Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Measuring the lining pieces

 Making this dress has been a dance--I'm not sure if it's a waltz or a tango. 

Still working on that back piece

We learned that ironing the dupioni is difficult. The creases iron in very easily, but iron out with more effort.

That led us to buying another iron. We read up on steaming, and found conflicting information on whether steaming the silk was a good idea or bad one. It turns out, it was a bad idea. Thankfully, we found that out on a piece of test fabric!  But the crease down the front of the dress is one we will continue to work on, slowly and carefully until it is all worked out.

The lining mostly done

The lining was (mostly) done, so we hung it from the ceiling for a bit to give us hope and inspiration.

But we struggled with how to put all the pieces together. The lace did not want to be hidden under all the dupioni, and we realized that putting it on top of the dress would make the dress even more beautiful than having it peeking out from underneath.

A skirt of lace

We'd already created the skirt out of lace. This was one of those two steps forward moments. We'd purchased enough of the lace to make a complete skirt. No need to run back to the store for more fabric. No more cutting and piecing together. It was meant to be!

We decided to put all the pieces together in new order to see how they'd fit.

The result, although hard to see in the photos, was amazing!

Dress with lace over-skirt

We found a use for the lace we'd purchased earlier that had marks on it so we couldn't use it as intended. We knew we were the only ones who would even know the marks were there (well, and anyone reading this blog) but we couldn't use them on the sleeves as we'd planned.

Now, we can use them on the underskirt, peeking out at the bottom.

All coming together bit by bit

We had it all together! Everything seemed to be working. And then the machine decided it needed a break.

I had to finish piecing the train together with the underlining, and the machine would not cooperate. Sew a little, rip a little... Here we were back at that when we could see the finish line. (Still hours of work away, but within sight!)

We ran out of time for the time being. The building was closing up for the day, Jenny had to be back home, Steph was flying out the next morning, and the realtor had houses to show us.

So, we packed up everything and bundled it home where it will sit until we can get together again in a few weeks. We shall reconvene soon. In the meantime, we have appliques to create and lace flowers to make, and decorations to design. We will be busy in other ways, but it is just not as much fun.