• Home
  • Blog
    • Frances Suzanne
    • Flip this Pattern
  • Flip this Pattern
    • Overview
    • Competitor Flips
    • Sew-Alongs
  • Tutorials
    • Sewing
    • Smocking
    • Free Patterns
  • Heirloom
  • Recipes
  • Contact



Jan
15

9 Comments

PR&P: A Look Behind the Scenes {Week One: Winter Wonderland}


What do you think of when you think of “Winter Wonderland“? 
Our brainstormed thoughts {in the order listed on our brainstorming page, mind you}:
ice, icicles, snow, snowballs, snowmen, sledding, ice skating, black ice, snowball fights, snowflakes, multi-layers, skiing, dirty snow, plows, out of school, fires / roasting marshmallows, 32*F, earmuffs, hand muffs, four-wheel drive, ice scraper, loss of power, broken limbs / power lines, hibernation, darkness, cocoa, snow forts, snow angels, stillness / quiet, aurora borealis, thermometer, coats, soup / warm food, leg warmers, igloos, sleigh bells, peacefulness, ice cubes, bread shortage, milk shortage….
 
Never…ever…underestimate the power of a good brainstorming session!!

The irony of this post: It is being written on a day schools have been cancelled due to the threat of….wait for it…..BLACK ICE! That, and frigid temperatures… {I’m telling you….we know a “Southern Winter Wonderland”}
 
EA’s Black Ice Dress:
We had never sewn with velvet, nor do we want to again anytime soon. We should have caught the drift while paying for it at Joann’s. The cashier stated: “Ohhhhh, you’re the ones that bought the velvet….”. You know the tone….
 
First of all: the pleating took THREE PEOPLE – both of us and our “Jedi Master” – Emily {suzanne} cranked, Ashley {frances} held the excess to avoid it from pulling , and Chelle {the “Jedi Master“} rolled it through / pulled it out. We were a sight! 
 
Then, between not being able to press the fabric {only steaming it} and the embroidery floss being ‘lost’ in the pleats while smocking, it was something else. We really didn’t anticipate smocking black on black to be difficult, but after resorting to sitting by the window, with all lights on, and a flashlight spotlighting the first row….we agreed: difficult! The smocking improved, however, after the holding and top cable rows were established….and the flashlight was set aside {but the eye ‘floaters’ didn’t stop for hours}. What did we procrastinate the longest on completing?? Why, the buttonholes – of course!! We didn’t want to ruin the garment on a final step….and not knowing how velvet buttonholes would work out for us, had us shivering!

But, enough of the woes….we were tickled with the outcome, making it worthwhile!! Positives of the experience: we bought the velvet at a great price {50% off at Joann’s}, the buttonholes turned out great, and the placket {note: we dread those too} was one of our best yet!
EA’s Snow Layered Coat: 
This is the first garment we practiced and made as a ‘muslin’ prior to sewing. 
And, it was a beauty {note: sarcasm, here}!! There will never be another like it, that’s for sure!

After the muslin boosted our “drafting confidence,” we sewed the actual coat. It wasn’t a bad process…..until Ashley shed some blood – literally – while working on the buttonholes. Thankfully, the blood washed right out, and Ashley’s finger wasn’t any worse for wear… **THIS WOULD QUALIFY AS THE HONORABLE MENTION of Week One’s “GOOF”! 

As for the “Best Find” for the Winter Wonderland Challenge?? That would be the ‘cotton blend’ white fabric used for the coat {and CL’s cape}. We had planned to sew those pieces with white wool, but found this textured fabric instead – PERFECT, and better than what we intended to do. Both the white coat and cape can be washed and dried, with no special instructions. SCORE!
 

CL’s Snow Angel Dress and Cape: 

What was harder than expected?? Hands down: CL’s pearl trim! Since we add piping to garments readily, we thought the pearl trim would be a similar sew. Those pearls were difficult to sew on a rounded yoke!! Her outfit was made to ‘accessorize’ EA’s Black Ice, and while we knew it would take time we didn’t anticipate any troubles. Two yokes {and pearl trim} later, we were pleased with the results.

As for the “Biggest GOOF” for the week?? Well, it once again goes to Emily {suzanne}!! 

You see, upon completing our photoshoot for this week, Emily decided to scroll back through the pictures “just to make sure” everything looked okay.

