Finished Projects - May

1. Purple dragonfly seersucker dress with popover. Purchased fabric, pattern and zipper; stash thread. (May 9th)
   

   

   Dress worn with a white shrug, the popover wasn't finished in time for church

2. Yellow and cream jacket, commissioned by a friend (May 17th)
   

   

   Same pattern as my French terry hoodie, but no hood and with cream lace layover on the back and appliqued on the sleeves

3. French terry tank top and skirt.  Fabric was left over from my hoodie and pants, purchased pattern.(May 15th)
   

   

   Just the skirt!  McCalls has this Learn to Sew line that I'm kind of in love with for quick and easy projects.

4. Lane Raglan rashguard.  Purchased fabric, some fabric was stash, some was purchased.     (May 23rd)
   

   

   The paisley is actually super bright obnoxious colors, but it didn't photograph very well.

5. Blue-green Plantain shirt, Deer and Doe pattern.  Free pattern, purchased fabric and thread. (May 30th)
6. A pair of Lady Shorts from some left over knit.  Free pattern, stash fabric and thread, purchased elastic. (May 20th)
7. Kilt for my dad from an old pair of jeans.  (May 28th)
8. Black poly-cotton scrub jacket for my mom.  Purchased fabric and pattern, stash thread.     (May 29th)
   

   

   Cutting out the scrub top, shown with the purple dragonfly dress

9. Slip from a Burda pattern. Purchased pattern, thread and fabric.  (May 29th)
10. Deer and Doe Bruyere shirt. Purchased everything. (May 4th)
    

    

    The pattern needs a lot of changes before I make another. The waist, sleeves and back are all a little tight, so I retraced almost the entire pattern in a larger size, and also lengthened the bottom and the sleeves.  But I still love this one!

Finished Projects - March and April

1. Cinderella dress (3/2): purchased fabric and zipper; stash pattern, buttons and thread
2. Daisy dress for Briella (3/19): leftover fabric from making my mother a scrub top and stash thread; purchased pattern and zipper
3. French terry lounge pants (3/20) and hoodie (3/24): purchased pants pattern, fabric, thread and zipper; stash hoodie pattern and fabric to line the hood
4. Gold cropped vest for Symposium (3/29): stash everything
5. Commissioned yellow and white polka dotted cotton skirt (4/19): purchased everything
6. Two mending projects for my mom
7. Draped black top (4/16): purchased fabric; stash fabric, thread and elastic
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

To Do List Update - Fall Convention Prep

Since convention season is starting, and the weather will be turning cold soon, here's my current to do list:

White eyelet lined and trimmed in lilac cotton 60s shift - DONE

Two quilt tops and backs - DONE. Next up is the pinning this weekend.

Finished UFO mystery quilt top

Embroidered quilt, it now has a pink border.

Lolita commission. Deadline is mid October for Teslacon. - Coming along well.

Jacket commission I started months ago for a friend. Deadline is mid October for Pandoracon - This still needs worked on.

Finish my green and gold outfit - Natural Form, steampunk style. I need to make a natural form-esque petticoat and underskirt, both with ruffles, and also a long green overskirt trimmed in fringe. Deadline - Pandoracon -- I've started this. The petticoat is cut out and I've started construction. It's going to have a removable under section of crinoline with a ruffle to give it some extra ooomph. I bought black satin for the skirt (about 7 yards of it) as well as some black mirror organza, which will likely become ruffles on the overskirt. Currently, I'm working on the ruffles on the petticoat train.

Hand sewing lace onto the bottom ruffle of the petticoat train.

Purple corduroy skirt - This is prewashed but I still don't know what pattern I'm using. I'm tempted to do a full skirt over a pencil, if I have enough. It's a large wale corduroy and I just don't know if that'll work in a pencil skirt.

Striped Echino skirt - This is cut out. I went with a Vogue skirt pattern that has a ruffle at the bottom. So the stripes are vertical on the skirt itself and the ruffle was cut so the stripes start horizontal and get chevron-y towards the side seams.

Cutting this out made me nervous...I ended up basically cutting one layer at a time.

Turquoise corduroy - I cut out another 60s vintage pattern, a vneck jumper.

Vintage pattern and the turquoise corduroy. I even remembered to buy matching thread and zipper!

If possible, a new mask for Diamonds are Forever.




