About Me

My photo
Los Olivos, California, United States
You can reach me at fool4fabric (at) gmail (dot) com

Friday, October 12, 2012

Meet ETHYL, my new BFF!

I have been DITHERING, for 15 years, about getting a dress form...I finally did it! She is named Ethyl, and her measurements match mine, except my waist is a little bigger...what a wonderful tool to have!

I jumped back in the sewing mode with M6607, a tunic with a big cowl collar, done in an interesting sweater knit from Casual Elegance.


It looks good on Ethyl, too...


so we will share it...

my old dress form , an antique which was fun to look at, but did not look like me AT ALL...


I am very pleased with Ethyl!!!
Posted by at 2:21 PM
Labels: ,

46 comments:

  1. JillybejoyfulOctober 12, 2012 at 2:33 PM

    Congratulations! I cannot function with The Queen, even though there is no way I'll ever be able to make her match me exactly (unless I somehow manage to shrink my torso lengthwise). But even without an exact match, her willingness to serve (imagine! A Queen to serve moi?!) makes life SO much easier :)

    May you have a long and rewarding relationship with Ethyl :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. RhondaBussOctober 12, 2012 at 2:39 PM

    Ethyl will change everything for you. She will truly be your BF and one you will never know how you lived without. One thing though, you stand straighter than Etyhl ;) Love the top too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyOctober 12, 2012 at 2:43 PM

      I wish my mother was still alive to hear your comment about the posture, Rhonda...thanks!

      Delete
  3. FarOctober 12, 2012 at 4:15 PM

    Congrats on Ethyl and i loveee your new outfit!

    ReplyDelete
  4. CarolynOctober 12, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    How wonderful and she will quickly become indispensable! I couldn't get on without my Bessie :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyOctober 13, 2012 at 7:58 AM

      I can already see that happening! Thanks, Carolyn!

      Delete
  5. shamsOctober 12, 2012 at 10:49 PM

    Your new dress form does look great - very much like your shape and height. And what a great tunic!

    ReplyDelete
  6. cocoOctober 13, 2012 at 4:25 AM

    Wonderful top and love Ethyl! My Emile is my BFF as well, nice to have quiet company in the sewing room :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyOctober 13, 2012 at 8:00 AM

      Thanks, Coco...her silence was one of the selling points!

      Delete
  7. Ann BrodskyOctober 13, 2012 at 8:15 AM

    This looks great! I completely passed up this pattern, but will need it now! I just discovered your blog, and have read through several posts- WOW! You are really talented, and I love your travel wardrobe posts.

    ReplyDelete
  8. MiasewsOctober 13, 2012 at 9:23 AM

    If Ethyl is your new BF, shall we now refer to you as "Lucy"? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyOctober 13, 2012 at 11:30 AM

      hahaha! Her full name is M. Ethyl Gerty...a long-ago college joke...

      Delete
    2. UnknownJanuary 31, 2013 at 6:39 AM

      Funny! My grandmother used to call her dress form Gertie! - dalilonna

      Delete
  9. carolinascallinOctober 13, 2012 at 10:06 AM

    Love Ethyl - and perfect timing, since I was researching these just last night! I'm trying to get one for myself, and one for my daughter, since she lives about 4 hours away and can't just run down for fittings whenever I need her to - imagine that! Where did you purchase Ethyl? And was she a custom or off the rack girl who just happened to fit your measurements? You're going to love her if the raves from sewists who own these are any indication!

    Love your new tunic, too!

    BTW...LOVING your shoes. Absolutely wonderful!!! WHERE did you get such a cute pair?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyOctober 13, 2012 at 11:35 AM

      Thanks, Carolinascallin...I got the dress form on Overstock . They have them in many sizes, the one I got was almost perfect, except my waist is a little bigger :(
      You probably already know, but you should get one a little smaller, rather than a little bigger (compared to your measurements) as it's much easier to pad them out than do surgery...
      The shoes are Arche, a french shoe; a little pricey, but I usually get mine on eBay and pay less. They are extremely comfortable...

