Chapter 2 : The Factory Floor

Come along with me as I embark on the construction of (yet another!) solo dress for my daughter Meaghan. She's always my test dummy when I want to try out a new design or a new technique, or when I've just got a few extra minutes and can't convince my type-A personality to give it a rest.

I've been making a lot of cupcake skirts lately and I'd like to try a fluffy skirt that is less cupcake and more fluff. And oh my gosh, the white skirts! White is everywhere on solo dresses these days and although I like the look, just once I'd like to make a skirt in a strong color. Plus I'm thinking of an embroidery design that continues straight down the bodice front and into the skirt yoke instead of the V shape on the bodice and horizontal shape on the yoke that I've done so much of.

The Sewing Room

Before we start, here is my sewing room. The first machine on the left (with the blue cover) is what is known not-so-affectionately as "The Beast". This is a 15 needle industrial quality embroidery machine made by Toyota (and yes, before you ask, it cost about what you would expect to pay for any Toyota!). The Beast and I haven't quite made friends yet. You might say we've established an uneasy truce.

The factory floor

To the right of The Beast is the much friendlier "Bertie". Bertie and I have been through a lot together and have managed to stay friends. She's only got 6 needles and a much smaller hoop size, but has an even temperament and is much more forgiving of my human fallacies. Beside Bertie is the laptop where I do all of my design work, a serger, and my cutting table. All of these are important to the process but have never developed the personalities of The Beast and Bertie.

The sewing machine sits in the center of the room along with my ever present cup of tea. I've only knocked it to the floor once, and thankfully, my carpet is vaguely tea-colored anyway. Around the corner, outside of the picture, are my ironing board and a closet for storage. This is my sewing on a good day - when I'm not stepping over piles of fabric and projects in various stages, and I can actually see the surface of the cutting table.