Thoughts for the Sewing Year

I tend to be a bit of an over achiever. So when I heard about a local convention in August I jumped at the thought of more sewing projects. I got out my ever increasing list of projects that I'd like to make and desided on four to five of them just for the convention. Then I heard about another new convention in November and jumped at the thought of more costumes projects. So I got out my list that had grown again and started to go through it. I began to pick out four to five new costumes for the new convention. I then remembered the dresses I had to make for prom this year and a sewing contest. I counted up my projects for the summer and fall. To my astonishment the number was well over ten, that includes the other few costumes my friends asked me to make. It never dawned on me that that my love of sewing would turn into a pile of costumes. Just a story of my learnings as a seamstress. ^_^

More Historical Costumes

Just when I thought I had finished all my historical costumes for the year more show up.  This time they aren’t for me though.  Recently, I found out that the family ball I go to has a theme for this year.  It is the 19th Century.  Naturally, since my Mom and sister are going, they want costumes for the ball.  Fortunately, I already have two 19th century costumes and am not interested in making another for the ball. 

My sister wants hers to be more modern with a historical flair.  This will be easier considering I already have a few patterns and a decent amount of fabric preplanned for a 19th century gown for her.  Unfortunately, she doesn’t totally like the colors or the fabric.  Soooooo, I’ll have to rethink the plan.  Funny thing is, she liked the fabrics when I first got them.  It is interesting how tastes change.

My mom still hasn’t decided on a pattern, color scheme, or style for her costume.   I’m hoping to incorporate some rich, jewel colors in her costume.  Time is running short so I hope she makes her mind up soon! 

Other than that, I have no other historical costumes I’d like to make this year.  Thank goodness!  If I did I wouldn’t be able to make my other cosplay endeavors.  I’m hoping to get to them soon, especially as school comes to a close.

Predicament and Present Success

So I’ve been working on the Giselle commission for the past week.  I’ve nearly finished the bodice and the underskirt is basted together.  Even the overskirt is awaiting attachment.  Everything was going fine till I tried the skirt on the mannequin.  Turns out the skirt is a wee bit too small in the hips.  >_<  Unfortunately, it’s tight enough to look unsightly.  There’s maybe half and inch of seam allowance to play with.  My face literally hit the desk.  I was sooo disappointed I almost cried.  Instead I thought of ways to remedy this dilemma. 

 

I’ve come up with a plan.  I’ll call the client, explain the predicament, and set up a time for her to try on the garment.  Hopefully the skirt will fit right.  I’ll also double check the fit of the bodice at the same time.  If the skirt doesn’t fit, I’ll have to redo the hip seams.  Hopefully that won’t be too hard, and I’ll be able to correct my mistake.  I figure that if I take out at least a quarter to a half an inch on the side and back seams, the skirt should turn out fine.  I just have to make sure that I have enough room to make a double seam on the shear fabric. 

 

Other than the above happening, the dress is coming along beautifully.  Since it is turning out so well, I’ve decided, for the first time, to post progress pictures on my blog.  I really love how the dress is Disney® yet classy, cute yet sophisticated, elegant while charming.  It’s better than I hoped.  Mind you, I just pinned the dress to the mannequin as well as the embellishments.  I haven’t sewn the bodice to the skirt yet, though I hope to soon. 

 

Costume Update

Belle’s green dress is nigh complete.  I just have to hem the skirt, fix the sleeves so they stay on my shoulders, poof the upper part of the sleeve, and add a few minor details to the bodice and dress.  I reeeeeeally like how the costume has turned out so far.  For how much I modified the pattern I used, the dress looks wonderful.  I do need to figure out how to keep the sleeves on my shoulders.  I even have a cute hair bow that totally adds to and completes the costume. 

 

For some reason, the sleeves like to slide half way down my shoulders and just sit there unwilling to move.  This makes the dress look funny and my shoulders look uncharacteristically wide.  I’ve tried a couple different techniques so far but they haven’t completely helped.  Fortunately, I have a few more ideas up my sleeve.  I will keep trying ideas ‘till I get these sleeves perfect.  Even if I have to duck tape them to my arms for photos. 

