Sunday, November 1, 2009

Sew Much Fun...

My daughter loves Pirates of the Caribbean. Especially Elizabeth Swan. So it was no surprise when she announced last August that she wanted to be Elizabeth for Halloween, and would I PLEASE make her a costume??? Sure. Why not? I had plenty of time. What did it matter that my sewing experience was limited to an octopus pillow I made in Jr. High home economics, a crib cover for my son (who will be 20 in December), a pair of pj's that I made in a sewing class I took 3 years ago, and a quilt square? As long as I was able to take my time, it should be fine. Right?

I agreed to make her a costume then promptly forgot about it. She reminded me last Sunday that Halloween was only six days away, and that I hadn't started her gown yet. No panic necessary, I thought. I can work on it a little each day. I had lots of wedding satin left on a bolt in the closet. I'd had my gown made. The bolt had sat in the closet for 24 years waiting for a good project. This one would do. We went to the fabric store, chose a pattern, bought some brocade, lace and notions, and headed home. I planned to cut out the fabric that night and start sewing Monday. Everything was going as planned until I laid out the pattern to cut the skirt. I was 1/2 yard short of satin. No problem. I'll go back to the fabric store tomorrow after school and pick up something that will work.

I found what I needed - costume satin! Big mistake. It frays, runs, and is ridiculously slippery. I melted the first seam I tried to press. I suppose you get what you pay for... I worked diligently on the bodice. My seam ripper and I became good friends. Better friends than necessary, actually. When it was all said and done, I was glad to see him go back to the sewing box.

It took the entire week's worth of evenings to complete the dress. I finished the final hem 10 minutes before Trick-or-treat. I don't know if I'll ever attempt to sew something this hard again, but daughter loves it. And that's what counts!


12 comments:

Kelly Polark said...

Wow! Good for you! It turned out beautiful! I seriously cannot even sew a button, so I am very impressed!

Christina Farley said...

Oh my! You are good. I'm so impressed.

Nora MacFarlane said...

Thank you! Just don't look too closely at any seam...

Adrienne said...

Fantastic job! What girl wouldn't love that?
My seam ripper and I are good friends, too. :D

Anonymous said...

Wow. That is darn impressive. I'm SO glad I had a kid who wanted to be a snake because that lame costume took me TWO WEEKS!!!

Nora MacFarlane said...

Thanks all! I have to say, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed sewing it - seam ripping and all. I don't think I'll sew a wardrobe anytime soon, but I might give a quilt a try...

Brenda said...

You did a great job! It looks wonderful! And I'm sure it will be a Halloween she will remember...Hugs..

Anne Spollen said...

Great job on that.

I gave up when I was about 15 and found fabric glue.

Nora MacFarlane said...

Fabric glue... Now why didn't I think of that!

Liz said...

I recently rediscovered your blog -orginally found through the Taylor list and I'm inspired by your energy and output. I'm a distant cousin in NC who also writes. Now I see you can sew too. Wow!

Nora MacFarlane said...

Thanks Liz! I'm a granddaughter of Horace Taylor. Who do you belong to?

Mary Witzl said...

That looks fantastic! I'm the world's crappiest seamstress. (I actually wrote 'sewer' there before I caught myself. Shudder.)

Costume satin is sent from the Devil, no question about it: the few encounters I've had with it have made me use my Bad Words. Plus, it ruined my iron.