While I generally encourage people to try their hand at any craft that captures their imagination, I have to admit there is a downside to craftiness. That is, sometimes you get ahead of yourself...way ahead of yourself. Case in point: Several months ago, my husband and I were invited to a party to celebrate the first communion of the daughter of a good friend of mine. Now this isn't an ordinary party, this is an Italian party. And not just an Italian party, but an Italian party in Florence. We're talking serious party here. Did I tell you it was in a castle.
As you can imagine, there was a great deal of discussion among the expat attendees about what one would wear to such an event. The hostess graciously told us we could wear whatever we wanted. Of course none of us believed her and, after great soul searching/talking to every Italian we knew, we decided to rely on the only one among us who's ever been to such a function, or rather on her husband. Based on her husband's assessment, we determined that the dress was formal. Not coronation formal, but close.
Since I had just finished making a jacket I really liked, and because shopping is so difficult here if you are over 5'4", I decided to make a dress to go under it. And, since I haven't owned a dress in the last 20 years, I decided I would make it while I took an online course on couture dress making. Don't ask me why I decided to use the most labor intensive dressmaking technique known to man to make a dress of all things, but that's what I decided...2 weeks before the party. I had some beautiful red fabric that perfectly matched the poppies in the jacket, I had the pattern, bought the course, and then...and then, I learned how much handwork was involved. But, never being one to refuse an impossible task, I began. First, I made basic alterations on the paper pattern, made the model out of muslin, made the alterations on the muslin, and finally cut the fabric. Easy, right? Wrong! This has taken me over a week, and now I have 5 days in which to actually sew the dress together, sew a lining, which is just like making the dress again...for the 3rd time, and attach the lining by hand. I am becoming concerned...
Nevertheless, I trudge ahead, working all day and into the night, until Wednesday night, when I try the dress on for the first time. It is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. Not only does it not fit correctly, the fabric is too stiff and forms a huge balloon around my hips, not to mention it hangs completely askew. The HORROR!! There is no way I'm wearing this thing.
Clearly, it's time for Plan B. The only problem is, I don't have a Plan B. So, after tossing and turning all night, on Thursday morning I run down to my local fabric store where I find some beautiful cobalt blue silk shantung that only requires a small loan rather than a new mortgage, and I race home to begin a top and pair of slacks. By Saturday morning, an hour before our train leaves, the top is done, as are the pants...sorta. I guess you really can't say a pair of pants is finished when you still have to hem them and attach the waistband...
Fast forward to Sunday morning, and with 15 minutes to spare, my clothes are completed, at least as much as anyone can see. But, when we arrive at the party I discover that not only am I completely overdressed, there are people there in jeans...I own jeans!!! I could have slept during the last week!! Not that anyone wears jeans the way Italians do, and of course everyone was beautifully dressed, just not Coronation-ready.
Overdressed or not, the party was fabulous and we had a terrific time in an amazing location.
So, what did I learn from this experience? Well, first of all, and most obviously, don't bite off more than you can chew. Crafting is fun unless you make it otherwise. Second, when your hostess tells you that you can wear whatever you want, you should believe her...even in Italy.
P.S. If this post hasn't completely put you off of couture dressmaking techniques, and you want to give it a whirl, the class I took, which is linked here, is most excellent. Or, if you're not ready for that, check out the other classes on Craftsy.com. I, on the other hand, have a red dress to redo.
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| Castello di Vincigliata |
As you can imagine, there was a great deal of discussion among the expat attendees about what one would wear to such an event. The hostess graciously told us we could wear whatever we wanted. Of course none of us believed her and, after great soul searching/talking to every Italian we knew, we decided to rely on the only one among us who's ever been to such a function, or rather on her husband. Based on her husband's assessment, we determined that the dress was formal. Not coronation formal, but close.
Since I had just finished making a jacket I really liked, and because shopping is so difficult here if you are over 5'4", I decided to make a dress to go under it. And, since I haven't owned a dress in the last 20 years, I decided I would make it while I took an online course on couture dress making. Don't ask me why I decided to use the most labor intensive dressmaking technique known to man to make a dress of all things, but that's what I decided...2 weeks before the party. I had some beautiful red fabric that perfectly matched the poppies in the jacket, I had the pattern, bought the course, and then...and then, I learned how much handwork was involved. But, never being one to refuse an impossible task, I began. First, I made basic alterations on the paper pattern, made the model out of muslin, made the alterations on the muslin, and finally cut the fabric. Easy, right? Wrong! This has taken me over a week, and now I have 5 days in which to actually sew the dress together, sew a lining, which is just like making the dress again...for the 3rd time, and attach the lining by hand. I am becoming concerned...
Nevertheless, I trudge ahead, working all day and into the night, until Wednesday night, when I try the dress on for the first time. It is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. Not only does it not fit correctly, the fabric is too stiff and forms a huge balloon around my hips, not to mention it hangs completely askew. The HORROR!! There is no way I'm wearing this thing.
Clearly, it's time for Plan B. The only problem is, I don't have a Plan B. So, after tossing and turning all night, on Thursday morning I run down to my local fabric store where I find some beautiful cobalt blue silk shantung that only requires a small loan rather than a new mortgage, and I race home to begin a top and pair of slacks. By Saturday morning, an hour before our train leaves, the top is done, as are the pants...sorta. I guess you really can't say a pair of pants is finished when you still have to hem them and attach the waistband...
Fast forward to Sunday morning, and with 15 minutes to spare, my clothes are completed, at least as much as anyone can see. But, when we arrive at the party I discover that not only am I completely overdressed, there are people there in jeans...I own jeans!!! I could have slept during the last week!! Not that anyone wears jeans the way Italians do, and of course everyone was beautifully dressed, just not Coronation-ready.
Overdressed or not, the party was fabulous and we had a terrific time in an amazing location.
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| Misty Florence from the hills of Fiesole |
P.S. If this post hasn't completely put you off of couture dressmaking techniques, and you want to give it a whirl, the class I took, which is linked here, is most excellent. Or, if you're not ready for that, check out the other classes on Craftsy.com. I, on the other hand, have a red dress to redo.
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