From Ohayocon - A Picture by the Ever Lovely Sarah Hans

The Governess (Grey suit), me with Gloria from the Airship Archon

Ohayocon Pictures! aka Costume Porn

Femme Joker with a couple of Harley Quinn's during the DC Photoshoot. I freaking love my suspenders!

A close up of my newest steampunk outfit, nicknamed "The Governess" by Dave. Photo by Neitling Photography.

Another of my newest steampunk outfit, nicknamed "The Governess" by Dave. Photo by Neitling Photography.

And the Suicide Squad Harley Quinn, which I think turned out pretty good! With my friend in his male Harley nicknamed "Harvey Quinn"

Ohayocon Schedule

Ohayocon is a pretty good sized anime based convention that has expanded into other areas of cosplay. It has a predominately young young crowd. 

My panels this weekend:

• Steampunk and Men's Fashion at 1:30 am Friday night in Delaware C
• A New Introduction to Steampunk at midnight Saturday night in Delaware C (lead panelist)
• Steampunk on a Budget at 4 pm Sunday afternoon in Harrison (lead panelist)

Other Airship Archon panels:

• How to Mod a Squirt Gun at 10:30 pm Saturday night in Delaware D
• Zombies in Steampunk at 1 pm on Saturday in Fairfield A-B
• Steampunk in Gaming at 5 pm on Saturday in Harrison
• Where Steampunk Meets Lolita at 11:30 am on Sunday morning in Union A-B

Other steampunk offerings:

• Thrifty Steampunk at 8 pm Friday night in Delaware A-B

Panels that interest me:

• Basic Pattern Making and Sewing at 1:30 pm Friday in Delaware D
• Vampires Don't Sparkle at 9 pm Friday in Fairfield A-B
• Birds Bats and Bugs A Wings Tutorial at 930 pm Friday in Delaware D
• Doctor Who Chaos in Columbus at 1030 am Saturday in Regency
• Cosplay Materials Beyond Fabric at 1 pm Saturday in Delaware D
• Advanced Pattern Making and Sewing at 1130 am Sunday in Delaware C

And there's a DC photoshoot Saturday at 4:30 pm. I'll need to decide what to wear for that one... And the Doctor Who photoshoot might be fun to witness, it's at 8 pm Friday. 

And we're going to have an Airship Archon meetup for a late lunch on Saturday at 2 pm.

Prepping for Ohayocon

... Is DONE! For the most part at least.

I think.

1. Suicide Squad Harley Quinn.for Ohayocon - The corset is done. The shorts are done. I ordered the socks and they've already shipped so I should have them in time. I still need to buy the temp color for my hair, but the neck ruff and gauntlets are done. The ruff needs a little love but I think its wearable right now.
2. Suspenders for my femme Joker - DONE

I've got panel presentations and packing well underway!

In other news, the embroidery portion of my embroidered quilt is almost done! And I have the squares cut for the baby quilt for my little cousin.

Weekend Progress!

This weekend I:

1. Worked on my embroidered quilt, not much but I did work on it.
2. Not only cut out but put together the leggings for Pepper. Just need to get those in the mail!
3. Worked on SS Harley. I altered the pattern Friday night after work and cut out the spandex. I only messed up one piece which was okay considering how often I was looking at a picture while doing it to make sure I cut the correct side out of the correct color. Saturday and Sunday I basted the spandex to my interlining as well as pieced the front section together before basting it (the front panel is two colors).
4. They still need hemmed to prevent the inexpensive knit from running but I made the Harley Quinn pajama pants!
5. And I cut out the outer fabric and interlining of my new black and silver bodice. 

Not bad for a weekend, eh?

This week, my second job has me working less hours than usual. Which originally pissed me off, but then I realized that I need a break from working 60 hour weeks plus less hours there means more hours to sew! 


