Last Few Fair Entries

So, do you want to know how crazy I am?

Well, as I have written before, I am pretty addicted to ribbons

from the county fair.

I LOVE THEM!

Our county fair allows entrants to submit registrations for as 

many entries as they would like for free,

as long as they are submitted online by a certain date.

Well, because I am crazy for these ribbons, 

and I like free stuff,

I often register for WAY MORE things than I can

realistically complete.

While I sew constantly throughout the year, 

often by fair time, many things are too

"loved on" to be entered.

The judges at our fair are SUPER PICKY about the condition 

of things entered.

I can not enter the Bollywood Ball Gown

because it got all snagged from the beading on the sari fabric.

I can not enter the Queen Katherine gown

because it took such a beating during the Madrigal Dinners.

And of course, many of the custom items I made for clients would be lovely,

but they are all over the country being loved by their owners.

But here is the deal, I try to get as much done in between registration and 

the entry deadline as I can, because it is a fun challange.

So, one of the categories I submitted an entry for, was a ladies nightgown.

And instead of making one for India, I decided to make one for ME!

And since it was for ME, I chose some fabric I have

been hoarding in my stash for a long time.

This is "Bascha" by Alexander Henry.

It has all my favorite colors in it!!

And they are all together!! 

I LOVE IT!!

I used Simplicity 2739, view C.

I made a size Large, which according to the pattern,

is a size 18-20. 

I wear 16-18 in RTW, and did not have to make any adjustments to the pattern.

However, I did lengthen the short gown by a few inches.

And I accidentally sewed the ruffle like view B, instead of sewn on the 

outside of the skirt as is suggested for view C. 

I really like the lace and ribbon detail,

and of course, I had to use lime green ribbon!

 You do not get to see a modeled pic of this, because it is already at the fairgrounds.

Judging is today and I wonder if any of my entries have ribbons attached to them?

This was the last item I was able to complete to enter.

Oh, where are the buttons???

Well, I took these photos before swimming lessons 

and then sewed the buttons on while waiting for Ahnalin.

As soon as that was over, we took everything to the fairgrounds!

So no modeled shots on this on anyway.

This is Ahnalin's jumper for the first day of first grade.

So, you have seen this basic style from me a lot, right?

It is Ahnalin's favorite.

I did a few of my favorite tricks on this one though.

The 6 inch hem is caught up in a growth tuck, so

I can let it down when she gets taller.

And she likes these tucks because they hid the hem inside so she can't feel the seam.

Another fun goody on this dress is the pockets.

They remind me of bags of candy from a candy shop!

Ahnalin adores pockets so I try to put them on when I remember.

These little sweeties are gathered all around and then stitched over

the gathers so they poof out. 

The top is gathered very slightly and then bound. 

The wind caught the skirt so it looks like it has a bustle,

but it doesn't really.

And of course,

Rick Rack everywhere! 

I love the stuff!

I used large red heart buttons for the bodice and

small round red buttons for the back.

And depending on how hot it is on the first day of school, 

Ahnalin may or may not wear a white blouse under the jumper.

So, those were the last two items to be completed for the fair.

I entered 13 items and Ahnalin entered 3 items.

I realized, with shame, that I did not enter one smocked item this year!

I really need to get some smocking finished because I miss it so much.

Now, I need to finish cleaning the sewing room, 

and then make Ahnalin's birthday dress and some dress for her new dolly Elizabeth.

So, I think I will put on some music and get to work cleaning up my mess.

Happy Sewing.