Marcon prep #2

Hello my dearest darlings!

I've been making fantastic progress on my preparations for Marcon.

1. Finished sewing ribbon onto the underskirt of my 'time traveler' dress. Which means the dress is DONE! Unless I decide to add more ring tape to the bustle, which I am tempted to do but for now I'm calling it complete. AND I do need to finish the prop...I believe my beau and I may be working on that this weekend...

2. Finished sewing Miss Dashwood's bustle together and started the hand sewing - hook closures and snaps - all that is left is to sew more hook closures on so that the bustle train can attach to the apron. I also fitted the bloomers, cut them to length (they were much longer than what the lovely Miss Dashwood desired) and re-sewed the seams to replace the basting stitches. I also created casings at the waist and the hem and threaded elastic through. Now all that is left is to have her try them on again so I can tighten the elastic to her satisfaction.

3. I ironed the fabric for my beau's kilt and cut out the pieces. I've started the process of sewing the outer fabric to the lining. I'm going for something similar to a flat lining so that its almost like the kilt was made out of thick material and not like it was lined. I'm worried about keeping the plaid straight and dreading all the pleats. The front flap is going to be lined in the plaid because I ran out of the heavy cotton (my guess as to how much fabric I needed was incorrect on the lining). I plan to work on this tonight and attempt to finish it. Or at least make a lot of progress.

In the planning stages and hoping to finish for the convention are two more items for myself - a more summery bodice for my plaid dress and a mystery costume. I'm rolling ideas for the bodice around in my head, trying to decide if I just want to do a sleeveless bodice using the same pattern as the current bodice, or if I'd like to do a corset-like top, or maybe even a sleeveless polonaise style... As for the mystery costume, its one I've wanted to do for a while, and would be perfect attire for a theme party my beau is likely to escort me to. I'm planning to purchase the fabric tomorrow and start on it this weekend.

And before you ask 'flat lining' is a technique where the lining is flat against the inside of the outer fabric, they're stitched wrong sides together to give the impression of a heavier fabric instead of two separate fabrics. You then sew with the fabrics as if they were one piece instead of two.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Time Traveler Entry #23 and moving onwards

Well the time traveler costume is pretty much complete. I finished sewing the roman shade tape on (although I am contemplating adding a little more to it) and I attached the ruffle to the hem. I decided that one ruffle was enough so all I have left to do is hand sewing on some wide green ribbon over the top of the ruffle to finish the edge. And moving the waistband hook and eye because the skirt is a little too big on me. I do still have the prop to do as well, but I believe my beau and one of his friends might be aiding me with that this weekend...

And... moving onwards...

Miss Dashwood's outfit: I have cut out both the skirt and bloomers. I did part of first out of some extra fabric first because it was my first time really enlarging a pattern. It turned out well so I took it apart and used it as the pattern. So far I hemmed the apron front and gathered the sides and attached them to the apron back. I hemmed the sides of the poufs then sewed the top pouf to the bottom pouf for the bustle skirt, including putting a drawstring in to attach the bustle to the apron (they tie together). I need more fabric before I can finish the bustle, and I'm buying that tomorrow. I also need ribbon for the waistband. As for the bloomers, I enlarged the pattern and cut it out. Then I sewed the inner leg seam before sewing the legs together at the crotch. As of right now, its all basted together. That way I can alter them easily if its necessary. I haven't done the casing and the elastic yet because I wish that Miss Dashwood try them on first, nor have I hemmed them for the same reason.

Pajama pants - I cut out both my pair and the pair for Miss Dashwood. Then I sewed together the inner leg seam, the outer leg seam and the crotch seam of mine. I plan to finish them tonight - the casing is in progress, the elastic is laid out and then all I have to do is hem them. Then I shall tackle Miss Dashwood's and we shall have matching pajamas to wear when we share accommodations at Marcon.

The countdown is down to 26 days but I'm feeling very prepared at the moment. If all goes well, my beau shall have a new kilt to wear for the event.

