What I Did Over Thanksgiving

I cut out the collar for Harley Quinn, but I may have gotten the dimensions wrong...I need to sew it together and see if its going to work.

I cut out the black broadcloth (left over from the crazy quilt skirt base) to use for my corset lining. EDIT 11/27/2011: I hand basted the lining to the denim interlining and pinned everything together to start corset construction tomorrow.

And I finished panel number three for my crazy quilt skirt. I left all three completed panels at my mother's house for her to work on embroidering. I have some fancy embroidery threads that I need to hunt down and take to her the next time I visit.

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!

More To Do List Progress - Fall / Winter Sewing and Gypsy Steampunk

The navy jumper is DONE. The zipper went in well, the jumper fit pretty perfectly, and while the neckline / armholes / hem took a while, it went fine as well. I plan on wearing it tomorrow and I'm wearing the pink jumper today!

I didn't work on the Harley Quinn collar. I decided I'd rather pack it for the trip to my parents' this weekend. Also packed will be the corset and the crazy quilt skirt.

I actually started on the corset last night. I combined three patterns: McCalls 6097 for the back (which I then cut in two to give me a side back seam), a modified underbust version of McCalls 4107 for the center front, and Simplicity 3618 for the side front. I trimmed pieces as needed to fit together more smoothly and clipped the front strap of the side front in half to give me a spot for it to buckle / snap. I then took apart the pattern which will likely become the lining of the new corset and double checked to see that I had enough silk (which I do) and I also found some denim to use as the interlining. It's not as heavy as I'd like, but it will do.

With me today is the corset to cut out and the crazy quilt skirt, I started panel number two last evening after working on the corset.

I feel like I'm making good progress on my December 31 to do list.

• My fall / winter sewing is DONE.
• The gypsy steampunk crazy quilt skirt and corset are well underway.
• The Harley Quinn collar and cuffs are in the planning stages.
• I'd like to make a hat of some sort for my elf-punk dress, but its wearable as is.
• And I've sorted out a lot of fabric for some stash sewing.
• Also I have fabric for a couple Christmas presents that I need to work on, but neither will take much time.

A bientot!

Progress on Fall / Winter Sewing To Do List

As you all know, my Keeper of the Keys skirt is finished.

And today I worked on both jumpers (which were already cut out). The pink pinstriped full skirted version is DONE. I just finished hand sewing the bodice lining in place and put a little decorative top-stitching around the neckline.

The navy jumper is to the hand sewing point. First I need to put the zipper in, then do a fitting to make sure I like how it fits. Then comes doing the hem, neckline and armholes by hand. There is no way I'm going to stitch any of that on a machine with that wide wale corduroy. It would look awful I'm sure.

And as I posted yesterday, panel one of the crazy quilt skirt is complete.

I pulled out the blouse for the gypsy steampunk outfit and the teal silk I wanted to use for a corset and I think it is going to work. The color is good and I have one yard of the silk which should be plenty. First step of that project is making the pattern. I'll probably base it off of several corset and bodice patterns and combine the different pieces to get what I want.

Tomorrow I'll finish the navy jumper and hopefully work on the Harley Quinn collar and maybe even the crazy quilt skirt. I need to decide what I'm packing for my trip home and get that packed no later than Monday (work a double Tuesday and leave Wednesday right after work).

That's it for now my dearest friends! A bientot!

Crazy Quilt Skirt Progress!

Panel one is complete! I will be taking this to my mother next week for her to embroider.

To Do List to Complete by December 31, 2011

I think December 31 will make a lovely due date, don't you? Since I have no events to count down to until January.

My basic to do list:

• 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

Progress so far and plans:

First up, Harley Quinn revamp in two parts:

• Comic book version: Made a pattern for the new collar. I need to make the new collar and make the cuffs.
  
• Steampunk version: Finished sewing trim around the jacket edges and to the skirt hem. I may need to purchase a little more trim.
  

Next, fall/winter sewing:

• I have two jumpers cut out and started pinning them.
  
• And I finished the Keeper of the Keys skirt.

As for my Christmas sewing...

• I finished the elf punk bustle.
• I'd like to make a hat for the elf punk ensemble.

And my gypsy punk costume is coming along.

• Patchwork crazy quilt skirt is started.
• And I'm thinking of doing a teal silk high backed corset vest if (1) I have enough fabric and (2) the silk coordinates well with the blouse.

I've made no progress on Miss Von Stoup's sewing. Nor have I started any of my planned stash sewing, although I did set aside a couple things -- the cream and black flocked satin is sitting with the pattern I plan to use and I bundled some black and silver plaid with the leftover flocked chiffon from the underskirt. I have more plaid somewhere.

Oh and I need to make a toaster cover for a Christmas present. But I forgot to measure the toaster...

What I'd like to get done this weekend:

• Pink full skirted jumper.
• Navy slim skirt jumper.
• Harley Quinn collar.
• Work on crazy quilt skirt.
  

Updated Completed Projects List for 2011 EDITED November 22, 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. 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. - Stash pattern, fabric thread and zipper purchased via Professor Watt
   

August

1. Embroidered Ottoman vest. - Added decoration to already made vest (that I think was made from stash fabric and pattern). Purchased embroidery supplies.
   
2. For Miss Von Stoup: Asian print circle skirt. Post apoc jacket. Confederate steampunk jacket. - Supplies purchased via Miss Von Stoup.
   
3. Confederate steampunk uniform for myself. - Stash pattern for jacket, no pattern for skirt. Supplies purchased via Miss Von Stoup.
4. A Star Wars kilt for Beau. - Stash pattern. Top sheet to sheet set that he never used and stash fabric for sporran and lining. Purchased D rings.
   
5. Time Traveler hat. - Stash hat, fabric and trimmings. Inherited watches.
   
6. Sirwal using Miss Kagashi's tutorial. - Purchased muslin and pink satin, elastic and closures from the stash. This were made for my Persian-punk outfit.
   
7. Also stitched together a couple scarves to make a bustle for the Lady of the Ottoman Empire. - Scarves and thread from my stash.
   
8. Mystery costume aks Watermelon Girl. Made a jacket, a skirt, a blouse and decorated a hat to go with my pink silk underbust corset. Some stash fabric, some purchased fabric. I don't think I purchased any notions.
   

September

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

October

1. A tutu for my own version of Harley Quinn. Purchased tulle, elastic and thread from the stash.
   

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