Updated DragonCon To Do List UPDATED 8/16/2011

With less than three weeks to go, my current DragonCon to do list:

Musts:

1. Confederate Vivandiere uniforms. -- Mine is DONE. Miss Von Stoup's is coming along and the rest of the work is in her hands, not mine.

2. My mystery costume is DONE.

3. Post apocalyptic costume for Miss Von Stoup. -- Jacket is DONE, skirts are waiting til she finishes the hoop skirt.

4. Ottoman vest and bustle improvements. -- Bustle is DONE and I'm still working on the vest.

Hopefullys:

5. Pants for the Persian costume. -- These are almost done.

6. Time Traveler hat band. -- The band itself has been made. Just trying to figure out the embellishments.

7. Sleep shorts are DONE.

8. Time Traveler ballgown bodice -- Muslin has been cut out and put together

9. Kilts for my beau -- Put a pocket in the red and black plaid one I made last year. Started a new one along with a sporran.

10. And he needs a new vest for his RFT costume. He needs to quit adding to my list!!

11. Star Wars skirt to match the beau's new kilt.

And of course packing. That's definitely on the to do list. Along with shopping for a few things (food, makeup, hair dye, etc).

17 days!

July 11th DragonCon To Do List Progress II

I haven't had the chance to work on Scarlet Spider again yet, but I have worked on my vest embroidery some while at work.

Miss Von Stoup came over this evening. Her uniform needs some drastic changes -- the gathered waist, mid 19th century skirt does not flatter her form at all. She suggested using the fabric to make a bustle instead, and then making a gold underskirt to match the gold braid and buttons we plan to purchase. So this evening, we completed the deconstruction of her skirt that she began earlier today and cut out the new bustle -- apron front and back, train and one poof, as that was all we had fabric for.

Our current concept is that she's a higher rank than I am so her uniform is more elaborate. Or perhaps she can be in 'dress' uniform whereas I am attired in the duty uniform...

We did solve the sleeve issue. We're going to take the sleeves to a three quarter length (a little deference to the Atlanta heat) and add cuffs so that we have a place for the braid.

And we're going to have a sewing day this Saturday as both of our beaus will be busy -- They're going shooting. Such a manly leisure activity, don't you agree? I believe the Captain will be joining them as well.

Miss Von Stoup also gave me a couple ideas for my mystery costume, for which I am rather grateful.

DragonCon To Do List - Week of July 4th

With DragonCon less than 60 days away, its time to start weekly to do lists again!

This week I would like to:

1. Meet with Miss Von Stoup to fit our jackets and figure out jacket and sleeve length.

2. Finish the jackets and get them to the handsewing point - both need hemmed, the sleeves need hemmed / shortened / have cuffs added, Miss Von Stoup's needs the sleeves stitched (they're just basted at the moment) and the topsitching done.

3. Finish my mystery costume skirt - the bottom tier needs basted together and hemmed, then all the layers need put together, the seam stitched, the zipper inserted and the waistband added. The top tier will actually be a separate skirt, probably with just a waistband and a couple hooks and eyes to close it. The reasoning behind this is that the rest of the skirt is washable, the top layer is not, so a separate skirt makes the most sense.

4. If there's time, work on my vest embroidery, my beau's quilt, and perhaps start the jacket for the mystery costume.

5. At least arrange a time to fabric shop for the Scarlet Spider if not do the shopping.

Long term DragonCon to do list:

Musts:

1. Confederate Vivandiere uniforms.

2. Scarlet Spider.

3. My mystery costume. - The top and corset are finished. I need to finish the skirt, then work on the jacket. Everything after that is all accessories - decorating the hat, ribbons for my mitts, maybe making straps / spats for my boots.