This week's to do List:

1. Work on the embroidered quilt. I'm actually tempted to start piecing it together so I can figure out how much fabric I need for the border and the backing...
2. Mail Pepper's leggings.
3. Cut out the Harley corset lining. I think I'm going to use left over red taffeta from Diamonds are Forever. And start putting the corset together. The sooner the corset's together the sooner I can start figuring out the engineering that I'm going to have to do...
4. Hem the Harley pajama pants.
5. Start basting the fabric and interlining for my new bodice.
6. Make a shopping list for all the stuff I need from the fabric store.

Weekend Happenings and Ohayocon Planning

This weekend I worked on the embroidered quilt - only three more blocks to go before assembly time! - and finished my Christmas nightgown! I may still add some lace to the nightgown, but I kind of like it as is. I also prewashed fabric for Pepper's leggings that I'm going to start for her. I bought fabric for the pajama pants that Harley wears in an issue of Gotham City Sirens (I think that's what comic its from...) And...started my Suicide Squad Harley Quinn.

Here's the plan for Harley Quinn:

• Shorts using Simplicity 2317, with the left side black and the right side red. I may have to alter it a little, but not too much
• Corset using McCalls 3636, with the front left side red and the right side black, colors reversed on the back of the corset. The corset is going to be drastically altered from the pattern, but I think it'll make a good starting point.
• I'm working with left over spandex from my bodysuit, which will work perfectly for the shorts but the corset is going to be stabilized with some heavy sturdy fabric.
• The corset is going to take some engineering and will likely contain interlining and lining along with boning and bra cups (once I figure out what kind of bra cups to use)
• I'll also need to make a neck ruffle and gauntlets, one red, one black
• I need to buy two pairs of socks, one red, one black
• And figure out what I'm doing with my hair and my shoes...

I'm going to start by sewing together the corset out of the interlining and seeing where I need to alter it. I already know that the front is going to change, as is the back because the back dips lower than the front. Then I'll use the altered pieces as my pattern to cut out the spandex.

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. :(

Ohayocon 2012 Schedule

Friday at 9 pm: Making a Bustle
'Victorian underwear' (bloomers under my cage bustle with a blouse and corset)

Saturday at 11 am: Steampunking the World Around Us
Diamonds are Forever (steampunk Harley Quinn)

Saturday at 2 pm: DC and Marvel comic book photoshoot
Comic book Harley Quinn

Saturday at 5 pm: Steampunk The Basics
Black and Silver plaid with my new overskirt

Sunday at 10 am: Multicultural Steampunk
Lady of the Ottoman Empire

Sunday at 3 pm: Steampunk Personas
Still Lady of the Ottoman Empire

There's also several panels I'm going to try to attend, including some on steampunk and Doctor Who.

Progress on January 2012 Sewing To Do List 4

Our impromptu build day at the house was quite successful this weekend.

1. Harley Quinn cuffs - are DONE. I stitched on the velcro and elastic so there's no chance of losing them
   
2. Star Wars pillowcases for Beau - are DONE and on the bed. They were a quick project, even with finishing the edges with a zigzag.
   
3. Spiderman pajama pants for myself - are DONE and waiting to be laundered so I can pack them for Ohayocon. Again, a quick project, but pajama pants usually are.
   
4. Star Wars nightgown for myself - is DONE. I finished cutting out the pattern, then put it together, which was a fairly quick project. I used black quilt binding, cut in half lengthwise, for the neck binding; added a band of black flannel to the sleeves because they were too short; and used snaps instead of buttons because I didn't feel like messing with buttonholes and buttons.
5. I also helped a friend with her Catwoman costume, and moved the ears to a better placement.
   

So the Current State of the January To Do List is:

• Finish the steampunk gypsy corset: This is pretty much done except for the D rings I want to add. - Deadline: ASAP
  
• Make a bodice for Gemma Fletcher of the Archon: DONE
  
• Harley Quinn collar and cuffs: DONE
  
• Make Beau a bag for his closet to keep his unmentionables in: Haven't started this yet. - Whenever it gets done.
  
