cartridge pleating: pain but pretty!

[jennylafleur]

Thanks for all your kind words and encouragment to my last post! My evil plan of using stripes so no one will notice how simple and lame my frock is is working!! *evil laugh*

Aubry's here - yay! She missed her connection so I had to go to Charlottesville to pick her up but we had a nice trip back and got to stop at Whole Foods for dinner - yum!

My dress is progressing. I started work on the cartridge pleats yesterday morning. I folded back about an 1" at the top of my skirt and then remembered that I had the long point in front. So I changed the top fold, making it "4 at the very middle. Hopefully that will help the hemming.


I ran the three gathering stitches by hand, making them larger in the very back. I put in and ripped out the very front three times before I figured out how I wanted to do it so I was only about 1/3 of the way done when Aubry called needing a ride. So, fortified with some of her yummy French pastries, we spent the evening bundled up on my bed sewing, giggling and listening to jazz. I finished the cartridge pleats and she her eyelets and we called it a night.

So today I have to sort out under petticoats (surely there is something in the stash that will do!) and accessories, hem the skirt and sew on the hooks and eyes. No bias ruffles which makes me sad but it looks just fine with out them. Just a bit more late '40s severe than I was going for. Ah well, I'm just grateful that dispite not feeling well and other setbacks I have something to wear and I won't be up all night tonight to have done it. Perhaps ruffles next time I wear it!

Comments

[padawansguide.livejournal.com]

That looks great! Cartridge pleats are such a pain, even if they look great! Glad Aubry got there ok!

[chloeandrudy.livejournal.com]

Looking good! I love the stripes. I haven't tried doing cartridge pleating yet, so I'm in awe. And not looking forward to doing my first one.
Good luck finishing it, and will enjoy seeing your finished costume!

[tonyadmay.livejournal.com]

Wow!

Also, don't you dare call it 'lame' again! Sometimes 'simple' is much harder to pull off than 'elaborate' in my opinion. I love how this one is turning out - so pretty!

[koshka-the-cat.livejournal.com]

Simple is what makes half the gowns from then so amazing, and lame? something you do? Bah. I don't think so!

It looks wonderful! And hi, Aubry :)

[anielmom.livejournal.com]

It looks beautiful! I agree cartridge pleats are a pain, but the end result is always worth it. Ruffles are pretty, but sometimes simple can make a bolder statement, either way it most certainly is not lame. Don't think your capable of lame.

[maidm.livejournal.com]

Looks good. LOVE the stripes! :-P

[girliegirl32786.livejournal.com]

Hi! ;)

[sewingbird.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to see a picture of you in it! Simple isn't always bad, certainly not lame. Maybe you meant to say lame'... as in shinyshiny goodness! ;)

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I like your dress because of its simplicity. The stripes are really all of a design element that you need. This one is looking really good. And the cartridge pleats look lovely, especially the way the pleats are two grey then one black. So cool!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Pleats are just a pain... if only I didn't love them so! :>

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Cartridge pleats aren't difficult just time consuming has you have to do everything by hand. No cheating! It’s totally worth the effort though – so pretty!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I appreciate that! I like it better now that I've worn it. :>

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

*blushes* Ahh thanks Katherine! I like it much better now that I've worn it with the hair and accessories and everything. I'm even rethinking those ruffles all together now... I'm kinda liking it plain.

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

I agree, I adore the look of cartridge pleats. It one of the things I really love about the 1840s - c-pleats around those pointed bodices. :>

Thanks - you're sweet! :>

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's hard to go wrong with stripes!!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

*hee hee* Maybe I did, I kinda like the plain now that I've worn it! :>

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Stripes definitely make cartridge pleating easier... heck they make any pleating easier! :> Thanks, I appreciate your kind comments. The super simple has grown on me. :>