Carol Burnett - Bust Ups, Bloopers & Blunders Pt.1 HQ

I just had to share this one....I love this show and it just looks like they had so much fun on the set.

Advice Needed Please!

2010 Designer's Choice Fashion Preview Show

Esque- Leslie Pennel, Designer

I'm the type o f person that hates to ask for help. Maybe it's because I feel like I'm imposing or that I'll be bothersome, but this whole pattern drafting and construction gets really confusing. Well, each year I attend a fashion show here in my town that features local clothing and jewelry designers. Last year a designer named Leslie Pennel showcased her line and I fell in love! Check her out at http://www.facebook.com/#!/esquedesign . I couldn't wait to come home and look her up on Facebook. I didn't want to seem stalkerish, but I had to ask her questions and she was very kind with her responses. She helped make sense of some of the stumbling blocks I'm encountering. I'm grateful for the advice given. Well, it's noon and I've yet to head out and run my errands. I'll head out in this HEAT and will hopefully work a bit more on this drafting when I return. Today I want to at least complete the basic bodice/sleeve/skirt fit dress. I'm still also determined to clean out this garage before the weekend too, ugh. I may have to put this drafting down for a couple of days and get this garage cleaned.

Carol Burnett - Q & A (Questions & Answers) Tarzan Yell

It's funny how certain things that I remember loving as a child I realize now in my adulthood. I used to love watching the Q & A segment on the Carol Burnett show admiring the clothes she wore. Looking at it now as an adult, the clothes were always well constructed and very flattering on her. Now some of them are a bit dated by today's standards, but quite a few are classics. Bob Mackie designed all her clothing and skit costumes during the entire 11 season run of the show and he was amazing!

Try Again.

The improper fitting of my basic fit block really had me discouraged. It was so tedious and time consuming, and when didn't fit properly I was ready to give up. My sleep schedule is so thrown off and the fact I haven't been to the gym this week doesn't help either. I did go to Hancock Fabrics today to purchase more muslin so I'm going to rework my measurements and draft it again. I'm going to leave it alone for a day so I can catch up on some things like clean my garage, school shop, register my son for school, go to the gym, do some laundry, etc. so I don't fall so behind on that.

When my basic block is done, it's supposed to look like the pictured pattern above. It's just a basic dress...a foundation to build any garment. ******sigh****** I'm trying to stay encouraged.

***Sigh*** Back to the Drawing Board

The basic block bodice was very ill fitting so I'm going to have to recheck my measurements AND redraft the back and front bodice in order to achieve a proper fit. I don't know what the heck happened at my neckline. The waist was way too snug as well. I must've fudged a bit when I recorded my waist measurements. I stitched the sleeves, but haven't had the chance to baste, ease, and attach them on the garment. I think the sleeves will be okay. I have no clue about the fit of the skirt because I ran out of muslin and will have to purchase more. I know this is a learning process, but I can't afford to make too many mistakes.

Talk about Tedious...

Tools used to draft my basic measurement blocks: pattern drafting paper, paper french curve, pattern making textbook, vary from curve rule, pink pearl eraser, metal ruler, custom measurements, mechanical pencil

from l-r sewing scissors, flex curve ruler, plastic french curve

Basic Custom Block Draft (l-r sleeve, skirt front, skirt back, type 2 skirt back, front bodice, back bodice)

I'm convinced drafting the basic block pattern was the most tedious thing I've ever done. These basic block pieces are to serve as the foundation for anything I make. Having to draft and mark my precise body measurement to the nearest 1/8th of an inch was mind boggling. I hope I'm not going about this the long way, but something tells me knowing how to do this will be beneficial. I gotta admit that I'm quite fond of all the odd shaped sewing tools and supplies used to draft and measure the patterns. I'm still figuring out the sleeve fit and adjustment chapter here in this textbook and ready to call it a night (so sleepy)! I'll read just a bit further and will head to bed.

It dawned on me that I report to work in 1 month and still have so many other loose ends that I will need to tie up. I've given myself 2 weeks to try and complete my dress which would be great b/c Little Rock Fashion Week will falls on that 2nd week. I would love to wear it when I support my sweet friend Sheila who will be showcasing her line!! Check her out at http://www.ncholeferoce.com/

! I'm really excited for her too! We'll see how much progress I make here in the upcoming weeks because I've gotta keep things moving and prepare for this upcoming school year PLUS a state classroom observation as well. I'm so grateful to be home for summer break.

Making Sense of Pattern Grading

Link ---> Making Sense of Pattern Grading - Threads

Pattern Grading (proportionately increasing or decreasing a pattern's size) is another technique that has me a bit worried, but I know I'll be able to cross that bridge once I get there. --Trying to convince myself there will be no worries... ;-)