When I purchased the black satin and organza, I also picked up a couple other things...cream corduroy for a skirt along with lining (pencil skirt) and navy corduroy for another pencil skirt. There was a clearance sale. And I love corduroy. And I want to phase out wearing pants. Okay, I'm done justifying my fabric shopping. lol Also I somehow remembered to get thread to match the cream and navy, but no zippers for either of those or for my striped fabric.


And here's what I bought when I got the petticoat fabric --

L to R: pink flannel for the back of the mystery quilt, white crinoline, white muslin and Christmas fabric for my mom's Christmas gift - a new scrub top (she'll get it early, obviously)

What Has Miss Wilde Been Up To?

I started the lolita commission. The cream overskirt is ready for a try on and the grey tiered underskirt needs a little work, but it will be ready soon. The red overskirt is on hold because I don't have ribbon for the ties and its too hot to iron the seams. (90s all week + no central air = no ironing, among other things)

Other than that, I've been working to get things finished for my upcoming trip to New England! You know, that whole retro summer vacation wardrobe idea.

So far, I've made:

1. Brown capris (that I liked better when I actually wore them, in case you were wondering)
2. Red and black gingham high waisted shorts with a matching bodice (the bodice just needs ribbon ties on the halter neck before it's finished)
3. Red pique pencil skirt
4. Black and red large gingham plaid pencil skirt
5. Star Trek printed cotton wrap circle skirt
6. Measuring tape printed cotton circle skirt with pockets and I'm in the process of adding tabs to the waist to solve a little fit issue
7. White striped sateen wrap blouse
8. Black and white Paris printed cotton blouse
9. Pink 60s shift dress from a vintage pattern
10. White and blue dotted swiss dress

What I hope to make before I leave:

1. Finish the blue linen dress that I've barely started
2. A cropped pullover top from the leftover blue linen (it'd look great with those brown capris!)
3. Another pair of high waisted shorts, probably in denim
4. Black wrap circle skirt trimmed in the red and black gingham to coordinate with the shorts and bodice
5. Maybe another 60s shift dress (I definitely want another one, just don't know if I can get it done before vacation)
6. And if I end up with extra time, that 40s seersucker blouse. Which I have started, I just can't get up the interest to work on it

What's in Miss Wilde's Sewing Basket today? The measuring tape skirt and tabs. The blue linen dress with interfacing (okay, its really leftover poly cotton broadcloth from lining the Swiss dot dress because as you know, I really hate interfacing) for me to hand baste.

After all the sewing is done, then of course comes the best part -- the PACKING FOR VACATION.

Retro Inspired Summer Wardrobe Progress

I've been up to a lot of sewing lately.

I finished that Mad Moxxi commission (and she LOVED it). And I've taken on some Lolita style skirts and vests for another commission. Fabric's in my car, waiting to be prewashed this weekend.

As for my summer retro-inspired wardrobe:

• The red and black gingham shorts are DONE, the matching top is maybe halfway there. The shorts ended up awesomely high waisted, totally need to make another pair, maybe in denim... The zipper, hooks and eyes and hem were done by hand.

• The red pique pencil skirt is DONE, hem and zipper by hand. I used some lace on the hem as hem tape to make it a little prettier.

• As is the black and pink plaid pencil skirt. Which I am very proud of, because it was my first foray into matched plaid.

• The Star Trek wrap circle skirt is DONE, with a hand sewn hem.
  
• I used my walkaway dress pattern to make a wrap blouse out of striped white on white sateen and trimmed it in the black Paris print. And that's DONE.
• The top I made using a retro Butterick reprint dress pattern out of said Paris print is DONE, the collar is the white striped sateen and so is the binding on the hem (by hand). 
• My 60s shift dress is DONE, my first use of a vintage pattern was successful! I took in the back darts a little, I think if I made another dress I'd mess with the front as well. Has some extra slack there.

The wrap blouse, red pique skirt and shift dress in progress.

• And the dotted swiss dress is DONE as well, hand hemmed the skirt and the lining.
  

In progress:

• A green knit shrug to wear this summer when I don't want my tattoos to show
• A retro style cropped reversible jacket out of left over dotted swiss - one side white on white, the other blue, trimmed in the white on white dots.
• The black and red gingham bodice.
• The measuring tape circle skirt - It's put together, and I made a couple pockets (lined w red pique); needs the zipper, waistband and hem.

• I have the 40s striped seersucker cut out, but haven't worked on it yet. And the brown capris, the blue linen dress and the pink and white blouse are still waiting til I'm done with what's already cut out. I think the pink and white might end up a Colette Sorbetto...