• Make Beau and I both pajamas for Ohayocon: Spiderman pajama pants: DONE. Star Wars nightgown: DONE. Star Wars pajama pants for Beau: not done, because he doesn't seem like he wants them. Star Wars pillowcases: DONE - Deadline: January 27 (Ohayocon)
• Make my plaid square overskirt: This is DONE (except for the decorative pocket, but its currently wearable). And I decorated the hat. - Deadline: January 27 (Ohayocon)
• Concert tshirts throw: Started, still needs a lot of work. - Deadline: February 4

So all that's left is Star Wars pajama pants if Beau wants them, his unmentionables bag that has no real deadline and the concert throw which I need by the 4th.

To do list for Ohayocon:

• Laundry
• Pack
• Go to Sally's for a hair piece
• Work on tshirt throw
• Finish a friend's Catwoman (the eyes need fixed)
• I also want to sew those D rings onto the gypsy corset so its fully finished
  

What I Did Over New Years

Quite a bit actually.

I worked on the SPG (steampunk gypsy) corset: Stitched on the last strap with the second buckle that I purchased last week, put in the zipper and basted (almost) all the edges together. I left some of the back un-basted because I need to slide some boning in along the center back edges. What's left to do: Bone the center back. Make and put on the binding. And put in the eyelets. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

I also started piecing the last gore of my crazy quilt skirt.

And...I traced two of my Truly Victorian patterns: the square overskirt (which is next on my sewing list, I'm going to try to have it done for Ohayocon *fingers crossed*) and the asymmetrical overskirt (which is probably next after the square overskirt). I had just enough tracing stuff (my grandma told me its called 'sew do') to finish both overskirts, I have some left over, maybe enough for the bodice, maybe not. I'll need to purchase some pattern stuff soon.

I also finally sewed the closure onto my new Harley Quinn collar. I need to do a little top-stitching though, to give it a little more roundness.

In other news, they gave me all FIVE of the panels I applied for at Ohayocon. So I'm going to be a busy little girl preparing for those and at the con as well. Of course, the packing plans have already begun based on my panels.

Ohayocon Photos!

I believe this is the only photograph taken of me wearing my wig. It did not make it to the end of the day due to its absolute refusal to stay on my head. Pic by the boyfriend of one of my friends.



Steampunk Gotham City Sirens. Miss Dashwood as Catwoman (with her modded hat and turtleneck and the utility bustle I made her), Miss Von Stoup as Poison Ivy and myself as Harley Quinn. By the way, we won the group category of the Clockwork Crescendo (the steampunk competition) at Ohayocon. Granted we were the only entry but it still counts!

I'm sure this will be updated once more photographs are published.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Okay I think I'm ready for Ohayocon now....

For Ohayocon -

I handstitched some cream lace onto the cuffs of my polonaise.

I put a hook and eye closure on my black petticoat.

I helped Miss Fletcher with her own Ohayocon preparations.

I finally wrapped the handle for my Harley Quinn mask. I was unable to find the mask I just made, so I attached the handle to a red mask I made last year for another event. I also made a little tassel out of black ribbon and attached it using a little bit of red trim.

For myself -

I exchanged my knit tunic pattern for the right size.

I put elastic in the casing of my Kermit pajama pants and stitched the casing closed. So that's one normal clothing item for me DONE

So all that's left is finishing my packing (including a bag with work clothes for Monday to leave at my beau's tomorrow) and I'll be all set!

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Last Minute Ohayocon Prep 2 and Normal Clothes for ME!

The Imperial Officer was a success last night at Last Night on Alderaan. Miss Dashwood snapped a picture before I left her birthday celebration so hopefully I can update this entry later with it. Before I wore it, I did fix the hem.

I fixed my beau's gloves -- it was a pretty simple repair. They have elastic straps that wrap around the wrist and velcro in place and the straps needed replaced. It was easy and quick to take the old ones off and put new ones on.

Then I put a waistband on my black petticoat. I took a piece of black knit left over from other projects, trimmed it so it was more square on the ends, cut it in two lengthwise and sewed the ends together to form a long piece. I stitched it onto the waist of my petticoat, about an inch or a little more from the top (this was so that the tears and holes in the petticoat would be covered), then stitched again to hold the waistband in place before turning the edges under and stitching it down. I also used narrower strips of the knit along the back opening to finish those edges as well. All it needs now is some sort of closure, probably a hook and eye which I don't have with me.

