In the Know

I am so glad I worked in the fashion industry for a while. I learned where all these great production facilities are located, and I am not afraid to just show up at them and start talking to people. Today I went down to South Central Los Angeles in the rain to see if I could get some covered buttons made.

I had considered sending them to some place on the internet so I wouldn't have to trek downtown, but at $0.75 a button I thought it was too expensive. Today I dropped of my fabric and I am having covered buttons made for $0.85 a dozen. Yes, $0.85. Can you believe it? Anyway, they will be ready for pick up tomorrow and I should have my dress completed by the end of the week easily.

I will keep you posted.

Almost There

Sorry, I haven't been blogging. I have been very busy sewing. We have less than two weeks until the wedding now and I only have a little left to do on my dress.

Last week I made major progress. I cut everything out and then sewed the top and the bottom. I sewed in my pockets. They are the best ever. I love them. I don't know anyone else who had pockets in their wedding dress, but a pocket was one of my goals.

I love my dress. Love, love, love.

I still have to hem it, sew on the buttons and the loops and then I am done. That should only take a couple of hours. If I pull it off before next weekend, it will be the earliest I have completed a dress project ever. I am such a procrastinator. Although I guess there are a few other things to be doing the week of the wedding.

I hope you all like my dress as much as I do.

Favors Complete

Well, we completed the favors this week. I love them. I almost want to keep them all myself, but I am not sure what I would do with them... other than look at them and touch them. They are buttery soft and so cute. I can barely contain myself.

Thanks to Matt and my Mum for both helping out so much.

I hope everyone likes them as much as I do.

The Dreaded Phone Call

Well, last week I received the dreaded phone call. It was the fabric shop I ordered my wedding dress fabric from. They said they didn't have my fabric in one piece, but that it would arrive in another few weeks. And I would have it by the end of November. Oh no! That would be way too late.

Luckily after a little chat we figured out they had two pieces which equaled the total yardage. With a survey of the store staff confirming that the two pieces were indeed the same color, I decided to accept my fabric in two pieces. I ordered more yards than I need so it should be okay plus they said they would throw in an extra yard in case the cut causes a problem. Crisis averted.

I received the fabric. It looks awesome. I can't wait to get sewing with it.

Fabric Ordered

Well, I took a huge step in the right direction this week. I have been searching high and low all over the Los Angeles Fashion District for fabric for my dress. It needs to be the right color, the right texture, not too shiny and the right weight. I went to Mood in West LA too. Famous for being the Project Runway fabric shop. Needless to say I was starting to get a little worried that I wouldn't find something that was right. I really wanted a peau de soie, but I couldn't find it anywhere in the color I wanted. Last week I found a website and ordered one yard of satin to sample the fabric. It totally works. Horay!

I am relieved and delighted. I ordered the yardage I need and it should be waiting for me upon my return to Los Angeles. Soon I will be able to hurry up and get this dress made.

The Groom's Share

Of course I cannot resist creating one of my favorite little items as favors for our wedding guests. I ordered a new fancy sewing machine to DC so I didn't need to lug my old machine back and forth to make the favors. But now I am wanting to sew my wedding dress on the new machine. Oh well, you can never win. Probably safer to stick with my old machine though as I know it like the back of my hand.

I gave Matt a sewing lesson on the new machine. He fixed the belt loop on his old dressing gown, "robe" for Americans. He also made a wedding favor. He is so talented. Who said the Groom's share of wedding planning is nothing. Matt learned to sew for our wedding. How many grooms can say that? Too cute!

My First Full Toile

Tonight I made the first full toile of my wedding dress. It is so exciting. Of course, I put it on and couldn't stop walking around the house and staring at myself in every mirror I could find. Looking at it from the back, from the front, from the side. So fun! I love it!

The skirt is way too big so there really wasn't any point in fitting it tonight. I would have to take in every seam pretty much, so I will make the pattern smaller and start over on the skirt. The top looks good aside from the pokey boobies. They are reminiscent of a Madonna concert costume which is not the look I am going for. I will have to re-place the darts on the pattern for a more flattering shape.

I am sure I will have several toiles before I cut into the real fabric. I wanted to take a photo and share it with all of you, but Matt may be checking my blog and I want him to be surprised. I think I will start taking some photos and just save them up and release them after the wedding. I will try to give you some tidbits when I can though.

I am glad I have made my dress a priority now. I had such a great time sewing tonight.