4. Post apocalyptic costume. - We have a plan for this already in place.

5. Ottoman vest and bustle improvements.

6. Pockets / pouch for my beau's kilt.

Hopefullys:

7. Pants for the Persian costume.

8. Steampunk Rosetta.

9. Time Machine purse.

10. Diamonds for HQ bodysuit.

11. Cover Girl from GI Joe.

DragonCon Progress Always Makes Me a Happy Little Steam-stress!

First of all, I've been working on the beau's quilt! I tie quilted it last night until my fingers couldn't tie another knot.

Today I made a lot of DragonCon progress -- Miss Von Stoup's jacket has the collar, facing and sleeves attached so its ready for fitting this week. The top for my mystery costume is finished and I cut out the bottom tier, the lining and the outside.

Not too shabby for a day's work, huh?

DragonCon 2

I worked on Miss Von Stoup's Confederate jacket this weekend. I finished taking it in (which I thought I'd already done, oops), put the facings together and pinned the collar on. I'm hoping to work on it this evening, maybe get the facings in and the collar on, so we can have another fitting.

I also worked on a little project for myself - an underbust corset. I found two remnants of bright pink silk dupioni on Saturday and could not resist them. I also picked up a remnant of white denim to use for the interlining. The lining is going to be black moire taffeta left over from Diamonds and from my beau's vest. The pattern is a free one I found on BurdaStyle, so we'll see how it goes together. I cut out the pattern and cut out and pinned together the lining to see how it fits. The pattern calls for a busk, which I'm omitting so I cut the front on the fold instead of in two pieces. It also calls for spiral and flat steel boning, but I'm just going to use cable ties. Honestly, readers, I'm thin enough that I have no need for steel boning, plastic cable ties should be sufficient.

Then of course the question becomes what in the world do I wear with this bright pink underbust corset...

I'm slowly but surely making progress on my sewing list.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

DragonCon: Confederate Progress 1

I actually worked on my uniform last night! After trying it on again, I decided that the sleeves were just fine (and confirmed it with Miss Dashwood), so I set about topstitching along the collar and front edges. I need to handstitch the facings in place, hem and put on the snap closures. Then of course comes the braid and buttons...

And there's a bit of an issue - the sleeves are too short. Which leaves two remedies: (1) shortening the sleeves to 3/4 length, which then means we probably can't do any braid on them or (2) adding cuffs to lengthen the sleeves. Honestly, I don't like either option so I have no idea what to do at this moment.

In other news, I think I've decided to make an 18th century robe a l'anglais for myself when I get the chance. I was planning on a natural form Victorian gown, but I think I need a break from Victorian. The only major downside (besides needing YARDS of fabric and expensive patterns) is that I'll need proper undergarments -- a chemise, stays and pocket hoops. The chemise and pocket hoops I believe can be made via internet instructions, the stays will need a pattern. Fortunately, Butterick has a stays pattern so I'll probably just pick that up next time they're on sale and perhaps start on them in between other projects.

Summer / Dragon*Con To Do List

Yes, I am thinking of Dragon*Con already. My dear mother thinks its foolish, I on the other hand know that there are less than 90 days til Dragon*Con and I have a lot to do. Let the planning begin! This is going to be in some semblance of order. I think.

First up? Projects that need finished and or improved.

• Our Confederate vivandiere uniforms. The sleeves need set into both jackets. All the hems need finished. And then we need to add the trim and buttons.
  
• I need to finish the embroidery (at least the border) on my Ottoman vest so I can wear that costume again. I have been working on it.
  
• I also need to finish fixing the bustle for my Ottoman costume.
• I need to make the pants for my Persian costume. I may take some of the green silk faille from the skirt hem to make the cuffs and waistband. Or see if I can find fabric the same color to use.
• I'd like to finish the Time Machine Purse for my Time Traveler.
• And I also want to add diamonds to my Harley Quinn comic costume so its more accurate.
• I need to finish my beau's Joker costume. The pants need hemmed. The jacket needs buttons and buttonholes. And I'm probably going to have to take everything in.
• And I need to put pockets on my beau's kilt or make him a pouch to go with it.