Miss Wilde's Weekend

Was spent, as I'm sure you can imagine, sewing.

And watching Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Arrow and Star Trek (2009, not the new one, unfort), while sewing.

So what did I do during all that sewing time?

Well, the Mad Moxxi commission is mostly finished. My client is coming over today for me to figure out snap placement and hand it off to her. This jacket is one of the most complicated things I've ever made.

I painted the stripes with spray fabric paint and lots of masking tape. The yellow braid is all hand sewn on (just tacked, not intensively sewn down). The lining was basted in by hand. The buttons were of course sewn on by hand.

And I MADE striped fabric for the collar and cuffs -- sewed doubled face white satin ribbon down onto the cut out cuffs and collar of black satin. 

The tails of the coat also have wire sewn into the seam allowances so that they can be flipped up.

Told you it was intensive!

It looks pretty fantastic though.

I also:

• Put together my Star Trek wrap circle skirt (to make it a wrap skirt, I added an extra piece on one side, put on a waistband, left a slit in where the waist band attached so that the waist band / sash could slip through). Because of the weird way I cut out the skirt, the sides ended up being short so I had to then measure the short sections and measure all around the skirt, marking, drawing a new cutting line, and trimming off the bottom. Now all it needs is hemmed!

  

  Skirt before I put it together

• Worked on my dotted swiss sundress. I ended up buying a dusky green poly cotton for the lining, because the blue dots weren't blue-blue, but more of a blue-green. I put together the lining, stitched down the elastic in the dress waist, tacked in the skirt lining, then sewed the bodice lining down to cover the waist seam. The green lining darkens the skirt a bit, but it makes the blue dots pop, so I think I'm okay with it. White lining is just so boring, you know? It's going to look so pretty with a petticoat underneath! Right now it's hanging on the back of  my closet door so the bias cut skirt can settle before I hem it. 

  

  Dotted swiss sundress hanging so the skirt can settle

• Made my sister in law a new nursing cover. - She's of Dutch ancestry and we just got in two Dutch prints at work: one with windmills and a stripe with windmills and wooden shoes. I asked what she wanted and she requested a new nursing cover. I think it's a bit of a different shape than the first one I made (because I didn't follow the pattern) but I hope it works for her. I lost the pocket on the original pattern, but kept the boning and adjustable strap because she said she liked them. Yesterday I finished it by hand stitching the facing in place along the top edge. So that'll go down to Cincinnati the next time I visit!
• I've cut out a lot of my new summer wardrobe pieces AND pinned the darts and seams as well. (My office has been SLOW lol). - As of right now I have cut out: The black and red gingham shorts and top. The pink 60s shift. The red pencil skirt. Half of the measuring tape circle skirt (it was giving me issues so I gave up, the fabric needs ironed before I try again). Turquoise and white striped 40s blouse. White striped sateen - I went with a wrap blouse as an experiment, used the bodice from the walkaway dress, lengthened the bodice a bit and made both the front and back pieces a bit wider to accommodate a closure in the back and a tie front. Black and white Paris print cotton bodice. And I cut out the black and pink large gingham check plaid pencil skirt, hopefully I did it right and my plaid will match up!

  

  Vintage pattern I'm using to make a 60s shift dress

And the cut out 60s shift with the darts pinned.

That's all I've got for now! A bientot!

PS - Almost forgot that I picked up a super cute retro inspired McCalls dress pattern the other day randomly. No idea how I missed this pattern! lol So I'm going to use my blue embroidered linen to make McCalls 6503 instead of a skirt, once I decide which neckline I like better...

Summer Sewing Plans

It's been a while, dear readers, and I do apologize. I've just been ... caught up in life I suppose.

Right now I have several projects underway.

1. I still have that jacket for my friend T lying around.

2. And I have a commissioned jacket that I have one little week to finish. I'm starting to panic a bit on that one, honestly. It's Mad Moxxi from Borderlands. I had to paint stripes on the jacket, which meant removing the sleeves so I could paint said sleeves. So now I have to put the sleeves back in, put in the lining, then work on handstitched trim. Plus I have to MAKE striped fabric (white satin + ribbon) for the collar and cuffs. Oh, and then there's the buttons and the snaps and...And I have a week from tomorrow to get this finished.