I also cut out my Kermit pajama pants, put them together, hemmed them and made an elastic casing. They would be finished, IF I had remembered to pack elastic. Also its a good thing that they're just for me -- I accidentally cut out one leg upside down.

Yesterday I purchased a pattern to make a knit tunic and some purple knit (clearance!) for it. Prewashed the fabric today and I noticed I bought the wrong size of pattern. So now I'm trying to decide if I should exchange it or just make it and take it in to fit. I'm sort of leaning towards the latter, but I know I should probably exchange it. Well, I do work tomorrow so it won't be difficult.

I still need to finish my Harley Quinn mask. I really should do that as soon as possible. If not tomorrow, then Tuesday.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Update on Imperial Officer and Last Minute Ohayocon Prep

Imperial Officer

What I've done -- I stitched the collar and facing into place by hand. I also finished some edges by hand. I purchased snap tape and used that along the overlap -- hand stitched on the top overlap and machine stitched on the underneath since it won't show. I hand stitched a couple snaps on the underneath so it fastens to the shoulder. I hemmed the jacket and the sleeves by machine. At some point, I'll need to redo the hem as the overlap ended up a little longer than the underneath, but I'm not worrying about that at this moment in time.

What I have left to do -- I need to stitch a snap to the overlap shoulder to hold it in place better. I also need to stitch a modesty panel on the collar. Somehow the collar ended up too short and I don't feel like re-doing it at this moment in time, so I'm just going to fix the issue with a modesty panel, stitched on one side, likely snapped on the other. I may also stitch a snap or hook to the underneath overlap to hold it to the side seam.

Almost there.

EDIT My Imperial Officer is as done as its gonna be for the moment. So - Imperial Officer DONE

As for Ohayocon...

I think I've figured out my costumes. I still feel like I'm taking too many and may leave one at home, but I don't know. There are only so many hours in the day after all, and really what's the point of wearing a costume for only a couple hours before I have to change for a competition or a photoshoot? Part of me is tempted to leave Time Traveler behind, just based on the volume the dress takes up...but its one of my favorites and its so pretty. And much more likely to garner a response than the Airship Stewardess. One decision I did make was to wear Lady of the Ottoman Empire on Sunday -- its persona heavy and comfortable, so just what I need for that day.

Okay, now for what I need to do.
1. I still haven't finished my Harley Quinn mask so I really need to do that. I would really like to have the Victorian style mask and not just the one I wear with the comic Harley Quinn.
2. A task for my beau - replacing bands on a pair of gloves.
3. I'd like to add some cream lace to my Airship Stewardess, at least at the polonaise cuffs and probably on the pettidress as well. This will likely be my handsewing task for next week while at work.
4. My black petticoat needs a waistband. I've been wearing it and just safety pinning it closed but that habit has torn it in a couple places so I really should add a waistband.

In other news, I still haven't started my sewing for me! I am quite sad about this. Hopefully I can get some of this done or at least started while finishing my last minute Ohayocon preparations. After all, its almost February, when I'm supposed to start commissions again! Maybe I can do a commission, sew something for me, do a commission, sew something for me...Might be the only way to keep everyone happy.

Today I would like to
1. Finish my Imperial Officer (kinda have to since its for tomorrow!)
2. Finish my HQ mask for Ohayocon. Need to wrap the handle with ribbon and attach it to the mask, so hopefully it shouldn't take long.
3. Cut out my Kermit pajama pants.

I think that's reasonable. EDIT All that got done was finishing my Imperial Officer. Seamstress fail.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

PS Just had a brilliant idea for Lady of the Ottoman Empire! I'm going to pin my sundial pin (birthday gift from my grandma) to it as decoration. It has definite steamy vibe to it, its silver so it matches and most importantly it's sparkly! Must remember to pack this!

Current Costume Plans for Ohayocon - now with Reader's Poll!

I always over pack for conventions, but I'm trying to cut back. Mainly because I'll have to pack light for Dragon*Con in September, so I might as well learn how to do it now.

