Lazy K's half mourning dress diary

[Lazy K]

You all are such I bad influence! Dress Diaries! Indeed!

I'm just about to start my half mourning dress for EOT so I can look dazzling standing next to our Sweet Violet.

Here's the fabric. From left to right: black velvet for trim, purple taffeta for over skirt, purple and black satin lace for skirt, black wool/silk for underskirt and black silk noile for bodice.

As soon as I can remember where I put my trim I'll photograph it:lool

[Lazy K]

Ooops. Forgot the pic

[Lady Leigh]

OOOooooooooo!!! I like!!!!!!!!!

Is there a picture of a fashion plate you are using for inspiration?? I'd like to see if you do!

[Lazy K]

Here's my inspiration

[Accurate Allie]

Purple!!! OOhhhhhhh!! :faint I can't wait to see what you make out of it!!!! :tban

[Lazy K]

And this one. I haven't drafted my patterns yet so I haven't made any committments

[Kid Sopris]

Okay I have to ask this question...(Tongue in cheek) what is "half mourning" dress? The guy isn't quite dead yet? Or is there a more educated answer?
National Enquirer is wanting to know!:waiting :ty

[Allie Mo]

Lady K,

I love purple! This is gonna be fabulous! EOT is next month. :eek: you'd better get busy :sewing says Allie, who can't imagine finishing such a detaild dress that quickly.

Regards,

[Lazy K]

No half mourning is when you didn't really like the person who died so you're only make half the effort to mourn them.:lool :lool

No, Kid, it's the last 6 months of a 2 1/2 year mourning period. You get to start adding somber colors and shiny stuff to your black dress

[Kid Sopris]

Oh Thank you..I like your first answer better Lazy K:lool

I did know some folks who I never did go into mourning for, Which deprived me of a Half/Full or otherwise a good mournful time!:go

I apologize for the hijack; I am sure without doubt or hesitation that this will be another beautiful production!:beg :ty

[Lazy K]

Lady K,

I love purple! This is gonna be fabulous! EOT is next month. :eek: you'd better get busy :sewing says Allie, who can't imagine finishing such a detaild dress that quickly.

Regards,

AAaaargh! Don't remind me! Where has this year gone?

[Victoria Rose Hyde]

Lazy K:
Love the material choice and the plates. I'm sure whatever you decide to go with will be Magnificant as always.:tban :tban :tban

[Lazy K]

And the purple lacey stuff will be used in place of some of the detail on the skirt. But I'll still have plenty of pleats!

[Ida Hands]

Oh Thank you..I like your first answer better Lazy K:lool

I did know some folks who I never did go into mourning for, Which deprived me of a Half/Full or otherwise a good mournful time!:go

:beg :ty
That's OK, Kid. It only means you didn't have to figure out your mourning dress! :lool

[Lizzie Marie]

Kid...I thought it was only half of the dress...you decide which half :rofl :gg :lalala

[Drusilla]

A dress for KID??? Never! :lool :lool :lool :lool
NIIICE choice of fabrics and trims K!:-)

[Drusilla]

I can see it now, a new offshoot group... THE SASS-Y WIDOWS!!!!!:rofl :rofl
"Read em and weep!"

[Cat Cimmaron]

Beautiful fabrics K. Can't wait to see pictures. This will be great.

[Bloomin']

This dress is going to be amazing!! Does this mean that you will have your sewing machine tucked under your arm when I pick you up at the airport Friday? :tap

[Lazy K]

Yes, Bloomin' . I was hoping you wouldn't notice.

I found my trim and buttons. The buttons are vintage and so is the jet bead applique. I have a few more pieces of this type of applique but I think this is the one I'll use as an accent piece. It needs a little repair.

[MaryMcDonalds]

I'm glad Kid asked, didn't know that either!! Love this place!!!
Keep us posted LK!

[Lady Leigh]

Boy! It just keeps better and better!!!

I wish I could be tucking my sewing machine under my arm and joining you all this weekend!

[Madame Olive Yew]

Its gonna be GRAND Lazy K!


Now sew like the wind :sewing :sewing :sewing

[Sarah Bernhardt]

Okay I have to ask this question...(Tongue in cheek) what is "half mourning" dress? The guy isn't quite dead yet? Or is there a more educated answer?
National Enquirer is wanting to know!:waiting :ty

Kid you are too funny!:spray :spray :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl

Lazy K,
The material are so pretty, and your inspirations are jaw dropping. Can't wait to see you modeling it at EOT.

[Sweet Violet]

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Oh Lazy K!! I love your choices of fabric!! You totally rock! Now hurry and get it done! I want to see it!! :jp :jp

[Victoria Rose Hyde]

Lazy K. Love you trimming appliques' They will look so pretty with that material.

Speaking of appliques, Does anyone know on line were you can find nice appliques?

:chick :chick :chick

[Lazy K]

I like http://www.cheeptrims.com/ but they have a $65 minimum order (which I've never found to be a problem)

[Lazy K]

I experimented with my fabric and lining to see how cartridge pleats would work on the back of the waist .

I've posted the demo in a separate thread.

http://www.carolinabelles.net/vb/showthread.php?p=96437&posted=1#post96437

[Ima Schofield]

Are you done yet???

Can't wait to see the finished or even the work in progress.
You do fabulous work. I liked the one you wore at Winter Range. I homed in on your Turquois dress....

Ima waitin',Schofield

[Lazy K]

Thanks Ima. Yep, Any minute I'll be finished.:rofl :rofl :rofl

The problem with drafting your own patterns is that there's no instruction sheet! I have to logic out everything as I go. And I tend to do things Bass Ackwards.

