What I Did on my Christmas Vacation

One: Made a hat. (see previous post for hat-porn pictures!)

Two: Pretty much finished my SSHarleyQuinn corset. I'm thinking that safety pinning the bra cups in is the way to go... Other than the bra cups its DONE

Three: Worked on my embroidered quilt. Block #11 is done except for the border!

Four: Fixed the buttons on my dearest brother's coat. I am in fact quite incapable of telling my 'big' brother "no"

Five: Wore my Christmas nightgown on Christmas Eve. Also wore my "Wilde Side" and "Christmas Elf" leggings that I made. :)

Six: Bought fabric to make a baby quilt for my cousin.

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.

Easter Sewing Progress!

The petticoat: Is almost done. The black ruffle is attached, hemmed and even has a decorative stitch in white around the hem. I need to reinforce the yoke (I think the petticoat is too heavy for just a one layer yoke), redo the waistband, and add a hook and eye and then it'll be done. I've nicknamed it the 'petticoat of doom' because there is so much fabric involved.

The Basque: I finished cutting out the lining and started putting it together. I got the lining sewn together, the outer fabric sewn together, the sleeves sewn together in both lining and satin, the cuffs sewn together and the collar sewn together. Next up is assembling all the pieces. And fixing the lining because I somehow sewed one front upside down.

The blanket: Is put together. All I have to do is blanket stitch the edges. I need to buy some embroidery floss I think.

The playsuit: Is well on the way to being done. The bodice front is together and lined. The bodice side backs are lined. The legs of the playsuit are put together. I need to sew channels on the back, insert the elastic, finish putting the bodice together, attach the bodice to the legs and then insert the zipper.

I actually feel like I just might be able to finish all this on time...This afternoon I'm going to call for an estimated time for getting Fern back.

March / April To Do List:

• Gyspy steampunk by April 27th for Steampunk Empire Symposium
• Paris steampunk by April 27th for Steampunk Empire Symposium
• Playsuit / skirt combo by May 3rd for Florida trip

Current progress:

Gypsy Steampunk:

• My skirt gores are embroidered and two are basted together. Mother has two skirt gores done. I'll be getting them from her no later than Easter.
• The petticoat is mainly done. Three tiers have been gathered and stitched to a yoke.
• The headscarf is wearable unless I decide to trim it.

Paris Steampunk:

• The bodice is mainly cut out.
  
• The overskirt is finished.

Playsuit:

• The outer fabric is cut out.
• And I'm thinking it'll match a skirt in my wardrobe, so no need to purchase more fabric.

What I still need to do:

Gypsy Steampunk:

• Skirt: Put all the gores together, add a waistband and a closure (probably a hook and eye, center back closure). Hem it with polyester horsehair braid.
  
• Petticoat: Rinse and dry bleached lace, then apply to tier #3. Add a waistband and side seam closure. Add the last (black) tier and hem it.
• Headscarf: Trim the black lace triangle with black lace trim if necessary. Otherwise, it's currently usable.
  

Paris Steampunk:

• Finish cutting out the bodice lining.
• Put the bodice together.
• Check my button stash for buttons.
  
• I'm probably going to need to purchase a few things, maybe buttons or snap tape...
  

Playsuit:

• Cut out the lining. I'm going to use white cotton, since it's already in my stash.
  
• Check to see if it does in fact match my clockwork skirt like I think it will.
• See if I have a zipper and thread that I can use, purchase them if I don't

Week of March 19, 2012 To Do List:

• Rinse and dry bleached lace, then apply to tier #3 of the petticoat.
  
• Add a waistband and side seam closure to the petticoat.
  
• Decide if I'm trimming the lace headscarf or not.
• Start putting the basque bodice together.
• Check my button stash for buttons for the basque.
  
• Cut out the lining for my playsuit.
  
• Check to see if the playsuit does in fact match my clockwork skirt like I think it will.
• See if I have a zipper and thread that I can use for the playsuit
• If I can, start putting the playsuit together

No rest for the wicked!

Progress Update - March 19 2012

Cut out the rest of the bodice: I did what I could. I cut the cuffs and collar out of the Paris print, and cut what I could out of black broadcloth for the lining. Beau is borrowing another piece of black broadcloth I have next weekend, so once I have that back and wash it, I can cut out the rest of the lining.