Okay, now for new projects that need completed:

• My playsuit combo. I think I'm going to change the bodice pattern. Adapting the walkaway dress bodice isn't going to work.
  
• Scarlet Spider costume for Prof. Watt
• Post apocalyptic costume for Miss Von Stoup
• Steampunk Rosetta costume for Miss Von Stoup to go with my steampunk Tinkerbell
• And a couple more costumes for Miss Von Stoup -- a polanaise out of a black and silver damask print and maybe something more out of the blue Chinese print we used for her Asian inspired jacket.
• I may try to make a Simi costume or a Star Trek costume for myself but doubt it'll happen.
  

And what I'm taking to the beau's for the weekend:

• Confederate uniforms.
• Ottoman vest
• Persian pants
• Joker costume
• Patterns for the Scarlet Spider, kilt and playsuit to think about what I need to purchase for each project

I realize everything won't get finished this weekend, but at least I'll have plenty to work on.

I've also been thinking about what costumes to take to Dragon*Con. And haven't been able to decide anything. As usual.

So much to do. And only 83 days left to do it in.

Help.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

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

A little Marcon progress...

I cut out the back lining for my beau's vest and pinned it to the front lining at the shoulders and side seams. Tomorrow I hope to get it sewn together and get the lining put into the vest.

I also stopped by Miss Von Stoup's and fit her jacket. I am happy that I went with the larger size because if I'd gone smaller (with the size the size chart suggested), I don't think the jacket would have fit over her ample bosom. I took in (although its just pinned now) the side seams and the front seams, at the bottom and at the top, but not over her breasts. I may also try to get the alterations to the jacket stitched tomorrow, but the vest is more important to me at the moment.

Bonne nuit, dormi bien, a bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Weekend Sewing - Trying to Finish 4/25 To Do List

Less than a month til Marcon equals a very rushed and panicked Miss Wilde.

I just finished my Persian bodice. I hand stitched the overlay along the top in the car while going to meet friends for a birthday luncheon. Then I basted the zipper in on the way home. I tried on the bodice and it was still a little big (I'd taken our a couple inches when I basted the zipper in) so I took out a little more, pinned it, tried it on again and it was now pretty much perfect, so I handstitched the zipper in. And that part of the costume is DONE.

I also worked on my Persian skirt -- the waistband is stitched in place and the closures are stitched on. Just needs hemmed.

I worked on my Confederate jacket. The body is put together and taken in to fit me. I think I should have gone with a size smaller but taking it in worked.

I'm trying to get a new vest made for my beau before the Airship Archon photo shoot next weekend. Fingers crossed it works out. Its cut out and I've started putting it together. I can do this. I want him to look snazzy for our photo shoot. I will be wearing the Time Traveler, by the way.

That's it for now! A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Progress on Marcon To Do List - Week of 4/25/2011

I cut out Miss Von Stoup's Confederate jacket earlier this week. It's a size or two larger than the size chart says she needs but seeing as she is rather, well, ample in the bosom area, I figured it was best to err on the side of the jacket being too large over too small. After all, it is a lot easier to take in than to let out.

My Persian steampunk skirt is almost finished. I fixed the waistband, sewed the center back seam with overlap notch, and finished the waistband with muslin lining. I still need to hand sew the waistband in place and sew the closures on before tackling the hem.

My Persian bodice is also almost finished. I hemmed it this evening, and stitched the overlay into place. All that needs done is the zipper (which I need to purchase) and a little handstitching -- the overlay needs stitched into place along the top.

What I still need to do this week:

• Make sure Miss Von Stoup's skirt gets finished.
  
• Start putting together our Confederate jackets.
  
• Finish my Persian steampunk skirt and bodice.
  
• And get at least one of the Captain's alterations done.
  

I think these weekly to do lists are working for me. I make progress a little at a time and steadily mark things off.

I feel rather accomplished.

