It’s been so long since I’ve posted I forgot my blog log-in!
It’s been a crazy year and I nearly lost all my Sewjo except for a few projects which I posted on Instagram…. I did sew a fair bit, but not very much for myself. I’m happy to get my selfish sewing groove back on and I have a few new projects I’ll be sharing soon.
This past years projects probably deserve their own posts each, but it’s been awhile since I’ve made them and I can’t remember all the details. Honestly, I’m way too lazy for all that work. I’m happy just to be writing one post.
I made this 1700’s dress from some vintage poplin for Gigi’s class pageant. I’d say it was overkill for a ten minute presentation!
Yes, a wedding dress remodel of the first wedding dress I ever made eight years ago.
This bridal gown remodel was for the youngest sister of the original bride! Liz wanted me to remove the short sleeves and empire waist, then create a natural waist with a strapless bodice and alter a lovely long sleeved top which she wore over the dress. Done! She was stunningly beautiful, as was her sister Maria when she got married eight years ago. Maria is still gorgeous too!
….. and I’ll throw a corset in there I made in my costuming class. I will say corset making is hard!!…
My steel spiral boned corset made in my costume construction class. One of these days I have to make a dress to wear it with.
I had a brief job sewing on a TV show called Germany’s Next Top Model.
A crazy dress I sewed For Germany’s Next Top Model. All that work and like 100 yards of tulle, and Heidi Klum decided it just wasn’t right. That’s show biz ! See all the chaos in the room there? That’s a typical costuming workshop. Anything but glamorous.
I should probably mention my epic divorce I’m going through to my husband of 26 years. With many a night sitting on my porch crying into my mason jar glass of bourbon, listening to Tammy Wynette and Johnny Cash, it’s a wonder I did anything this year. I will say that divorce with kids still at home is really hard, and I don’t wish it on anyone. But there really was no other choice for me, as it had gotten to a place that if I was to ever have any self respect left, I had no choice but to do it.
As a result of all that turmoil, I lost almost twenty pounds (silver linings?) so none of my old clothes fit anymore. I was wearing Levi’s and a black or a striped turtleneck all winter. Many of my hand made clothes had been stolen on last year’s trip to Rome, and the others no longer fit, so I was imposing a minimalist lifestyle upon myself for several months. But I’m a seamstress, and I LOVE clothes, so that was short lived! The life of the ascetic is not for me. Bring on the fabric! And I’ve been slowly taking things in.
So here we are now in the middle of summer and I need to add some colour back into my wardrobe. I recently took a trip to the South of Spain and Portugal with my two younger daughters. I rediscovered my love of Flamenco in Jerez, so expect to see some Flamenco outfits in the future as Lily and I are taking Flamenco lessons.
I also met up with Marta of Do Guincho while I was in Lisbon. Just talking with her and spending time together talking about sewing and our days as bloggers seemed to reinvigorate my feelings for resorting my blog. Marta turned me on to some great fabric shops in Portugal and our girls got along well! We had a lovely time visiting with them and I hope we stay in touch. It’s really amazing how one can make friends from such a solitary pursuit as blogging, but I’m grateful for the friends and acquaintances I’ve made over the years. And I hope to make more!
At Guincho Beach in Lisbon with Marta. Marta’s outfit is completely handmade and my skirt was the first thing I made for myself in 2019.
Glad you are back!
That wedding dress is beautiful. Welcome back.
Thanks Pam!
Welcome back! I lost my sewjo for a few years due to health and employment issues. It is joyful to be creating again. God bless you!
Welcome back… I was just thinking about you a couple of days ago and hoping you were surviving through the roller coaster of life..
Hi Justine,
I missed you so much. I was just thinking about you the other day wondering how you were doing. Gigi’s dress is so cute, I made a Colonial dress for my niece for a play and kind of felt the same. So much work for so little show.
The wedding dress is so classy. I love it!
That dress for Germany’s next top model is hilarious. Is that multi-colored fur? Don’t you love how models seldom wear anything normal people would ever wear. Kind of like grown-up dress-up.
You definitely need to bring some color back into your wardrobe. I really like your skirt, it looks like you are off to a good start. Marta’s outfit is adorable. It looks so comfortable, but so put together. I am so happy you were able to connect with each other in person.
Hopefully this is the beginning of a new positive era for you. I’m looking forward to seeing all your cute outfits, especially the dress to go with your corset.
Happy Sewing,
Carol
Thanks Carol! Yes I’m looking forward to a positive new era.,out with the old and in with the new! No more colonial outfits!
So glad you are back! I actually checked your blog a few days ago to see if you’d posted anything and I had somehow missed it.
Aah thanks Brenda. It’s good to hear from you!
So glad to see you back, Justine!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi! Funny, I was just thinking about you yesterday. I was looking at the new McCall’s and kind of liked M7973, which is a bit 70’s, and thought, “I wonder if Justine would like this”. Also, funny you mention Tammy Wynette because my friend’s car, which I’m in almost every morning, has recently been playing “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” whenever she turns it on, and she can’t stop it. The car has a mind of its own and that song is quite an earworm, it’s haunting me just thinking about it. Anyway, I’m glad you’re back! Spain sounds like such a fun trip and your new skirt is cute!
Thanks so much Anne! That’s a funny story about the song! Her car must be haunted!
Dear Justine,
Joining in on the chorus to say you’ve been missed and it is great to hear from you.
Life changes are always draining but perhaps none so much as the ones that also impact our kids. Keep your chin up while putting one foot in front of the other. You may get through to the other side a little battered, but you will get there. We are rooting for you….
20lbs! That is a silver lining and what an opportunity for a new wardrobe to reflect the new you. Black is great but I echo others on beautiful colours for you. How wonderful to have had a such a lovely trip – it sounds as if it is already inspiring you in your current adventures – flamenco!!
Costumes for kids are so much fun…I always went overboard with those too but your toile dress is a stunner. Gigi must have been thrilled!
Thank you for your support and kind words Dagmar. I’ve appreciated your comments over the years and glad you stopped by!
Good to hear from you and what BEAUTIFUL work you’ve done since we last heard from you! Gigi’s dress, the gorgeous wedding gown, a corset and so much more!
Life is always filled with challenges and I’m sorry you have had more than your share. You seem to be handling it with grace and you look amazing! Love the colorful skirt you wore in Portugal. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and show those beautiful daughters of yours that women can handle anything!
Justine,
What beautiful work! I love it all, as well as the dress that you made for Heidi. The 1700’s dress should go to the historical costume department to be used again and again. And the wedding dress remake is excellent!
Also, I want to encourage you in your new life as a single mom. The same thing happened to me many years ago. The best is yet to come. Stay dependent on the Lord and you will do wonderfully and so will your children.
Be gentle with yourself and bring in as many beautiful fabrics as you can carry.
Best wishes to you for a very happy future
God bless you!
So great to see you back!! Life changes are hard, and especially when they affect our kids. My daughter is going through a divorce, and my heart breaks for her and my granddaughters. But people are strong and resilient, and I know you will both come out stronger and more “you” on the other side!!
Well, I’m a little late to the “Welcome Back Party,” but I so do express all the sentiments above. Sorry to hear that you’ve had some low points this past year – sending you positive thoughts. The dress you made for Gigi’s pageant is fabulous. And who’s to say that it was overkill for a 10-minute presentation?! I bet she was the star and she was so proud of her momma’s talent. Looking forward to seeing more of your creations in the near future. Take care . . .
Some fantastic projects.. Love the wedding dress