Designing a New Dress

I've been working so long now on my 'line', that it's feeling stale (even though very little of it is actually posted for sale yet), so I've decided to throw in a couple of one-of-a-kind dresses. I have some really pretty floral linen fabric that's been sitting in a box for a while, so I thought I'd use it. To save some time, I'm going to use a pattern I created for my niece's christening dress for one, and re-make a commercial pattern for the other.

One of the best parts of design (at least for me) is this 'playing around' stage. Just laying the fabric out, looking through my trim box, choosing colors... this is what I live for. I can't pick up a piece of girly fabric without gathering it at the top like a skirt. (I know there are some out there who know just what I mean.) Here's the fabric and some different trims.

I took my length of fabric and shaped it flat on the counter to make the rough shape of the dress. I considered the idea of making the bodice white, but it wasn't quite right. I liked the way the white set off the trim, though, so I wanted to keep it in some manner. I ended up making a flat bias piece, about 5/8" wide, at the waist and sleeve. Then I decided to make the collar white and add the trim there. I ended up using the trim shown in the center. (And see how nice the fabric looks gathered up on the 'skirt'?)

The only un-fun part of making this was realizing I didn't have any lining that was already washed (and the linen was), so it meant getting the washing machine going. I hate laundry - in any way, shape or form! And here's the finished product, below. Don't you just want to go buy it? (Say yes.)

A Time Consuming Little Jacket

A friend asked me how I was going to price my clothing. We talked a bit about materials and hidden costs like pattern paper, then she asked about my time to make these things. Oh, boy.

I already knew that if I factored in the salary I had been making when I was working for the doll company, the clothing wouldn't be affordable for anyone. (Well, maybe some - but I'm talking about most.) So I decided to just price it at a point where it might sell, and I might be able to make a buck, and pretty much disregard my time. I still wasn't expecting this time-crunching monster of a jacket, though.

Here came lesson number, ummm..... 374? Don't design your things, make the patterns, buy the fabrics, then think about cost. Here's the little demon I'm talking about.

Isn't he cute? I thought so until I started to time how long it was taking me to sew this. So much time was being taken up just changing the thread colors. And the topstitching - what a pain. And the number of pieces in this jacket? Fourteen, if you don't include the pocket tabs as part of the pattern. It takes thirteen steps just to sew and finish the sleeves. Okay, I'll stop griping now.

I decided to make four of these in each size (12 & 18 months, 2, 3, & 4T). Twenty jackets in all. I've only finished four so far. Maybe I'll have these done by the end of the month. We'll see. Still, there has to be something interesting in the design - otherwise, what's the point? Anyone can find a plain denim jacket out there - and for a lot less than what mine costs. The next jacket (or dress, or shirt) I design, though, will definitely have more consideration for time factored in!

So Much for Chronological Order

If I try to do this in order, I'll never get anything done. I'm going with the 'what's on my mind right now' style instead.

So I'm waiting for a table I ordered. Eight-to-ten weeks didn't seem like that long a time when I ordered it, but now.... Here is my current work space (so to speak). Yes, it's in my so-called kitchen. Note the serger on the opposite counter - right side. Between working and cooking, I spend half my life right now in this 14 sq. ft. space. So very much fun!

Here is our back hallway, where I plan on putting this table. Of course, there's no electrical outlet back there, and the closest one is in the living room/kitchen. My husband will be thrilled to have another cord running the length of the apartment and around the doorway. On a positive note; he won't have to look at my mess on the counter anymore. I'll post pics of the new space in a week or two.