Another Venue

Ok - now that has nothing to do with the Revolution Series.... nope, it's the swing dance skirt and draping of the vest I am creating for my daughter, Katie.  The skirt is a drop yoke with both pleats and gathers set into the yoke with a back zipper. Found the fabric at Joann's - it's very shear and reminds me of India silk.  I have lined it with a black - swoo-ish!  
Waiting on cutting out the black vest of cotton velvet ~ trying to decide if we'll do embroidery on it ~ thinking cutout with maybe the same skirt fabric underneath or a matching solid.  I must consult the wearer!   

Other than this, I am extremely anxious to design the rest of the revolutionary series... I have enlisted 2 more friends to model... co-designer Erin and her husband, Andrew.... poor Andrew ~ what did we drag you into?!?   It's all good.  

That's it for tonight! Sleep well :) 

Progress on the Pre-Revolution/American Revolution Series

A bit of progress made today.  Finally! FINALLY, finished the embroidery around the outside edges of the jacket.  Now to figure out how to finish off the embroidery on the back slit and also, the back of the neck.  

As I contemplate the above situation.... it will need to perk-o-late in my brain for a bit, I have worked with the cuffs and sleeves a bit.  Slow progress, but it's getting there. As far as embroidery, this will most likely be the one jacket with so much of it.  Men. Such fashion plates!   So below is the mocked up sleeve with cuff.

I am anxious to get the button holes (mock) on the cuffs and finish the edging :)  I do need to find something elegant to line the cuffs, as they are exposed.  

Happy February! February, what?!? Already?

As I type this, my embroidery machine is continuing on it's journey around the hem of 1694 era mans jacket.  Think "Dangerous Liasons".  The pattern is drafted from the book "Men's 17th & 18th Century Cotume, Cut & Fashion" by R.I. Davis.  (This is an excellent resource)  I have sized it to fit my good-son, Chris, who is this awesome young man who puts up with my silliness. :) 

So below you can see the design work.  This is my first major embroidery project with this machine and it's been a fairly good (vs bad) learning experience!  I am using a Husqvarna Viking Ruby Deluxe machine, fabric that was designed for furniture, and Sulky 100% Viscose 04/3 thread (I love this thread - very little issue with fraying or breaking).  Note: Use a light interlining when working on a running project - it will keep your fabric from warping.