Update on Miss Wilde

My, I have been rather remiss with updating my blog, haven't I, dear readers?

Well, you see, my beloved grandmother passed at the end of January.  So really, besides some retail therapy at the fabric store, I've been doing very little that was sewing related.

I did manage to finish a new dress for her funeral (which we just had, she lived out of state so it was cremation with services to follow at some point).  The dress was from a Butterick retro reprint with a matching jacket (that it was too cold to wear).  Butterfly print because she loved butterflies and trimmed and lined in purple because I always wear purple to funerals.  The straps snap instead of tying as called for in the pattern, and there's also a purple belt made with a buckle that Grandma gave me.  For the funeral, which was graveside, I wore a black cardigan, matching purple tights and black flats. 

I feel like I've bought a ton of fabric lately as well.  That aforementioned retail therapy.  (1) Purple butterfly print cotton to make my cousin's little girl a dress.  (2) Pepsi print fabric to make my dad a reversible apron (which is DONE), myself a 1930s skirt (also DONE, but man was it complicated) and now some to make myself a 1960s dress.  (3) Doctor Who fabric, which will probably also be 1960s dresses.  The dalek print one will be definitely.

The 1930s skirt, same pattern as my Star Wars print one just a different version.  The waistband had like four pieces plus the pleats = complicated.  But worth it, I think!

My brain has apparently decided to start planning my summer vacation wardrobe (even though vacation isn't for MONTHS because we go at the end of summer).  I've decided to go for a mostly 1960s vibe, maybe a little 1970s and a little 1950s.

Patterns I picked up recently for said summer vacation wardrobe.

Vintage lace my mom gave me

 Some patterns I might use:

I also have a pencil skirt cut out that I really need to put together because I need it for an event later this month.

And then I decided to take on a crazy project which is going in the next post...

Fabric Shopping!

There was a fabric warehouse going out of business in town a couple weeks ago, so I headed over with my friend Mimi and we met Rachel there. It was $2 per yard, $1 per yard if you got 100 yards or more.

Here's what I picked up:

I took most of it off the bolts the other day and gave them a estimate measure. The gold on gold stripe is for a black and gold rococo punk outfit and there's about two yard of it.  The blackberry pink in the front will probably be an apron or short bustle skirt because there's only a little over a yard and it's 45" not 54" like the others.  The green and white and the white on white stripes are both Waverly prints, and will probably be a summery Victorian gown (maybe for Toledo War).  There's four yards of the white and a little over two of the green.. The pink on pink stripe is for me to share with Rachel, haven't decided what I'm making yet. I'm planning to take a sample of each and run them through the washer to see how they wash. After being in a warehouse, they aren't exactly clean...

Sometimes You Just Need a Break

Dear readers,

Have you ever just needed some time off from sewing? I rarely do, but this weekend was not a good weekend.

First of all, I was supposed to go Friday night, wearing my new 18th c stays with a cream linen petticoat over a bum pad and matching little shrug I made last minute. But it was snowy and I didn't have a ride, so I stayed home. But I was halfway dressed when I made the decision to stay home, and it wasn't very pretty. The stays don't quite fit correctly, the straps cut in at the shoulders. Part of it may be that they weren't laced properly so fingers crossed that fixes the problem. Also, the bum pad's ties leave an unsightly bulge on my stomach when the petticoat is on and tied. Needless to say, I was okay not going when nothing seemed to fit right!

Secondly, since I already had on my Regency chemise, I decided to try on my short stays and almost finished petticoat, so I could (1) get the strap length for the petticoat straps and (2) measure myself so I could cut out the proper size for my ballgown. And I couldn't get the stays to work. I'm not very well endowed and instead of lifting, the stays just seem to flatten everything.

After TWO bad experiences, I decided to take the weekend off from historical sewing, even with my ballgown / open robe deadline looming over me. So I quilted and I brainstormed the corset I need to make for Symposium to go with my airship uniform (the black and gold natural form-esque outfit) and I finished my cousin's pj pants. I meant to finish my father and brother's aprons and make a pair of leggings (cut out last week), but spent almost the entire weekend with a close friend, bc it was her birthday.

So, this week's goals:
1. Finish the aprons
2. Put together the leggings
3. Buy some bust enhancers for the Regency stays (I'm going to cheat!)
4. Take measurements over Regency undergarments
5. Iron fabric and cut out ballgown
6. Cut out a muslin for the airship corset (gonna have to basically make my own pattern)
7. Take pictures and write a blog post about my stays for HSF

And this weekend will be pretty sewing free because my friend Laura is visiting! :)

Oh, I also went fabric shopping on Friday! I got black linen for an 18th c petticoat, blue taffeta for an Edwardian corset, black denim and white denim for corset interlinging, and cream linen and cream lace for a shrug and mask that ended up not being worn Friday since I stayed home. I also picked up a few notions for projects. 