The skirt is going to be done in layers and attached in one waist band. So here's the first layer. I've cut the lining out and sewn a 14" band of my wool/silk onto it. The bottom 6" will be covered with pleats and the next skirt layer will come down to meet the top pleat. If I had used black lining I might not have sewn on the band of fabric.

I've got the lining sewn together but you'll just have to take my word for it because I don't have a pic.

[Ima Schofield]

I tend to do things Bass Ackwards.

You mean I'm not the ONLY one????:lool :lool

Looks great so far... I like the striped fabric

You do great work, I'm sure it'll be Maaahhhhvelooouuuss Daahhhliiing

[Lazy K]

Yeah, that striped fabric looks great in the photo. But, alas, it's just a trick of the light. The fabric has a very subtle herringbone design that you can't see unless you look really, really close.

[Clancy]

Bass Ackwards? we say back to front or *** about dang i cant say donkey on here

[Accurate Allie]

I love the herringbone, it's going to look fabulous!

[Lady LaSalle]

Is it done yet? Come on, come on, come on!!!!!!:waiting :rofl

[Lazy K]

Looks like you'll have to wait a bit because............

I'M GOING TO NC TO HAVE TEA! I leave tomorrow!:tban :tban :tban

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

Looks like you'll have to wait a bit because............

I'M GOING TO NC TO HAVE TEA! I leave tomorrow!:tban :tban :tban

Yeah, and we are worth her making you wait!!! :rofl :rofl

Can't wait to see you on Saturday, K!

[Prairie Wildflower]

Lazy K, the fabrics and the inspiration photo are just beautiful. Drafting your own patterns - I am in total awe of your talents. Can't wait to see it - I know it will look gorgeous. Will you be making a bonnet to go with it?

Have a GREAT time at the tea!

[Lazy K]

I have several antique black bonnets but I think I will be wearing this one that I made because it has some purplish spangles

[Victoria Rose Hyde]

Oh Pretty hat!!

[Sarah Bernhardt]

I really like the hat, it is very pretty.

[Sweet Violet]

Yes!!! I loooooove that hat Lazy K!! And I'll be able to see it up close and personal? How cool!!

[Accurate Allie]

Ooooohhhhh very pretty hat!!!

[Prairie Wildflower]

LOVE that bonnet. One of these days I'll get ambitious enough to actually attempt to make a bonnet from the class you so kindly posted a few months back.

I can't wait to see you modeling the completed outfit - it's going to be awesome! And we have to have a picture of you and Sweet Violet together in your mourning outfits. You know the drill........front view, side view, and back view. I had never considered a mourning dress before, but seeing these, I didn't realize how pretty they really are, if you can use that term to describe an outfit for mourning.

[Ida Hands]

FABULOUS HAT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!

[Drusilla]

Cool bonnet! Off to NC for tea?? HAVE FUN!!:tban

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Ohhhh....what a fun adventure! You looked wonderful at the tea as well, I love the little hat, I am really looking forward to this thread!

Greeneyed ( drafting her own patterns the wild woman!) Gypsy

PS Clancy....Bahhahahahaha :gg :lalala

[Lazy K]

Just so you know that I'm working on this dress, here's a new photo. I've added a stiff woven facing to the hem.

[Lady Leigh]

Your stitches are so tiny!!! I'm jealous!!

[Lazy K]

For some reason I haven't been able to get on the Belle site after 6:30 pm . Anyone else having that problem?

I'm using the book "Auhentic Victorian Dressmaking Techniques" to guide me on this part. I'm adding velveteen to the bottom of the skirt to protect the hem.

I cut a 4" strip of Veveteen and laid it on the inside of the skirt at the bottom. It will be hand stitched to the lining/facing

[Lazy K]

This is what it looks like on the outside after it is stitched

[Lazy K]

The velveteen is then folded back so just 1/8" or so remains showing and it is hand stitched at the fold and the top of the velveteen is stitched to the lining.

[Lazy K]

That's it for now. I gotta go out of town early tomorrow and be gone all weekend. I'm taking my skirt with me to finish the hand sewing. Next week: Pleats

[Lady Leigh]

This last step is very interesting, Lazy K! I wouldn't have thought to use Velveteen .... but it is a strong fabric, afterall!

[Lazy K]

Actually, the book says that Velveteen was used for silk and house dresses. Braid or corduroy was used for wool and street dresses. I had a small piece of heavy black velveteen, just enough for this binding, so that's what I used. I'll also put in a removeable balyeuse to protect the bottom of the skirt.

[Lady Leigh]

What's new for today?

[Lazy K]

What's new for today?

I'm in Texas for the weekend. But I took my skirt with me and have finished the hem and velveteen binding. I have about an hour of free time now and am about to work on my pleats. I don't have any way to post photos so you'll have to wait til next week

[Madame Olive Yew]

:gg :gg





have fun in Texas

[Madame Olive Yew]

So, how was Texas? Anything new?

[Lazy K]

I had to go to an art show in Texas and I had a good time. Gasoline was about 10 cent cheaper than in NM.

I have one row of pleating on my skirt, & another row ready to go on. Still have another row to pleat. Why oh why do ALL my dresses have to have pleats?! Oh, yeah, I remember. I LOVE pleats.:sewing

[Ida Hands]

Oooo, I LOVE pleats too! That is going to be spectacular. You will be BEAUTIFUL, as usual!

[Drusilla]

Hey I used to do those art shows.....hope it was a success and you had a great time.

