Sewing

The First Communion Dress Project – part 4

March 9, 2009March 9, 2009 darcee2 Comments

This is the forth article on the First Communion Dress project. I am sewing my daughter’s first Communion dress using my wedding dress.

The embroidery on the back needed "repaired"

The seam had caught some of the embroidery so I re-embroidered across the seam to fix it.

After I had the embroidery repaired I sewed the side seams and shoulders according to the pattern’s directions.

Hannah was excited to try it on:

Now comes the wretched part: the zipper.

I am not good at setting in zippers. I get impatient with them and they just drive me batty. To make things more interesting I really wanted to put in an invisible zipper.

There are a couple nice tutorials online about invisible zipper insertion.

I like this one: Sewing Invisible Zipper.

I did a couple things slightly different. First I put a bit of lightweight interfacing just inside the seam line on the wrong side.

zipperinterfacing — The pink line segments show the edges of the interfacing

The next “deviation” was to put lace seam binding tape on the right side just over thee edge. This lace serves two purposes. First it gives me a nice even line to sew the zipper against and second, the lace finish give a bit of grab so the zipper isn’t sliding around against the satin while I am trying to sew it in. It also edge – its primary purpose.

Then I followed the normal procedure for putting the zipper in. It went in like a charm, but there was a problem.

crap. I hate zippers. So I had to tear the whole thing out and do it again. And this was a perfectly amateurish error that I shouldn’t have made in the first place.

The cat was amused at least:

So I carefully lined everything back up and did it again:

I double checked it once the zipper was half in.

Perfect! I pulled the zipper closed and everything lined up, the zipper lays flat without any puckering or bulging. Joy!

I loved the little covered end on the zipper over at Sewing Divas, so I incorporated it here:

You can also see how the layers work together here. The interfacing and seam binding giving just the right support for the zipper. The sad things is all this is covered by the lining in the finished dress, but the most loving stitches are the ones that never show.

40 Trash Bag Challenge — Day 12

March 9, 2009 darceeLeave a comment

40trashbags

Today is Monday, March 9, 2009

This is the twelth day of the 2009 40 trash bag challenge. The challenge is an opportunity to remove the excess clutter and “stuff” from our lives. The excess can be given away, sold, donated or trashed. The first goal is to let go; the second goal is to bless others.

Today’s bag of stuff for our family will come from the laundry room -again. This seems to be the room where everything ends up that doesn’t have a “real” home.

Today is a busy day for us with homeschool enrichment and CCD this afternoon.

Today’s Scripture Reading

Quote for the day: “Men invent new ideals because they dare not attempt old ideals. They look forward with enthusiasm, because they are afraid to look back.“ – G. K. Chesterton

Reading poems from “A Child’s Garden of Verse“.

Craft: None for today

Lap book page: Poland and Lithuania packet. St Casmir, maps, coloring page. (this will span over for several days.

Other great ideas: (if you stumble on something that should be linked here please comment or send me the link)

Jesus Tree

A Meaningful Lent

Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman’s Daybook – March 09, 2009

March 9, 2009 darceeLeave a comment

The Simple Woman’s Daybook
is hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman.
Thank you Peggy.

FOR TODAY : March 9, 2008

This week I am deep in my 40 trash bag challenge. I spent a good deal of time working on Hannah’s first communion dress. The zipper went in perfectly; I am so happy

Outside my Window – Oh, my. There is snow coming down in big fluffy wet flakes.

I am thinking – The whole daylight savings time has kind of tossed me off. I am not a big fan of time changes.

From the learning rooms – We are talking about eggs, the Aneid, drawing, music and the basics of course.

I am thankful for- Tea, My husband bought me the sweetest tea-kettle. It has a lovely steam whistle, deep, full-throat, two tone whistle that the kids all call “happy sound”.

From the kitchen – Crock-pot night.

I am reading – I have the next Honor Harrington book on my nightstand.

I am hoping – That this snow clears up quickly.

I am creating – Hannah’s first communion dress. This is the big project for the next few weeks.

I am hearing – The children are busy with their morning routine. One part whining, one part working and one part trying to get their siblings to do their work for them.

Around the house – This is kitchen day. The trash bag challenge is going along well.

One of my favorite things – My sewing machine. Yes, I covet those beautiful machines with their embroidery features and fancy computer stuff, but my little workhorse is actually a great machine.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week – Taxes, I am starting my spring cleaning plans, a few things here and there.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you –