I'm trying to decide what to take and what not to take to Ohayocon. So far I'm thinking:

1. Steampunk Harley Quinn aka Diamonds are Forever (definite)
2. Comic / Cartoon Harley Quinn
3. Middle Eastern Steampunk aka Lady of the Ottoman Empire (definite)
4. Probably my Imperial Officer uniform
5. Time Traveler
6. Airship Stewardess

I'm debating taking both the Time Traveler and the Airship Stewardess. I'll need a persona heavy costume for Sunday's panel on personas and either will do. However, I don't know if I'd like to wear either all day at the con and I won't have much of a chance to change after we check out of our hotel room. I want to wear the Time Traveler (I feel like it makes more of an impact), but the Airship Stewardess would be slightly more comfortable. And of course, people like both costumes -- Miss Dashwood loves the Time Traveler and my beau prefers the Airship Stewardess. Perhaps I can wear the Airship Stewardess when we first arrive on Friday for a few hours and then wear the Time Traveler on Sunday. If I can't handle it all day, I can always change into jeans in a hotel bathroom. And I could probably leave the comic version of Harley Quinn at home, but I feel like taking it is necessary.

Other costumes I have that are also possibilities, but only if something else stays home:
1. Black and silver plaid bustled gown (no name for this one yet) - This has been submitted to be displayed in the gallery but I have not had confirmation yet
2. Black and burgundy bustled gown aka Burgundy at Midnight
3. Queen Gorgo from 300
4. Steampunk Tinkerbell

So many decisions to make. Anyone have any opinions?

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Ohayocon Prep 29 and an embroidery project

Catwoman is finished! Yesterday I basted the top of the bustle pouch closed and did a bit of hand sewing on the shirt (tacked down the zipper ends at the top, fixed a couple spots that escaped stitching the first time, etc). So it is DONE.

I was going to move buttons on the cuffs for my Middle Eastern outfit so that they'd be a little bit more loose, but decided yesterday that I didn't feel like going to the trouble.

So the next thing on my list is my IO uniform, which I may start sewing tonight if I get out of work early enough, or tomorrow at the latest. I pretty much only have this weekend to work on it. The SW themed party is next weekend, and I work three evenings next week at my part time job. Which I am NOT happy about but considering that I'm taking off five days for Ohayocon, I figured I should work them. Money is money after all. Whatever doesn't get done this weekend, I'll have to finish up either Tuesday or Friday evenings when I'm off. I'll probably be sewing snaps on while I'm at work next week.

Last night at the Captain's, Miss Dashwood and I both took projects to work on during the parlor concert. She worked on crocheting me a new pair of mitts (white ones! If they're finished on time, I'll be wearing them to Ohayocon with HQ) while I worked on an embroidery project that I've been working on for the last few years. For my birthday a couple years ago, my mother bought me enough squares to make an embroidered quilt. I'm about halfway done. Then comes assembling the quilt, adding the border and of course, the quilting which I will do by hand. Its this design from Fairway Needlecraft - http://fairwayneedlecraft.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_72_77&products_id=214 How can I not love a southern belle design? There's even pillowcases that coordinate. I have this in my sewing bag today to work on while at work.

Updated Sewing To Do List OR What I'd like to accomplish in the next month
1. Sew ears onto Miss Dashwood's hat - DONE
2. Make Miss Dashwood's utility bustle after she obtains a belt - DONE
3. Finish my HQ mask - still need to do this, or I just go without the mask but I'd prefer to be masked (by Ohayocon)
4. Finish my steampunk Middle Eastern outfit - DONE
5. Make my Imperial Officer's uniform - cut out, ready for sewing (by the 22nd, or Ohayocon)
6. Kermit pj pants (asap)
7. Wrap around skirt (asap)
8. Pencil skirt with ruffle (asap)
9. Blue and white skirt (asap)

I'd also like to work on my Quebec scrapbook. If I can figure out a way to bring it to work with me, that would be fabulous. I'll have to work on that.

