Sunset Dress - Toledo War and Some Updates

As you probably know, I made a little steam casual sundress from some travel prints I had in my stash. It was supposed to be quick and easy, but was neither, but I got it finished and made a matching hat band well before the event, so that's all that really matters, right?

Anyways, here's some pictures:

The best picture is a side view. Of course, my sunhat was so huge that my face is obscured in pretty much all of these... Picture by Dixie, cropped by me.

The back, also featured is my awesome backpiece that still needs work
Picture by Sally, cropped by me.

And this was the only picture I could find of the front. The one with the pigtails is my friend Gloria, who is a-maz-ing. Picture by Corielle Riddell, cropped by me.

 The event was fun, and we had a decent turn out. A lot more Ohio people than Michigan, which was amusing to me because we drove a lot farther than they did.

Details on the dress: I used Simplicity 3823 for the base, pretty much just the bodice part. I converted it from a side zipper to a back zipper. Pretty sure that I could take the bodice down another size, but if I end up gaining back the weight I lost, then it would be too small so... The skirt was as long as I could make it while matching the pattern along the center front and center back seams. It's not perfectly matched, but only I can see the issues so... I just gathered the panels so they fit the bodice. The zipper is a orange-rust color, and I used dark red thread. The zipper was hand picked, the hem done by  hand as is my standard operating procedure and the lining whipped in by hand as well. I also wore one of my petticoats in most (if not all) of these pictures.

Note to self: I really need a new petticoat. Or three. I've been trying to find a good tutorial, the Sugardale one might be the best so far. Although I really love these layered rainbow pettis. I really need several in different lengths for different skirts and dresses, to be honest.

On that topic, I have vacation coming up and have decided to make a couple new things to wear. (1) I bought around 4 yards of an Audrey Hepburn print cotton (not really the one I wanted, but the movie poster print sold out :( ) and plan to just make a quick little dirndl skirt. Maybe a wrap, if I can figure it out, maybe gathered onto a waistband that has elastic, maybe gathered with elastic. I haven't decided yet. (2) The same thing for some train print cotton I have. I've kind of been saving it for a steampunk outfit, but we're going to Chattanooga. And it's TRAINS. So I figured if I did the same kind of skirt, that I could just undo it if I wanted to use the fabric for something else in the future. (3) I'm also thinking about a little silky dress from some cool zodiac print fabric I got from the red tag table on my last little spree. (4) And petticoats. Even if I just do one or two new quick and dirty ones, I could really use some new petticoats.

As for Teslacon, that sewing is coming along pretty well. The swimsuit is almost done, except for the sash and the hat. The rococopunk is well underway and the stays are DONE. And I started work on the bustle gown as well. I'm hoping to have another serger date at my friend's place soon to work on that. If I do any panels, it'll just be one, so I'll have plenty of time for fun. :D

Steampunk Empire Symposium Preparations!

To do list progress!

• Need to find white or pink laces for my new corset - DONE! I still need to do a trial run of the outfit though...
• Finish the lobster tail bustle - I worked on this, but ran out of boning. I'm going to hit up the hardware store tomorrow (payday) on lunch
• New 'steam stripper' outfit - Is coming along nicely! The bustle is DONE, except for any sort of closure but I think I might just safety pin it this time and worry about a more permanent closure later. I decided to go with a corset, which has been cut out and the basting has begun. I might not line it though...haven't fully decided on that yet.
• And I want to make a little shrug to go over the pink and white underwear, I cut out a piece of white fishnet, just need to sew it up!
• I finished the little vest for my stuffed penguin to wear. I was going to trim the black side in the some trim I used on his hat, but didn't have enough.
• Comic pants - DONE
• Striped corduroy skirt - DONE

Everything for my friend is pretty much on hold, because she decided to skip the convention. :(

Almost complete steam stripper bustle apron

And I stitched up this hole in my BRAND NEW lace fishnet tights

So I've got this weekend (most of which I'll be either working or at an Archon event) and next to: (1) make a corset (2) finish a bustle (3) make a shrug and (4) test run my pink and white underwear. That's actually not too bad...

