Update on my "2012 Sewing Goals" and "Before the End of the Year" to do list

At the beginning of the year, I posted my "2012 Sewing Goals" and I figured it was time for an update to see how I've been doing.

I  haven't really fulfilled my blog goal of more photos, but I'm always trying!

Now for the sewing goals -- costuming.

1. Finish my gypsy steampunk ensemble. DONE
2. 1875 Square Overskirt (Truly Victorian) in black and silver plaid. DONE
3. Pink and black steampunk ensemble. DONE
4. An underbust corset out of left over key print flannel to wear with my Keeper of the Keys skirt and a blouse for steam casual events - Started and probably about halfway finished
5. 1884 Wash Overskirt. Haven't even thought about this one. Maybe a new overskirt for Ohayocon?
6. I do want to do a sari inspired head to toe Victorian ensemble. This hasn't happened either.
7. Female Joker. DONE
8. I'd love to a natural form Victorian costume. Also hasn't happened.
9. I'd still like to do an 18th century costume. Not necessarily a 2012 project. Nor has this.
10. And I also have a desire to do a French Huguenot costume. Or this
11. A Victorian bathing suit. Or this

Costuming goals - only 4 out of 11 are finished

Other sewing goals:

1. My two retro sundresses from my free patterns. One of these is DONE
2. I'd still like to make a playsuit with removable skirt, the project that never happened last summer. DONE
3. I have a throw I made from concert tshirts that I'd like to enlarge. Not done.
4. I have some flannel I'd like to make into a quilt. Or this.
5. I have some Spiderman flannel that wants to be pajama pants. DONE
6. And some nativity printed cotton that wants to be a dress. DONE except it became a nightgown
7. A circle skirt out of Halloween pin up fabric. DONE
8. A high waisted skirt from my retro jumper pattern. DONE (part of my femme Joker costume)

Other sewing goals: 5 out of 8.


Other things NOT on my 2012 list that I've done:

1. Commission for a friend.
2. Summer shorts to wear around the house.
3. Lots of embroidery.
4. Sewing for my nephew.

To finish before the end of the year:

1. My embroidered quilt. I hope to have the embroidery done and the quilt top assembled by Christmas.
2. Suicide Squad Harley Quinn.for Ohayocon
3. New collar and cuffs for my Harley Quinn bodysuit for Ohayocon
4. Keeper of the Keys corset
5. Leggings for Pepper
6. Maybe some new steamy awesomeness for Ohayocon, like that wash overskirt...
7. Harley Quinn pajama pants for Ohayocon 
8. Suspenders for my femme Joker
9. New bodice for my black and silver steampunk

Not doing too bad, am I?

Ohayocon 2012 Recap

First up, our panels! As you know, I presented five panels over the weekend. I had three co-panelists: Donnette Carney and Terry Griner of the Archon and Aloysius Fox from the League of Cincinnati Steampunks. They were all invaluable and I love them for helping me out.

All of our panels went well. The basics panel we presented Saturday night was maxed out on attendance, there were people standing along the walls and sitting on the floors once the chairs filled up and it was a large panel room too. The steampunking a non steampunk character panel Saturday morning also had good attendance, we pretty much filled all the chairs in the same room. Our personas panel on Sunday afternoon was in a smaller room, but we filled all the seats including an additional row of chairs the staff brought in, and I think they turned away a few people. The bustle panel as well as the multicultural panel had smaller attendance but were still well received. I think the lack of people was based on the time: Making a Bustle was at 9 pm Friday and Multicultural Steampunk was Sunday morning at 10 am.

Overall, there was some good discussions, a lot of interest, and new friends! I also ran out of all the cards I had packed to hand out with mine and the Airship's info. I've even gotten an email from an attendee! And I was stopped in the hallway by someone who complimented me on the Basics panel.


All four panelists (me, Aloysius, Donnette and Terry) during our Basics panel. Photo by Greg, Donnette's beau.


Me and Aloysius at the Multicultural panel. Photo by Kathleen Smith, one of the panel's attendees.

And now for the costume recap!

Friday afternoon, I threw on my comic book Harley Quinn for a few hours. The new collar worked alright, but I think I need to make the cuffs a little larger, they were hard to fasten and wanted to come unfastened. I ended up safety pinning them closed. The costume still needs improvement (diamonds and shoes) but I think its looking better:


Me with my friend Jesse, who frequently cosplays as one version of Joker or another. Here he's in a steampunk version that I assisted with via email. Photo by Jeremy Manieri, a con-goer.

