Make something now!

So, I was in the middle of a project when i thought, "boy, I could use some pattern weights." So guess what I did?

Ta daaaaa!!!!

 Now, I can't say I am solely responsible for this idea. I am pretty sure I got the idea somewhere, but I have no idea where. If it is yours, please let me know and I'll cite you!

Take four washers of about an inch diameter, and put them in the center of a 3" by 3" square of pinked cloth. 

Bunch the cloth up into the middle. 

Tie with a tiny rubber hair band (I used the clear ones).

And they held the pattern and the fabric down well. I wanted to try using a rotary cutter, which is much easier if your corners are all secure. 

 Gold Star to ADD crafters.

Hey look, an abandoned train car!

Let's take pictures!

I had a few dresses I finished recently, and when I saw this on my run I called a friend for a little photo shoot. We got through two of them before any awkward encounters. 

The first is a simple princess-seamed shift I made out of some blue and white striped cotton I found. Its a nice fabric with an almost sateen finish. I spruced it up a bit with a scalloped hem and a lapped zipper. I really must write about lapped zippers. They're wonderful. 

This one went together fairly easily. The way I cut the pattern made the stripes not line quite the way I wanted (on the other side from this picture, conveniently enough.) But it looks fine, if not quite what I intended. I've been using this method for doing scalloped hems, and it has always worked well for me. I also had to add a pleat in the neckline. I often have too much fabric in the necklines -- anyone have any thoughts on how to fix this?

But really though, don't I look like a right proper bird off for a rail adventure? I had a little sweater, and some prim gloves too. 

The second dress is one I finished a while ago, and I immediately broke the zipper. I finally got it replaced. Again, a fairly simple pattern, Simplicity 2444 to be exact, but I added a lace overlay to the skirt and some lace details at the waist and neck.

Honestly, I don't remember much about this construction, which means It was probably fairly normal. It does have pockets, which always makes a dress better. 

I definitely want to try this pattern again. It has some interesting angled front darts, which are really flattering. I will lengthen the waist though. I like a little higher waist for such a dolly-like dress, but generally I cater to my long torso. 

Little secret: I love this picture. Its not often a little lacy dress looks kind of badass.

Gold Star to the seekers of rail adventure. Also to MOC for taking the pictures. 

Things you didn't know about me

1. I'm missing a tooth, I  won't tell you which one. 

2. I didn't have a blankie until last year. I mean, I had blankets when I was little but I was never emotionally attached to them. Then I went to China and me and two of my cohorts spent forever looking for these hooded blankets of the Shanghai Expo's mascot Hai-Bao. He's wonderful and fluffy and comes with me everywhere.

3. I was probably a cranky jewish woman from the Bronx in a past life. I have no paranormal proof of this, however, I'm pretty sure its true. Also its true of MOC.

4. I wish I watched more Bollywood movies. 

5. I always have to listen to music when I'm driving. However, I hate the radio. Thank god for Ipods.

6. However, I think the thing I hate the most is getting cold. And I really do hate very few things, by the way. 

7. I organize things in rainbow order. Yes, I'm that guy. 

8. I use the term "ginger" a lot, but always in love.

9. Before my Cannon, my favorite camera was a point-and-shoot I got in Cambodia for 50 dollars. The charger flashes rainbow lights while the battery is charging. It's fantastic.

10. I grow more and more like my mother as I grow up. 

11. As aforementioned, I hate very few things. I get the righteous fury in me sometimes, and I do dislike some people, but I'm a very grey-area type of person.

12. I love airports. A lot of people think they're  boring, but I find them fascinating. There's always a sense of going somewhere, which is a very vague term, but its good.

13. I do still watch anime, not as much as I used to in high school and early college, but I still watch it. Theres nowhere else you're going to find gun-slinging super-vampire priests from the Vatican. 

14. I got to touch Hugh Jackman's bicep. Granted, it was with my face, but it still counts. He was filming a part of the movie Real Steel in my hometown.