 

*****

As for Giselle’s curtain dress, it is coming along beautifully.  So far, it’s my best costume yet!  I wound up modifying the sleeves from the pattern I am using; they turned out perfectly.  I love how this costume is coming together, especially since it’s a first time commission.  I love the chosen color combination.  I especially adore how the little accents bring the costume to life.  Literally! 

 

The bodice and sleeves are almost done.  I just have to add the top lace and maybe understitch the lining.  I still haven’t decided if I’m going to or not.  The skirt is almost done too!  What I have left is to hem the rest of the skirt, over skirt, and lining; attach the skirt pieces; and attach the lining to the skirt.  Then I sew the bodice to the skirt, add the embellishments (long blue ribbon and pink rosettes), and hand sew the zipper in.  It’s late so I might be forgetting a step but that is roughly what I have left before completion. 

 

I had no idea that the dress would take sooo long.  It’s been three and a half days, and still it’s not done.  Usually, it takes me between three and eight days to complete an outfit.  That is, of course, not doing anything but sewing for twelve plus hours each day.  The longest it’s taken me to complete a costume was a month.  I was also working on homework every day and going to class full time.  I’m so glad I’ve had this time to sew.  It’s a pleasant break to the monotony of school. 

 

Anyway, back on topic.  I hope to have the dress complete next week.  I’m aiming for Monday, but I don’t know with homework to catch up on.  I was able to take a small break this week due to the flu season affecting my class schedule.  The break came at the perfect time. 

 

I just hope I can balance my class work as well my costuming now that school is starting up again.  It’s hard.  Still it is possible.  This is something I hope to master soon, and very soon. 

Belle

I cosplayed for the first time today.  Some friends of mine and I had a Disney costume dinner and I went as Belle.  It was soooooooo fun!!!!!!  I wore Belle’s green dress that she wore in the library in Beauty and the Beast.  Aladdin, Ariel, Barbosa, Little Red Riding Hood, Miney Mouse, Pocahontas, Prince Philip, Tinkerbelle, and a few others were there too.  The party was a blast!!!!  We played games, ate food, and took character pictures.  I had sooooo much fun. 

A Brief Update

Well, I utilized the task force to help me complete the commission.  So far, things are going wonderfully!  I have all but finished Belle’s green dress.  I just have to complete the hem and make a few minor add-ons like hooks and eyes to the bodice.  I think I will have to finish those adjustments after the costume dinner so I have more time for the commission. 

 

As for the commission, it is going well and rather smoothly.  I have completed the lining for the bodice and skirt.  The blue part is mostly sewn together too.  It looks so beautiful.  I absolutely adore it!  All of the fabric is cut out.  I will begin work on the underskirt here soon as well.  The bodice is nearly finished.  I just need a few more measurements and a couple of adjustments to the fit before I sew the bodice all together. 

 

So far, the construction has gone well.  I have not had any major errors but the fitting on the bodice has been a little difficult.  I hope it eases out soon.  The sleeves and skirt are looking perfect though.  Sorry this sounds like a long boring drawn out rant.  There is not much to report on except minor details and difficulties.

 

Next, I find the purple for a black girlie dress to start on my heretofore secret and hidden Goth passion: the Gown of Gossamer Gloom, once my henchmen return with the black balloons and lollipop.  April Fools!!!!!!!  ^_^

Update for Belle

My Belle dress is coming along perfectly.  So far I have completed my bodice and cut out all the pieces for the main dress.  I am working on the main part of the dress and have the body almost complete. 

Friday is the deadline for this costume as well as a commission I just received.  Hopefully, if all goes well, I will have Belle's costume done either before or by Wednesday.  After that, I plan to spend some of Wednesday and all day Thursday and Friday sewing the commission.  I should have both done by then, especially if I can round up my mini workforce to help me.  -_^