Day One

Progress has been made!

On Monday I cut out the muslin bodice, pinned it together on Hannah, and marked where the seams should be.  I guessed at her size, adding an extra inch all around, and ended up being fairly close to her actual measurements.  Some adjusting will have to be made, but that's normal for any pattern.

Burda patterns differ from the McCalls and Simplicity patterns I usually use and they get mixed reviews from me.  I love that there are many more body measurements on their chart than the generic bust, waist, and hips one gets with the American pattern companies (Burda is German).  I'm not at all thrilled by the fact that the layout drawings are printed on the same tissue as the pattern pieces.  You have to search for them and cut them out just as you do for each pattern piece.  Not so much fun.  Nor at all durable.

Tuesday I popped into Joann's looking for dressy material but could not find the darker green Hannah wanted.  I took photos of some of the colors I figured she'd like to show her later and then went looking at the lace, getting ideas for the added details on the skirt.

This is the lace I found:

I'll cut out sections and hand sew them onto the skirt, adding sequins or beads according to Hannah's wishes.

This is the color Hannah chose for the second mock-up, which I will finish as a fancy dress for whenever.

One thing I missed in previous readings of the list of 'ingredients' for the dress was boning tape.  Another first for me: boning.  Having tried the bodice on Hannah, I can appreciate the need for it in a strapless dress.

Oh the joys of charting new waters.

~ Hannah's Mom