When Last We Saw Our Sewing Heroine...

...she needed to spend her weekend sewing (1) a corset (2) a bustle (3) a shrug and also (4) test run new costumes.

(1) The corset is coming along nicely. It's boned (I used cable ties and lighter plastic both), has a zipper, and the lining is put together. I need to stitch the lining in, finish the edges with the bias tape I bought, put on the trimmings, put in the eyelets, make a little watch pocket and sew it on and sew on a D ring or two. I'm even putting in bra cups because otherwise I would have had to take in the bust.

Wow that sounds like a lot...

(2) The bustle is DONE. Just need to play with the ties a little bit.

(3) The shrug is also DONE and fits fine

(4) I haven't tried on the pink and white underwear yet, and I'm also gonna need to try out  the new steam stripper.

And I need to PACK! The convention is a week from tomorrow. A WEEK!!!! (Yes, I am in pre-con panic mode, thank you for asking lol)

And now...for some costume porn!

This is my first overbust corset.

One half of the corset done, including boning

Eyelets, d rings, bra cups, boning and bias tape? Must be corset making time!

And the finished Lobster Tail bustle!

In other news, I went fabric shopping the other day. I picked up some quick dry performance knit (running clothes), a yard of white Swiss dot to go with the blue I have in my stash for a new dress, and some teal taffeta for an underskirt to go with my Pink Paris jacket and overskirt. I went shopping with a new client, so I have the stuff for her commission as well.

Fabric Shopping and Project Planning!

A dear friend and I went shopping Monday evening. I picked up several items for projects that I want to work on:

Three yards of a wide green cotton to use for the lobster tail bustle as well as lining for my stays. (sewing challenge Under It All)
A little under a yard of a heavy weight patterned cotton to use for the stays.
A couple yards of a blue swiss dot. No idea what that'll be, but I'm thinking Easter dress...
And five yards of a pink and white striped polyester to use for a petticoat. Inspired by this fantastic petticoat. Mine will be an earlier decade, probably with some ruffles. (sewing challenge Stripes)

I'm actually contemplating an entire little underwear set of pink and white --- petticoat, chemise (probably using a tank top pattern and not an actually full length chemise, or one of my night gown patterns I have. I think this one, sleeveless shortened and trimmed with lace would make a pretty little chemise to wear...) and white underbust corset. I've been meaning to play with the underbust pattern I have anyways...

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. 

What Miss Wilde Did This Weekend

Okay, ladies and gents, while a lot of you were away at conventions, I was sitting around in my pajamas sewing and watching copious amounts of Doctor Who at my parents house. :)

1. My embroidered quilt - Finished another block. I think I have three more to go.
2. The embroidered quilt for my nephew - Worked on this. I'm going to need to pick up a few colors of floss, because most of what I have is pink, green, blue, yellow and purple. I could use some browns and some black.
3. Miss Joker suit and blouse - This is swiftly approaching done-ness. The skirt just needs hemmed and the blouse needs hemmed with elastic to keep it in place. I also bought shoes, just cute black wedges that I'm going to make gaudy shoe clips for, probably in orange. And the tie needs a little work as well.
4. Keeper of the Keys waist cincher - Drew on the stitching lines for the boning
5. Quilting supplies - I cut a bunch of 4 1/2 and 5 1/4 inch squares to start making Ohio Star blocks for a scrap quilt.
6. Leggings fabric - I cut out the first pair of leggings, the cream ones from a remnant. And pinned the first seam.
7. Christmas nightgown and some lace - I cut out the ruffle and the yoke from burgundy broadcloth and starting the pinning.
8. Nursing cover - Started the pinning.
9. Tour Wear 'pretty in pink' tunic - Bodice is pinned together for the first stage of sewing and the skirt is cut out. I decided to go with a square.
10. Halloween skirt - I cut out and pinned together the tab that I need to finish the waistband, but didn't have any blue thread so I couldn't sew it.

I also helped my mom pin the quilt she's making the baby. And got the leftover fabric for my troubles. I'm totally okay with fabric as payment. :)

I also went shopping and picked up - black spangled knit fabric to make Pepper some leggings, snow leopard print knit fabric to make myself a pair of leggings, an awesome Halloween print that's going to be a tunic, two patterns (for the leggings and a tunic pattern), notions for the nursing cover (boning, D rings), burgundy broadcloth for my Chirstmas nightgown, and some embroidery floss for my quilt.

