A lot of Lurking & A touch of sewing

This title is not to suggest that in my lengthy posting absence that I have not been sewing. 

 Heaven Forbid!  

Rather it is to say that I have been exploring lurking.  You know reading blogs appreciating and even using the information while rarely leaving a comment trail.  

Quite honestly it feels a bit like walking into someones home while they are out, raiding their fridge and sneaking out with out a "by your leave".

But enough about lurking (questions to follow) and on to sewing....Hooray!

This is a small sampling of what I have been up to of late, more to follow in the days ahead possibly.

"Your assignment should you choose to accept it"

 Create a bra for an elderly client with sloping shoulders a 32" rib cage and a E cup.

I used the Pin-Up Girls Classic Bra Pattern with no alterations(seriously, just follow the directions) and achieved a perfect fit and the only comfortable bra she has ever had!!

 and from the back.  

I have have made 3 of these in total and still need to make another in black 

&

1 in red and white gingham

( that is supposed to be a teaser of sorts)

For the same client a quilted vest from Moda charm packs.  She used to do more sewing herself, but in her semi-retirement she has decided its more fun to be the designer.

  She provides me with the idea, the fabrics, and some of the notions( buttons in this case) but leaves me lots of room to add my own touches.

What a great client!!

This close up shows some of my touches.  

After sewing the charm squares together. I hand quilted them to a layer of cotton flannel using different colors of embroidery floss.  

The breast pocket was an additional touch to help achieve two objectives.

 1- Create a space to show off her hankie collection.

2- Balance out the bust by creating a focal point above it and drawing the eye back towards her lovely face.

Now back to the questions, because I really want to know:)

Do you like to lurk?

Do you prefer it?

Do you ever feel guilty for it?

Do you find commenting bothersome, required, pointless,  or challenging?

Vintage Fashion - A Spectator by Guildford

I feel I must begin this post by apologizing a tad for my lack of enthusiasm for blogging...following blogs...posting....commenting ....etc.  

I have been working on some fun projects though and when my enthusiasm returned I could not find my camera!!  Seriously.....it's not like me to panic about these things....no matter how organized I am, I misplace things on a fairly regular basis.... usually they reappear eventually.  

My camera made it's appearance last night when my mother handed it back to me -lol

So first thing this morning I captured these pics of  a vintage dress of my mothers.

She purchased this dress in the early 50's when she was a girl of 15 to wear to a school dance.

She used multiple crinolines under it and wore it with a black patent leather belt and black pumps.

The belts chains on the dress are in black and would accommodate a 1 inch belt. I used a piece of velvet ribbon I had about.

The skirt is made in 8 gores and the hem circumference  measures 260 inches!

In these pictures I have 2 crinolines under the skirt and it could easily be double that.

Makes you want to dance doesn't it?

The cotton on this dress had a glazed finish on it, which has worn away due to multiple washing's.

My bad....I wore this dress frequently in the 80's and machine washed it roughly as young people will.

It zips up the side with a metal zipper and has one pocket in the skirt opposite the zip.

Love the details on this dress - These little appliqued roses are all tacked into place with a single rhinestone.

Additional rhinestones are scattered over the bodice.

The neckline and armholes are piped and faced.

I just love the elegant square neckline on the back

The hem is done with rayon seam tape and all of the seams are pinked...so simple

The inside label reads " A Spectator by Guildford" and is the only tag in the garment.

Does anyone have any information on this company?

There is a town by the name of Guildford in the UK...but I did not round up any info for this company.

So for those of you who like a good mystery....

I promise to catch you up on the 1912 project, my gardening overalls, my bra making adventures, the craftsy block of the month project, and Chucks latest endeavor an original scultpture of Adam West