Bonne nuit!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Weekend Sewing at my Parents and at the Shuttle

I got my Confederate jacket cut out but ran out of time to cut out Miss Von Stoup's jacket. I have it packed for my beau's tomorrow, I may work on it there. I did look up what size to make her, so that's something. EDIT - I cut out her jacket today.

My mother and I got my beau's quilt pinned together, so I'll be tie quilting that in my free time. Yes, I know, feel free to laugh hysterically at that notion.

After I returned to the shuttle, I worked a little on my Persian skirt - cut denim for the interfacing for the waistband, sewed it to the waistband, put the waistband together and gathered the skirt down to fit. It looks like the waistband is too long however, unless I wear the skirt around my hips which is a possibility I suppose. Or I re do the waistband. This is also packed for my beau's tomorrow.

EDIT - I worked on my Persian bodice today. I put the white broadcloth together, decided I'd alter it via the back seam when I put the zipper in (which I need to purchase), and then worked on the eyelet overlay. I laid out the center front piece so that it was on the fold, and would thus not have a center seam. Then I laid out the middle front piece so it overlapped the center front at the top and would have what amounts to a dart at the bottom. The side front piece was cut out of what was left over. This is going in my bag to go to my beau's today.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Weekend Sewing at my Parents'

First of all, I finished my Confederate skirt -- hand stitched the waistband into place, manipulating the gathers as I went, and sewed on a hook and eye closure.

Secondly, I finished my Persian vest -- cut open the buttonholes and sewed on the buttons. It fits a little too snug, which I need to remember the next time I want to go taking something in, and the buttonholes are just a pinch too small, which I plan to attempt to fix.

Thirdly, I cut out the white broadcloth for my Persian bodice. I plan to put it together then add an overlay of the white eyelet because I don't have enough eyelet to cut out the front of the bodice using the pattern pieces. I guess that means that the broadcloth will sort of become the lining of the bodice. By the way, I need to see if I have a zipper....

AND I bought a sheet to use for the back of my beau's quilt! Its dark red (I wanted black) and I ended up having to buy a set because the store did not have separate sheets for sale. I figure I can use the fitted sheet and pillowcases for something, either a costume or for normal clothes. Red tiered gypsy skirt anyone? Or how about a petticoat?

Tomorrow, I would like to get mine and Miss Von Stoup's Confederate jackets cut out.

That's all for now! A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Major Progress on Marcon!

First of all, most of the hand sewing on my Persian vest is finished. While at work yesterday, I pinned and sewed the armholes and last evening, I did the buttonholes. All that's left is to cut open the buttonholes and sew on the buttons!

Secondly, we started our Confederate uniforms last evening! My skirt is almost complete, Miss Von Stoup's still needs gathered and waistbanded. All I need to do is hand stitch the waistband into place and put a closure on.

We took a length of fabric (2 yards for me, 2 and a half for her), cut it along the fold, sewed the ends together (one side was sewn with a notch so that it can overlap and thus eliminate the need for a zipper), hemmed them along the selvaged edge. I went ahead and gathered mine down to a waistband, but she did not make it that far.

In my sewing bag for the weekend --
1. Playsuit patterns - btw, I'm thinking a black playsuit with a coordinating skirt or skirts in a pattern.
2. Persian vest to finish the buttonholes and buttons
3. Persian bodice to cut out
4. My Confederate skirt to finish
5. Confederate jackets to cut out
6. Ottoman bustle and vest
7. My beau's quilt

My plan is to finish the vest and skirt first, then move on to cutting out patterns.

And now its time to load up the car and get to work, and then? On to Cincinnati! I'm so excited about going home for a little while, just wish it could be longer than 24 hours.

A bientot! and Happy Easter!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Persian Steampunk ...

