New Blog

Considering that I haven't even posted here in over a year, I'm sure it's pretty obvious that costuming just isn't a priority anymore.  I've decided to start a new blog to chronicle my current sewing adventures.  I make no promises about updates but...it's worth a try, right?

So if you want to follow along, the new blog is https://midnyghtsnow.blogspot.com/ !

October Finished Projects

1. More underwear! Leftover fabric, free pattern, purchased elastic. (Two pairs on October 2, one on October 8) I'm really enjoying making myself underwear out of leftover knit from other projects.  I really need to try to make a bra next...
2. Pink workout pants that I started a couple years ago and never finished.  Used my standard McCalls leggings pattern, but shortened them to capri length.  Purchased fabric and elastic, stash thread. (October 6)
3. Black leggings.  Again, standard McCalls leggings pattern, purchased fabric and elastic, stash thread. (October 6)
   

   

   Black leggings with the shirt from #6

4. 1970s fall floral corduroy jumper.  Purchased fabric and pattern (one of the seventies vintage ones I bought earlier this year), stash thread and hook and eyes. (October 11)
5. Scrub top for my mom.  Stash pattern that I've made her several times, purchased fabric. (October 15)
6. Striped Deer and Doe Bruyere.  Purchased fabric and pattern (but it's the second time using the pattern, does it count as stash?) and pearl snaps. Also used some stash black solid fabric and stash thread.  The main body and sleeves are striped, but I used black for the collar, cuffs, waistband and button placket for a variety of reasons: to break up the stripes, didn't have enough stripes and to save me from trying to pattern match. (October 18) 

   

   I did the back yoke with the stripes running the opposite direction for both prettyness and so I didn't have to match the pattern.

   

   

   French seamed the sleeves!  I need to always do this because it was easy and a flawless finish.

   

   French seamed the sleeves! 

   

   Last stage of the French seams.
   

   

   Finished!

7. Finally finished my brother's navy button up shirt!  Purchased everything, except maybe thread. (October 20)
8. Purple on purple print Lane raglan tshirt.  Purchased fabric, I'm calling the pattern stash, and stash thread.  The neckline got a bit stretched out so I'm not super happy with it.  I'm not sure if its a pattern issue and I need to raise the neckline or if it was a fabric issue.  I'm thinking the latter, because the neckline on the other Lane Raglan I made (rashguard) is just fine.  I think this knit was too stretchy for the neck binding. (October 21)  I actually might just end up making another tshirt, not a raglan because it's supposed to go with something else I'm working on and if I don't like the fit, I'll never wear the shirt...
9. Purple sweatshirt fleece skirt.  Purchased fabric, stash pattern, thread and elastic. I'm still working on the matching hoodie. (October 24)



All cut out!

10. Blue and red plaid flannel pullover from another 1970s vintage pattern.  Purchased fabric and pattern, stash thread and seam binding. (October 27)

    

    

    I figured a vintage pattern deserved vintage seam binding on the hems.

How Miss Wilde Got Her Sew-Jo Back

First of all, I really just love the term sew-jo.  It's so much easier than sewing mojo which I was using before.  Any who...

As I mentioned briefly in my last post, life has been mega crazy over the last few months.  At the end of June, I went on a trip with my brother and his family to Buffalo/Niagara Falls.  And saw freaking Weezer with my bestie/soulmate Pepper so it was pretty amazing!  Came home to the news that I may have to be moving.  Okay, start looking for places.  My mother had knee replacement surgery the Thursday after the Fourth of July, and then the call comes the very next day that my paternal grandfather has passed.  So instead of taking two days off work, I end up being in Cincinnati for almost a week dealing with that, and taking my father to the funeral in Indiana the next Tuesday.  Then I find out that I really do have to move, so I start packing and organizing and getting rid of things before I even have a place to go.  Towards the end of August, I go on vacation with my mother as usual, but we take a shorter trip than normal because of her knee.  Then my car breaks down on my way out of town for Labor Day weekend.  Get the call the next day while at my nephew's birthday party that my car is DEAD.  So I'm trying to finalize when I'm moving (I did find a place) and I have to go car shopping. 

So in the last few months I've had (1) my mom in the hospital and recovering from surgery (2) my grandfather die and his funeral (3) my car die and buying a new car and (4) moving in with a friend where I have a much smaller space so organization was hella important. So...needless to say, not much sewing has been going on, partially because of lack of time, partially because with so much going on, my sew-jo went on a vacation.

I moved September 24th, then left the next day to take a little trip with my mom.  So not much settling in happened for a while.  And a lot of it was waiting for my  new housemate to make room in the basement for things that needed stored.  I did maneuver things around so I could use my sewing machine some, because I needed it for my mental stability. So finally, I moved the storage stuff downstairs last weekend, I've got my room as good as it's going to get at least for now and I can sew again!

Now to make some progress on that huge sewing to do list...

Fall / Winter 2016 Sewing Plans

Labor Day weekend I went on a little retail therapy fabric store spree and walked out with enough fabric for four outfits, plus another top.  So here's what's on the list, some is from the spending spree, some is more wish list items:

1. Striped seventies-esque cotton Bruyére (Deer and Doe).  This wasn't part of the spending spree but it is on my to do list. And already started!
2. A matching hoodie (McCalls 7026) and skirt (McCalls 7386) out of purple sweatshirt fleece with a coordinating purple print tshirt (Burda 6820).  I'm going to alter the skirt slightly, the pattern calls for it to be longer in the back than the front so I'm either going to make a maxi skirt and even out the hem (because the one I've already made kinda drives me bonkers) or make the next shortest view, which should still be pretty long, maybe a midi length. 
3. Black and white plaid Bruyére (Deer and Doe) with pearl snaps and black jeggings (basic leggings pattern, which actually I meant to use another pattern and forgot and they're already almost done so...) to go with a pair of pink cowboy boots I own.
4. Brown denim Burda Style denim trousers with a green and cream plaid flannel pullover hoodie (vintage Simplicity 7851)
5. Red and blue plaid flannel pullover (vintage Simplicity 7851), I might not have enough to make it hooded though
6. Hooded jumper in black corduroy patterned in fall colors (vintage Simplicity 7927).  This is also already started!
7. I need to finish the shirt I started months ago for my brother.  It just needs the buttonholes and buttons.
8. New fall scrub top for my mother for work.  Needs done by Halloween so she can wear it during the Thanksgiving season. 
9. More underwear.  I'd also like to try bra making. I bought Simplicity 8229, and I also have three downloadable free patterns from the same designer. 
10. More workout clothes.  I'm looking at Butterick 6295, McCalls 7446, and McCalls 7482, mostly pants, maybe some tops.  I have a pair of pink capris started that I discovered when I was going through stuff to move so those are actually almost done. 
11. One of my favorite wrestlers is out injured and I want to make him a stuffed animal and send it to him with a card.  I have the pattern, but haven't started anything yet. 
12. I need to make a red top to wear for the Christmas choir program at church.  I had a blouse, but honestly kinda hated it so I got rid of it.  I'm thinking of vintage Simplicity 7757, the tunic version with long sleeves and pockets if I can fit them. 
13. I bought Simplicity 8243 and Simplicity 8242, but they are total wish list projects.

August and September Finished Projects

• Two pairs of underwear (August 6th) -- leftover fabric, free pattern, stash thread, purchased elastic.  It's the Rosy Ladyshorts pattern.
• Repaired a pair of pants for my mother (August 12)
• Hemmed my father's workout pants (August 12)
• Green shirtdress (August 14) -- I think I purchased everything except the white thread. It also didn't turn out that great, I don't know if it was a poor fabric choice, or if it was the wrong size, or a combination of the two.  Pattern was McCalls 7351, view B but I added pockets to the skirt



Bodice. Not super happy with the way the pockets look...



I finished the sleeve seams because the sleeves roll up and they'd be exposed.

• Fixed my Flower Power dress, used leftover pink cotton to patch an underarm hole and put a matching match on the other side so it'd be even (August 15)
• 1916 National Park Centennial suspender skirt (August 22) -- purchased pattern and fabric, stash thread and buttons 



Pattern



Trying to figure out the pattern and instructions



Mockup.



Trying to pick buttons



I was at Fort Necessity NB on the Centennial and they LOVED my outfit so they posted in online!

• Slip (August 22) -- stash pattern (same Burda that I used last time) and thread, purchased fabric and fold over elastic
• Racerback dress (free download from Hey June) for Briella (August 23) -- free pattern, purchased fabric, stash fabric and thread

• Took in two skirts for Briella
• OSU skirt for Briella -- stash fabric and elastic, no pattern
• Cinderella dress for Briella -- stash everything (all on September 3). Used the 1950s Simplicity dress pattern I used for her daisy dress, but there's not a sash.

Thirteen projects in August and September, but I've lost count of my total projects for the year.  I'll have to figure that out.  Not much sewing has been going on lately, because life has been REALLY crazy.  Thankfully I think most of the crazy is taken care of so now I need to concentrate on getting settled into my new place (sewed for the first time there last night!) and working on my fall winter to do list. 

Finished Projects - June and July

1. 1930s McCalls 7153 Archive Collection TARDIS dress (June 4) -- Fabric was bought a while ago when JoAnn's first started carrying the Doctor Who collection.  Pattern was bought because I liked it.  I decided a while back to use them together, so I'm not really sure if this qualifies as a stash project or not.  Thread was stash.


2. Blue seersucker with dragonflies dress for my mom (June 19) -- Fabric was purchased for a scrub top, but mom asked for a dress instead.  Stash pattern and thread, purchased ribbon for the drawstring.  I used the same pattern that I did last year to make a gauze dress.

3. Finished a pair of drawstring pants that I started like 15 years ago (June 26) -- I'm calling this one a stash project since it was a UFO from more than a decade ago.

4. Altered a 1950s jumper I made several years ago while sitting in my mom's hospital room.  The armscyes were cut too high, so I took out the stitching, cut out about half an inch of fabric or so and restitched them.  I have since worn it and it's better, maybe not perfect but at least better. (July 8)

5. Hemmed my father's suit pants to wear to his father's funeral (July 11)

6. Backpack for my summer vacation (July 30) -- purchased everything, except thread.

I altered the pattern to have a Sigmund pocket as well as a water bottle pocket on the other side.

7. 1950s blue jumper / dress (July 30) -- Stash pattern and thread, purchased zipper, fabric was purchased for a dress but not with this pattern in mind.



8. Swim leggings (July 31) to go with the Lane Raglan rashguard I made earlier this year -- some stash fabric, some purchased, stash thread and pattern.  I used McCalls 7261, shortened to knee length.  I lined the upper sections with swimsuit lining and the skirt portion was self drafted. 



9. 1970s blue plisse dress from a vintage pattern (July 31) -- purchased fabric and pattern, stash thread.


10. Bag for my mother (July 31) -- stash fabric (leftover from the blue jumper I made myself) and thread, purchased pattern and webbing for the strap, I also used a leftover magnetic snap that I bought for my backpack.

2016 Sewing Plans and Make Nine Update as of Early June

As usual, my sewing plans from the end of last year haven't been going as ... planned.  But I did make a lot of the regular clothes that I wanted to!  I just haven't been feeling historical this year apparently.

Civil War sewing:  I at least need to get the undergarments and the plaid day dress finished for the Symposium, which is at the beginning of April: UPDATE pretty  much nothing has happened except finishing the hoop.

1. Finish the undergarments, the corset chemise and drawers are done, just have the hoop and petticoat to go UPDATE June: Hoop is finished.
2. Cream plaid day dress 
3. Plaid ballgown (maybe) 
4. Garibaldi blouse and skirt.

Other Eras / Steampunk UPDATE June : absolutely no progress on any of these

1. The green and blue sari bustle gown that I started for Teslacon 2014 - Symposium?
2. Finish gold pencil skirt - DONE
3. Edwardian undergarments in black and cream

Regular clothes: UPDATE June This is apparently my thing this year!

1. Jeans (priority) UPDATE June: DONE
2. Pajamas for my cousins kids (priority) UPDATE June: DONE
3. Shirt for my brother - before his birthday in February UPDATE June: It's started!
4. Gifts for BayMella 
5. New blouse to wear with my drindl. 
6. 1930s vests Update JUNE: made one
7. 1970s denim skirt UPDATE June: DONE
8.  1940s blouse and trousers. 
9. Cinderella dress - Easter dress? UPDATE June: DONE
10. Star wars dress  UPDATE June: DONE
11. Work out clothes. UPDATE June: I have made some, but should totally make more.
12. Another scrub top for my mom. UPDATE June: DONE (several times!)
13. 1930s dress.  UPDATE June: in progress
14. knit dress 
15. Slips UPDATE June: DONE (one at least!)
16. Wrap sweater - by spring UPDATE June: DONE
17. T shirts and leggings for my little cousin (priority) UPDATE June: DONE
18. T shirts for myself (priority since they're already cut out) UPDATE June: DONE
19. Knickerbockers

Quilting: UPDATE June -- worked on the charm quilt (at least cutting out squares) and started cutting out pieces for the Civil War quilt as a present for my parents

1. A quilt commission for a friend 
2. Work on my charm quilt 
3. I'd also like to start doing some piecing for a Civil War quilt

Fabric I have that I should do something with: UPDATE June -- haven't touched any of this

1. Plaid taffeta (maybe Civil War ballgown) 
2. Pink on pink stripe 
3. Green on white and white on white stripe   

AND a Make Nine update (some of which overlaps above) -- I've finished four of the nine, plus I'm currently working on a fifth and a sixth, so I'm gonna say I'm half done with my Make Nine!

1. McCalls 7153: 1930s dress in Tardis fabric UPDATE June: Almost DONE
2. Simplicity 0311: a knit dress pattern that I couldn't resist UPDATE June: haven't touched
3. Burda 6964: slips because I'm convinced that I can make them cheaper than I can buy them UPDATE June: DONE It was superduper easy and only took like a yard of fabric plus some foldover elastic.  Haven't worn it yet though.
4. Civil War outfit: the pattern I posted on Instagram was Truly Victorian's 1860s Darted Bodice, but I'm in the midst of creating the entire ensemble from the skin out. UPDATE June: Hoop is done, but nothing else
5. Butterick 6295: more workout clothes, I'm in love with this pattern because the pants have a pocket! UPDATE June: Haven't touched
6. Burda 6874: my brother has requested a button up shirt for his birthday UPDATE June: in progress. The plan is to have it ready for him to try on on Father's Day
7. BurdaStyle knickerbockers I just really love this pattern, it's been on my list for while, I just have no clue what to make them out of or what to wear it with UPDATE June: Haven't touched (I've been unable to find fabric I like)
8. BurdaStyle 1970s-esque denim trousers: I made a pair already this year and I LOVE them. I need more. The pair I made were in stretch denim, I'm thinking maybe some corduroy... UPDATE June: Still haven't made another pair but I really should because I STILL love them
9. BurdaStyle wrap cardigan This is in progress, in a lightweight navy slightly slubbed knit UPDATE June: DONE