It's Almost Christmas!

1. Embroidered quilt: Still working on block #11. *cue sigh* I don't think it's going to be done before I go home for the holidays.
2.  Keeper of the Keys corset: Still pinned and not put together
3. Suspenders for my femme Joker. - Still not done.
4. Suicide Squad Harley Quinn hasn't been worked on either.... I don't know if I'll be able to get this done on time, not because of the costume construction but because the company I get my tights etc from is out of what I need.
5. New bodice for my black and silver steampunk is DONE
6. And I decided that I needed a new skirt to match ... Also DONE. Had a sewing day at my friends' house and pretty much pounded this out. It has a silver plaid waistband and bias hem. I couldn't find my horsehair braid so it has around a 4 inch wide hem facing of the same red taffeta I used to line the bodice. And some decorative stitching, courtesy of my friends fancy sewing machine.
7. New Tour Wear leggings: DONE

Now I really want a hat to go with my new steampunk...

And it's a Build Day tomorrow! I plan to work on: embroidery, maybe hat construction, maybe scrapbooking. Pretty much anything that doesn't need a sewing machine because I want to be upstairs with my friends and not buried in the sewing room (basement).

On the scrapbooking topic -- I just printed the last three shows of AAR pictures. Time to start volume 2 of my scrapbook! It was decided that volume 1 was big enough already lol

Progress and What's In Miss Wilde's Sewing Basket: Thanksgiving Edition

1. Embroidered quilt: Block #10 is DONE, started block #11. I'm still feeling on track for Christmas. This is definitely going home with me for Thanksgiving, so hopefully I'll get some work done then.
2.  Keeper of the Keys corset will probably get worked on Thanksgiving or post Thanksgiving. My dad has more boning for me so once that's done I can start putting it all together.
3. Suspenders for my femme Joker. Haven't started because Joanns was out of what I needed and I haven't gone back and bought the stuff yet.
4. Suicide Squad Harley Quinn hasn't been worked on this week. I still need to - alter the front of the corset, line the corset, put in the bra cups and lacings, finish the shorts, make the collar, order what I need...
5. New bodice for my black and silver steampunk is actually approaching completion. The collar is done and sewn on. The bottom edges have been trimmed in bias. I still need to - finish the armholes, finish the inside where the pleats are, finish the outside where the pleats are (decorating w a little left over trim), figure out what kind of lacing I'm doing in the front, decide if I'm trimming the front with ribbon or not, decide if I'm adding a ruffle to the back or not...
6. Soldiers Angels pillowcases and blankets still need worked on. Honestly, I didn't make pillowcases this week because I didn't feel like changing out my thread in the machine. I did start on quilt top #2 though. 
7. New Tour Wear leggings because I'm seeing the Rejects in less than three weeks in Maryland! Planning on buying some stretch velvet in green. It's a Christmas show, I want to look like an elf. lol

In my sewing bag for Thanksgiving: embroidered quilt, along w a ruler and marker to mark the block edges for stitching; Keeper of the Keys corset and that's probably it since I won't be home long. Oh maybe the leggings to at least cut them out. And maybe the pillowcases cuz those would be a quick and easy project while I'm home.

More Progress! And adding to the to do list

Well, I've got a lot done since my last post...

First of all, I made a shopping list and went shopping for hopefully everything I need for the rest of the year. I got border and backing fabric for my quilt. Boning, quilting thread, quilting needles, a quilt hoop, black thread, batting for my quilt, some fabric to make pillowcases, yarn for a friend, lacing for the Harley corset, zippers for a few projects, gears, glue, fabric for the collar for the new Harley costume, elastic cord for bodice lacing... Okay I think that's it. And I actually have now added to my to do list so I'm going to need to go shopping again for a couple more things. Plus they didn't have the suspender clips I needed so I need to pick those up.

I worked on the embroidered quilt. Block #10 is almost done, which means I only have two more to embroider. I haven't started piecing it, but I did figure out how much fabric I needed for the border and backing.