[Allie Mo]

I had to go to an art show in Texas and I had a good time. ...Hi Lazy K,

Since you mentioned art, I've been meaning to ask you if you did a portrait of Maria Raymond? I saw it several years ago and when I saw your Website and avatar, I think it was your work. Was it?

It is a gorgeous portrait.

[Lazy K]

No, Allie, that's not my painting.

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

did someone say pleats?!?!? Is there pleats?!?! Do we get to see pleats??

Greeneyed ( making some pleats before this weekend meownself) Gypsy

PS...is the avatar you have now a painting? I love that one its soooooo pretty (cant draw or paint even sad stick men)

[Allie Mo]

Hi Lazy K,

It looked similar your work. Oops, her name could have been Maria Albion (sp) when the painting was done.

Does that ring a belle :lool

[Lazy K]

Dru, I love your new avatar! What a hoot!

Ok. Pleats. Before I made the pleats I put a narrow hem on the bottom edge and serged the top edge. I used a 3 1/2" strip of fabric for the pleats. And then I pleated. And pleated. And pleated. I started pleating by using the pleater I made, then I just "eyeballed" the pleats. I also Forked some of the pleats. I will explore that option more since I'm still not finished pleating.

I then took a 1" strip of the same fabric and bound the raw edge. I pinned the pleat to the dress so the bottom edges matched up and machine stitched it on.
When I attached the second row of pleats I used my 2" ruler (since I only want 2" to show) and laid it even with the hem and then laid the bottom edge of the second pleat along the top of the ruler. everything should come out lined up. There's nothing worse then rows of wonky pleats.

Tonight I will hopefully finish the 3rd and final row of these pleats.
And then? More pleats! A 10" wide row of 2" pleats. Will this pleating never end?

[Lady Leigh]

Gosh I love pleats!!!!!

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Do you machine stitch the bias strip on top of the pleat or hand stitch it?!

Its really comming along!

[Victoria Rose Hyde]

GOSH. Those pleats look Great LK. You are doing a wonderful job. :ty :tban :tban

[Sweet Violet]

Oh wonderful!! Pleats on your dress!! :jp :jp :jp And your (I am having a brain cramp) the thing on the bottom of your dress, the binding? I think that's wrong. Anyway, you are NOT by any stretch of the imagination a slackard!! (You said you felt like one on another thread) You my dear lady, are no such thing. To put that much detail on something that may not be seen? :faint What an inspiration you are to me!! You rock!!

[Lazy K]

It's not bias cut, just a straight cut strip and it's machine stitched (actually serged because the fabric is so ravely) onto the pleat and then the whole assembly is machine stitched to the dress

[Madame Olive Yew]

Ohh Beautiful Pleats Lazy K!!! :tban :tban :tban I Love pleats!:tban

I know how you feel though, making them is completely different from loving the way they look when they are done.

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

Ohh Beautiful Pleats Lazy K!!! :tban :tban :tban I Love pleats!:tban

I know how you feel though, making them is completely different from loving the way they look when they are done.

Holy cow, that is one of the truest statements ever made!!! I love pleats, but my back sure hates me when I stand over the cutting table and then the ironing board all that time to make them.

K, your dress is looking fabulous!!

[Ida Hands]

But pleats are so elegant and the way they make a dress look. They are certainly worth the trouble! GORGEOUS! Remember what they say..."You have to suffer for beauty". (Who is this "They" anyway? "They" sure say a whole lot.)

[Lazy K]

I've finished the first layer. It doesn't look like much because I don't have the cartridge pleats in. I will attach the next layer to this and the cartridge pleats will be done then. That white piece a paper at the top is a note to myself that I want to add a watch pocket at the waist band.

For those of you who have never done a dress starting at the hem, the length adjustment is done at the waist. I've made this skirt for myself a bunch of times so I know it will be close to the right length but any tweeking gets done before the waist band goes on

[Madame Olive Yew]

Ohhh Its coming together beautifully!


I never knew you could shorten a skirt from the top down.... I always thought it had to be done from the bottom. WOW I've learned 2 things today. NAP TIME!

[Allie Mo]

Ohhh Its coming together beautifully!


I never knew you could shorten a skirt from the top down.... I always thought it had to be done from the bottom. WOW I've learned 2 things today. NAP TIME!
It is definately not as easy. However, if you ever buy a dress that is too long and has trim on the bottom, this is the best way to go. I did it once.

[Sarah Bernhardt]

WOW Lazy K, I'm here in awe of all the pleating you have accomplished. I can't wait to see what is in store for us next. It will be a fabulous dress!

[Lady Leigh]

Totally awesome, K!!!! I like, I like, I like!!!

[Lazy K]

Boo hoo. I wanted to sew all weekend but I have to go to Santa Fe tomorrow. I'm still going to try to have the skirt and over skirt finished this weekend.

[Prairie Wildflower]

Lazy K, you have my utmost respect and admiration - WOW!! Such intricate detailing - who'd have thought to do all the little fussy things you're doing with this dress? I'm going out on a limb and saying this will be museum-quality, as are so many other creations you ladies have been doing.

[Lazy K]

Thanks all for your kind words.
Now, it's true confession time. I made my first and hopefully last construction boo boo on this dress. The next layer for the skirt is a lined skirt that will be about knee length and the bottom will have 6" deep box pleats. Well, my wool/silk is kinda drapey so I lined the pleat with the same greenish polished cotton as the skirt. DUH!!!!! The back side of the large pleats will show a bit when I move in the dress.
Get out the seam ripper and replace the lining with black fabric.:go :sewing

[Drusilla]

Done that one, so you are not by any means alone in boo boo land....I call that two steps forward three steps back. When I see you I will tell you of my red bridal satin boo boo.:-( Those rippers sure come in handy!:faint

[Lazy K]

Yep, the person who invented rippers has a place in Heaven.

