooping waist?) But the skirt's guaged and not pleated.

I could be way off base, but do you think that's actually wool and not silk? It has no sheen, and the fabric seems to have the firm drape of wool and not the crispness of silk. You're definitely the expert with silk, though.

What do you think of the brooch and cross ornament? That seems unusual.

I REALLY like this dress.

[gracefullady]

Okay, I guess it's not "simple." But what I meant was it's not decorated with too much frippery, bows, flowers and what not. I like how it looks simple and yet it's not... And after making it (it's basically done, just need to sew the gauging to the bodice and that always takes longer than I think) I've found it was a little more complicated than what I first thought. Not a pain at all. Just took a some time to figure out the pleats in the front and getting the bow to look right. Since the pleats aren't sewn in place like tucks, I wanted to make sure it was secure enough so it wouldn't come apart when she wore it

[nuranar]

Ah, that definition of simple! I completely agree with you. I can't get my mind around the flower stuff, and the lace stuff daunts me because of accuracy and expense. I've never seen a draping/pleating that's so elegant. When you post pictures, I'll probably beg for some more construction details. *bounces with excitement*

Satin is a thought! Altho' doesn't it usually have a sheen, if not a shine? Maybe I'm just being stubborn. Ever since seeing that pink alpaca ballgown in Costume in Detail, I think I'd have a subconscious yearning for one myself. *g*

I've no idea if there's any significance to it. I just haven't noticed many brooches on ballgowns anyway, and a brooch with a dangly bit seems even more unusual. It does seem the sort of thing likely to be taken apart and remade into other styles of jewelry, though. Or it might be an heirloom. I wouldn't like to dance with it, though!

Oh, any thoughts on the fraying-ness of scalloped taffeta? My mother keeps asking me. :)

[elegant_musings]

I am so jealous of you right now with those shiney/inspiring Japanese craft books. Where did you order them from?! I've been drooling over the images you posted on Flickr... lol. Any plans to make anything from any of them?

Oooh! I can't wait to see that gown--the original is so gorgeous! :)

[gracefullady]

Sorry it took me soooo long to get back with you! Sometimes I can be so bad at replying to people's comments. Please forgive me!

I ordered the Japanese books from yesasia.com It took awhile to actually get the books, but it was well worth the wait! Plus it's free shipping which surely helps out! I already wish I could order more, but I know I should resist. At the moment I don't have any plans to make anything. I've been busy with other things. Though I would like to sit down and "plan" my summer wardrobe. Not that I'll have time to make everything I would like to make. But I'd love to make myself a nice summer top. I have lots of fabric in my stash, so I'm sure I can find something in there I could use up. Ahh...SO much to do.

[girliegirl32786]

I love that picture! Such a beautiful dress!
And those craft books are awesome! I could so easily get into buying those. Too easily. ;)