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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!!!

46 comments:

  1. 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 :)

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  2. 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!

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

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  3. Congrats on Ethyl and i loveee your new outfit!

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

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    1. I can already see that happening! Thanks, Carolyn!

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

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

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

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  7. 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.

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

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

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

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  9. 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?

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    1. 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...

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    2. 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!

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  10. 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?

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    1. 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...

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  12. 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?

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

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  14. 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!!

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

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  15. 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!

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

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  17. 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

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  18. 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.

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  19. 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!

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

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  20. 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?

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

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

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  22. 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.

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

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