The Frock - an update

I finished the frock in time for the work function … almost ... just a little bit of hand stitching under the arm didn't quite get done.  I figured that the chances of anyone having their head in my armpit during the course of the evening was quite low so chose to feed my children and organise the babysitter instead.
I thought I might share some process pics with you.
This way you don't have to experience the swearing and the procrastinating that also accompanied the production of this dress.

This was the rough mock up as I was copying a dress hanging in the cupboard that sadly doesn't zip up anymore.

The bodice - with a few less pleats than the mock-up.

The satin binding was suggested by the lovely lady at Fabulous Fabrics.  

You buy it off the roll either there or at Spotlight - how did I not know about this???  

So simple and the result was great.

The invisible zip. God knows why I purchased this ?!?!?!  

I have never been able to figure them out and usually avoid them like the plague but for some reason I decided that I would give it another go.

I'm so glad I did as you tube saved the day.  

These things ARE really easy to put in if you know how.  Fancy that!!

Check out this clever chick if you want to know how ….

The invisible zip and I are now friends.  I may put them in everything.

I think the jeans and boots work quite well - don't you ??

And sadly, this tired little photo taken after we arrived home, without my shoes on, standing (well, slouching really) in a badly lit room is all I have of the finished dress.
You get the idea.
I think the dress itself may be a little long and I think the underdress could be a little shorter too.  Generally I am happy with it and one day I may even finish the hand sewing at the top of the zip.
Next project ….. maybe a quilt …. or maybe the mountains of laundry creeping down the hallway.

A letterbox surprise ...

Surprises are lovely both when you give and when you receive them.

You can only imagine how excited I was to find this little lovely in my mail box today thanks to the fabulous Maya at Housenerd.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I won a little giveaway that she ran on her blog.

So excited!

I am not going to be able to spend only $50 at Calico and Ivy - a beautiful fabric and yarn shop in Mosman Park, Perth.

Thank you Maya (love your work!) and thank you to the ladies at Calico & Ivy - my credit card and I will be visiting very soon.

Hope you are getting lovely surprises today, too.

Frocked

We have a "work do" to go to on Saturday night.
You know the type - black tie with a theme and I'm the spouse who knows probably 3 people.
Can you tell that I am jumping out of my skin with excitement ??? …..
I would much rather be on the couch in my pj's.
In true spouse style I will trot off, smile, make small talk and probably have a really good time.

It is best in these situations, however, not to arrive naked.
This could be a little awkward and may hinder the Mr's career opportunities.

2 weeks ago I decided that I would make a frock (as no other frock in the wardrobe fits … damn it!).
I will make a little something that can do this function and a wedding in September.
Simple!
Great!
Fabulous idea!

A week disappeared (how does that happen?) with only a bit of Googling and Pinteresting and not much else.
A girlfriend in here in Perth directed me to Fabulous Fabrics in Balcatta.

Truly fabulous and full of really NICE (and expensive) evening fabrics.
For Melbourne peeps it is a bit like the long lost love child of Franke Stuart in Hawthorn and Clegs. Fun, fun, fun.
In a fleeting moment of misplaced confidence I purchased some beautiful black lace.
I love it!
It is divine!

It was ridiculously expensive (I may have to sell a child when the Visa bill arrives).

I am now too scared to cut it in case I 'frock' it up.

It is Wednesday.
The function is on Saturday along with kid's sport and a couple of kid's parties.
I work on Friday.
And did I mention that I don't really have a pattern …

I may be "frocked".

Do you think I can just wear my jeans ???