This month and next it's all about the big four....I'm not talking about the pattern companies we all know and love but about the four big projects I've set out for myself in May and June. I'm not sure if I've officially gone crazy or what. Perhaps you can talk some sense into me. You see, I've been
very busy with work this month and in addition to my full-time job, I've picked up a consulting project on the side. I've also mentioned that we will be celebrating a big event in June--David's graduation!! We are both super excited. There's the graduation event, the graduation ball and a garden party!! So here's the big four plan:
1. The Gilda Gown
You may remember me
already talking about this one. Originally I was planning on using the bombshell dress as the basis for the gown, however given everyone's reviews (especially in terms of
how long it takes) I'm wondering if I might be better off with a pattern like this one (thanks to
lsaspacey for pointing this out as the perfect Gilda gown):
The only problem with this is the reviews on pattern review suggest this is difficult to piece together and a troublesome pattern...
Or this one:
This one has had really good reviews and people have said it was "easy" to put together.
Here's the inspiration gown again:
Thoughts? Other patterns I should explore?
2. The Bonnie Prince Charlie Jacket
This is the traditional jacket to be worn with a kilt (isn't it the best name for a jacket?). Here's a photo of David and I with him wearing his current Bonnie Prince Charlie jacket:
His graduation is white tie--meaning a black Bonnie Prince Charlie jacket. I found the perfect pattern from Folkwear (you can make your own kilt and the pattern even comes with instructions for knitting your own argyle socks...don't worry that's not on the agenda for the next two months..lol.)
Folkwear Pattern 152:
3. Traditional Waistcoat/Vest
You have to wear a vest under the Bonnie Prince Charlie jacket (also included in the Folkwear pattern). This version will be made in white. Have I mentioned that I've never done welt pockets before?
4. A Garden Party Dress
Part of the graduation includes a garden party event (yipppeee). I asked David to pick his choice of pattern for me to wear and he choose the 1933 Katherine Hepburn Butterick 5156 frock
from EvaDress:
I've made this pattern before and it sews up very nicely:
I LOVE this pattern. And for those of you who may be thinking...'Won't this outfit be too warm for a garden party in June?' I can assure it, it
won't be that warm in June. It was only 43 degrees today. Sigh. So it's not exactly the floral chiffon frock type of garden party--but hey, I can live with that if it means I get to play with lightweight wool!
We've already been swapping ideas for fabrics and let's just say there will be tartan and bright colours involved. The only hitch? I seem to have missplaced my pattern (grrrrr...I HATE it when I do that). I distinctly remember that the pattern did not fit back in it's envelope and so I put it in with another pattern (but now I can't remember which one). So, I'm going to look for it this weekend (wish me luck!)
Now, here is the part where I ask you if I have gone mad. Is this doable? Should I try? I forgot to mention that David has agreed to tackle all the hand sewing on the jacket and vest (yippeee) and do some guest posts for my blog in June to help us accomplish our goals.
So what do you think? Brilliantly ambitious OR looney bin overload (i.e. not humanly possible)?
