Living on slacker time….

That’s how I’ve been living lately, as far as my sewing goes, that is. lol. I have not been in the sewing room in several weeks. The unfinished items that were for the Costume ball are sitting in the sewing room, still unfinished. I’m afraid my sewing mojo is trying to escape, again! Quick, lock the door! But, to help revive the mojo, I have started turning my eye toward my 1950′s dress for the EP’s Tipsy Tea in May. So, to further help my mojo, here’s a preview of what I’m going to make. I decided to use Butterick B5556 for my dress:

B5556 - photo courtesy of Butterick

I will be making the dress on the left. The fabric I picked for this is shantung in a color called Capri. My accents will be black, such as a black belt, black shoes, black handbag, and black crinoline. I am still trying to decide if I want a hat. I’ll be keeping an eye out for some cat eye sunglasses, as well. Here is the shantung I picked up last night:

Capri Shantung

I love this color! It is just a tad darker than in the pic. It will look really good with my new red-er hair color. But, I seem to have the unfortunate luck of always picking fabric that has just been discontinued. I have the same problem that I had with my fabric for my robe a l’angaise, there’s just enough for the dress I have planned. I checked when I bought this, the warehouse was completely out, and the nearest store that had any was Dayton. Of the three stores out there, only one had 3 1/2 yds of it. When someone looked a little deeper for me, theonly other store that had it was a store in Virginia, and they had less than a yard. Guess I better do a good mock up before hand, and then cut carefully, huh? As for my shoes, here is what I found:

My new 1950's style shoes

I found these beauties at Payless for $20. The heel is nice and low, and they are so comfy that I feel like I’m standing flat footed in them. They will go perfectly with my dress. Oh! And I did order a bolt of black netting for my crinoline when Angie ordered last week. It’s currently sitting at her house. I do need to decide if the ribbon trim on the hem will be black or turquoise. I also need to decide how to style my hair. Now that it’s much shorter, I have more options.

Well, guess I had better get back to work, huh? lol. It’s such a lovely Friday. Too bad I can’t move desk out onto the new front stoop. :sigh: Anyway! Until next time, Happy Sewing!

A little R&R….

I had intended for this past weekend to full on gang busters sewing. But, a couple of unforeseen things popped up, which led to us postponing the upcoming costume ball. That was fine with Miss PJ and myself. We decided to take advantage of the fine weather, and went shopping on Saturday. I ended up with a pair of awesome shoes for my 1950′s Tipsy Tea dress, a cute “little black dress” that was actually flattering to my fluffy form (well, the husband thought it was more than flattering ;}), a nice pair of jeans that actually fit, a kimono style sheer top and a cami in the same color for under it. After all the shopping excitement, we packed up everyone and went to dinner at one of my favorite Asian places. The guys got their sushi fix, and I got my Wor Sue Gai that I have been craving for months. But, I was able to get some things done before we called it quits for the day. I got most of the stuff for Katie’s and the Hubby’s tri-corns cut out, and Katie’s jabot cut out and partially sewn. On Sunday, I finished up Katie’s jabot, and got her underpetticoat mostly sewn. Then, I shut down the sewing room, and headed for the kitchen. For dinner, I made an amazing Guinness Beef Stew, mashed potatoes and Irish soda bread (the real stuff, not the fake stuff with dried fruit in it). While the stew was simmering, I put on the Walking Dead marathon, and worked on getting the ribbon trim I wanted around the neckline of the Mini Martha gown. That gown is now completely done, in the manner in which I envisioned it. Now, I just need to finish Katie’s and mine. lol.

Well, time to finish relaxing for the evening, and listening to some Etta James. Until later……. Happy Sewing!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Jane and I want to wish you have very Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Image(s) courtesy VintageHolidayCrafts.com

One costume closer……

I finished up my hubby’s costume Monday, except for his tricorn hat. So, this evening, since now have daylight in the evening, I made him dress up and pose. lol.

I really enjoyed making him a whole outfit. And, since we plan on taking a trip to Colonial Williamsburg (soon, I hope!), I have plans to construct him more. I want to make him another a couple more shirts using Simplicity 4923, a couple more pairs of breeches in browns and tans, several more waistcoats (maybe a few in linen), and at least a couple more frock coats. I’ll formulate those plans once I get the rest of current costumes done.