Fabric Shopping and What's In Miss Wilde's Sewing Basket

Fabric Shopping - A friend and I ventured out to the fabric store last evening. I purchases a few clearance items (a Disney Fairies pencil case that will probably be used for makeup, a black and white striped bow that I plan to attach to my Diamonds are Forever top hat, and two spools of thread); a bright orange organza remnant for my Miss Joker jacket lining; a cream rayon / spandex knit remnant to try out that leggings pattern when I get it (waiting for a sale!); a zipper for my Miss Joker skirt; and two yards of a bright pink extra wide cotton for a Tour Wear tunic which may also be used for a sundress skirt.

Progress - After shopping, I came home and worked on projects aka I worked on Miss Joker: The orange organza lining will need backed, so I pulled out some broadcloth and cut the jacket lining out of both the broadcloth and the organza. I also cut out some sleeve lining out of a purple striped lining fabric because I feel that the jacket fabric is going to be too scratchy on my arms. I cut out the skirt waistband, both out of denim and the skirt fabric, and started putting it together. And I also used broadcloth to cut out the interfacing for the blouse collar, collar stand and front band. The jacket collar has been cut out of the suiting and some black cotton for the interfacing. Oh and I decided to not take in the jacket because I'm afraid that if I do take it in that it will be too small. It's perfect across the shoulders so I'm leaving it alone. I think the collar is going to be trimmed in the orange organza, just a small ruffle.

What's in Miss Wilde's Sewing Basket - The office is going to be quiet this week, so last night I packed up my sewing basket. (1) Almost every piece of my Miss Joker suit. I'm planning to hand baste the lining and probably all the interfaced blouse pieces. I also want to work on the skirt waistband and zipper. (2) Halloween skirt so I can go ahead and get the zipper done. (3) Fabric and pattern for the nursing cover for my sister in law. (4) Fabric and pattern for the Christmas nightgown to see what I can do.

To Do List:

• Halloween skirt: Finish the zipper.
• Miss Joker: Hand baste lining and pin the lining together for stitching. Pin together sleeve lining for stitching. Baste blouse interfacing. Baste jacket collar interfacing. Sew on skirt waistband. Put in skirt zipper. 
• Nursing cover: Cut out brown flannel and paw print flannel for the trim.
• Christmas nightgown: Decide which nightgown to make and cut out the pattern. Also decide what kind of contrast fabric I want to use and where.
• AAR Tour Wear: Prewash fabric. Once that's done, start on tunic. I can at least get that done while waiting for the leggings pattern. 
• Hellhound cosplay

Paris Themed Late 1880s Ensemble - Post the Third

My new overskirt - Truly Victorian #374 1886 Bordered Asymetrical Overskirt - is DONE except for the closure. I'm not positive that it's going to lay quite right without some assistance, the adding of my own border has altered the drape of the fabric. But we'll see.

The first step of course, was to add the border to the edges of each piece. I sewed the two back pieces together and made two burnouse pleats. Then I moved on to the front piece. Where I hemmed the wrong edge. Unfortunately, I didn't realize I hemmed the wrong edge soon enough to correct the issue. So there's some extra bulk in the waistband. I had some issues with all the pleating involved, but think I finally figured it out.

And then...came the waistband. Sigh. Yeah there were definitely issues there. According to the directions, I was supposed to pleat a huge section of fabric down to fit about three inches of space. I went with a gathering stitch, and then just kinda forced the gathered section to fit that three inches of space.

Up next: trying it on with the bustle and underskirt for fit, then putting on the closure. I'll try to get some pictures of me wearing the new overskirt.

Mistakes I won't make again: I won't hem the wrong edge of the front section. And I'll take out some of the width of the back piece so I'm not forcing a yard of fabric into three inches of waistband.

After the underskirt is done, I'll move on to making the muslin of the bodice.

In other news, I picked up four more yards of grey taffeta. I'm planning a new underskirt, perhaps one that will go with my new square overskirt. But that is not an immediate project.

Weekend Sewing and What I'd Like to Get Done this Week

This weekend: I worked on panel number four of my crazy quilt skirt and it is almost finished. I also worked on my corset - I basted the front seam of the lining for fitting and fitted the corset. It is much to large. I'm going to have to take several inches out of the center back seam.

A trip to Joanns yielded two yards of black pleather ribbon with eyelets for my corset straps, two yards of white ruffled grosgrain ribbon for my Harley Quinn cuffs, and a few things for my elf punk fascinator hat. I tried to find something brown for my corset, but didn't find anything I liked.