To find this:

 And, this….

White-out conditions on a mild day in the South. Are you kidding me?? 
ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN PHOTOS LATER to see this?!?!

Panic ensued, and photos were retaken on the spot.
All because a camera setting had been shifted….

*Lesson learned: Check photo quality prior to the end of a photo shoot!

If you haven’t already done so, there’s still time to vote for your favorite “Winter Wonderland” look for the week! Voting closes Thursday night, so cast your vote before then….because…

We’re on our way to “Week 2″ photo shoot {a little snowball – marshmallow – snack to go}, 
and really, really, really want to be around another week to share!



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...




Tweet


9 Comments



Renee
8 yearss ago


oh man, those pictures! and that muslin coat! I love this post – thanks for the behind the scenes dish.

(Reply)

sallyavena
8 yearss ago


How fun to ‘see’ behind the scenes! The muslin coat is identical to some things you see in fancy boutiques…you should try to sell it:)

(Reply)

Meghan
8 yearss ago


Love this behind the scenes post! The looks you created are just beautiful!

(Reply)

Charity
8 yearss ago


I’ve done a whole photoshoot like that before too. At least you caught it before heading home, right?!
I really love your shopping cards! And seeing how you brainstorm is really helpful… not something I’m great at.
I really wish I could sew along this season! My sewing machine picked a really bad time to break. =(

(Reply)

    Frances Suzanne
    8 yearss ago


    Oooooooh, that is bad timing for a sewing machine malfunction!! Maybe it will be fixed faster than you expect, and you can still squeeze in a week…

    (Reply)

    Charity
    8 yearss ago


    I really hope so! I haven’t heard back from the repair shop yet, but there are still two and a half weeks left. =)

    (Reply)

feelincrafty
8 yearss ago


Congrats for hitting the top! I love the black ice interpretation!

(Reply)

sisforsewing
8 yearss ago


Stunning pieces!
The black velvet is just too gorgeous (love to read about the process. You did an amazing job)!

(Reply)

Linda
8 yearss ago


Your pieces are lovely! I have never tried to pleat velvet for smocking. Sounds like it took a lot of work, think I’ll stick to batiste! :)

I’m just sitting back and watching this go round of PR&P. I have too much other stuff going on to sew along this time.

(Reply)


Leave a Reply









  Cancel Reply

  • Recent Comments

    • Broadway Fabrics on The Building Block Dress: Design Challenge
    • FrancesSuzanne on Sewing for Disney: Sleeping Beauty
    • designdreamer on Sewing for Disney: Sleeping Beauty
    • Lightning McStitch on Sewing for Disney: Sleeping Beauty
    • Jenny on Sewing for Disney: Sleeping Beauty
  • Subscribe Via Email

  • Find us on Facebook

  • Follow Us on Pinterest

    2280 Stockbridge Rd, Akron, OH 443132280 Stockbridge Rd, Akron, OH 44313White melamine craft room with raised panel door and drawer fronts and crown molding. Multiple workstations and large island for crafting while standing.
    This is carol byert fallerts studio plans, i like the sitting area, sometimes you just need to think, or read, or look at reference books ds or a laptop.note open space around island work areas.
    Inspiration for the Oliver + S Building Block Dress book.Vintage Pattern Butterick 3312 Girls' Dress 60s Size 6X by La-Prairie-Lady, via FlickrVintage Helen Lee McCalls 8627 CUT Girls Mod A-Line by RomasMaison
    Follow Me on Pinterest More Pins
  • Oldies, But Goodies

