Phase 1

So I have begun trying to put together a form for measurements to send off to Chase. I'm using excel and simply set up a box for each measurement I could possibly ever want. I want to make it all pretty and have a logical flow to it, but for now it's just a column full of names. I seem to remember being able to make forms out of excel, but for the life of me I can't remember how. I'm sure it will come.

I realized awhile back that one thing I am sorely missing is a cutting table. I don't have enough room for a real one, but I want to make a platform I can lay on our dining room table.
The ones in most pro shops are great. 4' x 8' with a half inch thick cork core and three layers of sturdy muslin, built on an even sturdier table about 4' high, usually with drawers underneath.
I will have to settle for a top about 3' x 6' and probably wont be able to get cork. Just some plywood, batting, and a couple of layers of less quality fabric for now. Still, it will be nice to have a real work surface again. I think I will head over to Lowe's tomorrow and price out the materials.

New Dress

I've decided to use this blog to keep track of a project that I am about to take on. My friend Chase McKenna has asked if I would recreate the dress that Audrey Hepburn wore in the movie Sabrina. Specifically, the white, shoulderless dress with black embroidery and a train in back that she wore to the cocktail party.
She contacted me via Facebook on July 17th with the request and we have spent the last couple of days corresponding regarding it, as well as general reminiscing (I haven't seen her in about 6+ years).

For the most part the dress appears to be a simple cocktail dress with pencil skirt to just below the calf. The train is almost a completely separate piece, attached to the back of the waist. It seems to be shaped more like a cape, with a black dust ruffle (probably taffeta). The whole dress is white with either black lace overlay or black embroidery along the bottom and top.

I don't own the movie and have not watched it (except for parts here and there). It's coming on netflix. I need to see how it moves and falls around here before I can try to guess what materials it is made from and how it is really put together. I'm curious if the train is removeable. I think that I will make it so, even if it wasn't in the movie. I like things with versatility.

The other big problem is, of course, making it fit Chase. She lives in L.A. and I live in Las Vegas. There may be a chance to see her breifly in September, but that's about it. I need to get her measurements and ideally would prefer to do it myself, but I think I will just have to send her the list of measurements I need with clear instructions. I used to have a form from college, but have long since lost it. I guess the next step is to make a new one.