I made my elf punk hat -- I started with an old CD and cut two pieces of padding, one for each side. Then I cut two circles of the bustle fabric a little larger than the CD size and stitched them down to cover the padding. Next, I added two white taffeta flowers, a large red poinsetta, red tulle and green feathers. I tried to add some white and or gold beads, but I couldn't figure out where to put them or how to attach them. The final step was to add some white elastic cord to hold it onto my head. I'm planning to wear it tilted on my head.


Elf punk hat, sitting flat but will be worn tilted.

I finished my Christmas stocking and hung both it and Beau's stocking up.

To Do List for December 4, 2011:
1. Toaster cover for my father's Christmas present
2. Find the embroidery thread for my mother
3. Finish panel number four of my crazy quilt skirt
4. Take in the corset to fit

It's a conservative list, but with my work schedule and with going home next weekend, that's all I can probably manage over the next week. If possible, I'd love to work more on the corset, the skirt and maybe even start my Harley Quinn cuffs and collar.

A bientot!

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

Improvements 2

I went to the fabric store and picked up (1) materials for my vest - embroidery floss, a small hoop and embroidery needles as well as (2) fabric for my new Harley Quinn bustle - 2 yards of 108" wide white muslin. It should more more than enough for the bustle petticoat. I also picked up some embroidery books from the library for my Ottoman vest project.

I also worked on the petticoat ruffle for Harley Quinn. Both sides are now hemmed. I contemplated trimming the bottom hem with lace but decided against it as no one's really going to see the petticoat anyways. Once the ruffle was hemmed, I stitched a gathering stitch along one edge (standard regular thread on the top, button thread in the bobbin) and pinned the ruffle to the petticoat, matching ruffle seams to petticoat seams.

Section by section I - pinned the bottom of the ruffle along the hem of the petticoat, gathered the top edge to fit the section, and pinned the ruffle down. Then I sewed the ruffle on, removed all the pins and clipped the gathering threads.

The ruffle looks good and I think it will definitely help my skirt hold its shape, just like I wanted.


I'm packing up things to take over to the beau's today. I think the Joker pants and vest are going to be the only project I take. And maybe an embroidery book or two for research.

And I've added a project to my to do list -- my friend and fellow Archonite has asked for my assistance on a costume for DragonCon. Which means more money for Miss Wilde's Convention Fund! I also have a couple friends interested in corsets and met a woman at the club this weekend who may be interested in some sewing as well.

EDIT - The Joker trousers have been tried on, and need taken in just a pinch. And I worked on my vest a little bit - started couching down silver embroidery floss along the edges. I'm planning two rows of couching and then a pattern of some sort followed by two more rows of couching to form a nice elaborate border.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Just a quick update...

Well, there was no sewing this weekend, but I did do some shopping so that I will be able to sew. On my way to my parents house, I stopped by the fabric store and purchased a few things. I know have -

1. Thread and a zipper for my pink suedecloth skirt

2. White muslin to use to lengthen my blue and white cotton so I can make a respectable length skirt. It was a remnant, and so cost me almost nothing.

I also picked up some black thread (it was on sale) and a remnant of buckram (it'll get used at some point).

So now I can work on either my pink skirt or my blue and white one. Of course, I do need to finish my beau's Joker costume (mainly so I can move on to my CW uniform with a clear conscience) and I've also got commissions starting. I had a meeting with a friend last week regarding the corset I am making him for a drag show and I need to email a couple other people about their alterations.

As always, there's no rest for the wicked.

Ohayocon Prep 18 and Quilting 2

Ohayocon

On Friday, I went to the fabric market with the Misses Dashwood and Von Stoup. We purchased items for Miss Dashwood's Catwoman costume - zipper, snaps, fabric - and I also picked up a hair comb for my HQ mini top hat.

I was planning on purchasing some crinoline or buckram to use as the base for my HQ mask, but thankfully found the left over scraps from the previous masquerade masks that I have made. Needless to say, I was very happy. With crinoline in hand, I used an old mask to cut out the basic shape and tweaked it a little bit to suit my purposes. I also cut out another mask (although it's divided in two down the middle) for stabilization purposes. I plan to use a dowel rod so that I have an old fashioned on a stick masquerade mask so I decided that extra stability would be a very good idea. In my sewing bag today is -- my mini top hat with hair comb and elastic and my mask base with black satin. I'm planning for an undecorated mask, since Harley's is unadorned in the comics.