3. I'm in talks to work on some Lolita style items for a member of the Airship Archon.

4. And I promised my dearest Sarah that I'd shorten a dress for her.

With all that out of the way, I've also started a retro inspired summer wardrobe for myself: black and red gingham plaid shorts and a matching top (maybe even a plain circle skirt trimmed in the plaid...); a red pique pencil skirt; a black and pink plaid pencil skirt (for which I'll be matching the plaid!); brown on brown dotted capris; a measuring tape patterned cotton circle skirt; a turquoise and white striped seersucker 40s style blouse; a pink floral 60s style shift dress (my first use of a vintage pattern!); a pink and white floral print top of some sort; blue embroidered linen for a skirt of some sort; white on white striped sateen that I think is going to be a wrap top; Paris print top using a dress bodice pattern; and I have some green and gold floral print that I'm going to make something out of, I just haven't decided what exactly yet. Patterns I'm using: this Simplicity 1960s retro suit for the red pique skirt and I think the pink and white floral blouse; my first vintage sewing pattern experiment; this Simplicity 1940s vintage top (view C); a couple out of print McCalls patterns that have 5 different lengths for pants and skirts for the shorts, capris, and pencil skirt; and a few different random dress patterns (mostly retro reprints or retro inspired - Simplicity 3780) for the other skirts and tops. I also have this top, something my mother found in my grandmother's things, that I think will go perfectly with the brown capris.


The whole inspiration behind this wardrobe is my vintage Samsonite luggage and a planned vacation in August. I want to go on a trip with my oh so pretty luggage and I decided my wardrobe should be appropriately retro as well. :)
I have a retro reprint sundress that's almost done as well. Just needs a little bit of handstitching, the skirt lining and then the hemming before its complete. It may go with me on my summer vacation, but it's white so I don't know if that would be a good choice... And I'm making a Star Trek comic print circle skirt. That's more just for me, for fun, than for this wardrobe idea, but I may be able to incorporate it. That's probably first on my list because I need it for something in just a couple weeks.

What Miss Wilde Did This Weekend

1. Finish the commission. - DONE and will be handed off tomorrow
2. Halloween skirt - Still need to finish the zipper and closure, but its not a priority. Deadline: October.
3. Femme Joker - Lots of progress here! Tried on the skirt and took it in. Also made the zipper larger because there was no way to wear that slim of a skirt without a longer zipper. It still needs taken in maybe another half inch. It's also too long. The base of the jacket is put together, but I think it needs some darts in the back to help it fit better. Then comes the collar and the lining (still need to buy lining fabric...) The blouse is cut out, but I haven't started assembly yet. Deadline: end of September
4. Nursing cover for my sister in law - Fabric has been bought and prewashed. Deadline: probably October-ish.
5. AAR Tour Wear: I have a leggings pattern picked out, just waiting for it to go on sale. I also have some tunic plans, but will need to purchase fabric for said tunics. Deadline: September / October
6. Hellhound cosplay: Realized I already have part of it - a blue scarf! I have a jacket pattern picked out but am unsure right now if it'll work or not. Currently thinking jeans, boots, tshirt, scarf and a cool jacket. All I'll probably have to make is the jacket. Oh and a wand. Definitely gonna have to make a wand. Deadline: Don't have one. Maybe end of September, maybe not til January for Ohayocon.
7. Christmas nightgown: Pulled the fabric and patterns out the other day. I'm going to have to get a matching print to do part of the nightgown in because I definitely don't have enough of the nativity print cotton to do a long nightgown like I want to.  Deadline: Christmas (obviously)

Progress! (not much, but still progress is progress)

I've actually made some progress! lol

1. Finish the commission. - Almost done. It's stitched together and I'm almost finished hand stitching the lining in place. Deadline; ASAP
2. Halloween skirt - Stitched the yoke to the skirt and hemmed it. The zipper is basted in but not stitched. I still need to finish the zipper and add some hook and eyes to finish off the closure. Deadline: October.
3. Femme Joker - Started sewing the skirt and the jacket together. Next up is fitting the skirt, cuz it looks huge... Deadline: end of September
4. Nursing cover for my sister in law - Fabric has been bought and prewashed. Deadline: probably October-ish.
5. Contemplating making some leggings for AAR's fall tour, for myself and for Pepper, and or a tunic to wear with said leggings or ones that I already own. Deadline: September / October
6. Also contemplating a Hellhound costume from Auror's Tale. Deadline: Don't have one. Maybe end of September, maybe not til January for Ohayocon.

