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.