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

Yep, the person who invented rippers has a place in Heaven.

So true, so true. Heaven knows I use mine....actually, I have so many I don't know how many there are...but I can always get my hand on one when needed.

[Drusilla]

I am sure your dress will turn out just beautiful LK, sometimes it is hard to take the slow times when making these things. I used to work right up to a deadline, but not any more. Guess I am getting more laid back in my old age!:lool Course the 20+ dresses in closet might have something to do with it.:lool Of course my motto (ask my long suffering husband) is a gal can't have too many dresses or too much jewelery.......:tban

[Allie Mo]

Sorry to hear that Lazy K! I had been very lucky and not used mine in ages (could be I haven't been :sewing :lool ). I had to use it this weekend. With all of the customization in your dresses, you do run a higher rip risk.

Drusilla, my hubbie only thinks it's white blouses that a lady can't have too many of. A friend of mine told him that. Someday, I should count them. NOT! He might change his mind. Also, we don't want to think about how many black shoes I have and he has called me Imelda of the Belts. Next time I hear a snide comment, I'm telling him it could be worse. It could be dresses or jewelry.:rofl

Now, Lazy K :waiting for more :ss

[Lazy K]

Now, Lazy K :waiting for more :ss

Ask and yee shall receive

I've finished the next layer of the skirt. Matilda Dummy is a little fat so I have the skirt pinned on her. She is wearing a bustle but no petticoat. The bottom of the dress will look better with the petticoat.

Here's the front and side

[Lazy K]

Here's what the cartridge pleats look like.

I hope to finish the overskirt tonight . Gotta go.:go

[Bloomin']

Great start!!! LOVE all the pleats!!

[Allie Mo]

Hi Lazy K,

Love the rows of pleats and cartridge pleats. I'm going to start doing CPs from now on.

I used to pleat the back waist of skirts and overskirts, instead of gather. However, three times I have had the cleaner iron those pleates a yard down, which looks totally :goofy over a bustle. Once, I even told them ahead of time, DO NOT IRON PLEATS INTO SKIRT/OVERSKIRT. Even then, they came back with pleats and unfortunately with permanent white marks at the crease (these were brown and blue fialle wash overskirts). Luckily, the ivory overskirt does not show the marks. ARRGH! Now, I see the wisdom to "hosing down your dresses." However, I am too :faint hearted to actually do that.

:sewing girl :sewing

[Nellie Blue]

WOW!!!! I'm so impressed!!!

[Petticoat Betty]

Oh My Gawd!!! Lazy K!!!! You don't do your name any justice at all!!! Lazy and yet all those pleats?!?!?! No way!!! I love the way it is turning out, it's just spectacular!!! Where do you find the time to do all that pleating??? I can't wait to see how the whole dress is going to look like, I'm sure it is going to be stunning (if that is appropriate for a half-mourning-dress, that is...:gg )
I really really love your work, and I think it is time for you to think of a new alias:lalala

Love it, love it, love it!!!

[Victoria Rose Hyde]

LK: Love the skirt and the pleats. Can't wait to see it finished.:tban :tban

[Lazy K]

Thanks all!

HEY!! I'm not Dork anymore? I'm now the Pleating Fool?:rofl :rofl

[Ida Hands]

Congratulations, Pleating Fool! It's nice to have a new designation! I always wonder how many yards of fabric it takes to make pleats like that. Like how many feet of unpleated fabric equals one foot of pleated. :faint Oh NO! BRAIN OVERLOAD!
THAT, Miss K is GORGEOUS!

[Lazy K]

I used some fabric I had on hand and didn't think about if I would have enough (hey, I'm an artist, not an engineer) Anyway, It came out to be the PERFECT amount. No fabric left over! Whew!

The last dress I did with lots of pleats, I used 3 yards of fabric for the skirt and 3 yards for the pleats. Which means the pleats must have gone up 1/3 the length of the dress. When I stop to do the math, it take 3 times as much fabric to do pleats or ruffles as it does the skirt. You just have to decide how high up you want the pleats to go. Or do what I do : When you're out of fabric, you've finished pleating :rofl

[Madame Olive Yew]

...............Or do what I do : When you're out of fabric, you've finished pleating.............

:rofl:lool :rofl :lool :rofl

When I try to do the math it makes my head hurt too, but I have found that whatever length you need for pleats you multiply it by 3 Then you sit for hours & make pleats!

Lazy K, Congrats on the new tag! Very fitting. The dress is coming together beautifully!

[MaryMcDonalds]

Lazy K you're doing a great job here. I love the cartridge pleats!
Can't wait to see more :ss

[Sweet Violet]

Yeah!! :wv :wv Lazy K, Pleating Fool, not Lazy at all, you are doing such a fantastic job on that dress!! I am so excited to see the rest of it!! The cartrige pleating is way too cool!!

[Lazy K]

FINALLY!!:tban :tban :tban :tban :tban I have the overskirt finished . Well, it's still being held together with safety pins and I have a string of beads I'm going to add. But close enough to celebrate!

Actually, I wanted to keep the skirt plain black so I can use it for another outfit and I didn't want to attach the lace skirt to the taffeta skirt so I have 2 overskirts. Would that be an under-overskirt and an over-overskirt?