      Delete
    2. carolinascallinOctober 13, 2012 at 6:28 PM

      Thanks, Margy! I LOVE Arche - they are wonderful! RueLaLa has sales on them every once in a great while...always nice to grab a bargain! Yours are really cute!

      Delete
  10. LindaOctober 13, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    I'm so jealous! I have been wanting a professional dress form like yours for years but not ready to fork over $600 for one. Thinking about making a duck tape one - it will at least be my exact measurements and shape. Is yours custom made to your exact specifications?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyOctober 16, 2012 at 10:07 AM

      Linda, I bought mine at Overstock for under $300 dollars. I chose a size closest to my own. I just need to add an inch or two to Ethyl's waist...

      Delete
  11. MargyOctober 13, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. MeiganOctober 13, 2012 at 3:07 PM

    Congratulations! You will love it! I think pretty much everyone needs to pad out their dress forms. Mine needed padding in the waist and booty! Curves are a good thing right?

    ReplyDelete
  13. pdiddlyOctober 14, 2012 at 1:02 PM

    congratulations on your new sewing accessory - have lots more fun sewing - love the new tunic.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Amy W.October 15, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    You always amaze and inspire me with your sense of style! Love the new tunic...and congrats on your new addition (Ethy)!! I imagine you two will have plenty of wonderful creative moments together!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyOctober 16, 2012 at 10:08 AM

      Thanks, Amy...I don't know how I got along without her all these years!

      Delete
  15. DixieOctober 15, 2012 at 7:18 PM

    Congratulations on the arrival of your new best friend. I'm very jealous, as I haven't yet purchased a dress form. So, have a blast with Ethyl!
    Your new tunic is so chic. I love the fabric, and the pattern is a perfect choice. Very nice!

    ReplyDelete
  16. IreneOctober 16, 2012 at 6:48 AM

    What a wonderful tunic! And your new best friend should make sewing even more of a pleasure.

    ReplyDelete
  17. citizen rosebudOctober 16, 2012 at 7:57 AM

    Hello beautiful woman! Nice to "meet" you! I've got you on the blog roll and look forward in discovering more of your rad, fab style! -Bella Q the Citizen Rosebud

    ReplyDelete
  18. LillyOctober 16, 2012 at 1:28 PM

    I found your blog on Bellas blog roll. wow I love your tunic and you look wonderful. As for Ethel - She looks in mighty good shape. I have always wanted an Ehtel of my own so you have given me some inspiration. I dont even sew though, lol. I wanted one to display jewellery and scarves etc.

    ReplyDelete
  19. a little sewingOctober 16, 2012 at 5:27 PM

    Hi Margy!! So glad to see your blog on the Fab List!! Of course, I already know you :)
    Smart move to get a dress form and much better to have a larger waist than Ethyl, as opposed to a smaller one. You can always pad Ethyl out.
    You have a great figure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyOctober 17, 2012 at 2:35 PM

      Thanks, Robin! Or I could do surgery on MY waist...:)

      Delete
  20. AnitaOctober 17, 2012 at 2:25 PM

    Hi Margy, you both look wonderful in the new tunic. I have a serious case of "Ethyl Envy". I have to have her! I've found somewhere in Australia that sells these mannequins but just wondering whether you think the collapsible shoulders are a necessity or not?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyOctober 17, 2012 at 2:37 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. MargyOctober 21, 2012 at 7:09 PM

      Anita, I have to admit I don't know how to use the collapsible shoulders...but I'm sure they're awesome!

      Delete
  21. poppykettleOctober 17, 2012 at 7:22 PM

    hehe - I just love the last photo of you all lined up together :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. LouisaOctober 23, 2012 at 8:26 AM

    Congrats on the new BFF in your studio, Margy! (I couldn't get along without mine, even though Debbie Double is only homemade.) And that tunic sure looks better on you than it does on the poor model! Perfect choice of fabric - as always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyOctober 23, 2012 at 9:38 AM

      Thanks, Louisa...however did I do without her for so many years?

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)