I cut out the corset lining. And put it as well as the corset together. The corset is boned and the zipper been put in, next is another try on before I add in the bra cups and then put the lining in. Oh I also need to alter the front a little bit so it'll lace a little better. May need to re-do the front completely actually, so it looks more accurate.

The Harley pajama pants are DONE.

And not only did I start basting for the new bodice but I also put it together, put the lining together, put in the boning (including bias channels), decided what kind of collar to use, sewed the collar together, decided on trims, cut out and put together bias for said trim... Okay I think that's all so far :)

Oh! And I made the wings for my airship stewardess costume! Just used a little super glue to glue a couple gears onto my plastic Delta wings.

I still need to mail Pepper's leggings. As well as a costume that a friend bought from me.

Okay current status of to do list:

1. Embroidered quilt is coming along nicely. I should have it ready by Christmas as planned. I hope.
2.  Keeper of the Keys corset. Haven't worked on this. I have the zipper now, but I need more boning.
3. Leggings for Pepper. DONE just need mailed
4. Wings for my airship stewardess costume. DONE
5.  Suspenders for my femme Joker. Haven't started because Joanns was out of what I needed
6. Suicide Squad Harley Quinn - coming along nicely. The shorts are almost done. The corset is coming along well. I need to order my socks, figure out what I'm doing with my hair, and make the collar.
7.  Harley Quinn pajama pants DONE
8. New bodice for my black and silver steampunk. Also coming along nicely. I need to baste the lining and outside together, trim everything out in bias, decorate and put the collar on, figure out the buttons I want to do on the front...

New additions to the to do list: I joined a group called Soldiers Angels and am working on pillowcases and blankets for the troops. I have one quilt top put together already and two pillowcases pinned for sewing. I need to get batting and backing fabric and work on the quilt as well as get the pillowcases put together. I need some plain fabric for a pillowcase, because I have the perfect fabric to use as the cuff. 

To Do List to Complete by December 31, 2011

I think December 31 will make a lovely due date, don't you? Since I have no events to count down to until January.

My basic to do list:

• fall/winter sewing
• elf punk
• sewing for Miss Von Stoup
• Harley Quinn revamp
• patchwork skirt for gypsy-punk
• stash sewing: cream and black satin, black and silver plaid, purple linen, bright pink satin
• corsets

Progress so far and plans:

First up, Harley Quinn revamp in two parts:

• Comic book version: Made a pattern for the new collar. I need to make the new collar and make the cuffs.
  
• Steampunk version: Finished sewing trim around the jacket edges and to the skirt hem. I may need to purchase a little more trim.
  

Next, fall/winter sewing:

• I have two jumpers cut out and started pinning them.
  
• And I finished the Keeper of the Keys skirt.

As for my Christmas sewing...

• I finished the elf punk bustle.
• I'd like to make a hat for the elf punk ensemble.

And my gypsy punk costume is coming along.

• Patchwork crazy quilt skirt is started.
• And I'm thinking of doing a teal silk high backed corset vest if (1) I have enough fabric and (2) the silk coordinates well with the blouse.

I've made no progress on Miss Von Stoup's sewing. Nor have I started any of my planned stash sewing, although I did set aside a couple things -- the cream and black flocked satin is sitting with the pattern I plan to use and I bundled some black and silver plaid with the leftover flocked chiffon from the underskirt. I have more plaid somewhere.

Oh and I need to make a toaster cover for a Christmas present. But I forgot to measure the toaster...

What I'd like to get done this weekend:

• Pink full skirted jumper.
• Navy slim skirt jumper.
• Harley Quinn collar.
• Work on crazy quilt skirt.
  

DragonCon To Do List - Week of August 8th

Progress on last week's to do list:

1. My Confederate vivandiere costume is DONE. And Miss Von Stoup's jacket is out of my hands and in hers for the finishing touches.


Working on the button placement...

