2012 Sewing Goals

"2012 Sewing Goals"...sounds kind of pretentious doesn't it? But it was a better option than "2012 Sewing To Do List" Ah me and my to do lists. I know they're over the top, but they keep me sane, especially during convention season.

First up, a blog goal -- more photos! I want them, you want them, I just need to find my missing camera and actually document my sewing.

Now for the sewing goals -- costuming.

1. Finish my gypsy steampunk ensemble. Ideally, I'd like this for the Steampunk Empire Symposium in April. Progress: I have five of the six skirt gores pieced and the corset about halfway completed. First stage is to piece gore number six and finish the corset. Then I need to discuss the embroidery with my mother to see how much she would like me to do. Second stage is embroidering all six panels, then putting them together in a skirt. I already have a blouse, so the third stage is the accessories: the headscarf trimmed in lace and ribbons and the black tiered petticoat to wear underneath the skirt.
2. 1875 Square Overskirt (Truly Victorian) in black and silver plaid. I'm going to trim it in silver lace over black ribbon and maybe some additional ruching or ruffles in silver. The back poufs will probably be black or silver because I am almost positive that I don't have enough plaid. Currently, I'm planning the tails in black or silver trimmed in plaid binding.
3. Pink and black steampunk ensemble. I'm planning to use two of my new Truly Victorian patterns to make a new bodice and overskirt for my black underskirt. The bodice is the 1872 vest basque: bright pink satin with a black vest front and trimmed in black lace. The vest front will probably be left over underskirt material. The overskirt is going to be the 1886 asymmetrical overskirt. It is meant for bordered fabrics, and as you know I originally planned to make it in a sari brocade, but I have YARDS of bright pink satin to use so I decided to just make my own bordered fabric. I'm going to hem the pink satin and trim it out in something black, maybe just some strips of underskirt fabric, maybe some decorative stitching, maybe something more elaborate, I haven't decided yet. I'm also seeing some chains draped across the skirt...and the bodice will have a watch pocket because I have an antique pocket watch and watch fob to carry! Eventually and if there's enough satin left over, I may make an underskirt as well.
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
   
5. 1884 Wash Overskirt. My last Truly Victorian pattern, but I haven't decided exactly what I'm going to do with it yet...
6. I do want to do a sari inspired head to toe Victorian ensemble. Probably with the 1886 asymmetrical overskirt and a couple new patterns so the outfit is more historically accurate. Probably the 1885 four gore underskirt and the 1885 cuirass bodice, although the 1884 French vest is also tempting.
7. Female Joker. This would be a 'maybe' project. Its something I want to do, I just don't know if I want to do it in 2012. Maybe this is what I could use the wash overskirt for, out of lilac linen...
8. I'd love to a natural form Victorian costume. Probably the fantail skirt, Hermione overskirt and dinner bodice, all from Truly Victorian. Maybe this could be my femme Joker...
   
9. I'd still like to do an 18th century costume. Not necessarily a 2012 project.
   
10. And I also have a desire to do a French Huguenot costume. A branch of my family were Huguenots that fled the persecution in France, first for the Channel Islands and then on to America. Again not necessarily a 2012 project.
11. A Victorian bathing suit. They're having a swimsuit competition at Steampunk Empire Symposium. I just need to figure out how to frankenpattern it, because I'm not paying what a pattern for an old fashioned bathing costume costs.
    

Other sewing goals:

1. My two retro sundresses from my free patterns. I have no idea on fabric choice, but I really want a cupcake printed sundress for some reason.
   
2. I'd still like to make a playsuit with removable skirt, the project that never happened last summer.
   
3. I have a throw I made from concert tshirts that I'd like to enlarge.
4. I have some flannel I'd like to make into a quilt.
5. I have some Spiderman flannel that wants to be pajama pants.
6. And some nativity printed cotton that wants to be a dress.
7. A circle skirt out of Halloween pin up fabric.
8. A high waisted skirt from my retro jumper pattern.

That's all I can think of for now.

Have a happy, steamy New Year everyone!!!

2011 Completed Projects

Since its unlikely that I'll make anything else this year, here's the list of completed projects in 2011.

January

1. Kermit the Frog pajama pants
2. Imperial Officer uniform
   
3. Catwoman for Miss Dashwood
   
4. Harem pants for Lady of the Ottoman Empire
   
5. Pin Up Skirt
   
6. Star Wars quilt top for my beau
   

February

1. Purple Knit Tunic
   
2. Think Pink Skirt
   
3. Valentine's Nightie
   
4. City Bluescape Skirt
   
5. Imperial Officer pants
   

March

1. Bob's corset
   
2. Ruffle added to HQ petticoat.
   
3. Cage bustle petticoat.
   

April

1. Corset for Rachel.
   
2. Steamnun costume for Miss Dashwood.
   

May

1. Imperial Officer toga for my beau.
   
2. Asian inspired jacket for Miss Von Stoup.
   
3. Persian steampunk.
   
4. Vest for my beau.
   

June

1. Pink silk dupioni corset.
   

July

1. Sleep shorts
   
2. Scarlet Spider body suit and hood for a fellow Archonite.
   

August

1. Embroidered Ottoman vest.
   
2. For Miss Von Stoup: Asian print circle skirt. Post apoc jacket. Confederate steampunk jacket.
   
3. Confederate steampunk uniform for myself.
   
4. A Star Wars kilt for Beau.
   
5. Time Traveler hat.
   
6. Sirwal using Miss Kagashi's tutorial.
   
7. Also stitched together a couple scarves to make a bustle for the Lady of the Ottoman Empire.
   
8. Mystery costume aks Watermelon Girl.
   

September

1. Nothing because I was in the process of moving.
   

October

1. A tutu for my own version of Harley Quinn.
   

November

1. My beau's Star Wars quilt that I started about a year ago.
   
2. My mother's Christmas present - a wall hanging from applique squares my grandmother made
   
3. Keeper of the Keys skirt
   
4. Sewed trim onto Diamonds Are Forever (steampunk Harley Quinn) to improve it.
   
5. Elf punk bustle
   
6. Pink pinstriped retro jumper
   
7. Navy slim skirt retro jumper
   
8. Pillowcase for Beau for Christmas
   
9. Christmas stockings for Beau and myself
   

December

1. Elf punk hat. - Stash fabric and elastic, purchased flowers and feathers.
   
2. Toaster cover for my father for Christmas - purchased fabric, stash thread, no pattern used
3. New, more accurate cuffs and collar for comic book Harley Quinn - purchased trim, stash fabric, closures and pom poms
   

SUMMARY

I finished 36 projects -- three pajama items for myself; eight costumes or costume pieces for myself; eight costumes or costume pieces for other people; four skirts and two jumpers for myself; three corsets: two for others, one for myself; one tunic for myself; three things for Beau: his Star Wars quilt, his Star Wars kilt and a vest; three Christmas presents and two Christmas stockings. Throughout the year, I also worked on improving several costumes, and these are not included in my final project count.

36 projects. That means I average three projects a month. Wow, I sew a lot.

Truly Victorian Pattern Sewing Plans

1886 Bordered Asymmetrical Overskirt: This needs to be done in a bordered fabric. I'm thinking of using a sari-esque brocade. If I can find one that coordinates with some stash fabric, then I could make the vest basque to match. This is going to be an expensive undertaking, because most brocades are around $10 a yard, and I'll need 4.5 yards just for the overskirt, more if I use some as part of a matching bodice.


1884 Wash Overskirt: I have a few ideas for this one. I could do pink satin trimmed in black to go with my plans for the vest basque. Or I could use up some other stash fabric like a white and black floral or the purple linen.


1875 Square Overskirt: I really want to use up some stash materials on this. I want to make it out of my black and silver plaid, trimmed in silver lace laid over black ribbon so it doesn't disappear against the plaid. If I don't have enough plaid, I could do the back poufs in a coordinating fabric, like black or silver satin or even black flocked chiffon like the underskirt I'll wear this with.


1872 Vest Basque: Again, I have several ideas. Pink satin trimmed in black. Or if I can find a sari brocade to coordinate, maybe use my purple linen here.

Of course, all of these plans depend on how much yardage I have of everything, because I have no idea.

Christmas Weekend Sewing

One -- the Harley Quinn cuffs are finished. Beau disapproves of my snaps, and wants me to have a back up of velcro and elastic underneath. I may take his suggestion, but it would have been nice to have said suggestion BEFORE I messed with the snaps.

Two -- I washed all the materials for my gypsy steampunk scarf: black bandanna, several kinds of black lace and two colors of ribbon. Should be fun to put together.

Three -- I finished panel number FIVE of my crazy quilt skirt.

Four -- I went through my new patterns (Beau gave me two more for Christmas! The wash overskirt and the asymmetrical overskirt) and thought about what I wanted to do with them. I have some plans percolating in my mind.

Of course, I'm rather tempted to abandon the gypsy steampunk for the time being and move on to the new patterns. All I really want to get done at this point is the last gore for my crazy quilt skirt and probably the corset. The scarf is an accessory and can wait, the petticoat can also wait. After all, there's little reason to finish everything when the skirt is going to take weeks, if not months, for mother to embroider. So if I at least finish the skirt gores, I'll feel like moving on. But I probably should finish the corset before I start tackling the complicated patterns.

I also sewed a loose button back on my brother's coat. He shows up for Christmas., hugs me, tells me he loves me, then asks if I can fix his button. lol

Harley Quinn and Thoughts on Tracing Patterns

First up, I sewed the pom poms onto my Harley Quinn collar. So all that's left to do is hook and eyes on each side to fasten it on. Or sewing one side together and hook and eye on the other side, either way will work I'm sure.

Secondly, I've been thinking about working with my Truly Victorian patterns. I know they'll need to be traced, and so my first thought was tracing wheel and tracing paper. But then I thought about it some more and I already have a huge roll of interfacing-ish material that is FOR making patterns, so now I'm thinking laying that over my pattern and tracing with a pen or marker might be the best bet.

We'll be going to my parents' house for Christmas this year. Packing list: Harley Quinn collar and cuffs along with white thread, hooks and eyes and snaps. My crazy quilt skirt. The corset is staying behind because there's nothing I can do at this moment on it. And, of course, my new patterns and tracing supplies. My parents do after all have lovely hardwood floors perfect for tracing. EDIT - Everything's packed, but I decided to leave the tracing supplies behind (the patterns are still going for oohing and aahing purposes however). And I packed supplies for my gypsy scarf -- a plain black bandana I found in my supplies along with some black lace and turquoise and purple ribbon.

A bientot, mes amis! Et Joyeux Noel!

Corset Progress and Other Things

I did finally make that freaking toaster cover! Easiest Christmas gift ever by the way, I just hope my papa likes it.

I've been working on my gypsy corset vest. I finished stitching the eyelet pleather trim to the brown binding and have stitched most of the layered trim on. I picked out buckles but they only had one so I need to get another. The buckle I purchased is attached, so one side of the corset is pretty much done!

What I still need to do: Purchase and attach the second buckle. Put a zipper in the front. Stitch the lining to the outside at the center back and at the shoulders. Make boning channels along the center back and insert bones into all the channels. Make the binding and bind the remaining edges. Put in eyelets in the back (and Beau found a set of eyelet pliers at the house!)

I've also been working on my comic book Harley Quinn improvements: The collar is put together and just needs hooks and eyes to hold it on and the pom poms attached. It's not perfect, but its the best I'm gonna be able to do for now. I put together the cuffs -- white taffeta base and five rows of pleated trim -- so all I need are closures of some sort. I'm thinking snaps.

There has been no progress on the crazy quilt skirt.

So my to do list:
1. Finish the corset.
2. Finish the Harley Quinn collar and cuffs.
3. Make a Santa coat sleeve for Beau.
4. Finish the last two gores of the crazy quilt skirt.

And once all that's done, I can start working on the patterns Beau got me for my birthday. He got me two Truly Victorian patterns I asked for: the vest basque and the square overskirt. Current plans are to make them out of bright pink satin trimmed in black to wear with my black underskirt. However, rumor has it I have more patterns on the way, so those plans may change. I really really really wanna start on them, but I know that the other projects come first which is why I spent time working on them this weekend. :)

Beau bought me the square overskirt


and the vest basque patterns.


Aren't they just beautiful?

Gypsy Steampunk: The Corset (and a few other little things)

This week I wanted to:
1. Trim pulled fringe on elf punk bustle and assemble the outfit for Sunday's tea.
2. Find embroidery thread for my mother.
3. Finish skirt panel number four.
4. Make a toaster cover for a Christmas present.
5. Work on the gypsy steampunk corset.

What I accomplished:
1. I trimmed the pulled fringe on elf punk bustle and assemble the outfit for Sunday's tea. Unfortunately, I cannot find the red bodice I wanted to wear so it looks like I'll have to make due with the burgundy one.
2. It took some searching but I did indeed find the embroidery thread for my mother. I cannot however find my eyelet pliers...
3. I finished skirt panel number four.
4. Make a toaster cover for a Christmas present. -- Yeah this isn't going to get done this week.
5. And I worked on the gypsy steampunk corset.

Corset: I decided to layer the black pleather with eyelets over some brown trim (I'm using left over quilt binding since I have it). I'm doing this for two reasons: (1) to incorporate brown so I can bind the edges in brown faux silk and (2) the eyelet trim alone is really too narrow, it needs more heft to look right. I started sewing the trim onto the binding. I also took about and inch and a half off each side of the center back and basted the edges together. Then I stitched boning channels at the center front and side front seams.

What I need to do to finish the corset: Finish stitching the trim to the binding. Stitch the layered trim on. Figure out what buckles I'm using and attach those. Stitch the lining to the outside at the center back and at the shoulders. Make boning channels along the center back and insert bones into all the channels. Make the binding and bind the remaining edges. Put in eyelets in the back (will probably do this at the captain's because he has a set of eyelet pliers). Put a zipper in the front.

Since I work doubles today and tomorrow and since I'm then heading south to Cincinnati for much of the weekend (my cousin is getting married Saturday), my to do list for next week:
1. Make that damn toaster cover.
2. Finish my corset, except for the eyelets since those will have to wait until I can go to the captain's quarters.
If those get done, (3) work on my crazy quilt skirt.

New Patterns (and they were FREE!)

So a couple months ago, I won the monthly pattern giveaway on Diary of a Renaissance Seamstress. These are the patterns I picked out. Guess who's gonna be making pretty retro sundresses for the summer? Oh wait, it's Miss Wilde!

Gypsy Steampunk: The Skirt

Just finished panel number four!

December To Do List

If you remember, my basic to do list to finish by December 31 was:

• fall/winter sewing
• elf punk
• sewing for Miss Von Stoup
• Harley Quinn revamp
• patchwork skirt for gypsy-punk
• stash sewing: cream and black satin, black and silver plaid, purple linen, bright pink satin
• corsets

Since it is now a few days into December, I figured an update was in order.

First up, I finished the fall / winter sewing: Keeper of the Keys skirt out of white and black key printed flannel. Two retro jumpers, one with a full skirt out of pink and grey pinstriped shirting, one slim skirted out of blue wide wale corduroy.

Next, my elf punk ensemble which is now DONE. I turned an old Christmas table cloth into a bustle and apron and made a matching hat. I plan to wear it with my black underskirt, a white blouse and either a burgundy or red bodice. I do need to trim some pulled fringe though.

I've been working on my Harley Quinn revamp: Diamonds are Forever is now trimmed in tiny white pom pom fringe. I started the collar for my comic book version, but its too small so I need to recut it slightly larger. And I purchased the ruffled trim to make the new comic book cuffs.

The patchwork skirt for my gypsy steampunk is well underway as is the corset. Three panels are at my mother's for embroidery and a fourth is almost finished. The corset needs some fitting issues corrected before I put it together and I've purchased trim for that as well.

What is unlikely to happen within the next month: Sewing for Miss Von Stoup. Sewing for myself from the stash.

December 31, 2011 To Do List:
1. Finish Christmas presents.
2. Finish crazy quilt skirt panels.
3. Finish gypsy steampunk corset.
4. Finish Harley Quinn bodysuit revamp - new collar and cuffs.
5. If all that gets done, work on my gypsy steampunk tiered petticoat.

This week:
1. Trim pulled fringe on elf punk bustle and assemble the outfit for Sunday's tea.
2. Find embroidery thread for my mother.
3. Finish skirt panel number four.
4. Make a toaster cover for a Christmas present.
5. Work on the gypsy steampunk corset.

Completed Projects List for 2011 as of the end of November

January

1. Kermit the Frog pajama pants
2. Imperial Officer uniform
   
3. Catwoman for Miss Dashwood
   
4. Harem pants for Lady of the Ottoman Empire
   
5. Pin Up Skirt
   
6. Joker jacket
   
7. Star Wars quilt top for my beau
   

February

1. Purple Knit Tunic
   
2. Think Pink Skirt
   
3. Valentine's Nightie
   
4. City Bluescape Skirt
   
5. Imperial Officer pants
   

March

1. Bob's corset
   
2. Ruffle added to HQ petticoat.
   
3. Cage bustle petticoat.
   

April

1. Corset for Rachel.
   
2. Steamnun costume for Miss Dashwood.
   

May

1. Imperial Officer toga for my beau.
   
2. Asian inspired jacket for Miss Von Stoup.
   
3. Persian steampunk.
   
4. Vest for my beau.
   

June

1. Pink silk dupioni corset.
   

July

1. Sleep shorts
   
2. Scarlet Spider body suit and hood for a fellow Archonite.
   

August

1. Embroidered Ottoman vest.
   
2. For Miss Von Stoup: Asian print circle skirt. Post apoc jacket. Confederate steampunk jacket.
   
3. Confederate steampunk uniform for myself.
   
4. A Star Wars kilt for Beau.
   
5. Time Traveler hat.
   
6. Sirwal using Miss Kagashi's tutorial.
   
7. Also stitched together a couple scarves to make a bustle for the Lady of the Ottoman Empire.
   
8. Mystery costume aks Watermelon Girl.
   

September

1. Nothing because I was in the process of moving.
   

October

1. A tutu for my own version of Harley Quinn.
   

November

1. My beau's Star Wars quilt that I started about a year ago. - Fabric from my stash, bought a sheet for the backing and purchased binding and batting.
   
2. My mother's Christmas present - A wall hanging from appliqued squares my grandmother made. All I had to buy was the binding.
   
3. Keeper of the Keys skirt - Vogue dress pattern where I just used the skirt, thread, zipper all from the stash and purchased fabric.
4. Sewed trim onto Diamonds Are Forever (steampunk Harley Quinn) to improve it. - Purchased trim.
   
5. Elf punk bustle using a Christmas tablecloth, fabric, thread and snaps from the stash.
6. Pink pinstriped retro jumper - purchased fabric and pattern, stash thread and zipper.
7. Navy slim skirt retro jumper - stash fabric thread and zipper, purchased pattern
8. Pillowcase for Beau for Christmas - purchased fabric and stash fabric, no pattern used, stash thread
9. Christmas stockings for Beau and myself - no pattern used, stash fabric and thread
   

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

A bientot!

To Do List Update - Gypsy Steampunk and Christmas

Steampunk Gypsy:

Three of the six crazy quilt skirt panels are finished and at my mother's house for embroidery. I need to find some of my embroidery threads to take to her for her to use on them. Panel number four is well underway.

As for the corset, I've reached the construction point. After hand basting the cotton interlining to the silk for support and stability and also hand basting the broadcloth lining to the denim interlining, I started sewing everything together. Both sides of the silk outer layer and lining / denim inner layer have been stitched together. I need to baste together the front for fitting purposes, probably take it in some, and then move on to sewing the layers together. I'm planning for this to be lightly boned, probably just at the center front, side front, side and center back with no boning on the curved side back seam. I'm also only planning one bone per seam as opposed to the usual two bones per seam that I usually follow.

The back will fasten with lacing and eyelets (I'm contemplating stitching over the eyelets to give them a prettier look, but haven't decided for sure) while the front will likely close with a separating zipper. I want to have straps of some sort that go up the front to the buckles at the shoulders, my mother suggested brown would look pretty with the teal. I agree but wonder about how that will look with the planned black petticoats. I also need to find buckles. Brown pleather straps would be rather lovely though, and I have some brown faux silk that may work for the binding...

I'm also planning to make a tiered black petticoat to wear underneath the crazy quilt.

Christmas presents:

I started my other Christmas sewing. I made a pillowcase for Beau and used the left over fabric to trim the stocking I made him from left over red taffeta from Diamonds are Forever. My stocking is the same base fabric and will be trimmed in some University of Cincinnati cotton I have in my stash. Other than finishing my stocking, the only other thing I have to sew is the toaster cover for my father's gift.

Harley Quinn body suit improvements:

I know how I'm going to do the cuffs, but I haven't started them yet. I did cut out the collar but its too small and needs to be recut at a slightly larger size.

Elf punk hat:

I'm thinking of some sort of fascinator style hat, covered with clip on Christmas decorations, fabric flowers, red tulle, and some gold beads.

Stash sewing:

If I don't get any commissions, this will probably be the next project tackled. I'm planning something vaguely 18th out of a cream and black flocked taffeta (if there's enough fabric); and a new skirt for my black plaid outfit that is more plaid, probably a shorter skirt with a wide plaid ruffle or pleated ruffle at the hem leaving little of the actual skirt exposed.

Speaking of commissions, I am taking them again. I've had some interest from a few people but nothing firm yet.