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Member since 10/1/14
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Posted on: 10/1/14 2:13 PM ET
Hi all! My name is Aislinn and I'm brand-new to this board, though not to message boards in general.
I am a total beginner at sewing, not counting the few times I helped my mom with projects when I was a teenager (which was a LONG time ago!) My current project is a dress for the Carolina Renaissance Festival coming up in a couple of weeks, though I have a feeling I won't have it done before then! I hope I won't be bugging people with questions about this, since I've already encountered a few issues with having to adjust the pattern to fit me and lack of work space.

Just wanted to say "hi!" and TIA for any advice!
(If you're interested in seeing the piece I'm working on so you can give me advice, let me know the best way to post it, if I can, so I'm following forum rules. Thanks!)
  
Member since 5/11/08
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Posted on: 10/1/14 3:09 PM ET
Hi Aislinn, welcome to PR. I'd love to see your project when you are done. To post an image, you will need to put the pic on a hosting site, and then grab the code and paste it in the message. You can practice and check your work with the Preview button. Good luck on your dress!
  
Member since 10/6/11
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Posted on: 10/1/14 3:09 PM ET
In reply to Aislinn K
Hi Aislinn, and welcome to Pattern Review! You will find we are a very friendly and informative bunch whenever you post questions and share projects you are working on.

I've been in situations as well where I had a "lack of workspace". My solution on the cheap was a dozen bankers boxes that I plopped on top of my bed, then on top of that was plopped a sheet of foam insulation board from Home Depo (or Lowes). I think the foam board was like 5 bucks and is about 4' by 6' or something like that. If you don't have a big enough car to carry it in, you can cut it down with a box cutter and just tape it back together when you get home. I covered mine with brown kraft paper. It made an excellent surface for doing pattern work and cutting out projects. The bankers boxes underneath provide amazing support. When it's time for bed just lean your "table top" against a wall and stack your banker's boxes somewhere.
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-Catina
PaTTernHack.com
  
Member since 10/31/13
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Posted on: 10/1/14 4:05 PM ET
Welcome to the fourms, Aislinn!
------
- Libby with a "y" not an "ie"
(People who know Richmond will get this!)
Visit my blog - http://www.creativecurvychic.com
"Sewing is not a hobby, it's a journey."

  
Member since 10/1/14
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Posted on: 10/1/14 5:17 PM ET
This is the dress I'm attempting:

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

It's the grey one (on the right) but I'm doing forest green w/ a white panel.

(I hope this size image is ok.)
  
Member since 5/11/08
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Posted on: 10/1/14 6:02 PM ET
oh, nice. It will look great in forest green.
  
Member since 4/30/14
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Posted on: 10/2/14 8:00 PM ET
Pretty dress - I'll look forward to seeing a shot of yours when it's finished. But if it doesn't get done in time for this festival, you can always wear it next time. No pressure :)
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- Jodi
  
Member since 10/20/14
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Posted on: 10/21/14 0:38 AM ET
Hi there... i'm also a newbie! Just wanted to say - nice dress
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"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about finding the perfect fabric and never cutting it." George Bernard Shaw
  
Member since 12/3/06
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Posted on: 10/21/14 11:19 AM ET
In reply to Aislinn K
Welcome to PR!

Kraft paper on the floor gives lots of room for the layout and no danger of the fabric hanging over the side of a table and possibly stretching. This is also something you want to avoid (fabric hanging over the edge of the table) when sewing. An ironing board at a right angle to the machine and next to your left side makes a pretty good support for the excess fabric. Sitting up the machine in a corner so the left and back of the table is against the walls also helps with large items (this is a set-up used by some quilters to support large quilts).

Best wishes for a successful project and hours of fun, fun, fun at the festival.
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 10/31/13
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Posted on: 10/21/14 11:24 AM ET
Wow, that is an ambitious early project! If you run into any difficulties, please let us know!
------
- Libby with a "y" not an "ie"
(People who know Richmond will get this!)
Visit my blog - http://www.creativecurvychic.com
"Sewing is not a hobby, it's a journey."

  
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