Travel Suzette from Metrodolls is modeling my TUX ballgown

Day 2 (Thursday)
6 am:
No sleep last night... sewed till the birds chirped~
Once I get started on one of these creations I just can't stop... I guess that's a good thing!
When the creativity flows you have to go with it!
I have my gown assembled and only have snaps, buttons and hand sewing left to do. I am quite pleased, but there are a few issues... I added a collar but I don't like how the stripes worked out... there are little white tips at the end which I thought would be interesting... They land right on her boobs... POOP!
I should have used plain white.
While putting the bodice together it reminded me of a Mans Vest... and with the sharp contrast between the black and white I decided to call this gown 'TUX'
I have created a kind of 'shirt dress' with buttons up the front... I LOVE IT!
I know it's not your typical ball gown, but isn't that what these challenges are about... to do the unique and unusual? As long as it works of course!
Day 3 (Friday)
Today I sewed on my snaps, buttons and did all my hand sewing...
Tried the gown on Tyler for a few preliminary pictures...
hmmmmm I think the bodice is too short... tried some 'belt' options but it didn't quite come out the way I had planned... I tried to fix the 'collar' problem I had by pushing the white tips up inside the collar and hand sewing the ends closed... I had already completely finished it inside and out and it would have been impossible to take it apart and remove the collar and alter it...
well... as might be expected it was too bulky... I tried sewing down the collar to the bodice... This worked... but I couldn't live with it!
I just had an idea ... I am going to make white 'Cuffs' with the same little black buttons on them... Although I love it as is, I Just felt I needed something to put this gown into the unique category. After all a TUX needs cuffs... :)
8 pm:
OK... cuffs are made... I like the look! Taking a quick trip to the fabric store before closing for some white cotton for an underskirt...
10 pm:
OK... I just cut out NEW bodice pces... I will make up a new longer bodice without a collar and see if this is more what I had in mind!
Day 4 (Saturday)
5 am:
yep... stayed up all night again... I made up the new bodice and it is exactly as I had imagined... so I proceeded to cut the original one off of my skirt and sewed the new one on... PERFECT! Didn't take too long and it went very smoothly. I also made up a ruffled underskirt to add some fullness... It didn't work... I need to use almost the same fullness for the underskirt as the gown... and I need stiffer cotton... trying again tomorrow!
Off to get some sleep
10 pm:
Had other plans for today so no sewing... I am still trying to figure out what my 'Oversized' element will be? Scale is so important to me and I want to be sure that what I choose is Perfect! Perhaps a jacket with a large collar... I'm thinking the same black cotton voile lined in white... Maybe just a huge black beaded necklace... ? I'll sleep on it
Day 5 (Sunday)
Had Grandkids visiting today... Hot day, great for swimming.
9 pm:
Just sat down to start working on a little jacket...
I searched out some jackets on the internet and decided to make a little tuxedo jacket complete with tails... I went to my fabric stash and found an appropriate embossed cotton sateen with some lycra... perfect... I should be able to get a great tight fit with this!
Drew up a sketch of how I imagine it to look... I am adding a long slim collar using the black stripe from my oversized pattern, as well as 'tails'.... I think it will give it just the right touch.
Day 5 (Monday)
6:30 am:
Heading to bed now... LOL Stayed up all night again... just had to finish this jacket to make sure it was what I wanted... and I am running out of time!
I feel that it works great with her gown, and the detachable cuffs can be worn with it as well...
I'm Pleased!
4:30 pm:
I was still not sure what to use as my 'overisized' element... As I was glancing around my sewing room I saw a black feathered staff I had for another project... I am using an 'out of scale' feather for her hair... It's subtle, but I am so afraid of detracting from this outfit with a 'goofy' oversized detail... The buttons I used are large anyway... but Oversized ones would have been very wrong IMHO...
I also made up a single rose corsage from a paper rose for her lapel... I Love it!
10 pm:
Back from the fabric store again... I purchased some white cotton 'ticking' fabric for her underskirt as it is stiff and should make her gown stand out beautifully...
back to the sewing machine!
Day 6 (Tuesday)
Well it's PD day (ship day)... I am always a little wacky on this day!
Still have to take my pictures!
4 pm:
Last night I made up the underskirt using cotton ticking and it turned out great!
I also attached the 'feather' to a little clip for her hair... not thrilled with how this turned out, but I was running out of time and it does give the look I was after.
I am not sorry that I went with my first idea to use the b&w stripe fabric, but I did second guess myself a few times throughout the challenge. Ted's email to me this morning didn't help... My vision was for a Ball Gown that resembled a Tuxedo and I believe I accomplished that! It will most likely not appeal to everyone, but I feel that I met the criteria set out for us...
I am quite sure I will get some unfavourable comments... but Hey... This was my Vision and I feel that I made it work!
Outfit shipped to NY today by XPRESSPOST at 3:30 pm
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#4 Tyler Wentworth Challenge
Day 1 (Wednesday)
Noon:
I am excited to be working with Tyler and Co... These are the dolls I sew for!
We already knew that this challenge was about and 'Oversized' print/pattern, and I thought that it also might include a gown... We find out also, that it must be made of 'Cotton'... this sounds very interesting!
My very first thought was to use a Wide Black and White Stripe Cotton Sateen fabric (which I already have) and to make a backless bodice and full skirt...
I decided to take an hour or two and walk through my favourite fabric store to see if anything excited me first!
I found a gorgeous large print... Floral... done is shades of Khaki, Olive, Cream and with a touch of Teal... I purchased 30 cm and along with that I bought some co-ordinating cotton/linen in a light olive shade. I bought some teal cotton voile to use for piping also.
I also purchased some light weight cotton voile in black.
10 pm:
When I returned home I glanced down at the black/white stripe and decided I just had to use it! So I will use this other fabric another time :)
I started drafting my pattern... the full skirt was no problem at all, and the Cotton voile I was using could be gathered very full with little bulk at the waist...
I wanted a 'good' fit on the bodice and with it being backless it took some time to make it work... Success!

