Success!!

This morning my sister came over for her muslin fitting of the wedding gown. I had stayed up quite late sewing the dress together, hand basting in the zipper and basting down all the seam allowances at the neckline and armholes and hemline so that the mockup would appear polished. I held my breath as I zipped up the gown, and Presto! The gown was a perfect fit! The only alteration to the pattern will be moving the waistline up 1", as she is shortwaisted like me. We're removing 8" from the length of the original pattern to make it tea length. I couldn't believe how well it fit. I had just mocked up this pattern without having taken her measurements beforehand, because the distance between us didn't give me an opportunity to do this before starting the mockup. We just decided this past Monday that I would be making the dress, too.

We drove to the fabric store (1 1/2 hr drive) in a rainstorm. This place has a pretty decent bridal section and I encouraged my sister to take her time and look at everything, since we probably wouldn't be coming back before the wedding. After 3 hours of shopping (with a lunch break) we returned to the store and she decided that simplicity is what she wanted. She selected a candlelight-color silk satin. It was just so pretty and felt so good. It was actually the first fabric I had suggested when we came into the store She picked out a sweet beaded trim that is in the blush pink she wanted and we're going to place that around the waistline. She said that she may change her mind and just go with the original idea of a ribbon tied at the waistline and do this in an ivory/cream ribbon so that it contrasts with the dress. I told her that I wanted her to take her time and look at everything and every possibilty so that there would be no doubt in her mind later on. I think she's really pleased with the purchase.

Now I just have to make my pattern alts and get cracking on preparing the fabric!! Oh, does any know of a source for examination paper like they use at the doctor's office? I want to pin my fabric to that when I cut it out so that it doesn't crawl.

lisa

Reply to
karlisa
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Congratulations, both on having the muslin fit and on your successful fabric shopping trip. (And incidentally on having an apparently wise sister) ;-)

I don't know about a source for the exam paper, but how about Swedish tracing paper? You could use the excess later for all sorts of things.

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HTH,

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

That sounds perfect! Isn't it great when something just WORKS! :)

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Congratulations, Lisa! That is wonderful news, that you got such a close fit the first try.

You are the epitome of a good sister, my dear. Dress AND super-sounding cake.

Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati

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karlisa wrote:

Reply to
Karen Maslowski

I asked one of the nurses in my doctor's office and she gave me a roll with probably more paper than I'll ever use left on it. I offered to pay for it, but she laughed and said, "No." She received a large tray of home-baked cookies to share with the others from me on her next birthday. Emily

Reply to
CypSew

Both the muslin and the shopping sound like a great success and the fabric sounds gorgeous. Where did you go shopping? Someone mentioned Charlotte, NC on here the other day. I can't remember the name of the huge store, but I spent one whole afternoon in there, fabulous place. They did have a very large wedding "shop" within the store, too. Emily

Reply to
CypSew

Wonderful congratulations, Lisa. The fabric sounds luscious. And I agree that your sister is wise to be calm and go with your recommendations. No Bridezillas, please!

I'm a little curious, because this was a problem with my own wedding gown. Is the fabric and lining together opaque enough to hide everything underneath? Also, does this style allow your sister to wear a normal bra underneath, or does she have to wear a bustier type?

Pora

Reply to
wurstergirl

Good idea! I did ask my sister (the bride) if they ever come across this type of stuff when they order dental supplies (she works for an orthodontist), but she said she didn't recall seeing it in their supply catalogues. I'll check with my kids' pediatrician.

lisa

Reply to
karlisa

We went shopping in a tiny town southwest of Charlotte called Gastonia. This is the biggest fabric store around here and takes about an hour and 1/2 to get there. I'm very pleased with the fabric she selected. I showed great restraint and didn't buy one single thing for myself! How shocking!

lisa

Reply to
karlisa

This fabric was of a medium weight and will be lined with silk habotai. It looked opaque when we examined it and I'm hoping she won't even have to wear a slip underneath (SC summers are blazing hot). I won't have to build a bustier because the straps are wide enough to accomodate a regular bra. When I made my wedding gown, I underlined it with silk organza and then built a boned bustier underneath and lined the entire thing in silk, except the bustier, which was lined in cotton batiste. It was extremely comfortable and I didn't have to wear a bra, which was the best part!

lisa

Reply to
karlisa

Get worn out dental picks from dentists. Most save them for patients who are hobbiests. They are wonderful for snagging that lump of lint underneath the bobbin case, or other nasty bits of thread stuck here or there. Just ask the dental assistant. They usually have a box of them tucked away.

Reply to
Pogonip

She wouldn't have seen it -- it's to cover exam tables, not dentist chairs.

Reply to
Melinda Meahan - take out TRAS

You'll *never* qualify for FabricAholics Anonymous that way.... ;-)

Pora

Reply to
wurstergirl

I know. I'm currently in recovery. hehehehe.

lisa

Reply to
karlisa

I use unprinted newsprint for this purpose -- most printers have "end rolls" that are a nuisance to use up on a press run, and they'll often give or sell you an end roll for a few bucks (5 or so, often). I'm still using the endroll I got about 8 years ago... I've cut lots of fabric on it, made lots of patterns with it, wrapped all the breakables for a move in it, and I've still got about 2 years' worth left, I believe.

Another easy source of cutting paper is the backside of cheap gift wrap. Got a partial roll left from Christmas?

Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Great ideas, Kay! My sister's fiance works at a printing company. I'm sure he could get me the newsprint since it is for *his* bride. :-)

lisa

Reply to
karlisa

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