... No, it's not done. But it IS coming along well and the vest is almost finished! Its put together and the lining is in and topstitched! There was however a small moment of panic when I realized that I somehow put the back together wrong -- I'd sewn the side back seams together as the center back seam and then the side back pieces to the center back seams...yeah it was a little bit of a mess, and I had to take out and redo all three seams. But all that's left now is finishing the arm holes, buttonholes and buttons. And rings underneath for bustling purposes of course. Oh and tacking down the pocket flaps...

I also cut out the yoke pieces for the skirt. The plan is to gather down a little under two yards of fabric to fit the yoke, have it overlap in the back and close with a hook closure because I don't want to mess with a zipper. I'm going to interface the yoke (probably with muslin) because the silk faille needs the stability and I need to decide what I'm cutting the inside yoke out of, maybe some pink lining I have...or just more muslin. I plan to just hem it to length without cutting any fabric off. It'll minimize fraying and I can easily use the fabric for something else at a later date if necessary since both selvage edges will be intact. I also feel that the extra wide hem at the bottom will give it some extra weight and hold the skirt in place properly.

Then of course comes the bodice, but I'm not one hundred percent sure I'm going to make one. I do have a blouse I could wear... The current plan is a white eyelet and broadcloth bustier made according to the pattern. I may break out my favorite corset top pattern instead, I haven't decided yet. I want to cut part of front of the bodice so that the edge of the eyelet is along the top of the bodice. The rest of the bodice will just be plain white broadcloth.

I still need to name this costume...

In Confederate uniform news, Miss Von Stoup should be visiting the shuttle Friday evening for us to work on our skirts. The plan is to take about two to two and a half yards of our gray cotton sateen, cut it along the fold line, sew the two pieces together, hem them and then gather them down to a quilt binding waistband cut to a few inches longer than our waists so that the skirt can overlap where it closes. I don't foresee it taking too long, but I've been wrong before, and I will be helping her with her skirt as well as making my own. I'd like to cut out my jacket first and then use the remainder for my skirt, but I don't know if I'll have time for that. Hopefully we can get a good start on them Friday night and finish them next week. I really feel that they won't be ready for Marcon -- while the basic construction won't take long, there is a lot of embellishment to do, like braid and buttons.

That's it for now!

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

PS I really need to make a packing list for my trip home this weekend...

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.
   

Slow Going Progress on Marcon Prep

I haven't been up to much sewing over the last few days, between work and life.

Corset Commission for Rachel:

Rachel and James came in and bought the fabric for her corset the other day. Two cottons, one red and black, one white and black, along with white denim for the interlining. I'm going to use thread, boning, eyelets and maybe some lace from my stash. The goal is for the corset to be reversible. I prewashed the fabric and cut out the pattern pieces yesterday. Next up will be cutting out the fabric. EDIT The pattern has been cut out of all three fabrics. Next up: sewing the denim to one of the cottons and then sewing one side of the corset together for a fitting.

Ottoman Vest:

I worked on this a lot yesterday (I was in a car for four hours). All the basic border work is done, I put in a little more of the pink until I tired of it and then I started couching down spirals for the actual border. I have three spirals done, I probably have at least a dozen more to go plus all the fill in work. EDIT I worked on this more tonight, mainly some fill in work. I hope that I can have the border done by Marcon, I'm starting to think it may be too much work...

Joker:

My beau has decided that he doesn't want this costume for Marcon and wants it for DragonCon instead. So work for this is being set aside for the time being.

Cage Bustle Petticoat:

I hemmed this yesterday and just need to sew on a hook and eye closure to finish it off. EDIT I sewed the hook closure on so this is DONE.

Fabric Shopping and Plans for Persian Steampunk:

I purchased several things yesterday, but most importantly I purchased a new Simplicity pattern that is pretty perfect for the Persian inspired outfit I want to do. I think I am going to dye my silk faille olive green to go with the brocade vest. I'm going to do fabric covered buttons. I am unsure what the top is going to look like underneath the vest yet. I purchased a remnant of border eyelet, that may be what I use. I don't know if I want the stark white and may try to dye it, with tea or with dye. The only problem is its polyester / cotton blend so it won't take dye perfectly. I'm planning to line the vest in muslin, I'll probably dye that as well. Maybe coral if I can find a good shade because the brocade has coral in it.