Finish gathering tier 3 of the petticoat and sew it onto tier 2: Done! I checked the length by pinning the petticoat to my dress form and then pinning two gores (basted together) over it to see how everything looked. Which is so far, so good. Right now, the petticoat is a couple inches longer than the skirt. My current thinking is that I sew lace to the bottom of the petticoat, and then add the black ruffle (attaching it to the seam where tier 3 is attached) so that it comes to the top of my boots. Another idea: I add a narrow ruffle of eyelet and attach it as well as the black ruffle to to tier 3...


Petticoat on my dress form.


Skirt pinned over the petticoat, I'm thinking I'll need to wear a net petticoat underneath for more fullness...


Length of skirt versus petticoat.

Of course, I don't have 10 yards of white lace in my stash but I did have a massive amount of a cream lace. So it's currently in a water and bleach bath in an attempt to lighten it. We'll see how that turns out.

Check the lilac linen: DONE! Not only did I have enough linen, but I washed (light), dried (low and only for 40 minutes) and ironed (linen setting, sprayed with water as I went along) it! Then I cut out the pattern.


Laying out the playsuit pattern...

I didn't start putting the bodice together, mainly because I really didn't feel like it.

Weekend to Do List - for St Patty's Day

What I've done this week: Finished my portion of the embroidery for the crazy quilt skirt. Realized I messed up my gathering stitch on the petticoat so it'll have to be redone. Worked on basting the interlining and satin for my basque bodice.

This weekend I'd like to: Finish basting the interlining and cut out the rest of the bodice. Work on the petticoat. See if the lilac linen is possible for the playsuit. Start putting together the bodice. Go through my fabric stash and weed it. See how the skirt gores go together and stitch them.

Gypsy Steampunk: Crazy Quilt Skirt Progress -- Almost there!

I finished my last gore last night! And my mother finished her second! That means that the skirt embroidery is 5/6th of the way finished!


My third skirt gore.



Mother's second gore.

Only one more to go! I'm planning to baste my gores together to see how they're going to look.

Brewing Ideas...And a Progress Report / Weekend To Do List

I have a ton of ideas brewing in my head (yes I know, shocking). And I wanted to get them all down somewhere I won't lose them, so here you go! lol

1. A diagonal seamed corset. The obsession started a few days ago when I saw this on Bridges on the Body. Then I found this post today on a new blog, The Laced Angel, and she had a link to an article on Foundations Revealed that tells you how to make a diagonal seamed corset. So now I know HOW to make a pattern I have into a diagonal seamed corset. I really want one, probably an underbust since that's my favorite. I kinda want one that's longer, like an Edwardian corset...
2. I still want to make an 18th century outfit.
3. And I've been having these Regency cravings lately. I even bought a Simplicity Regency gown pattern! I want a gown with a spencer soooo badly. Not that I have any idea where I would wear it...

Progress Report:

• Mom's second gore is almost finished for the crazy quilt skirt.
• I have five seams to go on my second gore.
• I'm going to do another mock up of my vest basque this weekend. Heather from TV thinks I have my bust measurement wrong, so I'm going to try a new size for the front only and see how that works before I re do all the pieces.
  
• And I think I've figured out the fabric combinations for the bodice. I was going to do the vest in the contrast Paris print, but didn't know how to do the collar and cuffs. I just saw a version w the vest matching the rest of the bodice and the collar / cuffs in a contrast. I think I'm going to go that route.
• Playsuit / skirt ideas: if I have enough of both, I'm thinking green patterned cotton playsuit w a lilac skirt. If I don't maybe do the playsuit in the lilac and get a contrast print for the skirt. Yardage estimate: 2 yards for the playsuit, 3 yards for the skirt.
  

Weekend to do list:

1. Replace a zipper in Beau's vest.
   
2. Embroider on my skirt, at least finishing the current gore. EDIT -- Since the current gore is DONE, I might just try to get my last one done this weekend. :)
   
3. Start on the gyspy petticoat. Launder the muslin and start cutting it into strips, after I decide how wide said strips need to be. Cut out the yoke. Pull out my white eyelet skirt for cannibalization, wash it as well, but don't cut into strips until necessary.
4. Also launder the interlining fabric for my basque so it loses some stiffness.
   