These are the Q&A's that are asked by the Judges during each Challenge...

Thought I'd Share :)

1) What was your concept for this outfit?

I had in mind to create a Little Black Dress that could be worn Day or Night... As well as a timeless design that would remain in style... A classic wardrobe piece.
2) Why did you choose that particular fabric?

I Chose Dupioni Silk for this dress as I felt that it had the appropriate 'body' to create a form fitting dress. It is not too stiff, yet firm enough to hold its shape. I used Organdy for the lining (Thanks Ted for this tip!)

3) Why did you choose that color?

The Black for the dress was the dictated by the Challenge... I chose the accent shade of 'Granny Smith Green', because I love the contrast next to Black. Also, I am hoping to be unique by not using 'Hot Pink', or 'Red' as I feel they would be the most popular choice.

4) What element do you think distinguishes your design and sets it apart from others? Cut? Fit? Embellishment? Color choice?

I am hoping that my accent colour sets this ensemble apart from the competition... I have succeeded in getting a terrific fit on Barbie also, and I am quite proud of that, as it took some work!

5) What element of this challenge was the most difficult for you?

I would say that sewing for such a tiny doll was the most difficult element for me... The Silkstone Barbie that I have also has a permanently bent arm and I found it a nuisance when it came time to fit the outfit. Lack of articulation also created some problems, as I am used to sewing for articulated dolls.

6) What element of this challenge was the most enjoyable?

I really loved making her little 'chic' headpiece... I haven't done anything like it before. I was also pleased that I could do the entire ensemble, and have it represented as I envisioned it. It was very enjoyable to see the final fit and know that I could 'Make It Work'!

7) If you could change one thing about your ensemble what would it be?

No Changes.