I don't have enough fabric to make this wholly out of brocade. So my options are shortening it (which I really don't want to do) or making part of it out of something else. I think I'm going to see if I can find some coral satin or something similar to use.

Confederate Vivandiere:

Miss Von Stoup and I need to get started on these soon. I believe we may be fabric shopping this week or next. I'm thinking suiting fabric may best suit our needs.

Okay, let's take a look at my MARCon to do list, shall we?

1. Add lace to Miss Dashwood's black cotton bustle
2. Steamnun for Miss Dashwood (at least I assume she needs it for MARCon)
   
3. Alterations for the Captain - I finally gathered these from the Captain today. I need to take in a few things for him, and repair a vest.
   
4. New bustle for Harley Quinn - DONE
   
5. Embroidered border on my Lady of the Ottoman Empire vest
6. A more permanent solution to my Ottoman bustle. I'm thinking sewing the two scarves together along part of the top and then a bunch of hooks and or snaps to actually bustle it.
7. Steampunk Confederate Vivandiere.
8. Corset for Rachel.
9. I'm not really planning to finish the Persian outfit by MARCon, its more of a DragonCon outfit, but if it happens and its finished, I'm wearing it.
   

I'm starting to feel the pre-convention panic - MARCon is 7 weeks from this coming Friday.

Now that you have all been updated, I'm off to work on projects. Today will probably be - a little project for my beau, sewing the hook and eye closure on my cage bustle petticoat, embroidering my vest and maybe cutting out the corset if I get bored with embroidery.

UPDATE - Finished the project for my beau. Sewed the hook closure onto my bustle. Worked on embroidering my vest. And cut out the corset. I also spent time thinking about my Persian outfit. Not bad for a Sunday, huh?

A bientot!

Miss Leah J. Wilde

PS Non Marcon Sewing - I also cut out a skirt. The pattern is Vogue 2029, something I've had forever and never made. The fabric is a tan textured mystery fabric that Miss Dashwood got from her mother and said I could have if I wanted it. After cutting it out, I have similar misgivings to those that she had about it -- while the texture is interesting, the fabric ravels very easily and seems to lack stability. But I've already cut it out so we'll see how it goes together.

Corset Commission 4 and other assorted topics

First of all, Bob's corset

Last night after packing a bag to visit my beau's abode, I worked on Bob's corset. I cut out the muslin for the lining, stitched it together, and then stitched it to the corset along the bottom and the center back. Thinking of ensuring strength in the boning casings, I made sure that both seam allowances were facing the same way. Today I realized that I should have followed my usual one seam allowance to the right, one seam allowance to the left. That way, I would have extra strength if I need to bone both sides of each seam. I may go in and clip the muslin along the sewn edge so it can go the other direction.

So the current To do list for Bob's Corset
1. Sew lining to outside along seams, center front and center back, creating boning channels.
2. Insert boning.
3. Sew lining to the outside along the top.
4. Put in the eyelets.
5. Lace!

I'm getting there! I expect this will be done early to mid next week.

Secondly, I had an idea for Lady of the Ottoman Empire. I'm going to embroider my vest. I've found several photos of 19th century Ottoman vests that are completely covered in embroidery. I don't know if I'll have the time or patience for that, but I should be able to manage a nice wide border and perhaps a center back motif. From my research, its going to be a lot of couching down metallic thread (which I've done before, but never in this quantity), probably in silver. I'd like to add some pink and brown to match the rest of the outfit and maybe some beadwork. I'm planning to draw the design out on paper, pin the paper to the vest, stitch through it then tear it off. I found a nice paisley design that I might use for the border...

