Para-medic #2, stitched up

For the Historical Sewing Monthly’s January challenge [‘procrastination’] I want to finish my UFO parasol.  I started this project in October, since when it has been propped on an upside-down chair in the corner of the room [don’t ask] glaring at me balefully.

I’ve re-ironed the fabric remnants for it several times…and then stopped. Yesterday,  I finally dug out the piece of paper where I had all my measurements and notes from the dissection, and made a paper pattern.  I pressed the fabric again.  I’m using remnants of shot dupion silk from my lovely wife’s wedding dress, plus the salvaged metallic lace from the original parasol.  I used some of this silk for my corset as well, of course.

I love this pic!

I was very parsimonious with the cutting out, and found to my glee, that I still had enough to cut out another bodice for the missus.  So of course, I stopped work on the parasol to cut that out.  And another one in mock suede.

remember?

I then faffed about with all the teeny scraps of the precious silk, and cut out a few miles of 2″wide bias strips, and a lesser heap of  carefully pieced and pinked selvage strips.  I plan to use the selvage strips on the parasol, instead of the original 5″ wide foofy flounce around the outer edge.  I want it pretty, but not fussy.

I did a mock up of the parasol in sheeting yesterday, to test the pattern sizing…good job too, as it was WAY too small.  I think I forgot to include seam allowances in my diagrams.  This is what happens when I leave a project hanging for several months…

I’ve machined it up, and slipped it onto the frame.  Then I had to baste the 16 panels onto the tips of the struts, otherwise you get no idea of how the tension affects it.

Hmmm.  It sort of works, but I don’t seem to have managed to get a clear picture of how bowed the tension should make the thing, and of course, it’s several months on.  Bum. It seems flatter, and less domed than I thought.  Meanwhile, it’s too loose around the top.  As this bit will be covered by the lace overlay, I’m not sure how much to bother with tweaking it.  Does it matter?

Perhaps if I pull the whole thing down more so that the tips get bowed in more, then the top will sit more neatly?  Any experts out there?

Once I make my mind up about that, I have to remove it from the frame again, trim down the seam allowances, and double stitch all the seams.  Apparently.  Then turn up a hem, do the trimming, and restitch it all to the frame in 48 places.  Erk.

I found out that these are called ‘git pads’.  This makes me happy

Before dissecting the main ‘skin’

Remind me why I thought I’d enjoy this?  Also, the lace feels icky, I think I need to give it another careful handwash before using it…

Ah, now I remember why I took this on.  Look at the poor old thing…