What's in Miss Wilde's Sewing Basket - Thanksgiving Edition

Here's what I'm taking home this week to work on over the holiday:

1. Fleece for the pajama pants for my cousin's boys (still need a pattern)
2. Pajama pants for my brother and nephew so I can put the elastic in and fit them. My nephew's look really small, I hope they fit :/
3. 18th century stays pattern along with material. I'd love to cut the interlining and do a fitting but don't know if that'll happen
4. Corduroy tailcoat I made for my former beau's steampunk Joker costume. I'm going to start ripping it apart so I can make myself something (details to follow on that!)
5. Oh, and the embroidery I bought in Plymouth
6. And I plan to have the materials for my friend's baby gift (which I need to buy today) so I can work on that as well. I was given little notice for the shower so it's gonna be a rush job!

I know I won't get to everything, but that's okay.

And of course, my mother's finished scrub top. I just hope she likes it.

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 :(

September 10 2012 To Do List Update

I basically forced myself to work on projects this week instead of sitting around on my few free hours. I actually prefer feeling accomplished to lazy though :)

1. Miss Joker suit and blouse - This is DONE except for the accessories
2. Tour Wear 
1. Cream leggings are DONE!
2. Leopard print leggings fabric is started prewashing. How does 'Wilde Side" leggings sound for these?
3.  'I believe in pink' tunic - Is started. The bodice and bodice lining pieces are half put together. I need to get a zipper.
4. "Eat, drink and be scary" Halloween tunic is still ready for construction.I need to get a zipper and some lining. I tried it with leftover burgundy from my Christmas night gown but it didn't work.
3. Haven't touched either embroidered quilt
4. Halloween skirt - Still need to finish the waistband.
5. Christmas nightgown is ready for construction. 
6. Keeper of the Keys waist cincher
7. Quilt blocks are still waiting for me to start my Ohio Star blocks.

This weekend, I'd like to:

• At least get the "Wilde Side" leggings cut out if not started.
• And work on one or both of my tunics. 
• Maybe work on my embroidery.

Labor Day Weekend Packing

It's completely normal to pack one bag of clothes, take some laundry and pack two bags of sewing projects for a weekend at your parents' house, right?

In Miss Wilde's world it is!

Here's what's packed for the weekend:

1. My embroidered quilt
2. The embroidered quilt for my nephew
3. Miss Joker suit and blouse (still need to decide if I'm doing real buttons w buttonholes or snaps and faux buttons on the blouse)
4. Keeper of the Keys waist cincher (cut out the lining and the interlining yesterday, white broadcloth and white denim respectively last night) and 'boning'
5. Quilting supplies
6. Leggings fabric
7. Christmas nightgown and some lace
8. Nursing cover
9. Tour Wear 'pretty in pink' tunic
10. Halloween skirt

That should keep me entertained and out of trouble, right? 

Sewing Machine News

No, I don't have Fern back. However, I do have another machine at my parents' house and my father is going to set it up so I can sew while I'm home for Easter.

So I'll be taking my playsuit, the blanket, maybe some sarong fabric and the petticoat. The petticoat and the playsuit are probably the most important. Although I might just sew the blanket because it'll be quick and then I'll be finishing it by hand. So petticoat, playsuit and blanket. I'll probably also take the basque, just in case.

Speaking of the petticoat, the hem is about 1/3 of the way done. Hopefully I can finish it by this weekend, and then spend the weekend doing the black ruffle.

Brewing Ideas...And a Progress Report / Weekend To Do List

I have a ton of ideas brewing in my head (yes I know, shocking). And I wanted to get them all down somewhere I won't lose them, so here you go! lol

1. A diagonal seamed corset. The obsession started a few days ago when I saw this on Bridges on the Body. Then I found this post today on a new blog, The Laced Angel, and she had a link to an article on Foundations Revealed that tells you how to make a diagonal seamed corset. So now I know HOW to make a pattern I have into a diagonal seamed corset. I really want one, probably an underbust since that's my favorite. I kinda want one that's longer, like an Edwardian corset...
2. I still want to make an 18th century outfit.
3. And I've been having these Regency cravings lately. I even bought a Simplicity Regency gown pattern! I want a gown with a spencer soooo badly. Not that I have any idea where I would wear it...

Progress Report:

• Mom's second gore is almost finished for the crazy quilt skirt.
• I have five seams to go on my second gore.
• I'm going to do another mock up of my vest basque this weekend. Heather from TV thinks I have my bust measurement wrong, so I'm going to try a new size for the front only and see how that works before I re do all the pieces.
  
• And I think I've figured out the fabric combinations for the bodice. I was going to do the vest in the contrast Paris print, but didn't know how to do the collar and cuffs. I just saw a version w the vest matching the rest of the bodice and the collar / cuffs in a contrast. I think I'm going to go that route.
• Playsuit / skirt ideas: if I have enough of both, I'm thinking green patterned cotton playsuit w a lilac skirt. If I don't maybe do the playsuit in the lilac and get a contrast print for the skirt. Yardage estimate: 2 yards for the playsuit, 3 yards for the skirt.
  

Weekend to do list:

1. Replace a zipper in Beau's vest.
   
2. Embroider on my skirt, at least finishing the current gore. EDIT -- Since the current gore is DONE, I might just try to get my last one done this weekend. :)
   
3. Start on the gyspy petticoat. Launder the muslin and start cutting it into strips, after I decide how wide said strips need to be. Cut out the yoke. Pull out my white eyelet skirt for cannibalization, wash it as well, but don't cut into strips until necessary.
4. Also launder the interlining fabric for my basque so it loses some stiffness.
   
5. Re-trace the front basque pieces in a larger size, cut new muslin pieces and re do the front of my bodice for another fitting.
6. Once the fitting issues are figured out, start cutting out the bodice fabric if I can.
   

Progress on January 2012 Sewing To Do List 2 AND Archon Build Day Plans

What I've done so far on my January to do list:

• Steampunk gypsy corset is almost done: Binding has been made, corset has been bound, just need to finish putting in the eyelets and add my D ring decoration.
  
• Bodice for Gemma Fletcher of the Archon: This hasn't been started yet, but she's supposed to get me the stuff today.
  
• Harley Quinn collar: Has been topstitched so this is DONE
  
• Harley Quinn cuffs: Haven't put the elastic and velcro on yet.
  
• Beau's unmentionables bag: Haven't started this either
  
• Spiderman pajama pants: Or this.
  
• Square overskirt: Almost done! I just need to try it on and sew on a closure. Then its wearable but there's a decorative pocket to do as well.
  
• Old concert tshirts throw: Started sewing on new shirts.
  

What I'm taking to the Archon Build Day plans:

• The steampunk gypsy corset so I can finish the eyelets
  
• Harley Quinn cuffs, elastic and velcro
  
• The stuff for Miss Fletcher's bodice so I can get it cut out
  
• Probably my square overskirt and the pocket
  
• And fabric to cut out some pajama pants projects, Spiderman and Star Wars

Looks like my build day will be busy and well spent! Finishing the corset and the cuffs will be first on my list, followed closely by Miss Fletcher's bodice. The bodice will get priority the rest of the weekend, when I'm back at my sewing machine, since the deadline is a week from today. But if I can't start working on it at the build day, why not cut out other projects?

Tata for now,

Miss Leah J Wilde

Pink Jumper Pictures and Crazy Quilt Skirt News!

First up, some pictures of my new pink jumper that I wore yesterday:


As full length of a photo as I could get and I do apologize for the obligatory bathroom cell phone picture, I figured it was better than nothing.


Close up of the hem, where I used polyester horsehair braid to give it some body.


Close up of the neckline with hand done decorative topstitching in gray thread to match the pinstripes.

Now I just need a gray blouse...

In other news, I finished ANOTHER panel of my crazy quilt skirt:


And it's nowhere near as purple as it looks in this picture...Stupid lighting.

Besides finishing panel #2 last night, I also worked on my corset. All the pieces (except the lining) are cut out. I decided that what I used for the pattern was not sturdy enough for the lining. It is going to become interlining for the silk, then I'll have a layer of denim then black broadcloth as the corset lining.

What's in Miss Wilde's Sewing Basket for the weekend? (aka my weekend to do list)
1. Pattern, fabric and pompoms for Harley Quinn collar.
2. Teal silk corset, including broadcloth to cut out for the lining.
3. Crazy quilt skirt.
4. I also packed some little bits (such as fake coins) that will be used on my gypsy steampunk costume somewhere.

A bientot mes amis and Happy Thanksgiving!

What's in Miss Wilde's Weekend Sewing Basket?

Quite a lot, as usual. :)

1. My Confederate jacket: Planning to sew on the black braid and hopefully the buttons before Monday.

2. Post apocalyptic costume: The cut out jacket is in my car for me to put together if I get the chance.

3. The Ottoman vest. Of course. I just picked up new floss, hopefully the color works, it was one number off from what I've been using...

4. My mystery costume hat and hat band: I'd like to get this done before Monday.

5. Fabric for the Persian pants: Planning to get this cut out.

6. Fabric and belting for the Time Traveler hat band: Planning on getting the band covered.

7. I also packed the ballgown bodice pattern. If I have time, I'd like to do a muslin of it.