Progress on January 2012 Sewing To Do List 1

I made quite a bit of progress this weekend:

The new Harley Quinn collar has been topstitched (still need to see about the cuffs though).

The steampunk gypsy corset is almost done. I made the binding and bound the corset, then started setting the eyelets. I need to pick up another package of eyelets to finish it. I have my little D ring to sew to the bottom, but haven't put it on yet.

And...I started my Truly Victorian square overskirt!!! I made a lot of progress yesterday, starting with cutting it out. The main apron piece and the waistband are in the plaid, the back poufs and the tails are in silver satin, and the apron facing and lining were cut from some black broadcloth (so they'd be a little more stable). I also cut two pieces of bias from the plaid to trim out the silver tails. With pattern directions close at hand, I started sewing. So far, the apron facing has been applied, hemmed and turned under the apron. The apron has been hemmed and trimmed with two rows of black ribbon. Unfortunately, I (belatedly) realized that I'd put the ribbon a little too close together for the silver lace because the lace is slightly larger than the ribbon. I interlined the back poufs with some petticoat net (so they'll 'pouf'' better) and stitched the back seam in both the poufs and the back lining. I deviated from the directions regarding the tails. The directions instruct you to stitch them together right sides together and then turn them. Since I'm trimming them in bias binding, I just folded them right sides out and stitched along the edges, because the edges will be finished with the binding anyways. And I started binding the tails.

Up next is sewing the silver lace over the black ribbon to finish trimming the apron and finishing binding the tails. Then putting all the pieces together. Eeep.

I think I'm making decent progress on my to do list, don't you? :)

Miss Leah J Wilde of the Airship Archon, signing out.

Time Traveler Entry #22

The 'time traveler' is almost complete! I hand sewed the waistband onto the underskirt, including gathering the back by hand. Hooks and eyes have been sewn onto the apron closure, the waistband closure, and to the waistband tabs and bustle waistband so that the two can be connected. I cut the sleeves of the jacket to above the elbow and finished the edge. I thought about trimming them but decided that I liked them better plain, plus the lace I have been using as trim would be rather scratchy right up against the skin. I also started sewing the roman shade tape to the underside of the bustle.

What is left to be done (1) finish sewing the roman shade tape and (2) add the ruffles to the bottom of the underskirt. And of course the prop.

I'm feeling rather accomplished and on top of things at the moment. And my accomplishment quickly fades when I realize that I only have 30 days to (1) finish 'time traveler' (2) make Miss Dashwood's items (3) make a hat for Harley Quinn (4) make a belt for Leia and (5) make matching pajama pants for me and Miss Dashwood. The last isn't a requirement but I'd really like to do them before the convention.

A bientot mes amis!

Miss Leah J Wilde

Time Traveler Entry #19

My dearest darling readers,

Progress has been made! I finished sewing the green ribbon onto the second ruffle today. I also hemmed the white satin bustle ruffle and stitched gathering stitches into the white and purple satin bustle ruffles. I trimmed the white ruffle so it narrows at the end - that way the ruffle can taper out on the ends and not interfere with the gathering of the bustle to the bustle waistband. I also started pinning the purple ruffle onto the bustle.

Next up:
finish attaching ruffles to bustle
sew lining to outer bustle
sew ring tape onto the underside of the bustle
attach bustle waistband, add hooks
attach waistband to underskirt, add eyes
attach ruffles to underskirt
sew hooks and eyes onto the apron where it fastens over the bustle pillow
finish sleeves of jacket

I am going to do my utmost best to finish this costume this week! Then I can begin the lovely Miss Dashwood's 'conductrix' costume!

Bonne nuit, mes cheris. Dormi bien.

Miss Leah J. Wilde

White satin ruffle in progress:














Purple and white satin ruffles in progress:

Time Traveler Entry #18

Hello dears,

Good news - I have finished stitching the green ribbon onto one of the ruffles for the underskirt! And started sewing on the second.

I also cut out purple satin and white satin for the bustle ruffles. Both have been stitched together into long strips and the white has been pinned for hemming. I think I'm going to have a wide white ruffle w a narrow purple on top of it. I shall also have to 'play' w the ruffles when I attach them to make the bustle work right.

That's all the progress I've made - And time is getting short - MARCON is next month! Yikes! Better get to sewing!

Bisoux

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.

Time Traveler #16 and a sewing commission

Hello darlings!

First of all, I finally purchased some dark purple satin to make ruffles for the underskirt of my time traveler costume. I got a little over two yards of fabric, folded it in half and cut it into strips. So I have two lengths of satin about 4 yards long and 9 inches wide. One strip has been hemmed on both sides and trimmed with white lace which I sewed on my machine using a zigzag stitch. I started pinning on the green ribbon but didn't finish it. Now the decision comes of whether I hand sew on the ribbon to match the rest of the dress trimming or if I just machine stitch so it'll be faster.

I'm also working on a sewing commission. It's for a contest so I can't give details but yesterday I cut out the pattern and today I sewed it together. Its knit fabric so I used a ball point needle and a zigzag stitch.

That's all for now! A bientot!