5. Re-trace the front basque pieces in a larger size, cut new muslin pieces and re do the front of my bodice for another fitting.
6. Once the fitting issues are figured out, start cutting out the bodice fabric if I can.
   

March 2012 To Do List

First up, a look at February (although most of this was done in March...):

• Sew D rings onto the gypsy corset: DONE
  
• Started stage two of the crazy quilt skirt!
• Paris overskirt: DONE
  

March 2012 To Do List: This is mainly preparation for the Steampunk Empire Symposium next month.

• Gyspy Steampunk: I'd really like to get the skirt finished this month (or early next), but a lot of that depends on my mother. I'm planning to give her a deadline on getting her three gores done. I did enough yesterday that I feel I could embroider a gore in around a week, so I think the end of the month, or early next month is doable. Once the skirt's done, I'll start on the petticoat. I may actually start on this sooner, because I could get the length from my three gores if I sew them together once they're embroidered. I'm currently trying to decide on what style of petticoat I want to make: plain with ruffles at the bottom v. a tiered gathered petticoat, probably with a yoke at the top. I also need to finish the headscarf. Deadline: End of April for the Steampunk Empire Symposium.
  
• Paris Ensemble: The overskirt is finished and the mock up of the bodice is put together. Next comes fitting the mock up, then starting the actual bodice, which is going to be quite the undertaking. Deadline: End of April for the Steampunk Empire Symposium.
• I may also try to get my Keeper of the Keys cincher finished as well as fixing the skirt (the zipper is broken and it needs taken in).
  

Things that have been taken off the 'immediate' list:

• Concert tshirts throw
  
• Make Beau a bag for his closet to keep his unmentionables in.
• Make Beau Star Wars pajama pants if he wants them.
• New fleece coat for Beau's Snowtrooper.

EDIT -- My mother can't find my embroidery book, so I saved some tutorials on my flash drive and printed a couple out in case I can't open the document on my laptop at home. Internet, I would be lost without you. I found some really cool complicated stitches too. Oh yeah, I'm gonna embroider the heck out of this skirt.

Progress on 2012 Sewing Goals

Now for the sewing goals -- costuming.

1. Finish my gypsy steampunk ensemble. Progress: The skirt gores are all pieced and the corset is pretty much done, it's wearable at least. I still don't know how much embroidery my mother is doing and how much I am responsible for, but I started embroidering the gore in my possession. So right now, we need to worry about embroidering all six panels, and then putting them together in a skirt. Then I need to finish the headscarf and make the petticoat, which I can't do until the skirt's done. Original deadline: end of April for the Steampunk Empire Symposium. Current deadline: Unknown.
   
2. 1875 Square Overskirt (Truly Victorian) in black and silver plaid. DONE.
3. Pink and black steampunk ensemble. Progress: The overskirt is pretty much done, all it needs is a closure. I'll be starting the bodice next, once I have my measurements. I went with a Paris theme for the costume and am using a Paris print cotton in black and white in conjunction with the pink satin. Original deadline: None. Current deadline: Steampunk Empire Symposium if its possible.
   
4. An underbust corset out of left over key print flannel to wear with my Keeper of the Keys skirt and a blouse for steam casual events - Haven't started this yet. Thought about it yesterday, but couldn't find the pattern I wanted to use. I may just need to pull out the cincher I want to duplicate and trace it.

No deadlines:

1. 1884 Wash Overskirt.
2. Sari inspired head to toe Victorian ensemble.
3. Female Joker. This might end up not being a steampunk costume...
   
4. Natural form Victorian costume.
   
5. An 18th century costume.
   
6. A French Huguenot costume.

1. A Victorian bathing suit. I'm taking this one off the list. I'm running out of time, with the Symposium only two months away and two major costumes to finish before then. And other things going on in my life.
   

Other sewing goals:

1. Baby quilt for my new niece or nephew. Deadline: sometime between September and Christmas. The current idea is to make a quilt for Minnow to grow into, so there's no rush to have it done by the due date.
   
2. New snowtrooper coat for Beau.
3. Unmentionable bag for Beau.
4. Maybe some Star Wars pajamas for Beau.
   
5. New retro sundresses. Maybe one from a cupcake pring.
   
6. A playsuit with removable skirt
   
7. Flannel quilt
   
8. I have some Spiderman flannel that wants to be pajama pants. - DONE
   
9. Nativity printed cotton dress or skirt
   
10. A circle skirt out of Halloween pin up fabric.
11. A high waisted skirt from my retro jumper pattern.

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

Progress on January 2012 Sewing To Do List 2 AND Archon Build Day Plans

What I've done so far on my January to do list:

• Steampunk gypsy corset is almost done: Binding has been made, corset has been bound, just need to finish putting in the eyelets and add my D ring decoration.
  
• Bodice for Gemma Fletcher of the Archon: This hasn't been started yet, but she's supposed to get me the stuff today.
  
• Harley Quinn collar: Has been topstitched so this is DONE
  
• Harley Quinn cuffs: Haven't put the elastic and velcro on yet.
  
• Beau's unmentionables bag: Haven't started this either
  
• Spiderman pajama pants: Or this.
  
• Square overskirt: Almost done! I just need to try it on and sew on a closure. Then its wearable but there's a decorative pocket to do as well.
  
• Old concert tshirts throw: Started sewing on new shirts.
  

What I'm taking to the Archon Build Day plans:

• The steampunk gypsy corset so I can finish the eyelets
  
• Harley Quinn cuffs, elastic and velcro
  
• The stuff for Miss Fletcher's bodice so I can get it cut out
  
• Probably my square overskirt and the pocket
  
• And fabric to cut out some pajama pants projects, Spiderman and Star Wars

Looks like my build day will be busy and well spent! Finishing the corset and the cuffs will be first on my list, followed closely by Miss Fletcher's bodice. The bodice will get priority the rest of the weekend, when I'm back at my sewing machine, since the deadline is a week from today. But if I can't start working on it at the build day, why not cut out other projects?

Tata for now,

Miss Leah J Wilde

Progress on Fall / Winter Sewing To Do List

As you all know, my Keeper of the Keys skirt is finished.

And today I worked on both jumpers (which were already cut out). The pink pinstriped full skirted version is DONE. I just finished hand sewing the bodice lining in place and put a little decorative top-stitching around the neckline.

The navy jumper is to the hand sewing point. First I need to put the zipper in, then do a fitting to make sure I like how it fits. Then comes doing the hem, neckline and armholes by hand. There is no way I'm going to stitch any of that on a machine with that wide wale corduroy. It would look awful I'm sure.

And as I posted yesterday, panel one of the crazy quilt skirt is complete.

I pulled out the blouse for the gypsy steampunk outfit and the teal silk I wanted to use for a corset and I think it is going to work. The color is good and I have one yard of the silk which should be plenty. First step of that project is making the pattern. I'll probably base it off of several corset and bodice patterns and combine the different pieces to get what I want.

Tomorrow I'll finish the navy jumper and hopefully work on the Harley Quinn collar and maybe even the crazy quilt skirt. I need to decide what I'm packing for my trip home and get that packed no later than Monday (work a double Tuesday and leave Wednesday right after work).

That's it for now my dearest friends! A bientot!

Progress on August 8th DragonCon To Do List

Thursday seems like a good day for an update on what I've been up to this week, don't you think? Especially since it is officially three weeks til DragonCon. Although if you're a regular reader, you already know a little of what I've been doing.

First up, Miss Von Stoup's post apocalyptic costume. Her hoops are coming along and I had her try on the jacket yesterday. The only change she requested was that it be hemmed (which wasn't the original plan), so after she left I pinned up the hem and I plan to sew it tonight. UPDATE The jacket was hemmed on Friday.

I've been working on the embroidered vest pretty much daily, even if only for a few minutes. It's coming along, but it takes time.

The Ottoman bustle is ready. I pinned it and stitched it down in a couple places Monday night, then let it hang on the dressmaker's form to make sure it would hold. Yesterday I tried it on and liked the drape so it has been added to my 'to pack' pile.

The Persian pants are in process. I found a pale pink satin in my stash that matches the vest almost perfectly. Yesterday, I cut the cuffs and waistband and started pleating the cuffs and waist down to fit. However the pants are much too long so I'm going to have to cut a lot off the legs and maybe alter the leg seam. I'm also thinking of using a little elastic in the cuffs so they'll be easier to put on. I had to rip out part of the back seam so that I could get the pants on. The waistband has been sewn on but needs turned and stitched down to cover the raw edges. Then come the closures.

I also worked on the Time Traveler hat band yesterday. The band is too small, so that may need remedied, perhaps with some ribbon. The feather looks good, but I wouldn't mind more if I can find ones I like at a decent price. The watches are giving me issues though, may need to go to plan B which involves spending money. Or just toss out that idea and just go with feathers and the white band otherwise unadorned. Or just bedeck it in ribbon and trim, I have enough of it.

I haven't started work on the Time Traveler ballgown bodice, but I did pull out some muslin to use. I briefly contemplating attempting a new corseted bodice that I've been wanting to make, but I'd have to make too many alterations for it to be worn with a bustle so I think I'm going to stick to the original plan.

My beau's red and black kilt now has a back pocket. It's welted, which is my standard. Let me just say, putting a welted pocket into a pleated kilt and having to stitch and slash through I don't know how many layers of cotton and denim, was NOT pleasant. But it's DONE.

I also started his new kilt. We decided to go with a sporran instead the pocket route. I plan to make one out of heavy black fabric with clips that that fasten onto D rings on the kilt. I cut out the kilt yesterday. It needs sewn together and part of it needs hemmed. I also cut out what I think will become the sporran. I'm planning two pockets, one for his wallet and one for his phone.
UPDATE Friday: The sporran's done except for the clips, which I need to buy. And the kilt is as far as I can go without the denim, which is at a friend's house.

So there's where I stand on DragonCon preparations! I'll be in Atlanta in THREE WEEKS. I'm sure it goes without saying that I'm a little bit panicked.

Sewing Day Plans - August 10th

Miss Von Stoup will be over tomorrow evening for a little sewing bee. Looking at my to do list, I think my time will be best spent finishing up projects. So I plan to: (1) Have her try on the post apoc jacket. (2) Try on the Ottoman bustle to make sure I like it with the pants. (3) Finish the Persian pants. I'm sure this will take up the most time. (4) Maybe work on the embroidered vest. (5) If the hoops are done, work on Miss Von Stoup's post apoc skirts. (6) If everything else gets done, start the beau's new kilt and sporran.

By the way, I've found that the best way for me to make my way through my list is to set little goals for myself. Even on the days where I work two jobs. Like yesterday, my goal was to fix my Ottoman bustle (which I did) and at least start the pocket in the red and black kilt (which I also did). Tonight I came home after two jobs with the goal of finishing the pocket (which I did). I wish I could work on the embroidery more, but I'm working on it some every day and its quite tedious so I can only do so much at a time.

What I ended up doing: (1) Miss Von Stoup tried on, approved and requested that her jacket be hemmed. After she left, I pinned the hem. (2) I tried the Ottoman bustle and liked it so it has been added to the DragonCon packing pile. (3) I worked on the Persian pants, but they need more work including shortening the legs (they're much too long), handstitching the waistband down, redoing the cuffs and attaching closures. (4) I worked on the vest earlier today but not this evening. (5) The hoops aren't done, so I didn't work on Miss Von Stoup's post apoc skirts. (6) And I started the new kilt: cut out the fabric, pinned it for a seam and a hem. I also cut out what I believe will become the sporran.

DragonCon To Do List - Week of August 8th

Progress on last week's to do list:

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


Working on the button placement...

2. Sleep shorts are DONE.

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

4. I worked on the Ottoman embroidery vest.


Current progress.

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

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


Mystery costume hat.

