sewing/progress update (1950s outfit)

Just finishing up the last of my tulle petticoat right now. Had a setback yesterday in my sewing when my machine broke on me.

Spent like an hour trying to fix it, but I eventually gave up. I'm going to need to take it in. Something is wrong and causing the needle thread to catch on the works down where the bobbin is. Also, was having difficulty in catching the bobbin thread when attempting to pull it up so I could sew. The needle wouldn't return all the way to the right position. It'd get almost there, and then stop...and not pull up the thread. Needless to say, I was frustrated and had a setback in my 'quick' sewing projects that I had left for Saturday.

Eventually I remembered that my roommate Jill had a machine boxed up, and I asked her if I could use it. She graciously let me borrow her machine, a Shark Automatic (with the basic stitch functions at least), so I could finish my projects for today. Yea for my roommate! =)

So, that's my status report. Finished my belt for the dress, and got really close to done with the tulle petticoat, but was just too tired last night (after 10pm) to be productive at sewing, so I'm finishing it now. Need to stitch down the pinned tulle to the base, then add in a waistband (haven't cut & interfaced yet), and add in my hook & bar closure. And then I'm done and can get ready.

I was hoping to be able to get ready in time that I could wear this outfit to church this morning, but looks like that's not going to happen. Oh well.

At least I should be done with the outfit in time to wear it to the Movie, my original goal, and that's the important part! =)

We're meeting at 1:15pm outside the theater (movie starts at 2pm), then headed to Clifton's cafeteria (place has been in business since the 1930s) for an early dinner afterwards. What fun! =)

Ok, must get back to sewing so I can finish and then get started on my hair/makeup, etc.

Later!

Current Sewing Project: 1950s outfit

So, I'm doing a quick project so I can wear a 1950s outfit on Sunday to White Christmas (showing at the LA Theater - see my previous blog posting in November =).

Well, Colleency was nice enough to loan me a dress so I don't have to start from scratch (with basically a week to make an outfit). Yea for Collency! =) You rock! So all I need to do is make a belt and a petticoat (with tulle) to make the dress 1950s. And of course accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!

=)

Maegen loaned me one of her set of pearls (her grandmother's I believe she said) and a pearl bracelet (which she made), and I have a little black velvet headband hat (with black feathers) that I'll be wearing. And of course some gloves (white with black polka dots - also loaned by Collency), stockings, heals and a nice hairdo/make-up will complete the picture! (I might even have a small purse that will work with this outfit too).

What would really be nice is if my recently ordered book, How to Handle Long Hair -- Recreating Glamorous 1950s Hairstyles (http://www.amazon.com/Handle-Recreating-Glamorous-1950s-Hairstyles/dp/1934268720/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228418453&sr=8-1 ), arrives in time for me to try out one or more of the hairstyles and see if any will work for Sunday's outing.

I'm so excited about Sunday.

=)

Which means today's goal for my Lunch Break Errands: purchase supplies (such as tulle) needed at JoAnns...so I can get started with cutting & sewing tonight!

White Christmas playing at the historic LA Theater!

On Sunday December 7th at 2:00pm the Los Angeles Theater (a historic theater in downtown LA) will be showing "White Christmas" (1954). How fun is that? =)

I am SO going! (And I'm going with some other costumers too).

Now, if I can somehow manage to pull together a 1950s outfit in time, that will just be the icing on the cake. =)

FYI - for others interested in coming along, tickets ($10/adult) can be purchased at the LA Conservancy website.

https://secure2.convio.net/lac/site/Ecommerce?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=3421&store_id=2341

Los Angeles Theater

615 South Broadway, Downtown L.A.