And the purple is NOT this bright.

The skirt is shown over a short lobster bustle and a plain petticoat with flounces at the bottom. I think this dress is calling out for a long lobster like Clancy just made.

Here's the front and side

[Lazy K]

and the back

[Nellie Blue]

And I suppose you made up the pattern for the overskirt? Dang you...How can I copy you if you don't use a pattern? :D

[Lazy K]

And the details.

I'm going to Tombstone this weekend so I'll start the bodice next week.

[Lazy K]

Oops the images were too big to fit on 1 post

[Cinnamon Teal]

LK,

That is very pretty! Can't wait to see what the bodice looks like.

Have fun in Tombstone!

[Allie Mo]

Wow!

Can't you cancel :waiting for more :ss

Just kidding. Have fun!

[Madame Olive Yew]

Ohh Drop dead gorgeous..... no pun intended. {:o]P

I love every bit of it! OUTSTANDING WORK!!!



Have fun in Tombstone!!

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Whats on the edge of the lace?!??!? is it just a bordered lace?? OMG I am in love with the color!! Your doing an outstanding job!! The velvet, is it cotton or the softer synthetic stuff? Cause I am in awe of the ruching!

Reall really REALLY pretty :faint

GG

[Bloomin']

Wowee, WOW!!!!! Love the details!!

Hey, I recognize that beading!

[Lazy K]

[SIZE=3]Hey, I recognize that beading!

Yeah, I thought you might:ty

[Lazy K]

Whats on the edge of the lace?!??!? is it just a bordered lace?? OMG I am in love with the color!! Your doing an outstanding job!! The velvet, is it cotton or the softer synthetic stuff? Cause I am in awe of the ruching!
GG

GG, I bought this lace well over a year ago on ebay. Both edges are scalloped.

Alas, the velvet is a scrap of synthetic velvet I picked up at a thrift store. I did the gathering stich by machine but I hand sewed it to the skirt. All the trim on the overskirt is hand sewn.

[Lazy K]

Oooops. Forgot the photo AGAIN.

[Clancy]

That is stunning K, i love the colours, just beautiful. Is that ruched velvet? Now that would have taken some work..:faint

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Ohh its lovely and I dont think a cotton velvet would have given you the soft authentic look that does and it would have been a real pain to ruch! AND silk velvet is dang expensive!! So kudos to you!!

[Drusilla]

Lazy K is coming, Lazy K is coming! Hahhaha HA! I am SO excited!!!!!!!!!!
Hey gal bring yer parasols, sunscreen and plan on drinking a lot of water it's 90 degrees here today and hotter for the weekend!!
NICE SKIRT!!!

[Lazy K]

Lazy K is coming, Lazy K is coming! Hahhaha HA! I am SO excited!!!!!!!!!!
Hey gal bring yer parasols, sunscreen and plan on drinking a lot of water it's 90 degrees here today and hotter for the weekend!!
NICE SKIRT!!!

Yep, I've checked the weather. I think it said 99 degrees sometime this weekend. Parasol? I'm bringing my Golf Umbrella!

[Victoria Rose Hyde]

HOLY COW!!!:faint Unbelieveable. That is just absolutely Gorgeous. Love all the detailing and lace. :tban :tban

[Lady Leigh]

I love the details!! No matter where your eye roams, you have something to look at!

[Sarah Bernhardt]

Lazy K,
The skirt is beautiful; just love looking at everything you have put into it! WOW!

[Ida Hands]

Cheez n' Crackers! You guys are intimidating! You all make such luxurious gowns. I can't believe how GORGEOUS this skirt is. I am beginning to think I better farm my sewing out!

GREAT JOB, Miss K! GREAT JOB!

[Chantilly]

OH MY!!! :faint Lazy K - that skirt is absolutely gorgeous! I think you need to change your name...Lazy? I don't think so! WOW!! :tban :tban :tban

[Accurate Allie]

Oh Wow Lazy K! That's beautiful!!!!! :bow :faint

I can't wait, more :ss please!!!

[Nellie Blue]

After trying pleats last night, you truly are a "Pleating Fool"!!! They're not quite as bad as soutache, but they're close! :rofl

[MaryMcDonalds]

Great skirt, I loooooooooove it!!!!!!!!

[Petticoat Betty]

:faint So that is where all your spare time went....:gg

[Kitty Phann]

Wow that skirt is outstanding!!! :faint

[Madame Olive Yew]

Is it done yet??




Is it done yet??






Is it done yet??:go

[Prairie Wildflower]

Lazy K, the skirt and overskirt is absolutely stunning. You put so much effort and work into the tiniest detail, and it shows. I am in awe of your pleating, ruching, and your work in general. When you finish this outfit, could I ask - ok - :beg you to do a class on ruching? A truly gorgeous creation.

[Lazy K]

If you can gather fabric , you can ruche. But if you must have a class, I'll be happy to do it.

Now, leave me alone, I'm :sewing :rofl :rofl :rofl

[Lazy K]

In the mean time, here's a cool site that teaches you to make ruched flowers. Oooo. I'm gonna have to make some

http://www.roserushbrooke.com/how-to-ruche.html

[Madame Olive Yew]

:ty Lazy K! Those ruched flowers look cool! I wonder how it would look with two pieces of fabic layered........Hmmm :go

[Lady Leigh]

Any New Pictures For Me To Druel Over????

[Lazy K]

Nope. I did more un-sewing than sewing last night.

[Lady Leigh]

Nope. I did more un-sewing than sewing last night.