I must admit, my loving husband is such a sport in all of this. He is willing to wear just about anything I make for him. He was a little resistant to breeches, when I first mentioned them a few years ago. But, the fact that I would be willing to make them in black helped. Now, he is willing to let me make more. It probably helps that they are fairly comfortable. lol.

Well, from here it will be finishing up Katie’s Riding Habit and my Robe a l’anglaise. I do have a bit of trim work for the Mini Martha dress that Annie will be wearing, but that can be done while watching tv late in the evenings. So, until next time…… Happy Sewing!

*** You can read more about this costume on the diary page, located on the side bar.

Did you order the illness with a side of grumpy?

That pretty much sums up my weekend. lol. I was still trying to kick the illness that had been holding me under to more than a week, and it seems like someone piled on the grumpy to go with it. I got up early Saturday morning, not by choice, and started to work on my costume. I flat lined the printed fabric, and decided to work with the lining to make sure the fit was right, and it just didn’t want to work with me. Rather than get too overly angry with it, I set it aside and went for the mindless projects. Petticoats. I started in on Katie’s stuff for her riding habit. I tossed 10 yds of bleached muslin in the washer, and set about cutting the panels for her black petticoat. That was done quickly enough, so I started and finished her puffer. Once the puffer was done, I traced the shirt pattern I wanted to use for Katie. This pretty much finished off my day for me, without any victims of sewing rage. lol.

Sunday rolled around rather too early, thanks to Daylight Savings. Why do we still need that? I would rather have my hour back, thankyouverymuch! But, we got moving soon enough. Miss PJ picked me up and we hit the fabric store to make sure we had everything we needed. When we got back, I started on the ironing of the 10 yds of muslin. I said I wanted something mindless to do, right? Well, mindless it was. Good think I had one of my favorite BBC shows in the dvd player, Monarch of the Glen. After getting all that fabric ironed, I set to work tracing Katie’s shirt. I used Simplicity pattern 4923, in a size medium. I love this shirt pattern. It went together very well. I did have alter the shoulders a bit (too much of a drop shoulder on Katie, but it is a men’s pattern), but other than that, it worked great. Here’s a quick peek at her in the shirt:

 

This evening, I started on drafting the jacket. I had to stop, due to a pounding headache. I will be trying to finish the draft tomorrow, so I can get started on actually sewing it. The sooner I can get this done, the better. Especially since the ball is next weekend. Blah! Anywho, you can see more about Katie’s riding habit by checking out the diary page on the side bar.

In other news, I got the husband’s costume finished up last night. Well, except for the tricorn, but that will be made when I have time. lol. He had to work late this evening, so we ran out of daylight to get pics in. But, I will ambush him tomorrow evening after work, make him dress up and get pics taken. I am very proud of myself for getting his costume done. Now, just to finish up Katie’s and mine. So, until later….. Happy Sewing!

What a weekend!

There wasn’t much accomplished this weekend. Apparently, there was an order for illness all around. I have been fighting my illness since last Wednesday, and it was close to dragging me down. PJ was under the weather as well, so we made a lovely pair in the sewing room. lol. I did manage to get my petticoat coat done down to just the hem, the lining cut out, sewn and fitted for my dress, and the fabric for the dress cut. Let me just say that I cut it close with the amount of fabric I had. And, I mean close. Here is a pic, after all the cutting was done:

The pile on the right is the bodice, the center pile consists of the 4 skirt panels, and on the left is what was left. Not much. Guess there’s no option to do elbow flounces in the printed material. lol. I am down to just sewing it all together, and the hand finishing.

Besides my costume, I have decided that I would Katie’s this year. She wants an 18th century riding habit, so a riding habit I shall make. lol. Since I will be making it, I have picked to draft the riding habit from Janet Arnold’s Pattern of Fashion 1.

Katie’s favorite color is purple, so we have designed it in a deep purple, or blackberry, and black. I picked up almost 8 yds of a fine blackberry corduroy, but I still need to pick up the fabric for her petticoat. I still have some left over black corduroy from the husband’s costume that I will be using for the cuffs and collar of the riding habit. Katie picked antique looking, gold buttons with a crest on them, and gold braided trim for a bit of extra bling. lol. But, here’s a pic of the corduroy:

So, I have my job cut out for me on this one. lol. Looks like I need to get over my illness and get my butt in gear to get every thing finished in time, as the ball is March 24. Close, I know. lol.

