Put a Fork in it

Cause the underskirt is done.  Hollaaaaaa!

Behold!

Yes.  Modesty is still the best policy for Vicki. 

So maybe you're thinking what I'm thinking which is, "holy crap!  I finished this thing!  And it is poofy!  And adjustable!"

No, I know you people.  You're thinking "um, okay...but is it functional?"  Pff.  Is it functional?!?  This sucker is so functional it turns party girl Vicki into classy Victoria.

Ok, here's a dress I purchased.  It's a nice spring dress.

Now for the magic!

Poofy!  I am so thinking of wearing this to church on Easter.  With the underskirt.  Yeah, I'm proud.

Ruffle Intervention: A Theoretical Event

Last post I added at the end that I took the underskirt apart because I wanted it to be longer.  And poofier.  So it went from this:

To this:

(Yes I believe in modesty.  Even on a dress form.  I'm weird, get over it.)

I am still unsatisfied.  Living alone however let's me obsess in peace.  Yet even I realized this was way out of hand when I started using floral wire to make a hoop that balanced out the bottom.  All I need to do is attach the overskirt (which is done) and it will be finished.  Yet I keep tweaking things here and there.

So after another night of little sleep I was messing with the skirt and thinking I may need an intervention.  But I know exactly how it would go.  You know, loved ones lure you somewhere and they have a trained interventionist to facilitate the intervention.  And I would walk in and of course just KNOW that it was an intervention.  I mean Hello!  You walk in and everyone sitting there is holding a piece of paper that starts out, "Dear Sabrina, You know how much I love you, and that is why it is so hard for me to talk about this.  You have a problem.  You are obsessed with ruffles..."

Then everyone goes around the room and reads their letters and the whole time I'm thinking "man I am so glad it's just me and party girl Vicki in the house.  These people are bringing me down."  And I will flat out tell you that if it isn't a tough love interventionist?  Pff.  Peace out!  I have more tulle at home!

Alas I must finish.  Because next I'm making a coat for spring (if it ever actually gets here) and I need Victoria for it.  This is a nice coat.  Hence the more formal moniker of Victoria will be used.  Right now though?  It's back to obsessing about completing phase two paperwork of applying for disability.  I would so much rather focus my attention elsewhere.  Oh wait, I am.

Underskirt: Ruffle Obsession

I always mean to post more often but then life gets in the way.  Currently I am like a junkie, only my drugs are prescribed.  I can always tell when I get near infusion time.  Plus, you know, I like to live as if I don't have MS but it likes to remind me daily that sometimes it wants to wear the pants and so I get the wonky vision.  and zapping.  and numbness.  and tremors.  and balance issues. and whateverelseitwantstothrowatmethatday.

I have been creative everyday, just some days it's really small stuff.  And none of this is strenuous which is both good and sad.  And heaven forbid I make plans!  It's like the disease is all, "um, what?" and then I'm all "don't you even start.  I AM IN CHARGE HERE." then it gets all uppity and is like "pff, girl you don't even want to go there!"  And then stuff happens like spastic muscle crap when I sleep and I wake up completely rigid.  But still I am defiant and tell the MS "hey, guess what?  Nice try.  I'm not taking my meds for this!  So neener neener!" then we have another round of "oh really?" and, well, I end up taking the meds for relief but that keep me from whatever was planned.  Except we both agree that infusion day is great.  MS is super cranky and appreciates the relief it gets from the infusion.

Anyway, I have learned that it's impossible to keep plans from...myself.

Oh right.  The underskirt.

Alright, I wanted it poofier so I made ruffles using tulle and wow.  That.  Worked.  Well.  Poofy!

Very successful.  Go me.  Oh wait, I decided I wanted it longer so I removed the top skirt, attached it to the bottom, and started going crazy with the ruffles again.  So yeah, it still isn't finished.  Go figure.

Party Dress Practice: The Underskirt

Underskirt.  What the heck is it?  Basically it's material that goes under the main part of a dress that will give the skirt more flounce or volume.  There are several ways it can be achieved.  In the past women wore a hoop skirt.  There is no way I'm making a hoop skirt!  Petticoats serve the same purpose, but are a pain to make.  Seriously.  One of the best ways to give a party dress that voluminous look is with a ruffled underskirt.

I picked the underskirt as the first practice piece mainly because I wanted to learn to make ruffles.  I won't get too technical about it but, as you will see, i found that I LOVE making ruffles.  But that too is down the line.  First you need fabric to make the garment to which the skirts will be attached.

Yes, your eyes do not deceive you!  That is pink!  I figured why not use a happy color for a possible disaster?  I had this remnant in the bureau made by my brother (that's another post) that I designated for the skirt.  I folded it in half and sewed an inch seam in which to insert the elastic that would later be used to hold up the skirt.  A few more seams and folds, plus attaching the material for the underskirt and voile!

I was on my way.

By the way, that's Victoria.  My dress form.  She is invaluable.  Also?  A super cheap buy on eBay.  When she sports formal wear she goes by Victoria.  But informal?  She's Vicki all they way, y'all.

By the way.  I am not using a pattern for this.  That's right.  Making it up as I go.  Consider it trademarked and copyrighted.  Heh.

So once the measurements were determined and the primary construction took place it was time to ruffle.  Also clean up the mess in the dining/office/sewing room.  Next up-on to the ruffles!

The Big One

You guys, this next project scares the crap out of me.  Honestly I've been putting it off because it's a major undertaking and will test me in many ways.  Alright, here it is.

Making a party dress.

I'm not talking LBD here.  I'm talking full on fun and flouncy party dress.  Like one would wear to a swanky party.  One complete with a corseted top and full skirt with an underskirt that has ruffles.  And ruffles.  And more ruffles.

Look, I have no idea what possessed me to undertake this.  I see it as a HUGE challenge that will take some time.  I also see me taking some mini breaks with other projects so as not to get overwhelmed in party dress hell.  So soon I will start posting regarding practicing the different elements of the dress.  This could be epic.  This could be disastrous.  Stay tuned.  I am.