Day 2 (Thursday)
Made my fabric selection... I am using Black Dupioni Silk for the LBD and I will use Blasck Chiffon for a jacket/cape trimmed in the Granny Smith Green Chiffon.
My Dress pattern has been made... Oh Man... this doll is TINY! I have never sewn for Barbie, and I sure hope I don't have to make many more outfits for dolls this size...!
Day 3 (Friday)
6 am
I stayed up all night ... once I cut out my fabric and lining I decided to get sewing...
It took quite some fiddling to get an exact fit on her teeny waist. I had thought about using a jersey type fabric, but decided that would be a cop-out... LOL...
Her dress is complete aside from hand sewing... trim and snaps.
I also made up a little 'crinoline' from Green Tulle and it will stick out a touch below the bottom pleated ruffle on the dress.
I am off to sleep now...
Day 4 (Saturday)
Didn't sew today... mulled around some ideas for a little top... jacket, or cape...
I will be sewing tomorrow and hope to get most of the ensemble done.
Day 5 (Sunday)
It's a long weekend here in Canada, and my Son and Family are coming over for the day... no sewing till tonight!
9 pm:
Starting to sew a little jacket for over the LBD...
2am:
Pretty much finished the jacket... I HATE IT!
Oh Man... It just loses the dress... didn't turn out quite how I envisioned.
Well... I have tomorrow to figure out what I'm going to do...
Nite!
Day 6 (Monday)
After much thought, I decided on a long chiffon scarf/shawl trimmed in the same black braid that I used on the dress... After all this challenge is about the LBD!
I LOVE it! Just the touch I was looking for... It 'enhances' the Dress, which is just what I was trying to achieve.
I made up a little chic headpiece using some Black Tulle, thin black ribbon and some tiny green seed beads...I'm very happy with it! Modern with a Vintage flair.
I decided to add little black bows to her shoes... had a tough time getting the glue to hold... after several attempts it worked...
The jools were kept simple... I made a silver decorative chain bracelet and black faux pearl drop earrings...
Her Clutch/shoulder bag is made of black crepe embellished with tiny black beads.
I am not one to overdo the 'Green' accent thing... Less is definitely More to me!
Day 7 (Tuesday)
All that's left to do is take my pictures
My Barbie Ensemble was sent out today at 3:30 by Xpresspost
It's such a relief when these outfits are finally on their way to NY... :)
Looking forward to the next Challenge!

LBD + 1 Silkstone Barbie Challenge

My first Journal entry for the Little Black Dress plus one Challenge:

#3 Silkstone BARBIE Challenge
Day 1 (Wednesday)

Opened my email re: the Barbie Challenge around noon today...
After reading the criteria... I decided immediately on Tan as my 'colour' ...
I was feeling good about what I was going to create... Classic and Timeless!

I rec'd another e-mail from Ted which came a few hours later, and in this message he told us that we could not use 'neutrals' such as beige or grey as our 'colour'... ?
What I find a little frustrating, is that the 'rules' change along the way...
I would have been much happier if this would have been stated in the initial 'Challenge' message.
Also, these so called 'neutrals' are colours as well... and frankly, I don't think that they are that easy to incorporate into a successful design as Ted suggested. Just MHO

I headed out to the Fabric store and spent an hour or so searching out colours...
I decided on a gorgeous 'Granny Smith' Green for my accent colour. It seems logical to use Hot Pink, or Red, but I am hoping my choice will be a unique one.
I have a fairly good idea of how my design will look and plan to get going on it right away. I will look through my supply of 'Black' fabrics and hope to make that decision tonight.

Ellowyne Challenge final Journal entries

I purchased some 'amethyst' chiffon, as well as satin, and some black satin...

I made a tiered skirt from the chiffon and I was almost 2 hrs trying to get the proper tension on my serger for the hem... pulled an all nighter and got the skirt put together as well as the crushed velvet jacket...

11 am (Saturday) still haven't been to bed...


Day 4 (Saturday)

Today, (once I get up from a nap) I will be concentrating on her corset and lace top.

Did the finishing touches on the Crushed Velvet Jacket... Just have to hand sew a few things.
Cut out and made her little corset... not much work to this, as she is pretty much straight through her midriff section. Fits like a glove.

Day 5 (Sunday)
Well today is finishing up day... snaps, hand sewing and hope to make something for her head... that will be my 5th piece, and can be switched from Hat to Headband.

This challenge has been a little stressful for me, as I just could not decide on fabrics and design... but I am pleased with how this little outfit came out in the end.

I should be able to take my pictures tomorrow, pack it up and send it out... a day early!

Day 6 (Monday)

Everything is completed and I'll be taking my pictures today...

Had a horrible time with my camera... out of 80 shots I have only about 6 or 8 that turned out alright... so shipping won't be a day early after all!
All items are sewn onto a card and ready to ship...
Glad this one is over!