Don't you just HATE that????? I do!!!!

[Lazy K]

Do you ever have a sewing project that fights you every step of the way?? My bodice has been fighting me for 2 evenings. The good news is that I won the fight! I have used this pattern, which I drafted,several times but for some reason I just couldn't get it to fit! I suspect that Matilda Dress Dummy has been altering my patterns at night while I sleep.

The sleeves are still just basted in. I'll post pics after I've done some boning and have the front closure done.

[Drusilla]

Yep, had that happen, sometimes I just have to go clean a corral or do some gardening and get away....come back later with a fresh viewpoint. My leg is getting better K! :-)

[Lazy K]

Update. I have the bodice boned and now I'm deciding on trim. I hope to have the bodice finished today! :tban :tban

[Madame Olive Yew]

:tban :tban :tban :tban Yeah pics soon!!

[Madame Olive Yew]

Update. I have the bodice boned and now I'm deciding on trim. I hope to have the bodice finished today! :tban :tban


Its almost the end of "Today"

[Madamekat]

Lazy K~
I'm reading this thread for the first time and WOW, what a dress! I am also a big fan of The Pleat!

My question is: The 'two' underskirts shown on page 9 posted on May 21st, were they sewn as one to the waistband?

Can't wait to see the bodice and skirt together and YOU modeling it!

[Lazy K]

Its almost the end of "Today"

The end of "today" will be when I finish the bodice, even if I have to stay up til 3 a.m!!!!!

[Lazy K]

Lazy K~
My question is: The 'two' underskirts shown on page 9 posted on May 21st, were they sewn as one to the waistband?


Nope, They each have their own waistband.

[Lazy K]

For those of you awaiting pics with bated breath, and whispring humblenesse you'lll just have to continue waiting.
Remember, “The rule is, jam tomorrow and jam yesterday - but never jam today.”~ Lewis Carroll

All the trim is being sewn on by hand and it always takes me longer then I think it will. And there's a lot of trim. And, oh yeah, PLEATS!! But I'm pleased with the way it's turning out so at least there's that.

[Kid Sopris]

:tap So, Why are you chatting here instead of sewing?
You work in a "Union Shop" and you get "Alley Breaks"?:rofl

[Lazy K]

:tap So, Why are you chatting here instead of sewing?
You work in a "Union Shop" and you get "Alley Breaks"?:rofl

I was wondering when someone was going to catch on that I spend more time chatting then sewing:rofl :rofl :rofl

[Allie Mo]

I was wondering when someone was going to catch on that I spend more time chatting then sewing:rofl :rofl :roflExactly my problem...and here I am to prove it. :rofl

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Amen...and its so sad isent it?!

Its sounding great, I love the hand sewing parts, they do take at least twice the time I think they will but they are the most relaxing, and I always feel like I have more control over the fabrics....I mean when you are going one stitch at a time its much harder to mess it up (not that it has not happened mind, the ripper still sits close at hand)

[Lazy K]

Hey Look! I've finished the sleeves.

[Lazy K]

BTW I used my antique pleater for the cuff pleats.

The pleater looks like this and it's a real pain in the tokhis to use

[Madame Olive Yew]

Very nice sleeve Lazy K, But where is the other? Surely you will have 2 on this dress?

[Lazy K]

Very nice sleeve Lazy K, But where is the other? Surely you will have 2 on this dress?

I KNEW I forgot something:rofl :rofl :rofl

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Thats the one that is simalar to the one Diane bought...and it answers my questions about it as well....ok Diane you are off the hook you dont have to post pohtos now!

GG

[Bloomin']

BTW I used my antique pleater for the cuff pleats.

The pleater looks like this and it's a real pain in the tokhis to use

I'm not sure, but I'll bet you don't use your tokhis when you use this pleater. Try another method! :gg

Now you know I'm a person of nearly infinite patience, but EOT will not wait for you to finish this fantastic gown!!

[Lady Leigh]

BTW I used my antique pleater for the cuff pleats.

The pleater looks like this and it's a real pain in the tokhis to use

It would probably be a whole lot easier if you used the machine with your hands!!!!!! But you do have a very talented tokhis!

So ... if you have a big tokhis does that mean you make bigger pleats?:rofl :rofl

[Madame Olive Yew]

So ... if you have a big tokhis does that mean you make bigger pleats?...................:lool:rofl :lool :rofl:lool


Judging from Lazy K's pleats she has a very small tokhis indeed.:lool

[Lazy K]

You all are too silly!

And I'm calling The Wild Bunch today to see if they could PLEASE postpone EOT until next month.

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Good luck with that, ummmm but if they agree will you call me and let me know....cause I could use a couple more weeks myself! No I am not going...but again my sewing gets to go everywhere it seems.

Greeneyed (who is jealous of her sewings ability to travel more than she can! LOL!) Gypsy

[Lazy K]

Ok. Are you ready? I still have to make a long lobster, a dust ruffle, add a few more beads and finish sewing the trim but THIS IS IT!!:tban :tban :tban :tban :tban :tban :tban :tban :tban

Here's the bodice front and side

[Lazy K]

bodice back

[Lazy K]

Front and side

[Bloomin']

WOW!!!!!! No, that's not right... WOW!!! Lazy K, it's beautiful!! That has to be your most fantastic creation yet!! Congratulations on a remarkable gown! What is that trim on the bodice?