And once all that's done, I have alterations to start on for several people in February. The Captain reminded me of it last night and I told him he was on my list.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Ohayocon Prep 28

Catwoman
1. I finished sewing the second ear onto the hat, so that is DONE.
2. Miss Dashwood approved her shirt so all I have to do is some tacking by hand and a bit of clean up.
3. Tonight I put together the bustle for her utility bustle, the pockets and the D rings. I even put snaps on the pockets using a snap tool and a hammer -- that was a new experience. All I need to do is baste the bustle closed. Eventually it'll be a zipping pouch, but for now its just going to be basted closed.

Imperial Officer

I cut out the jacket and the skirt this evening. I'm hoping that everything goes together like I think it will. I cut the front overlap piece on the fold so that it will come up on both sides of the collar instead of just one. I shortened the pattern then felt that I shortened it too much and added a couple inches to each piece when I cut them out. I also did an adjustment to the side front piece that creates the code cylinder pockets. Basically, all you need to do is cut the pattern piece about halfway down the sleeve opening, and separate the pattern pieces about 7.5 inches. Then you cut out the fabric and theoretically fold it so that a pocket is created and the piece is the same size as the original pattern piece. I got the directions from a couple tutorials on the Imperial Officer's message board, so hopefully it'll work out as planned. I didn't cut out the facing, I'll probably have to draft a custom piece to match my front, or just cut another front out and use that as the facing.

The skirt will probably be the first piece I sew. It's a pattern I've used before and it's relatively simple. I also feel that its best to get the easy part out of the way so my full concentration can be on the complexity of the jacket.

In other news, no progress has been made on normal clothes or the Joker. I may work on the pants for the Joker soon, but I don't know. I think I'd rather get my sewing for me done first, so more than likely, the Kermit pants will be next.

Well, I should get some rest. Work and then a gathering in the Captain's Quarters tomorrow evening. And then I'll be visiting my beau.

A bientot

Miss Leah J Wilde

Ohayocon Prep 28

First of all, IO uniform fabric is pre washed, dried and at my apartment for when I get a chance to work on it.

Secondly, Miss Dashwood obtained a belt today so I was able to start on her utility bustle. The idea is that the bustle and the pockets attach to the belt with loops. I worked on the bustle this evening - cut out three flattened half circles for the ruffles, and two half circles for the backing (it will eventually be a pocket) and a band for the loop that holds the bustle onto the belt. I narrow hemmed each ruffle and started gathering and attaching them to the first half circle. While attaching the first one, I realized that I had made the ruffles too long. So I finished attaching the first ruffle, then attached another. At this point, I visiting Miss Dashwood's chamber and asked what she would think if I made the top ruffle shorter. She agreed that this was a good plan and I shortened the last ruffle before attaching it. I took the bustle to Miss Dashwood for her approval and upon obtaining it, finished off the top edge, using the piece I had removed from the last ruffle as the binding. Earlier, I had sewn the loop -- finished the edges and sewn it together into a long tube. Now I attempted to attach it to the second half circle, but ran out of bobbin thread. I took it as a sign to stop sewing and retired to my chamber. Also, Miss Dashwood tried on her turtleneck and approved. It just needs some hand sewing. And I sewed one ear to her aviator hat during work today.

This evening I also worked on my Middle Eastern outfit, which is now going to be called an Ottoman outfit. Miss Dashwood told me I looked Turkish. Top to bottom, I will be wearing -- a turban using one of the pink and silver scarves, a white blouse, a short black vest, my black and silver waist cincher and matching cuffs, a bustle made out of a brown scarf and the second pink and silver one, the bustle is partially held up with black and silver skirt lifters, metal and brown leather belt with keys and a knife attached, black harem / Turkish trousers and black lace up boots. I'm not sure which boots I'll be wearing yet, but I know I will not be wearing the brown flats. I wanted to try my black utility belt, but mislaid it during the trying on process. I have since found it, but alas, I found it long after I had taken the costume off. All in all, Miss Dashwood and I agree that I managed to look both Ottoman and steampunk. Mission accomplished.

In my basket for tomorrow -- Miss Dashwood's turtleneck and hat and my cuffs (they fit a bit too snug).

