Breathe.....Just Breathe...

[isabelladangelo]

....cause I'm terrifed of hemming an 1812 gown I have. Yes, it's real. Yes, as in it was worn by someone or at least made by someone nearly 200 years ago. And yes, that's why I'm freaking out. I managed to muster the courage today to take the hem completely apart. It needed it. The hem, or what was left, was completely splitered. The fabric only had maybe 8 inches along the edge of the hem that was not shredded or otherwise unuseable. So I've known forever that I need to redo the hem. There is a piece of blue fabric attached to the inside that kinda looks like a repair job maybe mid 19th century? It would make sense. The fabric to the gown is a gorgeous pale gold. The repair job fabric on the inside is blue. Maybe someone wore their mom's wedding gown? It's a bit early for the whole "white is for weddings" thing but not really by enough to say it wasn't. Especially since it's pale gold silk taffeta which is oh so grogeous to work with. My problem is rehemming it now. I've torn it up. I've cut the strings. I'll loose maybe, at most, a half inch from the bottom so no big deal....but I can't hem! Okay, so I'm alright with hemming but I'm not great. I can sew a straight stich on the machine but there is no way on God's green Earth I'm going to put this gown through that contraption. So, to handsewing I go.... Not having a dress form, this is going to have to be eye as well....which I really don't like. I think I might just put it up on a hanger and let it hang down while I attempt to sew up the bottom. It would work...but it would be a pain. Especially with how fractured the bottom was......::sighs:: I think I'm going to give up for the day and just go back to fixing up old garb. I'm re-ringing the Irish gown with metal lacing rings because the stupid plastic ones broke. I guess they aren't meant for lacing or holding anything more than a hankerchief! I also need to fix up my one fashion statement shirt that is out of orangy and purply gauze. It sounds horrid but it very pretty. I wore it to that disaster of a movie, King Arthur. The movie is fine until the last oh...half hour? And then it's like the historian who was with them on the script quit or was high....who knows when it come to hollywood! I also have to restring a chemise for this weekend. I'm only going Saturday. I'll be kidnapped on Sunday for a bridal show. I'm being promised cake testing and wine testing.......