How do you decide?

[misslynn]

Hello all,

I am having a Regency Birthday Party in September and I am slowly planning everything out. As I research more and more, I see so many possibilities!

Right now I am planning on sewing dresses on a Friday (all the guests have a machine and know how to sew) and then on Saturday we will have tea and be all dressed up. I am using Mrs.Chancey's pattern by the way. I would love to make everyone a reticule and a bonnet and maybe some sort of outer wear piece for each lady. Like a shawl, half robe, spencer or a pelisse. But obviously I can't do that much How do you all know when to stop???

Do you all think it would be to much to make the gowns on Friday and then make a bonnet before the tea on Saturday? I think they would enjoy making bonnets very much

Lynn

[Val]

If these people can make a dress in one day, I give up. It takes me a very long time.
That would stress me too much to enjoy a party.

[lauren]

For an experienced seamstress, S and S patterns can be completed in one day. However, I think it would be less stressful and more fun to make bonnets or reticules instead of tackling an entire dress. Great idea for a party, though.

[dawnluckham]

I have a friend who frequently says “We all sew so much faster in our heads!” ;D

I think your plan on making dresses in one day and moving on to bonnets the next day is extremely ambitious. I think you’ll all enjoy yourselves much more if you do as Lauren suggests and make bonnets and reticules and leave the dresses as their own projects.

If you wanted to invest in the expense, you might consider (Simplicity patterns on Sale?) sending the invitations out a month early WITH the pattern and encourage your guests to make a dress to wear to the party. Giving them a month (or more) advance notice will allow everyone to sew at their own speed.

I sew professionally and it takes me more than 7 hours of undistracted and very concentrated work to make a nicely finished dress from any of the Sense and Sensibility patterns.

[misslynn]

As I have been thinking it over, I can see how it could be too stressful or simply too much to sew a dress in a party! I cut down my guest list to 7 counting me and I hav decided to get together with everyone BEFORE the party and help them make them if they like or I am offering to sew them for them. This my sound crazy for some but the party is not till September, I can whip out a dress with the S and S pattern in 5 hours and I am planning on sewing professionally for a living. Sewing is in my blood, I just love it so much!

I already have my sister's dress done !