Fauna's Regency Gown

I did it! 

This summer I had the goal of making three fabulous Jane Austen-style dresses for my and my friends, and yesterday I put the final stitches in dress #3! 

In other words, I am immensely proud of myself and my accomplishments. 

Pictures? I think yes.

Okay, before you look, allow me to apologize for the wrinkles. I forgot to steam it beforehand, and then afterwards I decided I loved how my cat was in most of the pictures looking all cute, so those are the pictures you'll be seeing. I will steam it before wearing, however! 

Front view.

Back view. 

Closer view of back. Note the trim - lots of poky pins, let me tell you!

Closer front view. Again, the trim turned out nicely, I think, and also the sleeves. 

Transparent kitty :) And angled view of dress profile. 

I must say, this dress is my favorite of the three. That's a good thing, since it's mine! The fabric is a little better quality - softer - and I fully lined this one. Plus, it was the last of three so I had plenty of practice to get this one right. Not to say I didn't still make a couple of mistakes, but nothing too noticeable. 

Now I'm thrilled to have this project over with so I can move on to other projects before my summer is over. It's a little overwhelming to think that I go back to school in a little over a month! But I won't think about that now. Too much to do!

"You must understand the whole of life, not just one little part of it. That is why you must read, that is why you must look at the skies, that is why you must sing, and dance, and write poems, and suffer, and understand, for all that is life." ~Jiddu Krishnamurti

Flora's Regency Gown

I finished dress #2!!!

Honestly, I'm pleased with how it turned out. I love the simplicity of the white fabric with little pink flowers. Simple but beautiful. 

Of course, I had to elaborate a bit with some trims and colored buttons, but it still maintains it's air of innocent elegance. 

Okay, okay - pictures! 

My apologies that the lighting isn't better - I'm a sewer, not a photographer! Although photography is a skill I would like to advance...someday ;) 

For now, I'm satisfied with these:

View of dress from the front.

View of dress from the side/back. 

Closer view of back detailing.

So there you have it! Flora and Merryweather are complete, so now I get to start on Fauna's(mine!). I'm excited to make the green dress. Saving the best for last, right? ha!

In other news, although from the outside my life may seem very peaceful and perhaps a bit boring, I have been finding multiple reasons to be delighted lately. 

First reason: summer reading!

Maybe I mentioned in an earlier post that I was trying to read the entire "Harry Potter" series this summer...maybe I didn't, but there you are! Well, I met my goal last week after days of reading and being mentally in Harry Potter land all the time, I set down the 7th book with a sigh of happiness. Not only was it an excellent read, but I was so relieved that everything was resolved and the stress and drama was over! And, as much as I enjoyed the journey, it's now been fun to get to read other things!

~"Rapunzel Let Down" by Regina Doman. I've been wanting to read this book ever since I heard it was being written, and I finally got to! I think it took me less than a day, I was so engrossed. Amazing, amazing book. I loved it!

~"Stealing The Preacher" by Karen Witemeyer. I've read a couple of her other books and loved them, so it was with great anticipation I devoured this book the other day! Oh, so delightful. Lots of amusement (made me laugh SO many times!) and such a charming story. 

I'm between books at the moment, but I have a pile of possibilities waiting for me :) 

Second reason I've been delighted:

Shopping! 

Mom took me shopping yesterday. We had a lovely day! She took me into her favorite thrift stores, where I found a lovely dress that I hope to alter, and a really neat silk skirt made in India that I just couldn't resist. Then we went to the Mall and browsed the shops. The truly thrilling experience of the day, however, was going into Claire's and getting my ears pierced for the first time! I was technically allowed to get it done once I turned 18, but it never seemed right. So here I am with two little sparkly jewels in my ears, and I'm happy :) 

The day wouldn't have been complete without food, of course. We had lunch at this cute little cafe - it had a very relaxed atmosphere, and I wouldn't mind going back again. Really yummy sandwich! 

Then we got Qdoba for the whole family. I love their lime chips! haha

Well, now I've rambled on for a long time about things that don't really matter to you, but which I felt like saying anyway. I hope your summer has been as delightful as mine!

"Why was it that thoughts and plans always made more sense when confined to one's ming than when they exited one's mouth?"~Karen Witemeyer, Stealing The Preacher

Merryweather's Regency Gown

Greetings! 

Since we are still very close to the date, I think I can still say "Happy Independence Day" to anyone reading this :) 
My family and I had a very peaceful, quiet day at home - played some bocce ball, taught the puppy the wonders of chasing a soccer ball, watched the "Capitol Fourth" concert on tv...mostly, though, we cooked (and then ate) delicious food. My largest contribution was what turned out as a rather lovely cherry-blueberry pie. (I meant it to have a lemon-y crust, but guess who forgot to put the lemon in....*blushes*) 

My pie :) We still get to eat the other half tonight....exciting!

Anyway. I've been meaning to share more about my regency dress projects! I've been busy. Well, I was busy for about 3 1/2 days, during which I mostly constructed the first of these gowns. Then I had to put the project on hold for a while until my mother returned from a lengthy trip so I could ask her how to do something on it - my knowledge in seamstress-y stuff is limited, okay? - and then I kept putting it off until the other day when it took me less than an afternoon to put the finishing touches on what I think turned out as a rather pleasing and pretty regency gown. 

Of course I have pictures!

Here's the front. 

And here's the back. I love how the little buttons look!

I did take a couple of pictures as I was putting it together, but nothing really interesting. If you wanted to know, I used this Simplicity pattern, almost completely as instructed. Overall I found the pattern good to work with, although I found a couple of the instructions confusing or limited in descriptions. A more experienced seamstress would not have needed these, though, so it's all good ;)

The white and pink material for the second dress has already been cut into pieces, and I've had a good start on the bodice, so wait for pictures of that lovely project! And now my sister beckons me with the prospect of nutella and coffee, so I must depart for now. 

"We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving." ~J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows