End of 2014 To Do List

My to do list is probably too long, as always, with less than three months left in the year, but here we go:


First of all, where I am on Teslacon preparations:

1. Rococopunk: the stays have been done, the hoops are done, the jacket needs a lot of work, the stomacher needs finished, the knee breeches are almost done. I need to figure out / make a hat and probably (hopefully) make spats.

2. The Harley Quinn improvements are DONE

3. The fichu may or may not happen

4. I don't know if I'll bother fixing my time machine purse either

5. I still need to make a garrison hat for my main airship uniform, but at least I found a pattern

6. The braid onto my polonaise is DONE

7. So is the black bustle apron. 

Dream projects won't happen, except for maybe black drawers, just quick and easy ones based off of a pajama pant pattern with elastic. I'm really pretty much focusing on the rococopunk and the garrison hat, nothing else is really that important at this point.

Now for the actual to do list:

1. Finish the elephant baby quilt
2. Finish the Teslacon stuff
3. Finish a pair of purple leggings I started last winter
4. Grey and black plaid jumper
5. Star Wars print 1930s style skirt
6. Knit tunic using my funky dress pattern from McCalls
7. Black corduroy 1950s dress with snowflake overskirt, probably with a slightly narrower or shorter skirt because I don't think I have enough fabric
8. Black specialty mesh petticoat for said dress
9. Fix my mom's Christmas scrub top and make her a new one
10. 1940s hooded blouse and trousers from Eva Dress
11. Nightgown for grandma (if I have enough of the fabric that she wants me to use)
12. and start a cosplay for Ohayocon

Told you there was too much on it!! Most of it shouldn't be too hard though. I hope.

Revisiting Goals and Wishlists - 2014 Sewing

Back in January, I posted about my goals and some wishlist items for this year. Since I'm taking a look back over what I wanted to accomplish this year as means of at least attempting to make my Teslacon sewing in line with said goals, and since it's been six months and is thus the perfect time for a check in, here's a little revisit to that post with what I've done so far this year:

On the projects I'd like to finish front:

Grey / silver, red and black bustle gown: 
I said that I needed a wash overskirt. And I made it! So that's DONE.
There's still the long term goals of a new bodice and a parasol.

Sari Bustle Gown: I haven't done anything but I think this is going on my Teslacon to do list

Now for my 2014 goals:

Regency Ballgown: I finished what I needed! DONE!
There's still the long term needs: A spencer or pelisse and chemisette so I can wear the dress as a day dress as well. (This may also go on the Teslacon to do list)

Eighteenth Century Jacket and Petticoat
I have finished: the stays (which don't fit very well), the bum pad and the under petticoat.
I still need: An accurate chemise. Jacket using a pattern from Nehelenia (I think, not 100% sure). Petticoat. And a hat, probably a bergére. But this may mostly get pushed back til a later date. The black linen petticoat might happen to go with a rococopunk outfit I'm planning for Teslacon.

Civil War Day Dress - Haven't done any of this!
What I have: Nothing.
What I need: Chemise (can use Regency one if I need to). Drawers. Corset. Hoops. Petticoat. Skirt and bodice, or a dress. Maybe a Swiss waist.

And my Wishlist projects

1890s Gown based on a photograph of my great great grandmother - Haven't done any of this!
What I have: nothing
What I need: Corset. Chemise and drawers. Petticoat. Bodice and skirt.

Civil War Ballgown - Or this!
What I have: Well, as long as I finish the above Civil War goal, I'll have all the undergarments.
What I need: A ballgown. Or maybe just a ballgown bodice to wear with my day dress skirt. And probably a head dress of some sort.

Edwardian underthings - But these are DONE!


I could be doing better, but I think that I'm doing relatively well. With Teslacon happening this year, I'm pretty sure that the Civil War sewing along with the wishlist 1890s project are going to get pushed to next year.

Right now I'm working on the Teslacon to do list, because I only have FOUR months to get ready! Eeep!

Teslacon Musings

For years, I've been saying "I can't go this year, but next year I'll go to Teslacon, I promise." But that hasn't managed to happen. So this year, I basically said screw it, I'm going even if I have to take unpaid vacation time from work. I talked to my boss last week, and emailed him a formal request off which he approved. I immediately bought tickets, then managed to arrange a room share with some friends, so now all that's left is a carpool. Unless I can manage to get a cheap flight because if I can, screw it I'm flying.

So, now that I'm thinking about my first Teslacon, my first trip to an award winning convention and pretty much the premier convention for at least half of the US, I'm understandably a bit nervous. What do I take? What new pretties do I make? What improvements do I make to the pretties I already have?

Here's what I'm thinking so far:
- The black underskirt goes, obviously
- The new gold polonaise, which needs some more braid added and a couple fitting issues fixed
- The naturalformesque airship uniform goes because I need to represent, I need to make a hat
- All of my grey / red / black things because I can mix and match them
- Harley Quinn probably, but I'd like to revamp it
- Maybes: Airship Stewardess. Time Traveler. Roma. Pink Paris.

So the to do list:
- fix and improve the gold polonaise
- hat for my uniform
- Victorian swimsuit (if I can ever pick a pattern!)
- black and gold rococo punk with Dixie
- maybe my green and white bustle dress
- maybe a brown silk underskirt with something to go with it
- maybe something in the YARDS of pink stripe I have
- maybe my green sari overskirt that I cut out but never finished and a bodice to go with it

Of course, this is all just musings, so we'll see what happens! I do after all have around four months or so until the event.

Current sewing plans? A steam casual travel themed sundress for Toledo War!

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. 

January 2014 - Project Update with Pictures!

I've decided to (try and) post an update at the end of each month about what I've been working on and (hopefully) what I've finished. So, here's the first one: January 2014!

1. I started a Regency spencer for HSF #1 Make Do and Mend but never finished it. The pattern I used to base it off of was a very poor choice, and the spencer ended up with several pleats instead of being smooth to fit right. And I don't have enough fabric to recut all the pieces so...
2. I made a pair of Regency short stays to go with my previously finished Regency chemise. I used Sense and Sensibility's Regency Underthings pattern and they came out pretty good I think. They'll be for HSF #4 Under It All, along with the chemise and the last piece, a petticoat with straps (which I have cut out but not started construction on).

Pretty hand stitched bust gussets

I hand quilted the short stays, with just a little boning because I don't really need that much support.

Finished short stays!

1. I worked on a pair of 18th century stays, started forever ago (it feels like). I think they're coming along reasonably well, I'm up to the binding portion. In case you've ever wondered, binding the tabs on stays SUCKS. It's a horrid, but necessary, stage of construction. However, once I'm done with the binding, all I have to do is put eyelets at the shoulders and pick up some ribbon to tie the shoulder straps in place. I splurged a little bit (and used a coupon) on a 1/2 yard of cream silk for the binding. Totally put in metal eyelets though, cuz I am NOT dealing with handworked ones.

Stays, after I was finished with the boning.

Stays, in the midst of lining

Stays, while putting in the metal eyelets.

Stays, the top edge while binding.

Stays, approaching the end of the binding.

1. I started an 18th century bum pad, just looked at a couple other seamstresses versions and drew up a pattern. I need to sew the two sides together so I have sections, then stuff it, close it up and put ties on it so it's wearable.
2. OH! And I had a last minute Ohayocon commission for a friend -- a bolero jacket for her Elizabeth from Bioshock cosplay. Definitely put that one on the DONE list. Finished it on January 24th.
3. Also in the works are two aprons for my dad and brother (I really should finish those...) and pajama pants for my cousin (which I also should finish...)

Apron fabric, because my father and brother are both named Clifford. I couldn't resist!

I've been brainstorming and planning and shopping for several other projects as well.

1. I picked up 3 yards of cream cotton linen blend linen for an 18th century petticoat. Originally I was going to try to dye it pink to match the stays for the HSF #3 Pink challenge, but I'm terrified of ruining a not very inexpensive fabric purchase by attempting to dye it so....the stays will be for the pink challenge and the petticoat will be cream, which will coordinate with the stays.
2. I also bought fabric for my Regency ballgown which'll be for HSF #6 Fairytale. It's a super lightweight cotton shirting white on white with a silver metallic pinstripe. I got an amazing deal on that fabric by the way, I only hope that there's enough for the dress! It's 50 inches wide so I *think* I can eck it out, I just really wanted elbow length sleeves. So we'll see. 

Regency ballgown fabric. A steal at $2.50 a yard!

1. I've been 'window' shopping for fabric for the Regency open robe that'll go over the ballgown, but haven't purchased anything yet.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

To Do List Update!

1. Hand quilting my embroidered quilt.

2. Purple corduroy skirt is DONE! Finished it yesterday. Actually, it's a little big (how the heck did THAT happen? cuz I've used this pattern more than once) but it's wearable. I do want to take it in though.

3. Christmas circle skirt is also DONE! It needed hemmed and a zipper. Took care of that yesterday, then tacked down the facing today, tried it on and took it in a little bit.

As for the Christmas sewing:
- Pinned the first set of seams on the scrub top for  mom
- Cut out my nephew's pj pants and pinned the first seam. Also pinned the first two seams on the pair for my brother.
- Haven't worked on the pjs for my cousin's boys yet (I don't know their measurements!), or the apron for my father (don't even have fabric for that one), or the apron for my cousin (no fabric for it either), or the pillowcase. I do have the fabric for that, but I need to buy the pillow first so I can make the right size pillowcase. She just wants a travel size pillow for him. I probably need to make her other boy a pillowcase as well, out of something interesting, maybe dinosaurs.

To Do List - Deadline December 31, 2013

1. Hand quilting my embroidered quilt. Obviously, I don't really expect this to be done, but I might surprise myself. Hand quilting is addictive, people! I sit down almost every night and do a few lines.

2. Purple corduroy skirt. This just needs a zipper.

3. Christmas circle skirt. I think all this needs is hemmed.

4. Christmas sewing: Scrub top for  mom (the deadline on this one is actually Thanksgiving). Pj pants for my brother, nephew (I'd like these put together by Thanksgiving as well, for fitting) and my cousins two boys. And probably an apron for my father, because Joanns has Clifford the Big Red Dog fabric! (his name is Clifford, thus my excitement). Oh and an apron for my cousin but that doesn't need finished til January. And a little pillowcase out of train fabric for one of my cousin's boys.

I think that's everything! Man, I really need to get on this Christmas sewing thing...Maybe I can get some done this week since I took time off from job number two. I want to get the house decorated as well.

2014 To Make Wish List

Okay, so I know its only November, but one of my sewing friends (Dixie) recently made a similar post so I figured I might as well start the thinking and the planning. After all, it's never too early for planning!! We're actually trying to start a historical costuming group in Columbus, so let me know if you're interested!

First of all, I think I'm going to start making a change from steampunk / pseudo historical dress into sewing more historically accurate clothing. This has been stewing for a while, so it's not really surprising that I'm making the leap.

So without further ado...

1. I still want to make an 18th outfit. Starting with a shift and stays, then an under petticoat (since a skirt is a petticoat when we're taking 18th century) and some sort of gown. I personally love the Robe a l’Anglaise for some reason. Or maybe a Robe a la Piemontasse. Or maybe just a jacket and a petticoat.  My indecision is why I figured I should just start with the undergarments!

2. I've been obsessed with the Civil War pretty much as long as I can remember. I used to doodle ridiculously full skirted dresses when I was in school. And had Civil War paper dolls, I think from when we went to Gettysburg. I blame my father for the obsession, by the way, because it's totally his fault Mr. I Have Union and Confederate Kepis hanging on my wall. Anyways, I've decided to finally give in and make a Civil War dress.  The full nine yards -- corset, shift, drawers, hoop, petticoat, and (again) some sort of dress. Also if anyone knows of any female reenactors in Ohio, I want to be friends with them. Connect us, please!

3. As some of you may know, I'm a genealogist. And I have a few favorite ancestors, one of which is my great great grandmother Minerva (Dupre) Fink. My mother recently gave me a bunch of old pictures (imagine the squee-ing the resulted), including what we believe to be their wedding photo. I'd like to recreate her wedding ensemble. They married in 1901, but since they lived in Ohio, I'm guessing she's dressed more in the late 1890s style: high necked, slightly poofy sleeves. Unfortunately, the picture is only from the waist up, so I'm going to be doing a lot of guessing. Again, this will be corset, shift, drawers, petticoat and then the dress / blouse and skirt.

Looking at this year's sewing to do lists, I'd like to finish a couple other projects next year as well that are already begun:

4. I cut out the overskirt for the sari ensemble that I want to do. I used Truly Victorian's 1886 Bordered Asymetrical Overskirt. I'd like to get that put together. And make some kind of bodice to go with it, I just don't know what yet. So it's on the to do list, but maybe not very high up on it.

5. I'd also like to finally make the 1884 Wash Overskirt (also Truly Victorian). I traced it a while back, but didn't feel like starting on it. It'll be out of grey satin to go with my Governess costume and trimmed to the nines in whatever I can find to trim it in.

Other things I'd like to do (also from my 2013 list, but not started yet):

6. I still want to do something Regency (another era I'm obsessed with). But again, I'll want to start with accurate undergarments. I actually know less about this era than others, so if I'm wrong in this forgive me, but accurate undergarments will probably mean a chemise, stays (but much different than 18th century stays), and a petticoat (or bodiced petticoat) and then a dress. And I still want a spencer because they are much too cute NOT to own one!

Added on 11/18:
7. I'd also love an Edwardian corset because they are so freaking beautiful, but I pretty much have no reason to make and wear one. 

To Do List Update - Fall Convention Prep

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

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

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

Finished UFO mystery quilt top

Embroidered quilt, it now has a pink border.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If possible, a new mask for Diamonds are Forever.




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


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

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

To Do List - Deadline Mid October

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

White eyelet lined and trimmed in lilac cotton 60s shift - I screwed up the hem, just need to redo it and this is done.


By September 8th, I want to have the embroidered quilt ready for pinning and maybe another quilt ready as well. The second quilt is a 10 year old UFO that I'm trying to get finished. I'm really tempted just to back it with flannel and tie quilt it so its a pretty lightweight quilt.

Lolita commission. Deadline is mid October for Teslacon.

Jacket commission I started months ago for a friend. Deadline is mid October for Pandoracon

Finish my green and gold outfit - Natural Form, steampunk style. I need to make a natural form-esque petticoat and underskirt, both with ruffles, and also a long green overskirt trimmed in fringe. Deadline - Pandoracon


Purple corduroy skirt - I'd like to get this finished sooner rather than later so I have it ready before the cold hit. If only I could decide what pattern to use...

Striped pencil skirt. Again, I want this done before the cold hits. I'm kinda excited about this, I plan to play with the stripes a little bit on a basic pencil skirt pattern.

I have some turquoise corduroy, I'm thinking either a skirt or a jumper if I have enough fabric. Before the cold comes.

If possible, a new mask for Diamonds are Forever.

Everything else is getting pushed back til after Pandoracon.

Updated - To Sew Before the End of the Year

So far...

1. Finish my retro-inspired summer vacation wardrobe (black skirt trimmed in red and black plaid, pink shorts, denim shorts, blue linen dress, seersucker blouse) - DONE! Well, mostly. The seersucker blouse is still in pieces. It may be destined to be a UFO actually...

2. Finish the embroidered quilt top and get it pinned before cold weather comes. Then spend the winter hand quilting it. - Working on it!

3. Start my 18th century outfit, if I could have the undergarments finished before the end of the year I'd be happy. Heck if I could get them started, I'd be happy.

4. Finish my green and gold outfit. I want to make a longer overskirt in green trimmed in gold and a gold underskirt. By Pandoracon if possible. If not, then Ohayocon. Maybe use the wash overskirt pattern? - Current thought is to do this in a natural form-esque style. I have a fantail-ish skirt pattern (it's just a formal skirt pattern, but I think it'll do for steampunk natural form) and I think I can just wing a long, slim overskirt.

5. I have this idea for a new steampunk outfit, either in some train fabric I was gifted recently, or some clearance travel-esque fabric I bought a while back in oranges and yellows. - My friends all vote trains. And I do love trains. But I keep picturing this in the oranges and yellows...Maybe because I need some new colors in my wardrobe.

6. Finish a quilt top I started FOREVER ago.

7. And for lucky number seven, make a wash overskirt in my grey satin trimmed to heck with black and silver and red.

8. Oh, and make a skirt from the two yards of wide wale purple corduroy I just bought. Can you say winter work wardrobe?

9. And I'd really love to make a coat. I have a pattern in my stash that's only like 10 years old or so... It's Vogue 7634.

10. A head to toe sari steampunk using my asymetrical skirt overskirt pattern and a yet to be determined bodice. I  *may* have cut this out the other day when I was working on a different project...

11. And I just started another 60s shift -- white eyelet lined in lilac cotton. One last hurrah for summer sewing!

Update on My Retro Inspired Summer Vacation Wardrobe

So far...
1. Finished the dotted swiss dress with matching reversible bolero. (unlikely to actually take on vacation since it's you know, white, plus it may be too fancy for vacation)
2. Red and black gingham printed bottomweight high waisted shorts with coordinating top and sleeveless shrug.
3. Red pique pencil skirt. (I still haven't decided if this is going with me or not, because it skirts that too dressy line)
4. Pink and black plaid pencil skirt (Probably not packing. The cotton pique I can argue being not too dressy, but not this skirt as its a little on the sateen side)
5. Star Trek wrap circle skirt
6. White on white striped cotton wrap blouse.
7. Black and white Paris printed cotton blouse.
8. 60s shift dress in pink floral. (Even though its a dress, this is going because I think its casual enough)
9. Measuring tape printed cotton circle skirt with pockets and tabs on the waistband.
10. Dotted brown bottomweight capris.
11. Pink plaid-ish shorts. Which gave me issues. Although it was the same pattern as the red and black shorts, these were too small, I think because the fabric lacked stretch. So I took the half done waistband off, took out the zipper, ripped out the center seam, resewed the center seam with a 3/8 inch seam instead of the previously used 5/8, put the zipper back in, tried them on. They were still just a touch snug, so I took out the back darts and made them into little pleats so the waistband is still the same size and they still sit where I want them, but the shorts themselves have a little more give. I'm also thinking that maybe I should have lined the shorts, but its too late for that now. All they need is the hook and eye closure, but I'm going to give them a laundering first.
12. Cropped pullover in blue embroidered linen.

On my to do list:
1. Finish the denim high waisted shorts. I plan to do some topstitching, redo the as of now basted zipper, put on the waistband and launder before I add the hook and eye, in case the fabric shrinks.
2. Finish the black circle skirt, which I still haven't decided if its going to be a wrap skirt or not. Leaning towards not and maybe even giving it an elastic waistband... I've started pinning the red and black trimming on. I had to piece the back piece of the skirt, so I'm going to emphasize that with a line of plaid, and echo it on the front as well. I also have pockets in the plaid for the front.
3. If I manage to finish everything else, I may try to get the blue linen dress finished, even if it doesn't go on vacation with me.

While not for MY vacation wardrobe, I need to finish the conversion of a pair of capris into a skirt for my mother, for HER vacation wardrobe.

This weekend, I need to finish that sewing, do some laundry and start packing.

PS There's pictures over on my Instagram (midnyghtsnow) but I'm on a borrowed computer and I can't get them posted over here :(

Radically Revised To Do List

Since my 2013 Sewing To Do List is obviously not happening, here's what I'd like to do over the next few months, in absolutely NO particular order:

1. Finish my retro-inspired summer vacation wardrobe (black skirt trimmed in red and black plaid, pink shorts, denim shorts, blue linen dress, seersucker blouse)

2. Finish the embroidered quilt top and get it pinned before cold weather comes. Then spend the winter hand quilting it.

3. Start my 18th century outfit, if I could have the undergarments finished before the end of the year I'd be happy. Heck if I could get them started, I'd be happy.

4. Finish my green and gold outfit. I want to make a longer overskirt in green trimmed in gold and a gold underskirt. By Pandoracon if possible. If not, then Ohayocon. Maybe use the wash overskirt pattern?

5. I have this idea for a new steampunk outfit, either in some train fabric I was gifted recently, or some clearance travel-esque fabric I bought a while back in oranges and yellows.

6. Finish a quilt top I started FOREVER ago.

7. And for lucky number seven, make a wash overskirt in my grey satin trimmed to heck with black and silver and red.

8. Oh, and make a skirt from the two yards of wide wale purple corduroy I just bought. Can you say winter work wardrobe?

9. And I'd really love to make a coat. I have a pattern in my stash that's only like 10 years old or so... It's Vogue 7634.

Steampunk Empire Symposium Preparations!

To do list progress!

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

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

Almost complete steam stripper bustle apron

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

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

To Do List - Mostly Steampunk Empire Symposium Preparations

For me:

• Need to find white or pink laces for my new corset - Have a couple ideas for this, just need to go hunting
• Finish the lobster tail bustle - I misplaced this, but found it yesterday. It's pinned and ready for the boning channels to be sewn. Should be able to finish it over the weekend (I hope!)
• Maybe make a new underskirt for my Pink Paris ensemble, in a vibrant color like yellow or teal, if I can find some fabric that I like enough. - With everything else going on, and with needing to narrow down my packing list, I decided to not take this outfit to SES, so I don't need a new underskirt.
• Although I decide that I needed a new 'steam stripper' outfit (short bustle with matching top) and bought this:

For my friend (she will be helping me with a lot of this):

• Jacket and skirt to go with her new corset. I'll be making the jacket, and maybe assisting with the skirt if necessary. - The jacket is well underway. I cut and basted the lining and used that for fitting. I added a few inches to accomadate her (she's a little larger than the measurements given on the pattern) but ended up basically taking almost all of those added inches out. The fashion fabric is almost all cut out, and ready for construction! The skirt is also underway, its just a simple underskirt - one seam, elastic waist, hem. All I'll probably need to help with is the hemming.
• Chemise and bloomers, also to go with her new corset. I think she'll be doing most of the work, but I'll likely be assisting her. - She bought a pattern and when last seen, was planning to get it cut out yesterday.

Also for the Symposium, I decided this was necessary:

New work clothes:

• The comic pants, which just need the zipper put in, the waistband finished and hemmed. - Just needs a tiny bit of handwork on the waistband.

Comic pants, when almost completed. Still needed the hem and waistband finished at this point. I did end up taking them in a little tiny bit.

• The black and floral corduroy skirt.
• The striped corduroy skirt, which just needs the zipper, the waistband and the hem done. - Also just needs a bit of handwork on the waistband.
• And the purple skirt that was once a dress that just needs the waist finished somehow. - DONE (as long as its actually wearable...)
  
  

To Do List - Steampunk Empire Symposium and Work Clothes

For me:

• Need to find white or pink laces for my new corset
• Finish the lobster tail bustle
• Maybe make a new underskirt for my Pink Paris ensemble, in a vibrant color like yellow or teal, if I can find some fabric that I like enough.

For my friend (she will be helping me with a lot of this):

• Jacket and skirt to go with her new corset. I'll be making the jacket, and maybe assisting with the skirt if necessary.
• Chemise and bloomers, also to go with her new corset. I think she'll be doing most of the work, but I'll likely be assisting her. 

That's not too bad, really.

I also want to finish some new work clothes:

• The comic pants, which just need the zipper put in, the waistband finished and hemmed.
• The black and floral corduroy skirt.
• The striped corduroy skirt, which just needs the zipper, the waistband and the hem done.
• And the purple skirt that was once a dress that just needs the waist finished somehow.

What Miss Wilde Is Sewing Now - March 2013

Since we're a little over halfway through March, I figured it was time for a update post on 2013 sewing plans.
 
Here's my sewing wishlist from the beginning of the year:

1. Try out a few tutorials I've seen online... Like American Duchess' Lobster Tail Bustle and the Butterfly Bustle Drape on Your Wardrobe Unlocked 
2.  Finally make the Alison swimsuit from BurdaStyle that I downloaded a while ago.
3. 1884 Wash Overskirt from Truly Victorian.
4. A Natural Form Victorian dress. I've been looking at patterns on Truly Victorian, but haven't decided on what I want to do yet.
5. An 18th century costume, starting with the stays.
6. A Regency outfit, probably a dress and spencer, based off of Simplicity 4055

Of these, I've pretty much done nothing. I did start the lobster tail, but I haven't finished it.

Updated to do list:

1. Lobster tail bustle from American Duchess' tutorial - deadline April 26 for the Steampunk Empire Symposium.
2. Pink and white underwear set - deadline March 25 (for the Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge). If you're a regular reader, you know that the chemise and petticoat are finished and the corset just needs the lace trim sewn on and laces. If anyone has a source for white or pink boot laces, let me know!
3. 18th Century pockets - deadline April 9 (for the Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge) These should be pretty easy, unless I decide to embroider them (which I probably should...)
4. A 20s inspired dress to go see The Great Gatsby in - deadline: May 20
5. A plethora of new work clothes (since I am soooo tired of what I have to wear now):
1. Pants out of comic print fabric. Already started on construction! Old UFO, it'll be good to get these made.
2. Black corduroy pencil skirt trimmed in floral corduroy. As a bonus, I could wear this with my floral corduroy jacket. This is a UFO, already cut out and pinned for construction to start.
3. Asymmetrical wrap skirt made from a taupe suiting. Another already cut out UFO, pinned for construction. I'm a bit nervous about this one actually, the fabric is some kind of weave that doesn't seem super stable...
4. Turning a dress into a skirt. All I need to do is put on a waistband of some sort. Right now I'm thinking white satin ribbon that ties in the back.
5. Purple cotton sleeveless sheath dress. Another cut out UFO, pinned for construction to start.
6. This past weekend I cut out another pencil skirt from a narrow striped colorful corduroy and pinned it for sewing. 
7. I also have two other fabrics picked out, but I'm not sure what I'm doing with them yet.
6. Long term project is the 18th century costume. I'd like to get started on the stays, probably once all of the above is finished.
7. And I need to put together my embroidered quilt
8. I also have three commissions set up:
1. A quilt for a friend from finishing school, no deadline
2. A costume for a client I met through a friend of a friend, deadline is July
3. A costume for a friend, deadline is Steampunk Empire Symposium. (need to get started on this one)

So the current sewing is the corset for the pink and white steampunk underwear, the work clothes and the new bustle. 

Weekend and Build Day Sewing

I've apparently been hiding, huh? My lack of sewing is due to a variety of things - work and other busy-ness, a trip home to see my parents, and the fact that it has been so cold most of the time here in Ohio that it's almost impossible to sew in my basement.

That said, I have a weekend off and a build day to attend with the Archon on Sunday, so hopefully I'll get quite a few things done this weekend.

Projects for the Build Day:

Baby quilt - This is actually partially quilted. I need to finish quilting it and do the binding. Since the shower is March 3, I definitely need to work on this.

Lobster tail bustle from American Duchess' tutorial - I missed my deadline on this. Might take it with me to the Build Day though

Pink and white underwear set - deadline March 25 (for the Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge). This has been coming along well. The petticoat needs hemmed and then needs the waistband done. And the ruffles. This will definitely go with me to the Build Day. I also need to work on the corset.

Easter dress - deadline March 31. I'd really like to do a dress for Easter. If I can decide on a pattern, I might take this with me to cut out.

Maybe the Embroidered quilt to pin together and maybe start sewing.

Progress - Mainly Bustle and Petticoat

I started the new lobster tail bustle following American Duchess' tutorial. So far, so good -- I cut out the back and front pieces, with lines drawn for the boning casings. Just need to start putting it together! I decided to use a quilt binding waistband instead of her suggested waistband. Just a personal preference.



I traced the wash overskirt pattern, gathered the materials...and then then decided I really really didn't want to work on it.


So I started my pink and white underwear set instead. :) I used my standard underskirt pattern for the base petticoat, used the bustle pillow pattern as a guide for the ruffle addition that will be remove-able and cut out the chemise. As of now, the chemise is put together, with some lace trimmings, binding pinned to the arm holes and half finished around the neck line, side and shoulder seams are finished. Pretty much all of the seams on this set are going to have to be finished because the fabric is very light weight and prone to fraying. I need to finish the binding on the chemise and hem it. The petticoat front gores have been sewn together and the seams are pinned for finishing. The back gores are sewn together and don't need finished because I used the selvedge for that edge. :) I also pulled out some white satin for the corset. I need to find or purchase something for the interlining though.

Worked on the Keeper of the Keys corset. All it needs is lining, boning at the seams, binding and a zipper.

Embroidery on the embroidered quilt is DONE

And I packed for Ohayocon. Which still needs finished, but it's mostly done. :)

To Do List for the Next Couple Weeks:

Mending for a friend. Need to pick up some iron on denim patches.

I need to purchase batting for the baby quilt and get the binding made.

Find the inspiration to work on that wash overskirt...

Finish the binding and hem the pink and white chemise. Finish the seams and hem the petticoat. Add petticoat waistband, with closure and buttons for remove-able ruffles. Hem the edges of the ruffle base and start making the ruffles. They will be trimmed in lace and narrow white ribbon. The petticoat itself will probably have a ruffle at the bottom as well. Once that's all done, start the corset.

Be nice to finish that damned Keeper of the Keys corset...

Start putting the embroidered quilt together

To Do List! (bustles and overskirts and petticoats oh my)

A little progress...Finally got the Harley Quinn neck ruff to work (at least as well as its going to), and I pieced the baby quilt last night.  I also prewashed the green cotton that's slated for stays lining and my new bustle, the pink and white stripe for my new underwear and the swiss dot that I don't know what I'm doing with it yet.

Projects with deadlines:

Baby quilt - deadline ASAP but my cousin is due in April. This is pieced, just need to buy batting, pin it, machine quilt it, then make and do the binding which will likely at least be partially done by hand. 

Lobster tail bustle from American Duchess' tutorial - deadline February 11 (for the Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge)

Wash overskirt bedecked in trimmings - deadline February 25 (for the Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge) Planning to do the grey silvery satin again, to match my bodice and skirt, and use the black and silver plaid for trimmings. Probably ruffles, maybe use some trimming ideas I found on Your Wardrobe Unlocked. I wouldn't be surprised by some lace, ribbon and or braid either. I should probably get started on this actually...

Pink and white underwear set - deadline March 25 (for the Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge). Going to make a petticoat with detachable back ruffles, and likely a ruffle at the hem, along with a 'chemise' of sorts to wear with it, as well as a white underbust corset. Planning some white ribbon and lace as trim.

Easter dress - deadline March 31. Wow, Easter is early this year! This is still a maybe.

18th Century pockets - deadline April 9 (for the Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge) These should be pretty easy, unless I decide to embroider them (which I probably should...)

A 20s inspired dress to go see The Great Gatsby in - deadline: May 20

Projects without deadlines:

18th century outfit, probably the stays first since I already have the fabric, just need a pattern.

Keeper of the Keys underbust corset

Embroidered quilt (embroidery is almost done!)

Quilts and pillowcases for Soldiers Angels

Weekend projects? Hopefully the overskirt, but I could see myself working on the petticoat instead, cuz that's what I want to work on...