STILL little to no progress

Lack of progress is mainly because I've been so crazy busy lately.

1. Finish the commission. - Still not done. Deadline; ASAP
2. Petticoat for my green and white sundress. - DONE. And then I wore a different dress to the wedding. It was still one that I made though, I wore my walkaway green and purple wrap dress.
3. Bunting for my nephew - DONE
4. Halloween skirt - Gathered to fit the yoke but not stitched. Deadline: October.
5. Femme Joker - Cut out the suit. AND started the pinning. Deadline: end of September
6. Nursing cover for my sister in law - Bought the fabric yesterday, brown flannel that is going to be trimmed in left over fabric from the bunting. Deadline: probably October-ish.
7. Contemplating making some leggings for AAR's fall tour, for myself and for Pepper, and or a tunic to wear with said leggings or ones that I already own. Deadline: September / October
8. Also contemplating a Hellhound costume from Auror's Tale. Deadline: Don't have one. Maybe end of September, maybe not til January for Ohayocon.

Little to no progress from Miss Wilde...

1. Finish the commission. - Haven't had the chance to work on this recently. I really need to make some time for it, but my weekend is booked and my weeks have been crazy busy lately. Planning on next weekend to get it done.
2. Petticoat for my green and white sundress. - Haven't started this either. Need this done by August 3.
3. Bunting for my nephew - DONE
4. Halloween skirt - Gathered to fit the yoke but not stitched.
5. Femme Joker - Cut out the suit.
6. Sis in law wants a matching nursing cover so I need to try and get that done by the time the baby comes (late August / early September)

To Do List Progress

1. Finish the commission. - My wrist is feeling better so I started the basting. It still looks off, esp in the arms so I'm going to have to devote some time to it this weekend.
2. Sew snaps on the Paris bodice. - DONE
3. Cut out the lining and work on my green and white sundress. - Dress is DONE! And I have the materials for the petticoat, just haven't started them yet.
4. Black gauze shorts - DONE
5. Dye femme Joker suit fabric - DONE
6. Work on the bunting for my nephew. - This is cut out and I started putting it together yesterday.
7. Halloween circle skirt - This one is going to be odd. I couldn't use the pattern exactly so I have the yoke cut out and sewn together and I cut three lengths of fabric for the skirt. They've been sewn together and gather stitched so next up is gathering them to fit the yoke.
8. And I randomly made a backless halter from left over Paris fabric.

What I'd like to get done over the next few weeks:
- The bunting
- The commission
- The petticoat for the green and white dress
- The Halloween skirt
- And at least start on the femme Joker

By the way, I now have a due date for femme Joker - I've decided to go to Mid Ohio Comic Con in September because one of my favorite celebrities is going to be there. CM Punk from WWE. Yes, I am a wrestling fan. And proud of it. lol

What I did this weekend...

Well, I didn't really end up sewing in the order I thought I would...

I started out working on the playsuit. I took in the non-zipper side. Next up would be a fitting, but it was so hot in the apartment (no AC) that I didn't want to mess with it. So next up is fitting, hemming and zipper-ing. Actually I'll probably baste the zipper in before the fitting...

Then I tackled the vest basque bodice. Which is approaching completion. I finished and attached the collar. Put the sleeves together and attached them to the bodice. Then came the lining, which is going in a little weird... Following the instructions I sewed the lining to the bodice along the front edges, not following the instructions, I then flipped it and basted the bottom edges of the bodice and the lining together. I'm trimming the edges with bias tape cut from the Paris fabric, which is started. I have buttons picked out, I'm thinking they'll be faux with snaps underneath. Or I make it so it closes with a zipper. I haven't full out decided yet. Buttons will be going on the cuffs to tack them in place. I may also add a little bit of black braid to the front... Next: Finish the binding. Figure out the closure. Decide about the braid. Almost there!

The commission wasn't touched.

I also started plans for my first sundress of the summer -- white eyelet skirt gathered to fit the waistband of a bodice made with one of my Retro Buttericks.  I also want to make some little shorts to wear around the house, the stash has not yet been raided for this purpose but that's in the plans!

Miss Fletcher's Bodice...

...is DONE!

I'm dropping it off tonight after work.

Progress on January 2012 Sewing To Do List 3

I made a lot of progress this weekend.

Saturday, at the Build Day:

I finished my steampunk gypsy corset, except for my little D ring decoration. I found another D ring that I may add as well. I laced it using an interesting lacing technique I found via Diary of a Renaissance Seamstress.

I sewed a closure on my new plaid square overskirt and decorated a little hat to go with that outfit. Plain doll hat found on clearance + silver lace + black lace veil + black elastic cord + a plaid fabric flower = awesome new tiny hat! I didn't work on the pocket though.


The hat to wear with my new plaid overskirt.

Speaking of the plaid overskirt...


The apron spread out, pre-assembly.


A close up of the trim.

I didn't work on the Harley Quinn cuffs.

I did get Miss Fletcher's bodice cut out, all three layers (outer, interlining, lining) plus neckline alterations. I also cut out a pair of Spiderman pajama pants for myself, had to cut them a little short due to lack of fabric. I did not cut anything from the Star Wars fabric yet.

Saturday, post Build Day:

I worked on Miss Fletcher's bodice: I ironed the lining pieces, spray starched and ironed the satin outer layer. Then I put the lining together and flatlined the satin with the interlining, a heavy purple cotton (from what I can tell).


Miss Fletcher's bodice, with heavy alteration of the neckline plus a zipper instead of the laces.

Yesterday (Sunday):

I put together the outside of Miss Fletcher's bodice, set up a fitting then headed to the fabric store.

At the fabric store: A zipper for Miss Fletcher's bodice. Three yards of black Paris print calico for my pink satin costume (I decided on a Paris theme). Almost seven yards of the same Star Wars flannel I picked up from another store last week. A little over a yard of black flannel, to use with the Star Wars flannel and to lengthen my Spiderman pajama pants if necessary. And two Simplicity nightgown patterns because I've been wanting to make some old fashioned sleepwear.


Nightgown pattern 1.


Nightgown pattern 2

I'm planning a Star Wars nightgown, probably the first pattern, and hopefully before Ohayocon. I'm also planning some Victorian-esque nightgowns.

Miss Fletcher came over for a fitting. The neckline needed altered a little more and a couple seams needed taken in. After she left, I took in the seams, finished altering the neckline and stitched the lining to the outer bodice along the sides and bottom. All that's left is hand stitching the rest in place.

Current State of the January To Do List:

• 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: All that's left is hand sewing. - Deadline: January 20
  
• Harley Quinn collar and cuffs: Collar's DONE, just need to add velcro and elastic to the cuffs - Deadline: January 27 (Ohayocon)
  
• 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 have been cut out for myself, but they may be set aside in favor of a Star Wars nightgown and pajama pants for Beau. He's also requesting pillowcases asap. - 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

That's all for now!

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

January 2012 To Do List

Which is probably overly ambitious, as usual.

First up, I finished piecing the sixth gore of my crazy quilt skirt, so stage one of that is DONE!

Now for the actual to do list:

• Finish the steampunk gypsy corset. I already put boning down the center back, stitched the boning channels close to the boning by hand and finished basting it. Now all I need to do is make the binding, bind it and put in the eyelets. I may add a few little things, like stitching over the eyelets in pretty thread or adding a few D rings. I have some extra trim that I could use to hang the D rings from. Then I could attach things to them... - Deadline: ASAP
  
• Make a bodice for Gemma Fletcher of the Archon. She needs it by the 20th. This should probably be first on my list... - Deadline: January 20
  
• Topstitch my new Harley Quinn collar and see if I can add elastic and velcro to my cuffs. - Deadline: January 27 (Ohayocon)
  
• Make Beau a bag for his closet to keep his unmentionables in. - Whenever it gets done.
  
• I'd love to make some Spiderman pajama pants before Ohayocon, either for Beau or for me. I don't know if I have enough fabric to make Beau a pair, but I'm willing to try! - Deadline: January 27 (Ohayocon)
• Now for what I'd really love to do before Ohayocon: Make my plaid square overskirt. I bought a yard and a half of silver crepe back satin and some black ribbon. I traced out the pattern, which I think sounds relatively easy. I've pulled out the silver lace (that goes over the black ribbon) and some other silver trims to deck out the overskirt with. I also bought a tiny top hat to decorate to wear with it. I'm super excited to work on this, and it may just come before the unmentionables bag and the pajama pants. - Deadline: January 27 (Ohayocon)
• I have a throw I made from old concert tshirts that I'd like to enlarge with more shirts and back with fleece (temporarily) before I see the band perform on Feb. 4. - Deadline: February 4
  

Okay, I think that's it for January. Now to see what I can actually accomplish...