[Lazy K]

The trim on the back (ebay) was probably once a neck trim

[Lazy K]

The front has 18 black buttons which I took off of an old dress, and also has jet? glass? applique (also ebay)

[Nellie Blue]

You are absolutely amazing!!! Love it! With plenty of time left before EOT!!! :tban :tban

[Madame Olive Yew]

Ohhh Ohhh, It's done, It's DONE!!!!:tban :tban :tban

It's WOW!!!

Absolutly AMAZING!!! I love all the trims you have incorperated. Seriously DROOL WORTHY!!!:faint :faint :faint

[Madame Olive Yew]

Ohhh & look it, DOES have 2 sleeves!! Brava!!! (I was worried about that!) :rofl

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Ummm ohhh weeellll OMGoodness...

is that wool or silk noil?!? you probably told us somewhere in here...

Ok but ummm I think the overskirt needs an evening bodice now...I know thats just what you wanted to hear isent it...

Its just stunning K...I am all a droolin over here! Now go put it on we want more photos, oh wait bustle...yeah do that first! Wahoo!! :tban :tban :tban :tban

[Lazy K]

No photos of me in the dress until EOT.

The skirt is wool/silk and the bodice is silk Noile.

I'm trying to make ALL my outfits so I can have "bonus outfits". I have plenty of the noile left so I could make an evening bodice.

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

I thought that might be what is was...its really lovely, well heck EOT is like practically tomorrow I can wait that long have a great time btw!! :tban

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

Oh my GAWD!!!!! That dress is amazing!! Lazy K, you are incredible!!! WHOA!!!!! Okay, I don't know what else to say, but WOWZA!!!!!:faint

[Nellie Blue]

...well heck EOT is like practically tomorrow...

SHUT UP!!! DON'T REMIND ME!!! I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME!

Lazy K, sorry for the hi-jack....DID I SAY HOW MUCH I LOVE YOUR DRESS!!!

[Miss Ruby]

That looks fantastic, can't wait to see the photos of you wearing it!!!

[Victoria Rose Hyde]

HOLY COW!! LK:That dress is absolutely Gorgeous. I LOVE IT!!:tban :tban :tban

[Clancy]

Just beautiful K, wish i was going to be at EOT to see you in it in person!...

You will need to make sure you get pictures with SV if she will be wearing her mourning outfit...

[Chantilly]

WOW!! Great gown Lazy K!! All that detail!! Beautiful and a bonus look in "coming attractions" as well!! :tban :tban

[Lazy K]

Well, the original plan was for SV and me to wear the mourning dresses together but she's wearing hers on Thursday and I'm wearing mine on Saturday. Maybe we'll have to Photoshop the two of us together.

[Allie Mo]

:bow Lazy K,

It's glorious (def.: brilliantly beautiful or magnificent; splendid). WOW! WOW! WOW! Your trims are fabulous.

Oooh, oooh a bonus bodice is coming. That's the spirit.

I'm looking forward to seeing your EOT :ss

PS I wanted to make sure I used a suitably delicious adjective, so I resorted to dictionary.com

[Allie Mo]

PPS Have we seen the dress in your new avatar? Please direct me to a :ss or post one. I want a B&W stripe costume someday too and can use all of the inspiration I can get.

[Lizzie Marie]

That is absolutely stunning, can't wait to see the pictures....you all are putting me to shame. I am not doing any sewing at the moment, but in the next couple of weeks I will be jamming to make 2 outfits for HOW....course they will be simple compared to the ones I've seen.....

[Allie Mo]

Lizzie dear, I've seen your work. You can rest on your laurels. You're in the middle of an :eek: move. Don't try to do too much.

[Lazy K]

PPS Have we seen the dress in your new avatar? Please direct me to a :ss or post one. I want a B&W stripe costume someday too and can use all of the inspiration I can get.

My new avatar is just a striped silk blouse with a polka dot scarf not a dress

[Lady Leigh]

Well, I knew it would be stunning, but one never really know just how stunning until you finally get to see it!!! BEAUTIFUL K!!! Absolutely beautiful!!!

[Kitty Phann]

How did I keep missing this thread.... WOW WEEEEE!!!!!:faint What a dress! Oh, yes do make a evening bodice. You are going to look like one great mourner. Oh, did I say the dress was fabulous!

[Ima Schofield]

WOW You'll look fantastic in Half mourning...

:beg Sure wish I could sew like the rest of you.... I just muddle through but I have Great Ideas ( which usually get me into trouble, Huh GG:gg ) She's banned me from sharp cutting objects in the past....


Great job, can't wait for more photos...


Ima, green with envy, Schofield

[Sweet Violet]

Sweet mother of pearl!!! Lazy K!!! That dress is to die for!! I love the detail you put into it!! The pleats and the, is that ruching? Fabulous! I cannot wait to see it up close and personal!! Ooooohh!!! How very wonderful!! And guess what? I have moved out mourning garb date to coincide with you!! I am so excited!! My Mom will have her mourning dress too! :jp :jp

[Sweet Violet]

And the bead work and....is that lace? WOWEE~

[Yankee Belle]

HOLY SMOKES that is just drop dead goregous. I love it.:faint :faint

[Lazy K]

Sweet mother of pearl!!! Lazy K!!! That dress is to die for!! I love the detail you put into it!! The pleats and the, is that ruching? Fabulous! I cannot wait to see it up close and personal!! Ooooohh!!! How very wonderful!! And guess what? I have moved out mourning garb date to coincide with you!! I am so excited!! My Mom will have her mourning dress too! :jp :jp

Oh I'm so excited!!!! We will make a great looking trio!:tban :tban

[Lady Leigh]

Oh I'm so excited!!!! We will make a great looking trio!:tban :tban

Will you have someone take your picture of all of you together so we can see it posted???