Friday evening, I wore 'Victorian underwear' for our bustle panel. I wore black stockings and granny boots with my bloomers, cage bustle petticoat, a black lace blouse and my black underbust corset.


A shot of me in my 'underwear' during our Making a Bustle panel. Donnette is wearing a bustle pillow. Another photo by Greg.

Saturday morning and early afternoon, I wore my steampunk Harley Quinn. I don't have any photos, but you've already seen it so its not really that necessary. I do wish I had pictures though, so you could see how cute the little white pompom trim looks.

Saturday evening, I wore my black and silver plaid ensemble, with my new square overskirt. Thankfully, I ran into a photographer friend and purposefully had her take a few pictures for the blog.


Full length front shot. Photo by Christine Brucker.


Full length side shot, that shows how its squared off as well as the bustle poufs. Photo by Christine Brucker.


And a close up of the side shot. Photo by Christine Brucker.

All day Sunday, I was in my Ottoman steampunk aka Lady of the Ottoman Empire. I've had it for a year, but this was the first time I managed to get photos. Again, they were taken by a friend of mine.


A full length shot. Photo by Kevin Swoboda.


And a close up. Photo by Kevin Swoboda.

Overall, I had a decent weekend. My costumes were well received. I hung out with friends I don't get to see all the time, as well as friends I do see more frequently. The panels were a hit.

Next up? The Steampunk Empire Symposium. Tickets are selling out fast, so get them now! And the hotel is already sold out. Aloysius is working on securing a second hotel for attendees.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

PS As it is now Tuesday, and I only have one evening off this week, and my concert is in four days, I believe that my concert throw will have to be stricken from my to do list. :(

February 2012 To Do List

Since I probably won't do much more sewing before the beginning of February, here's what I'm shooting to get accomplished next month:

• Concert tshirts throw: Started, still needs a lot of work. - Deadline: February 4
• Sew D rings onto the gypsy corset. I'd like this done ASAP but as long as its finished before the Symposium in April, I'll be happy. Deadline: ASAP
  
• Make Beau a bag for his closet to keep his unmentionables in. - Deadline: ASAP/Whenever it gets done.
• Make Beau Star Wars pajama pants if he wants them. - Deadline: ASAP/Whenever it gets done.
• Put the decorative pocket on my plaid square overskirt (if I decide I even want it there). - - Deadline: ASAP/before the next convention
  
• Beau needs a new fleece coat for his Snowtrooper. - - Deadline: ASAP/Whenever it gets done.
  
• At least start Stage Two (the embroidery) of the crazy quilt skirt. I need to discuss this with my mother and decide who is doing how much, etc. - Deadline (for the entire project): Steampunk Empire Symposium.
• I'd also like to start on my Paris ensemble, which I think is going to be named after the 1889 Universal Exposition. - Deadline (for the entire project): Steampunk Empire Symposium.

I think that's it! Not much at all, huh? lol

Finished January 2012 Projects

1. Miss Fletcher's Bodice. All materials provided by Miss Fletcher. (Finished 1/16/2012)
2. Steampunk Gypsy Corset: stash fabric, trim, thread, eyelets, D rings, and zipper; purchased eyelets, trim and buckles (Finished 1/17/2012 except for the D rings)
   
3. Stage One of Steampunk Gypsy Crazy Quilt Skirt aka Piecing (Finished 1/5/2012)
   
4. Black and Silver Plaid 1875 Square Overskirt and matching hat: Pattern (Truly Victorian 304) purchased by Beau as a gift for me. Plaid fabric, black broadcloth, silver lace trim, hook and eye closure and thread (black and metallic silver) from stash. Purchased black ribbon, hat (on clearance), silver crepe backed satin and petticoat net. (Finished 1/14/2012 except for decorative pocket)
5. Harley Quinn collar and cuffs (Finished 1/21/2012)
6. Star Wars pillowcases: no pattern, stash thread, purchased fabric (Finished 1/21/2012)
7. Star Wars nightgown: stash thread and snaps, purchased fabric and pattern (Finished 1/21/2012)
8. Spiderman pajama pants: stash and purchased fabric, stash thread and pattern (Finished 1/21/2012)

Out of eight projects, five were started and finished in January (the bodice, the pillowcases, the pajamas and nightgown and the overskirt) while the other three (corset, skirt and collar and cuffs) were started earlier and finished in January.