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

8. And I started the Time Traveler hat band.

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

This week's to do list:

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

2. Work on the embroidered vest (duh).

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

4. Finish the Persian pants.

5. Finish the Time Traveler hat band.

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

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

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

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

Weekend Sewing - August 5th To Do List

1. My Confederate jacket is DONE!

2. Started putting together the post apoc jacket. It's ready for a fitting.

3. The Ottoman vest -- I found the right side of pink floss and worked on both the pink and the silver embroidery.

4. My mystery costume hat is DONE!

5. The Persian pants have been cut out and I started putting them together -- crotch and inside leg seams have been sewn (no outside leg seam because of the way I cut them out). Next up is cuffs and the waistband.

6. The hat band for the Time Traveler hat has been covered.

7. I didn't cut out the ball gown bodice because I didn't have any material to use for the muslin.

I think I had a productive weekend, don't you?

What I've Been Up to this Week or DragonCon Progress, 8/1 to do list

I finished Miss Von Stoup's Confederate jacket (hemmed, topstitched, attached the cuffs, etc). I dropped it off to her at her abode for her to finish the hand sewing portion and picked up a few yards of braid to use on my jacket.

I also hemmed the sleep shorts.



I cut out the jacket for Miss Von Stoup's post apocalyptic outfit. Best part about doing a deconstructed, post apocalyptic costume? I don't have to be careful with my cutting or my sewing.

I managed to work a little on the embroidery, and started preliminary work on the bustle. It's currently on my dress form with skirt lifters in place.

I tried on the mystery costume skirt with a petticoat, and liked it but it didn't have the desired result of making the lining more noticeable. Oh well. I've decided to go with my black straw hat because my pink one was not a close enough match to the pink in the outfit. I started the redecorating process - stripped off the old decorations and started a new hat band.

I haven't touched the Persian pants.

I started work on the Time Traveler hat band and confirmed that the pink hat will work with the costume for the parade, as planned. I also pulled out pink satin for the ballgown bodice and I'm pretty sure it will work as well.


Checking that the pinks match.


With the ruffle.

Packing news: I've started gathering things that I want to take to DragonCon, such as accessories and jewelry. I've also been working on purchasing food and taking care of a couple other little things, like having my check direct deposited.

DragonCon Progress Photos

Ottoman vest:


The unfilled in border -- one line of couched down silver metallic thread, two lines of couched thread filled in with pink embroidery floss along the edges.


Close up of a couched down silver spiral.


How one spiral connects to the next.

My Confederate jacket:


The finished cuffs.

Ottoman bustle:


On my dress form with skirt lifters, ready to be pinned and sewn into draping.

July 25th DragonCon To Do List Progress (updated 7/29)

1. Confederate jacket - Cuff have been attached: machine stitched the underneath to the sleeve then folded and handstitched the top over the trimmed raw edges. I started sewing on the snaps. The buttons will wait til more trim has been added which will wait until Miss Von Stoup purchases more.

2. Scarlet Spider. -- DONE!! Suit was taken in, trimmed and the zipper stitched in place. Mask was restitched completely and the eye pieces sewn on by hand (which for future reference was definitely not fun). So happy to be done with it!

3. Finished the Mystery jacket!! Now I just need to work on the accessories...

4. Ottoman vest embroidery. -- I finished all the spirals on the top / front section and started the pink outlines. Next up is more couching of the metallic threads in lines to finish filling in the space. I had a stroke of brilliance last night: I'm going to undo the outline around the bottom and forgo the bottom border for now. I'm pretty sure I can finish the top / front border and I will have to be happy with that. I've been forcing myself to work on it pretty much every day so I feel like I just might finish it...

5. Didn't touch the Persian pants but I did cut out a pair of sleep shorts! The orange / purple fabric didn't have enough to do them, but I had yards of the Halloween pin up girl fabric so I went to town. I laid out my pattern pieces to get at least one full pin up per piece. (Its a large pattern so this was not easy).

As for Miss Von Stoup: Her Confederate skirts are coming along nicely. We fitted the jacket and decided to hem it at its current length (mine what cropped several inches) and we also decided on the sleeve length. Now at least I feel like I can work on that for a bit. She purchased the jacket pattern for her post apoc outfit so I can work on that as well and she's also started the hoops that will go under the skirts I'm making her. So at least there is progress.