anielmom

dealt with, though not in the usual way.  Not having enough pink to make a facing (no way was I going to try to fold this up in the usual fashion) I opted for binding.  Once I get the 3+ yds of hem stitched down, I'll then stitch the bound edge down so it has the typical tuck you se in lined jackets.  (not sure that made much sense)
Now it's on to making the bias ruched trim for neckline, cuff, and hem.

almost done.  Ben sewing a lot, hope to be done tonight.  Will post more then.

For now.  I think I have a pretty good draft now, but am having issues getting it together.  Tired.  And what's with these period sewing texts?  They treat sleeves like an afterthought.  "Draft sleeve with the scale"  Nothing else.  Soooo useful.  Nothing about getting the 2 blasted pieces together.  I think I need to "hold" some fullness in one side at the elbow, but can't for the life of me decide where. 
( So, pics of one and two )

Fail.  Not epic, but fail.  Going to make a few tweaks, then I'll put up the pics. 

The paletot muslin is coming together nicely.   I think my patterning teacher would be appalled if she saw the actual pattern, but the muslin is looking good. 
I got it stitched up and took pics, then realized I forgot to sew up the front darts.  Sooo, back to the machine, and more pics!  Then the Nikon ate some pics, so more pics.

( Results of all the picture taking... )
So far, I'm very pleased with how this is coming together.  I'm happy with the fit and am actually diggin' the grapes at the moment.  Perhaps it has something to do with living in wine country....  Whatever, I'm always amazed when I take a tinny 1/8 scale pattern, sized for someone a bit smaller i might add, and turn it into something that fits me!  Boggles my mind every time!  This is why I love sewing!!!  

For tomorrow:  Draft sleeve.  Yikes!  If draft goes smoothly, I'll get the sleeve in and check fit.

I think.  Through a combination of drafting, flat pattern and draping, I think I've managed to get the paletot patterned.  (Sans sleeve.)  I need to trace off the pattern, and get a muslin sewn up.  Then I'll tackle the sleeve.  Think I'll give Klemm's sleeve draft a try. 

For reference, this is what I'm going for....


April, 1868

I'm toying around with the idea of adding button strips to loop the back and sides up and give it a bustled look.  Might look cute with a pair of jeans.

For Tomorrow :
Trace off pattern
Cut out muslin

Had time to sit down with the pattern today.  I took 3" off of each seam, for a total of 12", and lowered the armscye an inch.  It made a huge difference in the fit.  *note- there is a pattern for a chemise with the same shape, but gathered into a yoke, drafted with the same measures as this one.  So much for Klemm's "perfec" system.* I may shave a little more off the armscye, well see when I get to the finishing stage.
( yet more pics this way..... )

After spending the morning piecing together the apportioning scale for my size, I went ahead and drafted up a chemise.  The process was simple, and went smoothly.  Tonight I was able to get a mock up cut and sewn.  Glad I decided not to just cut into the linen tissue (60%linen/40%cotton).  It's a bit big.  Got the alterations marked and pinned.  I'm taking a good 3" off each side, and pinched another 2" or so out of the back!  Plan on getting those stitched in sometime this week.  Would like to do it tomorrow, but Wed. and Thurs. are a bit busy here, so may have to wait 'till Fri.  We'll see how I feel.
Now it's off to bed.  Haven't been sleeping too good lately, so am hoping for better tonight.  Maybe the rain will help lull me.

wrestled the #$$#@&^^%$# waistband into submission!  Seriously!  I just couldn't get the mondo drawers into the dratted thing evenly last night!  After 2 hours of futzing and swearing, I gave up and tried to go to bed.  I say tried, 'cause the dastardly thing haunted my dreams, and I'd wake up worrying about it. 

Almost there.  Took too long to get the waistband the right length, a common problem for me.  But all I've got left is attaching said waistband and knee bands, and felling the seams!  Hopefully to be accomplished by the end of the weekend, as I'll be doing the felling by hand.  It just looks nicer that way.