Beaded Top

Right back panel - I have removed the beads from the neckline and sewn the bead thread back into the fabric - if you dont do that the beads could all unravel!

This is the back of the front I attached a silk mesh lining (from G & S Dyes) to support the silk georgette - the beads are heavy - the stitching you see is the basting stitching on the right and the hand sewing along the lines of the beads to make the 2 pieces one. At the same time I replace any missing beads from when I washed the silk.

Finished front neckline - I first removed the beads then staystitched with a bias strip of silk organza(stretched and ironed)  and then used a folded silk organza bias strip to finish edge

Bottom edge - I used the silk mesh to finish scallop - I now have to work out how to finish sides and how I will get them to line up. I cant sew the top together until I am in England with Heather!

Left back piece with finished V neck - now I have to somehow finish the right side to match it. I have a piece of silk mesh over the scallops on the shoulder - trying to work out how to finish that part

Barbecue for saxophone players  - thank you Angela and Ron - they didnt mind me sewing  - well removing beads actually

Several of my practise spagetti straps - they got narrower and narrower

I made a roll from cotton batting and covered it to create a base to roll the pieces of the top. Will have to carry it like that to England. Trying to work out how to carry dress - it is quite heavy but cant let the weight be carried by the spagetti straps as they are only basted in until Heather tries the dress on. The lining is also basted in so I dont want the top part of the dress to take all the weight of the full skirt at the bottom.  Another problem is also where to hang/lay the dress in Heather and Simon and Abby the cat's flat!