Not a bad evening of work.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Ohayocon Prep 27 and a Preview of Normal Clothes Sewing

Progress on Catwoman

Miss Dashwood tried on her aviator hat and declared it acceptable. The hat is in my sewing basket to be worked on Monday while I am at work.

This evening, I had her put on her turtleneck so I could pin the zipper to it. Then I cut the turtleneck along the zipper, took the zipper off, turned the edges back and repinned the zipper into place. I stitched it but had issues with the actual turtleneck portion -- since its a knit, it kept shifting so the edges didn't align on each side of the zipper. I took the stitching out once (just along the neck and a little below) and restitched it. It's better, but still not perfect. I'm going to have her take a look at it tomorrow to see what she thinks. After all, the seamstress frequently notices mistakes in her own work that no one else will see unless they are pointed out to them.

Miss Dashwood has not been able to secure a belt as of this moment, so I have been unable to work on her utility bustle.

Normal Sewing Preview

Also in my sewing basket are the first two normal clothing items I'd like to complete for myself -- the Kermit pajama pants and the corduroy wrap around skirt. I may find time to cut them out tomorrow while visiting my beau and perhaps even begin the sewing. After all, the pajama pants will be terribly easy to complete.

In other news...

My beau has once more expressed interest in dressing as the Joker for our Steampunk Rogue's Gallery. So I suppose it is quite the good thing that I finished his coat. Although I am sure that he will insist on buttons and be quite put out at the lack of interior pockets, which may lead to me having to re-do the lining. C'est la vie.

With the change in the status of the Joker, this also means that I am once more responsible for making myself an Imperial Officer uniform. It is not that I am opposed to the idea, I just do not feel like I have adequate time to complete the uniform as it should be (the party it is for is on the 22, so in two weeks). Actually, I don't know if I have the desire to complete it to Legion standards. Although there's no rule saying that I can't have a Star Wars costume that is not acceptable to their costuming organizations. So I may just do my best -- whether I do it now or later -- and not worry overly much about the specifications.

Fingers crossed that everything gets finished for the event it needs to be done for.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J. Wilde
Steam-stress of the Airship Archon

Ohayocon Prep 26 - updated

I worked on Miss Dashwood's Catwoman hat yesterday. She tried on the aviator cap and we figured out where the cat ears needed to go, then I constructed the ears. They are buckram ear shapes that I then covered in the black twill we purchased for the outfit. I need to stitch the two pieces together, then stitch them to the hat. I should have done it today, but didn't really feel like sewing honestly. I'll try to get it done tomorrow. EDIT I just sewed the ears together and pinned them to the hat. I'm holding off on sewing them down until I get Miss Dashwood's approval however. I'd rather wait than have to resew!

I made progress on my Middle Eastern steampunk outfit -- I came home last night and made the pants. I used left over material from my brother's Christmas pajama pants. I laid out my normal pajama pant pattern and decided to cut it as one piece instead of two (basically just laid the pieces with the side seams next to each other). I had to piece the back of the leg because the fabric was just a touch too short, but I doubt it'll be noticeable. I also cut the pants extra long for blouse-ing ability. I sewed the crotch seam then the center seam, put elastic in the waist and ankles and the pants were DONE.

So I try on the outfit. With the scarf just draped on my head, I look like a gypsy. So I wrap it similar to a hijab and while its better, Miss Dashwood says that people will likely just think that I am Muslim and not realize what I'm trying to do. So we tried to come up with ways to make it more steampunk. I consulted the internet and now I'm thinking of -- (1) adding something to the vest, maybe appliques so it looks more Turkish (2) adding my black and silver waist cincher and my black utility belt (3) doing a turban or a hat instead of a head scarf and (4) using the second pink scarf in the bustle. Any opinions?

And a little Civil War steampunk update -- my daddy's going to let me borrow some of his Civil War books on the uniforms. I am quite pleased.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J. Wilde

PS I have decided to leave the Pin Up Skirt as is and not trim it with lace. I pinned some on and it did not thrill me. So that's one project DONE. :)