To Do List Update - Gypsy Steampunk and Christmas

Steampunk Gypsy:

Three of the six crazy quilt skirt panels are finished and at my mother's house for embroidery. I need to find some of my embroidery threads to take to her for her to use on them. Panel number four is well underway.

As for the corset, I've reached the construction point. After hand basting the cotton interlining to the silk for support and stability and also hand basting the broadcloth lining to the denim interlining, I started sewing everything together. Both sides of the silk outer layer and lining / denim inner layer have been stitched together. I need to baste together the front for fitting purposes, probably take it in some, and then move on to sewing the layers together. I'm planning for this to be lightly boned, probably just at the center front, side front, side and center back with no boning on the curved side back seam. I'm also only planning one bone per seam as opposed to the usual two bones per seam that I usually follow.

The back will fasten with lacing and eyelets (I'm contemplating stitching over the eyelets to give them a prettier look, but haven't decided for sure) while the front will likely close with a separating zipper. I want to have straps of some sort that go up the front to the buckles at the shoulders, my mother suggested brown would look pretty with the teal. I agree but wonder about how that will look with the planned black petticoats. I also need to find buckles. Brown pleather straps would be rather lovely though, and I have some brown faux silk that may work for the binding...

I'm also planning to make a tiered black petticoat to wear underneath the crazy quilt.

Christmas presents:

I started my other Christmas sewing. I made a pillowcase for Beau and used the left over fabric to trim the stocking I made him from left over red taffeta from Diamonds are Forever. My stocking is the same base fabric and will be trimmed in some University of Cincinnati cotton I have in my stash. Other than finishing my stocking, the only other thing I have to sew is the toaster cover for my father's gift.

Harley Quinn body suit improvements:

I know how I'm going to do the cuffs, but I haven't started them yet. I did cut out the collar but its too small and needs to be recut at a slightly larger size.

Elf punk hat:

I'm thinking of some sort of fascinator style hat, covered with clip on Christmas decorations, fabric flowers, red tulle, and some gold beads.

Stash sewing:

If I don't get any commissions, this will probably be the next project tackled. I'm planning something vaguely 18th out of a cream and black flocked taffeta (if there's enough fabric); and a new skirt for my black plaid outfit that is more plaid, probably a shorter skirt with a wide plaid ruffle or pleated ruffle at the hem leaving little of the actual skirt exposed.

Speaking of commissions, I am taking them again. I've had some interest from a few people but nothing firm yet.

Rachel's Corset...

...is finished! So I can mark something off my to do list! It took a few hours but the hand sewing wasn't difficult - just had to finish putting the outside and lining together along the arms and the turning opening. Then all I had to do was set eyelets and I was DONE! For future reference - next time, remind me not to put denim on the straps of the corset. It doesn't need to be there and its much to heavy to deal with easily.

I was thinking about working on the steamnun this evening, but Miss Dashwood has yet to return to our shuttle for the evening and I'm feeling rather peaked so I believe that a shower and bed are just what the doctor ordered.

Bonne nuit!

Weekend To Do List Progress

Fabric shopping was a success. Miss Von Stoup has our uniform fabric to prewash and I bought pretty much everything on my list. However I could not find coral fabric for my Persian vest. I'll keep a lookout, maybe something will show up. Or I could use another color, but since the buttons are already coral I feel that the trim should match.

I worked on Rachel's corset a little bit, sewed the shoulders of the white / denim together and started sewing the inside and the outside together. While working on sewing the inside and outside together, my machine died. With the corset stuck under the needle. Looks like I'll be making a trip to the "doctor's" office on Monday after work. EDIT - Got the corset unstuck and used Miss Dashwood's machine to finish putting it together. All that's left is a little hand sewing and the eyelets.

Steamnun: I picked up thread, the top pattern and elastic. I cut out the tunic and put it together. I just basted the shoulder seams because it has a facing that goes in before you sew those seams. Now all she needs to do is try it on to see how it fits! I also put the facing together and finished the bottom edge. I put together the drape (out of the red shade of cotton) - cut the two yards in half along the fold, sewed the two pieces together along the short edge, hemmed both ends and one side since the other side already has a finished selvage edge. All that's left is to finish the tunic and put the skirt together.