I love that phrase. Sweet Mother of Pearl!!!! You are to cute SV!!

[Lazy K]

I suspect that 3 gorgeous women in mourning dress will be photographed OFTEN!!:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl And if I can get Hubby to remember the camera, I'll make sure he gets photos.

I'm so excited that SV and Marshall's Lady will join me in mourning! And wait til you see how Hubby will accessorize the 3 of us!!

[Lady Leigh]

Hint, hint!!! Carriage, Hease??

[Lazy K]

Hint, hint!!! Carriage, Hease??

Colonel Mustard in the Library with the candlestick

[Sweet Violet]

Oh Lazy K!! You make me laugh!!! Wasn't it Mr. Crabs at the Crusty Krab yelling at Spongebob? Wait wrong game!!!

That will be so fun!! Can't wait!

[Nellie Blue]

What time are you wearing them on Saturday? Morning when you are shooting or for the evening festivities? I want to make sure I see you so I can take photos!!!

[Lady Leigh]

Colonel Mustard in the Library with the candlestick

"I hate waiting!" (quote from Princess Bride)

[Lazy K]

What time are you wearing them on Saturday? Morning when you are shooting or for the evening festivities? I want to make sure I see you so I can take photos!!!

Evening...

[Bloomin']

Evening...

HeeHee You can tell the Alley members who are going to EoT. Their posts are getting fewer and shorter. The Alley members going to HoW are still a little chatty.......:)

[Nellie Blue]

Cuz we're all in panic mode!!! "A Belle would get it done" "A Belle would get it done" "A Belle would get it done" :go

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

NELLIE STOP IT!!!!

Greeneyed (if you start counting down I SWEAR I am driving to Vegas to smack you! ) Gypsy

[Lazy K]

HeeHee You can tell the Alley members who are going to EoT. Their posts are getting fewer and shorter. The Alley members going to HoW are still a little chatty.......:)

Yep :lool :lool :lool :lool :lool :lool

[Lazy K]

Well, I finished my long lobster bustle (laughing Moon view c) and tried everything on. OMG!!!!! I don't want to sound egotistical but this is my best dress ever. I had to stare at myself in the mirror for 15 minutes. I love it.
The down side is that it weighs 12 pounds. That doesn't sound like a lot but think of carrying a 10 pound bag of sugar around, most of it in the back below the waist. Yikes!

And I've changed my choice of hats. I was going to wear a hat I made, which I posted in the beginning of this thread. I've decided to wear my favorite antique mourning hat.

[Nellie Blue]

Not egotistical!! You know it's good cuz we've been telling you so!!!

[Lazy K]

****Blush*****

[Madame Olive Yew]

Not egotistical!! You know it's good cuz we've been telling you so!!!


I absolutly agree!!

(Whisper mode) I felt the same way when I was done with the red silk gown.

[Bloomin']

I've looked everywhere and I still don't see a picture of the hat you are going to wear.........hmmmmmm Oh, I get it, we have to wait!!!

[Lazy K]

Yep, ya gotta wait only because I don't have time to post the hat and shoes. But the hat looks a lot like the one I posted earlier in this thread because the one I made was inspired by the antique one.

[Catawba Kate]

Have a wonderful time at EOT Lazy K. Your dress is to die for and hope to see it in person one day!!!:tban :tban

[Clancy]

You ladies will just breath taking all in mourning together... It would be awesome if you could get an old carriage with a coffin on it...

We want lots of pics, i wish i was at EOT!!!!!!!:tap

[Fannie Kikinshoot]

Your dress is to die for

Oh, now THAT is funny!!!!!!!:rofl :rofl :rofl

[Catawba Kate]

Oh, now THAT is funny!!!!!!!:rofl :rofl :rofl

:lool :lool Made a joke and didn't know it!!!:rofl :rofl

[Victoria Rose Hyde]

Oh I agree with Clancy. You should all take a picture together.

[Nellie Blue]

Lazy K,

You HAVE to post you shoes!! Ya'll, she MADE her shoes!!!! :99

[Lady Leigh]

I want to see!!

Congratulations, by the way, on your Mourning gown winning an award!

[Accurate Allie]

Shoes!!!!! I can't wait to see!!!

Congratulations on the Best Dressed Couple award, that's so exciting!!!

[Lazy K]

I've been ignoring your requests for shoe pics. On shoe held up very well. And the other, well, didn't. I Bought some Shoe Goo today and I should have both looking good soon. I'll post pics and tell you the pros and cons of shoe making. Remember, I'm terrified of draping a dress but have no problems jumping in and making shoes. Go figure. :rofl :rofl

[Bloomin']

We want to see what worked and what didn't so we can learn from that too! Show us the pictures!!!

[Ida Hands]

Can we get a shoe "How To"? or is that asking too much?

[Lady Leigh]

We want to see what worked and what didn't so we can learn from that too! Show us the pictures!!!

I agree! Walk us through it, if you don't mind ...

[Lazy K]

Yep, I'll do a class but not for a few weeks.

[Goldie]

Lazy K! What an AWESOME dress!!! Well Done!!! I Love love it! You know I'm going to need a month just to catch up on all these fabulous dresses all ya'll have been making!!

[Madamekat]

Oh, Lazy K, I bow down to your extraordinary talent! That is one spectacular gown, and people are going to follow you around. If I were going, I would get your autograph!! :bow

[Lazy K]

:rofl :rofl :rofl