Last night, I finally measured my beau for his costume! I started cutting out the muslin for the jacket, but didn't finish it. Finishing the cutting and basting together the mock up will probably be my evening project. Then of course comes getting him to call so that he can try it on, but at least I now have Miss Dashwood's costume to work on if I cannot work on his!

To do list (cuz you know I love them)

My beau's Joker costume
1. Jacket - finish cutting out muslin, baste together and have a fitting. Then comes making the actual jacket.
2. Vest
3. Pants

Miss Dashwood's Catwoman
1. Utility belt - design and construct. Its going to have lots of snaps and pockets, I know that much for sure.
2. Bustle
3. Shirt - modify turtleneck by inserting zipper (this may be the first bit that I tackle actually)


Quilting

I spent Saturday evening and yesterday afternoon working on my quilt. I had to make some more squares, which got sewn into twos and then together into four square blocks. It was a vicious sew, iron, sew, iron, etc cycle. I think I should have enough blocks now to make the quilt top. Then comes figuring out the actual quilting.

But at least I did not burn myself this time.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Ohayocon and Christmas Prep 13 EDITED

Finally started sewing together my twin's pajama pants. All the seams are done and I started pinning the waistband, but did not finish it as I was extremely fatigued. So it'll just be a matter of pinning then sewing the waistband and threading elastic through. The hemming will wait until after he tries them on.

On Friday, I sewed the hook and eye closure onto the underskirt waistband then sewed four hooks on as well, to attach the bustle. I sewed four hooks onto the bustle so that it can now attach to the skirt, and sewed all of the roman shade tape into place.

Last night I got a lot done on my HQ jacket. I sewed the lining together and fitted it, the only change I had to make was taking in the back seam a little. It's not terrible form fitting, but I don't think I want it to be. I'm even debating boning it at the moment. My next step was to sew the interlining to all of the jacket pieces. Once that was finished, I started putting the pieces together -- the front peplum was sewn to the front, the center back seam was sewed, etc. Then I worked on the back peplum. I'm using both the pattern piece that goes with the rest of the jacket and the peplum from another pattern (used for my Time Traveler bodice as well as my black and silver plaid creation). I love the effect of the layered peplum. I lined each peplum piece (sewn on three sides, corners trimmed, then turned), pleated the top peplum and stitched them together. I'm going to attempt to sew them all together today, but I doubt that my beau's mother's machine can handle it. While it is a rather nice machine, it is a new model and just does not have the durability that my Fern has, being an all metal machine that dates from decades ago.

I'm trying to decide if I want to trim the jacket, maybe with white braid or ribbon, or if I'll just topstitch it to hold the lining in place. Decisions decisions.

Part of my day yesterday was spent with my beau as well as Dr. Chronus and Miss Von Stoup. We went to the fabric store in search of something to use for my beau's Joker costume, pants fabric to be exact. The doctor pointed out a lining fabric that was purple and grey/white striped. We tried it with the other fabrics, and decided that it was a perfect fit. Since its lining and thus very lightweight, I'm going to back it with a heavy 100% cotton to give it the proper weight for pants. I prewashed all the fabrics for his costume when we arrived at his dwelling last evening and plan to work on the cutting out today. Actually my plan to to cut out and baste together a muslin of the jacket for fitting purposes. I already cut apart the pattern pieces.

I may start doing a daily update of my to do list...

Christmas
1. Parents' aprons - DONE!
2. Stacey's pajama pants - DONE at least til she can try them on
3. Cliff's pajama pants - started sewing, needs waistband finished and elastic put in

Harley Quinn
1. Petticoat - DONE!
2. Bustle - DONE!
3. Corset - DONE!
4. Underskirt - DONE!
5. Jacket - started construction, need to finish putting the outside together, figure out the front closures, attach the lining, insert the boning (if I decide to bone), finish putting in the lining by hand, sew on trimming (if I decide to trim), and finish the front closures with button holes and buttons
6. Top Hat
7. Purse

And...
1. Steampunk Joker for my beau - vest, tailcoat and pants, maybe a tie. All fabric and most patterns have been purchased (still need a vest pattern, may be able to use the one I used for the Captain's vest, if not, I'll have to purchase one). All fabric has been prewashed. The next step is ironing the fabric and starting work on the tailcoat. EDIT Fabric pictures are below.
2. Steampunk Catwoman for Miss Dashwood - bustle, utility belt and shirt
3. Helping with Poison Ivy and Mr Freeze - whatever they need

The tailcoat, it photographed a little blue, but the color is definitely purple:



The tailcoat lining (orange and purple) is on the left, the vest fabric (green and purple) is on the right:



The trousers (underlining of white cotton, purple striped for the trousers themselves and the pattern I'm using):



A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde