First steps... a citrus confection series...

Ok, I finally got some time to work on some dresses.  Yes, I did say some.  I was hopping around (my head was firing ideas faster than my fingers could process them ;)

First, I needed thread.  The colors of my summer collection that I jokingly call a citrus confection series are bright, bold and very tropical.

So, I start with a plumed (yes feathered outfit) -- I'm showing the skirt from tangerine organza.  I wish the organza were silk (I have some but I'd have to dye it-- I'm lazy)

The skirt.

I started pleating the top.

Now, for a quick "look see" -- fitting.

Ok, that's it for today.  Tomorrow's post will be of yet another dress I'm working on.

This just in:  My favorite on-line fabric store is having a mega sale.......  Oh no.  I can't even get through all the fabric I already have.  I got 3 new ones when I went to go get thread....  Prices starting at $1.50 a yard???  This isn't good for me....

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Been reading a lot about couture.... Its origins, constructing it, etc.

Very interesting.  I've recently gotten a few (3) books off the web regarding Couture.  It is more of the understanding that I had of couture being made usually for a particular person as a one of a kind hand made garment.  I really find myself enjoying "fashion" much more as I mature (get older) -- I never had quite the appreciate that I now have.

I've been fortunate to actually travel to Paris and see some of the Couture houses.  (That's another story -- for another day) --But I am enamored by the fabrics and the designs.  I would LOVE to recreate some on a small scale, but I don't know if I have the talent.  According to the author of 2 of the books, if you can sew, you can sew couture... (let's hope she's right) -- I'm not a great seamstress but I'm willing to "try until I get it right".  Maybe with some patience I will eventually master this... I'm kind of conflicted, as I don't think my hand sewing is particularly neat (I remember my mom saying hand sewing should be neater than machine sewing -- It is?????)

I should have some pics by tomorrow of what I'm working on.  I needed to get the right thread.  I never seem to have the right color thread.

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I have all these ideas "running around" in my head.

As always, I'm short on time, so I'll just have to jot some of them down and wait until I have more time.

I have just soooooo many.....

I really want to make a business suit.... I'm going to look through my patterns to see if I can find something.

I'm also going to make that trench coat pattern that I was given.

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Inspiration!

This isn't even all of it.  It is feathers!!!!  tulle and organza (on rolls).  I saw these and I couldn't resist.  I love fabric/trimmings/buttons/beads/stuff!  Ok Agnes, I'm coming...

So much material, so little time!

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I found fabric that "matched" Adriana's top

I really wanted white gauzy palazzo pants.  My daughter felt these were way to busy (yeah maybe, but doll's clothes can be).

So, I whipped up some pants.

And I took another shot for good measure of Adriana's face.  She's a beauty.  This is a new wig by Jamie Show.

(Yeah, you can see her stand under her top....)

I want to start on her other clothes, but with Disney this week and spirit week (another costume for my daughter -- this is all I got to).

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Love when I can actually finish a project....

Of course, I always think of add ons... But for now, at least the caftan itself is complete.  White gauzy pants or a bathing suit is necessary to complete her look -- sandals, a straw beach bag -- a hat, sunglasses -- see where this is going.  I'm going to collect/make these things and once I'm finished, I will celebrate with a photo shoot in PB.

Here's Adriana with her new caftan.  I left the neck raw, it is machine stitched around to prevent raveling and then I added some small glass beads in dark blue, yellow, green, clear, and light blue.

I'm off to find/make the rest!

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My creative juices are on overload

I want to make a petal dress.... All with the same genre of the peacock and the yellow one.

I ordered some peacock feathers today... Hope it doesn't take forever to get them.  I read on line you can get them in the flower district in NY...

Here's part of the petal dress stuff:

Pink Tulle, and large petals.

These are pink silk rose petals.

stay tuned for my sketch.

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