Civil War costumes

Miss Von Stoup and I have been discussing our Civil War costumes. We have decided to go for the CSA Navy. Our uniforms will consist of a gray jacket and skirt, with black leggings and boots. Decorations have yet to be decided. And we shall wear kepis, I think.

Crazy quilt bustle

I had yet another costume idea -- using scraps to make a crazy quilt bustle. I'm thinking it could be worn with my black underskirt, but I'm unsure yet. We'll have to see if it even happens.

Finally, it is Me Made March

In MMM, you're supposed to wear items that you've made everyday. I think the rule might be two items, but I can't find the original post so... On the first, I forgot about it and just wore pants and a shirt to work. Yesterday, I remembered and wore a brown black and gold plaid 50's style skirt with a black sweater, black belt, blue tank top and tights and black boots. Today I'm in pants and a shirt again. On days when I work both jobs its a bit hard to wear things I've made -- my part time job has a strict dress code and since most of what I make are colorful skirts and dresses...it doesn't really work. However, I tend to sleep in pajama pants that I've made so that's something at least, right?

Updated to do list

• Finish Bob's corset
  
• Lace trim on Miss Dashwood's bustle (once she buys the lace)
• Alterations for people once I talk to them
• I need to finish my beau's Joker costume
• New bustle and petticoat ruffle for Harley Quinn.
  
• Steampunk Confederate costume.
  
• Embroider Lady of the Ottoman Empire vest.
  

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. :)

New Costume Ideas

First of all is the steampunk Confederate vivandiere that will be for Marcon. When I discussed this outfit with Miss Von Stoup she expressed interest in joining me and perhaps even dressed her Doctor as a zouave. I just sketched the costume and I think my ideas will work just swimmingly - Burda 7458 cropped to the waist (in gray of course), a Civil War style gathered knee length skirt (also in gray), and harem style trousers underneath, either tucked into knee high and ankle boots. I want to use authentic insignia and such for accuracy. I may actually do gray trousers and a colored skirt, with the color based on what division I want to be. Artilliary, medical, etc. This is assuming of course that we go army and not navy...that'll change insignia and such.

Secondly, I've been researching and planning a Middle Eastern inspired steampunk costume. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find a good resource for nineteenth century Islamic clothing, so I'm leaning more towards the Turkish style. This idea has been rolling around in my head for a few months and this morning I sat down at my desk and thought - I could probably put this together for Ohayocon. My original plan was to use scarves I already have for a hijab and bustle so that's already taken care of. I'd really like to do a Turkish style jacket (square front, elaborate embroidery) but don't know if I'll have time for that before Ohayo, so I was thinking and I have a short black corduroy vest that I made a while ago and have never worn. So that could definitely work. I'll probably look into adding some appliqued embroidery or beading but may just leave it plain. I have a white Victorian style blouse that I can wear. So all I need are the trousers. I don't know if I'll go with the full 'Turkish' style trousers yet, I have some black knit that I think would make comfortable bloomers but there's not enough for actual Turkish trousers.

So for Ohayocon I'm thinking - white blouse, black vest, maybe a waist cincher, black harem style trouser tucked into boots, bright pink scarf as a bustle, with another bright pink scarf over my head. Probably not a full pinned in place hijab, but at least draped. All I have to make is the trousers which should be super easy and maybe a cincher if I decide I want one. I have a metal belt that I might wear, but it has brown leather on it so it may not work. Although I am sort of tempted to see if the pants I'm wearing right now would work in a pinch - black striped and full so if I tucked them into boots they'd blouse...might be worth trying.

Future plans - Actual Turkish jacket and trousers and probably some other accoutrement.

I'm rather excited right now -- upcoming steampunk Confederate plans for Marcon and putting together this costume for Ohayocon (after Miss Dashwood's Catwoman is complete of course). By the way, the blog Multiculturalism in Steampunk has been a huge inspiration.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde
Steam-stress of the Airship Archon