2. Sleep shorts are DONE.

3. I cut out the post apoc jacket and started working on it, it is now ready for a fitting.

4. I worked on the Ottoman embroidery vest.


Current progress.

5. All I did on the Ottoman bustle was to put the skirt lifters on while its on the dressmaker's dummy.

6. I decorated the hat for my mystery costume and bought ribbon for the mitts. I also tried it on with the petticoat, which looked cute even if it didn't have the effect I had hoped for -- to make the skirt lining more visible.


Mystery costume hat.

7. I cut out the Persian pants and started putting them together.

8. And I started the Time Traveler hat band.

Aaaand, my beau added to my to do list -- he wants pockets in the black and red plaid kilt I made him last year and a new kilt for DragonCon.

This week's to do list:

1. Have a fitting and finish the post apoc jacket. It would be nice to start the skirts as well, but that depends on Miss Von Stoup.

2. Work on the embroidered vest (duh).

3. Get the Ottoman bustle ready. Should only take an evening.

4. Finish the Persian pants.

5. Finish the Time Traveler hat band.

6. Start work on the Time Traveler ballgown bodice. I'd at least like to get a muslin made and fitted this week.

7. Put at least one pocket in the red and black kilt for my beau. I'm planning welted pockets with the welts out of the plaid and the pocket itself out of black denim.

8. And start his new kilt. We're doing the same thing as last time -- cotton lined with denim to give it the necessary weight. I have the cotton but the denim is at a friend's house so I won't be able to do too much on it.

Again its a rather heavy list, but since so many of them are little projects I feel that it is sufficient and doable.

July 18th DragonCon To Do List Progress II

1. Confederate Jacket: I'm almost done stitching the braid onto the cuffs. Next up is attaching them to the jacket then tacking down the facing.

2. Had a fitting with Professor Watt and took in the suit -- a lot. But that was expected and the plan! Finishing it will probably wait til next week, when I have an extra evening off!

3. Mystery jacket - Stitched the lining and outside along the bottom, then basted the two together along the front edges and attached the collar. Now all that's left is hand sewing the collar in place to cover the raw edges and handstitching the lining along the armholes!

4. AND I've worked on the vest a little.

Decent progress, no?

However...I'm adding to my to do list. I know I know I'm nuts. But neither will take long! I need to make a hatband for my pink straw hat to go with Time Traveler. I'm planning to wear it in the parade and I am not wearing the hooded jacket in that heat!! I'm thinking white satin over something substantial (belting?) with clock faces and a big purple feather. And it has to be removable / coverable so I can re-do the hat for my mystery costume. And the second thing is a pair or two of sleep shorts. I'll probably just raid my stash for those. Alternatively I could just go BUY a pack of men's boxers... But I do need the hat band.

Packed for the weekend at my beau's: Confederate jacket, mystery costume jacket, fabric and pattern for his sporran, and I'll have my vest as well. I may also grab the stuff for Miss Von Stoup's post apoc outfit.

Progress on the Confederate Uniforms

Miss Von Stoup has been working on her skirt and estimates completion this evening or Thursday at the latest.

I worked on my jacket last evening, putting the sleeves together and putting them in. Then I tried the jacket on and realized...

I'd put the sleeves in incorrectly.

Sigh.

I'll have to take the stitching out and try again. Not. Happy.

I think the jackets are going to get topstitched. I have pins along the top of the jacket for this purpose.

I may have a fitting issue with the collar but its a little hard to tell with the gigantic sleeve issue.

After setting mine aside for the evening, I started taking in Miss Von Stoup's jacket. I got three of the four seams done and ran out of bobbin thread on the fourth. Already upset from my earlier issues, I turned off the machine and the light and left the room.

Last evening, Miss Von Stoup and I discussed the possibility of making her a Mandarin inspired jacket before MARCon. Our reasoning is that we have a "Steampunk Around the World" panel and she has nothing to wear. So its a definite possibility that our uniforms will not be complete (which I already suspected anyways). Oh well, we'll have them done and perfect for Dragon*Con.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde