A Little Something for Me

I don't make myself very many things. It's a sad fact. I make things for my family, friends, and interweb strangers, but never for me.

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I have, however, discovered that polyester knit is the fabric of the season. Ick. I'm a natural fabrics gal. I can do without the polyester tops, dresses, and pants, that will all become covered in tiny little snags and fuzzies in about one wash.

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I'm shuddering here.

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I get that silk and pure wool, especially merino and cashmere, are too $$$ to find at the local stores, but what about cotton? Wool blends? Isn't polyester plastic thread? Like petrolium based? Shouldn't IT be too pricy to produce with the current cost of oil by the barrell?

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Sadly, the fashion world has also decided that the 80's should return.

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WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS???

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Shoulder pads, styrup pants, neon plaids, skinny jeans, and doe skin fabrics were a part of the past for a reason!

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:::fans self:::

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So, basically, my clothing choices for this fall are tacky and tackier. Gag me with a spoon. Please.

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The upside to the horridness of the mass produced clothing market, is that I have the abilties to make what I want.

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I spent almost 2 hours at JoAnn's, looking through pattern catalogs and fingering fabrics. Thankfully, all 3 kids were more than cheerful to wait. Xavian and Korra looked at Halloween costumes, and Saxton was cheerful to half nap in his stroller.

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I found several vintage patterns that called my name, but am on a budget, so I decided to pick one to start.

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Meet Butterick pattern 6582, a 1960's designed cocktail dress:

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The beauty of the dress is that it's from a time when hour glass figures were celebrated, the necklines weren't so cleavage baring, and a woman's back was considered sexy.

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It's a good thing I'm fond of my back.

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I'm loving style A, the black dress with shoulder bows. I'm going to make the bows detatchable, so that I have the option to wear a cardigan.

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The pattern calls for light weight fraille, crepe, taffeta, pique, light weight linen, or shantung.

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I'm making mine with a deep red suiting weight wool. It's more pratical for actual wear. I don't go to too many cocktail parties, but I do go to church, luncheons, and Christmas parties.

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The dress itself is supposed to hit mid-calf. I'm thinking I'll probably go with knee length.

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I'm making a muslin mock-up of the dress so that I can determine alterations to ensure a perfect fit. This is a first for me. It's also a must, because the dress is supposed to be semi-formfitting. I don't want to waste any of this beauful fabric! Besides, if I were to buy more, it probably wouldn't be on sale, and I'd have to pay $25 a yard. Eeep!

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Wish me luck, as I am excited and daunted all at once. I really want to love the finished product!

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