Miss Leah J. Wilde

Time Traveler #15

Sorry for the delay my dear darlings. I have new real life employment that is keeping me from my sewing love. But said employment has allowed me to buy a few things for my costume so I say it all works out in the end. I picked up more green ribbon - one spool of the narrow I've been using for trim and one of a wider width to use for the waistband of the underskirt. I also purchased some white petticoat net to use in the bustle. The pattern calls for crinoline but I personally feel that crinoline would be much to thick. I believe that the netting will give it some nice shape. I need to purchase some fabric for the ruffles at the bottom of the skirt. I've decided I don't like the one semi narrow ruffle that I have now so I'm going to attempt to match the color of the purple brocade so I can have a couple layers of wider ruffles at the hem.

I cut out the lining for the bustle. I decided to just use the clock print cotton because I did not have enough of either white fabric I was thinking of using. The white fabric will likely become ruffles along the edge of the bustle. I'm also contemplating covering an umbrella and making it into a parasol. Maybe some of the white fabric will be used for that. The apron has been pinned to the underskirt but I have not stitched it into place yet. So a quick look to the future - stitching the apron in place, cutting out the netting for the bustle, putting the bustle together, removing current ruffle from skirt and adding new ones. Oh and I eventually need to shorten and hem the sleeves on the shrug. I'm thinking elbow length would work well.

I've had some more prop ideas but I think that what I want to do is beyond my meager prop making abilities. Fingers crossed I either figure out something or someone else helps me.

A bientot!
Miss Leah J. Wilde

Time Traveler Entry #14

Finished stitching the green ribbon onto the bottom of the apron.

In other sewing news, I mended a shirt for my beau and patched a pair of my trousers.

Time Traveler Entry #12

Dear readers,

I finished stitching the purple ruffle on the bodice. Now all I need to do is sew on the green ribbon.

I tried the white lace trim both under and over the purple ruffle on the underskirt. Neither appealed. Under it just looked like the petticoat was showing. And it wouldn't lay right over. So I abandoned the idea. At least for now.

I put together the apron of the overskirt. Sewed the side pieces to the front, pleated the sides in accordance with the pattern markings and attached the apron back. Those pieces will fasten on top of the bustle pillow. Then I started the trimming process - used what was left of the purple ruffle from the bodice to edge the bottom of the apron, then layered white lace over top. I plan to add green ribbon as well, but that will have to be hand sewn.

That's it for today.

A bientot,

Miss Leah J. Wilde

Time Traveler Entry #11

Dearest readers,

Today I hemmed the top and the bottom of my ruffle for the bottom of my skirt. Which by the way somehow ended up not all the same width...oh well, I doubt anyone will notice. It will be at my feet after all. And I believe that if anyone is looking close enough to notice a little mistake, then they are looking too closely. And its rather unseemly to look that close, don't you agree? Anyways, after hemming both sides with a narrow hem, I divided it into eight roughly even sections. Then I stitched along one side with a basting stitch using heavy thread (button and craft thread to be exact) in the bobbin. This allows for the heavy thread to be pulled to ruffle the fabric without breaking. I broke the stitching at each section in order for the gathering to be a bit easier. Next I divided the underskirt into eight sections as well, matched up the section divides and proceeded to gather the ruffle to fit the skirt. Its not perfect but no one is after all, so I accept its imperfections. I then stitched down the ruffle and removed all the pins. I'm in the process of removing the gathering stitch but set it aside in the interest of sleep.

Next up will be adding white lace. I can't decide if its going at the top of the ruffle or underneath the ruffle on the underskirt or both. But that decision will wait because I am very tired.

Bonne nuit!

Miss Leah J. Wilde

EDIT Photo added



Underskirt with ruffle attached

Time Traveler Entry #10

Hello dears and darlings,

The white lace trim has been stitched onto the bodice and green ribbon has been pinned on top of it. Currently working on stitching down the dark purple ruffle better. I figure that it will go with me on little errands and such until its done as I can hand stitch anywhere but I can only use my machine when I'm at home. So why waste valuable machine sewing time when I could just wait til I'm visiting my beau or a friend to work on the hand sewing?

I also hemmed the underskirt (which is pink satin). I used polyester horsehair braid. The braid is pinned to the right side of the hem, then you zig zag stitched along the edge. Next the braid is turned to the inside, encasing the raw edge of fabric, pinned and stitched down. The hem could be whip-stitched by hand for a less noticeable stitching, but I usually don't worry too much about that. Especially when I'll probably be adding trim that will hide the stitching anyways. In this case, I decided to cut more, wider bias strips of the purple brocade to make a ruffle for the bottom of the underskirt. The strips have already been stitched together. I plan to hem both sides of the ruffle, then ruffle it before attaching it to the underskirt. I'll probably also add some white lace trim to the ruffle, probably along the top of it.

I have been taking some photos as I work. At the moment, I have misplaced my camera cord. Hopefully I can find it soon and edit all these posts with photos added.

A demain!

Miss Leah J. Wilde

EDIT: Photos added

Layered trim on the bodice














Yards of purple brocade destined to be a ruffle on the hem of the underskirt