Well I must get back to sewing! I want to finish my pajama pants this evening.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Time Traveler Entry #17 and an updated to do list

Hello dearests,

I hemmed ruffle #2 and sewed on the lace. I left the top unhemmed because I'm planning to gather it to match a ribbon and then sew the ribbon onto the skirt. I started hand stitching the green ribbon over the lace on ruffle #2. It is a little time consuming but not horribly so. It'll just be my carry with me project for a while.

Bustle - I cut out the petticoat netting and pinned it to the lining of the bustle.

Next up
1. finish sewing on green ribbon
2. make ruffles for the bustle
3. attach ruffles to bustle
4. sew lining to outer bustle
5. sew ring tape onto the underside of the bustle
6. attach bustle waistband, add hooks
7. attach waistband to underskirt, add eyes
8. sew hooks and eyes onto the apron where it fastens over the bustle pillow
9. attach ruffles to underskirt
10. finish sleeves of jacket

My time traveler is getting there! At least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, however faint that light might be! THEN I get to worry about my prop. Because the costume will not be complete without it. And I had another idea for a simpler prop that I'd like to add.

Notes on my latest to do list:
Miss Dashwood's costume - I found brown and white striped fabric. Hopefully I have enough for the bloomers. I'll be starting on her costume once mine is finished.

Harley Quinn - I don't expect the hat to give me issues. The only obstacle I might encounter is when I attempt to attach blond pigtails to the hat. I should also acquire some goggles.

ANH Princess Leia - I need to get the boots from my parents' home. And then make the belt. I checked and the costume specifications allow for a vinyl belt which will be cheaper and likely easier than leather. I should also split the sides of the dress to about my knee.

The above are the things that I absolutely MUST finish by Marcon. I have about two months to do it all. If possible I'd like to make Miss Dashwood and I matching pajamas, since we are sharing accommodations and all. If I finish all of the above and have the time before Marcon, I might attempt to make myself an imperial officer's uniform from Star Wars. More than likely, that - along with a similar costume for my beau - will have to wait until after Marcon. Yet another project to add to my list.

A bientot!

Miss Leah J. Wilde.

EDIT photo added



One of the ruffles with the white lace attached and the green ribbon in the process of being sewn on.

Updated To Do List

Again, this is mainly for my own purposes. I would write it all down on a piece of paper but I am dreadful with losing things so posting it online seems the better idea.

Time traveler - Finish trimming underskirt ruffle #1. Hem and trim ruffle #2, then apply both ruffles to the underskirt. Finish the top of the underskirt. Cut out petticoat netting for the bustle. Put the bustle together, including stitching Roman shade tape to the underside for bustling purposes. Use bright pink narrow ribbon to bustle. Trim bustle with layered ruffles - white satin, either purple brocade or satin, white lace, green ribbon. Finish jacket: shorten sleeves, maybe trim w white lace and green ribbon. I also need to pick up some white gloves, I'd like to make or find a white fan and I plan to make a matching parasol.

For Miss Dashwood - brown bustle skirt and striped bloomers, provided that I can find striped fabric. Maybe a blouse.

Harley Quinn - aviator-esque hat

ANH Leia - Belt

I am hoping to have those four costumes done before Marcon in May. It is a lot of sewing to do in just a couple months.

Pink and white outfit (no real deadline on this)

Simi costume for Dragon*Con

Group costume for Dragon*Con - coordinated dresses for myself, Miss Dashwood, Miss Van Eycke and Tailor Made. Will also probably be helping the Captain with his costume.

For the masquerade in August - steampunk Disney fairies with myself playing the role of the adorable Tinkerbell. So excited about this one.

Mara Jade from Star Wars - I'm planning to make her black jumpsuit costume. Hoping to do one jumpsuit, two costumes. One will be 501st acceptable so I can join. My dear beau is a member and has asked me to join. At first I balked because I don't like the Imperial uniforms but then I realized that Mara was an acceptable character. So now I am excited. The second costume will be a steampunk version of Mara Jade, I'm still thinking up ideas for it. While I'd like this done asap, there is no real deadline. Perhaps Dragon*Con?