    <
    2021
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    ▼
    >
    Jan0 Posts
    Feb1 Post
    Mar4 Posts
    Apr6 Posts
    May0 Posts
    Jun0 Posts
    Jul0 Posts
    Aug0 Posts
    Sep0 Posts
    Oct0 Posts
    Nov0 Posts
    Dec0 Posts
    Jan9 Posts
    Feb7 Posts
    Mar7 Posts
    Apr3 Posts
    May1 Post
    Jun1 Post
    Jul1 Post
    Aug0 Posts
    Sep5 Posts
    Oct0 Posts
    Nov1 Post
    Dec0 Posts
    Jan0 Posts
    Feb0 Posts
    Mar0 Posts
    Apr0 Posts
    May2 Posts
    Jun12 Posts
    Jul12 Posts
    Aug1 Post
    Sep6 Posts
    Oct3 Posts
    Nov1 Post
    Dec11 Posts
    Jan0 Posts
    Feb1 Post
    Mar0 Posts
    Apr4 Posts
    May7 Posts
    Jun5 Posts
    Jul0 Posts
    Aug0 Posts
    Sep0 Posts
    Oct0 Posts
    Nov0 Posts
    Dec0 Posts
    Jan3 Posts
    Feb4 Posts
    Mar5 Posts
    Apr3 Posts
    May2 Posts
    Jun4 Posts
    Jul0 Posts
    Aug1 Post
    Sep2 Posts
    Oct1 Post
    Nov0 Posts
    Dec0 Posts
    Jan1 Post
    Feb2 Posts
    Mar2 Posts
    Apr0 Posts
    May4 Posts
    Jun9 Posts
    Jul8 Posts
    Aug10 Posts
    Sep5 Posts
    Oct2 Posts
    Nov3 Posts
    Dec3 Posts
    Jan6 Posts
    Feb16 Posts
    Mar13 Posts
    Apr15 Posts
    May5 Posts
    Jun8 Posts
    Jul11 Posts
    Aug2 Posts
    Sep1 Post
    Oct2 Posts
    Nov5 Posts
    Dec5 Posts
    Jan18 Posts
    Feb12 Posts
    Mar13 Posts
    Apr16 Posts
    May12 Posts
    Jun17 Posts
    Jul18 Posts
    Aug16 Posts
    Sep21 Posts
    Oct15 Posts
    Nov10 Posts
    Dec6 Posts
    Jan9 Posts
    Feb6 Posts
    Mar6 Posts
    Apr6 Posts
    May11 Posts
    Jun17 Posts
    Jul19 Posts
    Aug14 Posts
    Sep18 Posts
    Oct10 Posts
    Nov16 Posts
    Dec17 Posts
    Jan0 Posts
    Feb0 Posts
    Mar0 Posts
    Apr0 Posts
    May0 Posts
    Jun9 Posts
    Jul8 Posts
    Aug5 Posts
    Sep5 Posts
    Oct11 Posts
    Nov5 Posts
    Dec10 Posts


  • About Us

    PeekABooAboutUs

    Hi everyone! We are two sisters who lovingly sew for our youngest sister’s children. We are so glad you are here and invite you to join our many sewing adventures! It would be an absolute honor to call you our friend!

  • Follow Us on IG

    No images found!
    Try some other hashtag or username
  • Recent Posts

    • An Oliver + S, Carousel Dress for the Oldest

      An Oliver + S, Carousel Dress for the Oldest

      April 22, 2021
    • A Carousel in the Zoo

      A Carousel in the Zoo

      April 19, 2021
    • And then there were more: Oliver + S, Playtime Tunics for a Tween

      And then there were more: Oliver + S, Playtime Tunics for a Tween

      April 15, 2021
    • Knit Playtimes for the Win!

      Knit Playtimes for the Win!

      April 12, 2021
  • Need Inspiration? Help?

    2280 Stockbridge Rd, Akron, OH 443132280 Stockbridge Rd, Akron, OH 44313White melamine craft room with raised panel door and drawer fronts and crown molding. Multiple workstations and large island for crafting while standing.
    This is carol byert fallerts studio plans, i like the sitting area, sometimes you just need to think, or read, or look at reference books ds or a laptop.note open space around island work areas.
    Inspiration for the Oliver + S Building Block Dress book.Vintage Pattern Butterick 3312 Girls' Dress 60s Size 6X by La-Prairie-Lady, via FlickrVintage Helen Lee McCalls 8627 CUT Girls Mod A-Line by RomasMaison
    Vintage mod - color blockMcCall's 6744 Vintage 60s Super Cute Toddler Girl's Panel Pleat Dress - Button Detail - Sleeveless or Cap Sewing Pattern Size 1. $9.00, via Etsy.YUMMY! Why carry a plain, boring veggie tray when you can carry colorful, delicious Veggie Bars to your next get-together!
    Follow Me on Pinterest More Pins

Copyright © 2012 Nemesis Theme. Powered by Wordpress.
Wordpress theme by Peerapong
All images are copyrighted to their respective owners.