I attended a discussion and book signing of the well-know television personality and author, Tim Gunn at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. My daughter works for the Commonwealth Club, the oldest and largest public forum in the U.S.
She treated my husband and me to premium tickets for this very special event. You can imagine that I was more than excited to meet Tim and listen to him speak so personally about his life, his experiences on Project Runway, and about his new book, “Tim Gunn: the Natty Professor”.
Tim Gunn, is the mentor and advisor to the designers on Project Runway. These designers go through grueling fashion design challenges each week. The outcome of the show is to see who will go to Fashion Week and who will earn some very awesome prizes to help them jump-start their career. Tim explained that it isn’t easy to complete the challenges in the time frame of the show. The judges can be pretty hard on any puckers, bad stitching, and finishes. He says that his roll is to listen very clearly to the designers, then advise and motivate them to “Make it Work!”
My daughter, Kimberly, presents Tim Gunn
I had to make a new dress for this special event, so I chose Gertie’s vintage inspired Butterick 6094. It has a close fitting lined bodice and contrasting facings. Version A has a full circle skirt cut on the bias, and a petticoat.
It has the cutest back detail, with the contrasting fabric opened out above the zipper and decorated with buttons. I made a muslin of the bodice first, tweaked the pattern to fit me, and then cut and sewed it together. I wasn’t going to add the petticoat, but at the last minute I decided that I should just go for it and make the dress as directed. I drove to the nearest fabric store, 40 miles round trip, and bought 3 yards of lining and 3 yards of crisp veil-like fabric for the ruffle. I sewed French seams on the petticoat and machine gathered the 8 inch ruffle that attaches to it. I was able to roll hem the ruffle, the petticoat, and the skirt bottom on my serger. I used wooly nylon on the upper looper and it worked like a dream! I covered two buttons with the dress fabric, and inserted an invisible zipper. The lining was turned and hand-sewn inside the bodice and along the zipper tape.
At the reception, my daughter introduced me to Tim and we posed for pictures.
I told Tim that I had made my dress. He was impressed! I wore my RTW faster pin proudly and was delighted to explain that all of us fasters had pledged not to buy ready-to-wear clothing. Our goal is to make everything. You can see by his studious look that he was intrigued.
Not only was it a grand experience to be at this special Commonwealth presentation, but also to be with my charismatic and charming daughter, Kimberly.
She facilitated on stage with introductions, and at the end with all the logistics for the book signing procedure. There were hundreds of people in that line!
Enough talk already! Here are some more pictures!
Thank you, Hannah, for snapping some cute pics of this darling dress!
Seam Queen 
I’m so jealous. I love Tim Gunn!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great dress and matching ‘ponytail’. You look so happy wearing it and meeting Tim Gunn
LikeLiked by 1 person
How exciting to have been there! And to meet Tim! Love your dress. I wonder what he thought about our RTW fast. .
LikeLike
I know, I thought about that too. Project Runway is all about designing for production of ready-to-wear. As much as I love Project Runway, I like the Great British Sewing Bee more. Those are real sewists! There should be a component to Project Runway, that involves the audience. Perhaps they could invite us to sew and submit our looks for judging and prizes. 🙂
LikeLike
So exciting Barbara! What a wonderful evening. So fun to see pictures and hear all about your night. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was very special. Something I will never forget!
LikeLike
You look lovely! So glad you added the petticoat, the dress looks great on you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I love the petticoat and I’m so glad I added it. It really adds volume to the dress.
LikeLike
What an exciting opportunity to meet Tim Gunn, cudos to your beautiful daughter for making that happen! Your dress is absolutely gorgeous, I love all the details!
I enjoyed reading this post, thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind compliments. My daughter really is lovely!
LikeLike
How fun! I had the great pleasure of hearing Tim Gunn at a fashion show some years ago, and he’s every bit as charming and kind and thoughtful and funny in person as he is on the show. No acting required for that part! Your post reminded me of that wonderful outing, and your dress looks fantastic! Perfect fit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m glad I was able to remind you of your encounter with Tim! He’s so cool!
LikeLike
Wow what a fabulous night, and knock-out dress!! Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures. You did a great job with the dress, the fit and drape are perfect. I love the back detail too! Very unique 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think this dress would look good on a lot of figure types. I haven’t seen very many on the internet, so I’m glad I was able to add one.
Thank you for your nice compliments!
LikeLike
Lucky Lady! What a wonderful opportunity and your dress is perfectly appropriate for such an occasion. Thank you for sharing the details of your day.
LikeLike
What a great opportunity to meet and talk to Tim Gunn! Your dress was perfect for a big night out, and love reading about all the details that went into making it a stand out piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s amazing what you can do with quilting cotton! My next version will be made with taffeta and silk chiffon!
LikeLike
What an experience! And to have your daughter in such an important role, I’m sure you were bursting with pride to see her up on the stage. I love Tim Gunn and will get that book ASAP. Your dress looks beautiful, I love the back detail.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the nice compliments. It really was a memorable experience to see both Tim and my daughter at such a special event.
LikeLike
What a dress! Your version of it makes the pattern so much more appealing to me … really, really beautifully and well done. And wow, a meet and greet with Tim Gunn? Too cool. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fantastic and interesting post! I am not familiar with Tim Gunn, but your dress is beautiful, your daughter is clearly impresssive! I do have very fond memories of the Castro Theater from a visit long ago. Lucky lucky you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an awesome experience and you got to share it with your daughter! awesome!
LikeLike
You’re so lucky! I adore Tim Gunn and Project Runway! And your dress could steal the show!
LikeLike
Your dress was amazing – I love the back detail . How fun that you wore your RTW fast pin . I still love the one you made for me , but I don’t think I can top the experience you had with yours !!
Love Tim Gunn & love your dress & post.
Thx
LikeLike