Monday, March 1, 2010

Pick Up the Scissors

My list over-runneth again today so I am posting early. The biggest thing on the list: Cutting the Lace! I've been avoiding it because I have no instructions to fall back on! LOL! The dress pattern is for a circular skirt. The lace has a border print with the flowers, beads and sequins on one end only. So I can't use the pattern as it will cut off the border print. Instead, I have to decide how much lace to use.

In the spirit of measure twice and cut once, I actually measured around the bottom of the skirt. The circumference of the skirt at the hem came to about 6 and 2/3 yards. That's a full skirt! See:

I've got to gather the waist of the skirt to fit my pipsqueak of a daughter. The same has to be done with the lace as it's an over-skirt or a second layer. Now, I think I'll use 3 yards of the 5 yards of lace my mom bought for the skirt. Too much and the border print will be lost in the gathers. Too little and it won't look right either. Maybe I'll use 4. Eeek! What should I do?!?!?

Pick up the scissors already and get it done! LOL!

On another note, if you are the praying type of person, I'd appreciate a few prayers for my in-laws. My mother-in-law is not doing well. She's got a few health issues that are compounding each other right now and it doesn't look good. We hope to know more later today after she goes to see another surgeon for another opinion. Thanks!

9 comments:

Trisha said...

Hi, Ileana. Have you considered cutting the lace into sections? Like a gored skirt. If there is not enough lace fabric, could you inset strips of another lace between some of the gor sections? Just a thought from one who has had to make do lots of times!

I will be praying for you MIL today, and the docs and the family.

Anonymous said...

I have a small suggestion, Ileana. I have sewn all of my life, and so I know a little bit about this: don't cut the lace at all, except for cutting the top off for the length that you will need. Gather the entire amount of fabric and place it over the dress to see how it looks before cutting any off. It's always easier to make things smaller, but not bigger. Lace is a lot finer than the fabric so it will not apear a bulky as the fabric behind, even though it will be fuller at the top. To do easy gathering on a really full bit of fabric make sure you do a double layer of gathering stitches, or you can use a zigzag stitch and zigzag over a pieces of string (being careful not to catch the string in the stitches.)and just pull the string afterwards. After gathering the lace and laying it on the fabric, you can then decide if you need to cut any off. You could also use a crinoline under the dress to bring out some of the fullness and show off the border on the bottom. Hope this helps. Gina

Sandy said...

Consider her covered in prayer.

Lisa Avolio said...

I'm praying- for both issues. :)
I wouldn't cut until I tested the size. I'd gather the underskirt first, which might be easier by zigzagging over a heavier thread- do you know that technique? Then I'd scrunch and drape the lace fabric first to test, and I might even do a row of gathering or basting stitching on the selvedge edge to test it before cutting. It will be bulky at the top and hips, compared to the shape of the underskirt. HTH!

Val said...

my thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. With the other problem of the lace if it was paper I could help but then if it were paper you would'nt have the problem LOL!!! Cheers Valx

Caroline said...

I was going to suggest sectioning your skirt more, but see that Trisha has already suggested that !

I hope your MIL feels a lot better soon

Anna said...

Wow I wouldn't know where to begin with this. But I am sure it will come out just awesome for your little cutie.

Sue aka barracudasue said...

Prayers going skyward for you MIL and the family! Please let us know what's going on with her as we care deeply about you and everything that goes on in your life.

Elizabeth said...

Well I have no suggestions for you with the skirt except to get the scissors out and get it done..bahahahahaha

I will keep your MIL in my prayers and hope all goes well.