Persian Steampunk: The lining is put together and taken in along the necessary seams, so that's done. I attempted to dye my silk faille, but it didn't take very well -- the fade lines still show. Sigh. I'll probably give it another try before giving up, maybe I'll put the skirt together first and then see how it looks before trying to dye it again. I may also try the stove top method instead of using the washing machine on the second try. Even though I can't do much on the vest since I don't have the silk for the pocket facings yet, I did some stay stitching and put the back together.

The Captain's hooded vest is repaired. It was a bit tricky and I'm not sure how long it'll hold as the fabric is fraying but I did my best and used some Fray Check so hopefully it'll stay for a little while at least. So half of the Captain's alterations are finished!

I also worked on my Ottoman bustle, using my beau's mother's dress form to drape it. However, I can't stitch it together yet because I lack the appropriate color thread.

And tomorrow after work, I drop off my beloved Fern at the sewing machine repair shop.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Weekend To Do List - MARCon Preparations

Marcon begins six weeks from today (cue panicked screams). And you know what that means - lots of to do lists and updates!

This weekend I would like to:

• First of all, I'm going fabric shopping tonight and purchasing the fabric for our confederate uniforms. I have sincere doubts that they'll be finished by Marcon, but we'll see. I'll probably hand it off to Miss Von Stoup to pre-wash and get back to me asap. I'll also be getting her pattern, as well as a variety of other things. We're planning spending an evening next week working on our skirts, which will be the easiest part of the project. Then I get to make jackets!
• Repair the Captain's hooded vest. (Time estimate: around an hour)
  
• Finish Rachel's corset. She's okay with it just having lace along the bottom, so that issue is taken care of. So all I need to do is sew the lining to the outside and put in the eyelets. (Time estimate: two to three hours, depending on how much hand sewing I end up doing)
  
• Miss Dashwood's Steamnun - Part of my purchase today is for this: thread, a pattern for the top and elastic for the skirt. It should be a simple project, just an elastic waisted skirt, a loose blouse and a drape. The colors she choose are fabulous - a dark red and a deep orange. (Time estimate for total completion: 1-2 hours for the top, 1-2 hours for the skirt, 1 hour for the drape)
  
• My Persian Steampunk - I'm also planning on purchasing one or two things for this costume, including a little coral satin to use as trim. Hopefully I can match the coral I used on my buttons. I'd like to get the lining put together and the fabric dyed this weekend. (Time estimate for this weekend: under an hour to put the lining together since I already started it, 1-2 hours for the dyeing)
• Maybe work on my Ottoman vest embroidery a little. This is another project that I'm starting to doubt finishing.
  

Looking ahead, I have the following to complete before Marcon, roughly in order of what needs completed first and projects that I doubt completion of are towards the bottom:

• Finishing Rachel's corset. (two to three hours)
  
• Finishing the Captain's alterations. (three hours, one hour per item)
  
• Miss Dashwood's Steamnun. (three to six hours)
  
• Steampunk Confederate Vivanidiere uniforms. (two to three hours for the skirts, probably four to six hours for each jacket, so a total of eleven to fifteen hours for basic construction. Embellishment will add to that time considerably.)
  
• Steampunk Persian costume (I haven't worked on this enough to say how long it'll take to finish)
  
• Finishing the embroidered border on my Lady of the Ottoman Empire vest (a lot of hours, I'd guess at least around 20 hours to finish the border)
  
• Fixing my Ottoman bustle. (two to three hours, if that)
  
• Adding lace to Miss Dashwood's bustle if she purchases lace soon enough. (one to two hours)
  

In short, I have a lot to do over the next six weeks. Wish me luck.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde
Stressed-stress

PS My Shopping list:

1. Thread - red and orange for the Steamnun, coral for the Persian, gray for the uniforms, and white, black and cream for my stash.
2. Patterns - McCalls 4097 for the Steamnun top, Burda 7458 for Miss Von Stoup's uniform, and I may pick up a couple McCalls as well since they are on sale.
3. Fabric - 9 to 10 yards of gray stretch sateen for our uniforms and some coral satin for the Persian. I'm also going to check the discount table because its on sale.
4. Notions - elastic for the Steamnun skirt, elastic for my stash, and machine needles. I will probably also pick up hook closures, hooks and eyes and some snaps. I might buy some covered buttons and or bobbins as well.
   
5. Gray quilt binding for the uniforms.
6. Batting for my beau's Star Wars quilt.