In other news, I have finally achieved a new laptop. I am a happy girl. Now, it’s just a matter of getting some of my essential data (photos and music files) from the old one to the new one. Well, off the watch more Destination Truth while getting the new laptop set to where I want it. Until later…. Happy Sewing!

Jane strikes again

Things have been going smoothly in the sewing room. Maybe a little too smoothly. lol. This past weekend saw more progress on the hubby’s costume (just about finished with it – you can see the update on the diary page located on the side bar), and even a fair bit on mine (started a diary page for that, it’s marked 18th Century Undergarments). Since I have moved on to working on my garments, I needed Jane’s assistance. I thought she might enjoy the attention, as she has been standing, lonely, in the corner. So, I pulled her out into the middle of the floor, and that’s when the trouble started. Have you ever tried to lace a set of Georgian stays to a troublesome dressmaker’s dummy by yourself? Well, it’s not fun, let me tell you. We fought for about a half hour, but she finally submitted. lol. Then, I cinched her in to match my measurements. Apparently, she wasn’t happy with this, as later she tried throwing the big roll of brown paper on me, twice. I narrowly avoided it both times. Then, she started blowing my pattern pieces off the cutting table, making me chase them all over the floor. But, I think having some new garments placed on her has appeased her, some. lol. She left me alone long enough to get my underpetticoat, petal bum pad, and “puffer” petticoat done. Well, except the hem on the underpetticoat, that will come later. Oh! And yesterday, Miss PJ came by to start the drafting process on her gown. Well, her dressmaker’s dummy, Daisy May, must have seen Jane acting out the day before, and wanted to get in on the action. Daisy started throwing things off the shelves at PJ, and then she tried to jump on me while I was taking measurements to make sure she matched PJ’s measurements in the stays. Guess she wasn’t happy about PJ taking her cotton Victorian day dress off. But, they are both back in the respective corners, waiting to cause more trouble this coming weekend.

Besides all the trouble with Jane, I was able to get hubby’s frock coat completely finished. Tonight, after the high school band concert, I will be finishing off the waistcoat, as only the buttons are left on that. We’ll see what else I can get to afterwards. I would like to get his costume done, just so I can see how it all looks together. And, when I do, I will be taking lots of photos to post!

Don’t forget that you still have a few days left to enter in the blog giveaway over on The Emerald Parlor. You have until Wednesday night at midnight. The winner will be announced on Thrusday. Be sure to comment on this post for your chance to win.

Until later….. Happy Sewing!

18th century progress & other things I accomplished

I had a five day weekend, and put it to good use! Mostly. I guess I had enough vacation time accumulated that I was on the verge of losing several days of it. So, it was a use it or lose it. And, boy did I use it! I took Wednesday through Friday off, and had things planned out as to what I wanted to get done. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans….. On Wednesday, after dropping the girls off the their schools, I came home with the mind set to have a bowl of cereal, finish the last couple chapters of my book, and then get started on washing and drying the bleached muslin I was going to use. I had the bowl of cereal and finished the last of my book. Then, instead of heading for the washer, I promptly took a three and half hour nap! I woke up just in time to start picking the girls back up from school, and trying to figure out what to do for dinner. Guess I needed the sleep. lol. I did get the muslin washed and dried for Thursday.

On Thursday, I started out the same, but by passed reading and the nap, and headed straight for the sewing room. I go the muslin ironed and the shirt cut for the hubby’s 18th c. shirt. I had the shirt finished in time for him to try it on when he got home from work. I then spent the rest of the evening reading, after making dinner, of course. lol. I do like this shirt, and will probably make another one at some point. I just need to find buttons for it, and make the button holes. *You can read more about this on the Men’s 18th Century Outfit page on the side bar.

 

On Friday, after the morning school run, I hit JoAnn’s to pick up the bit of broadcloth needed for the waistcoat, and the grocery store to a few items for dinner. When I got home I went straight back to the sewing room, and set about getting everything else cut out. This took me the better part of three hours, and I found that my new fabric scissors (which have a rubber grip around the inside of the finger holes) had rubbed a blister and popped it on my little finger. I hadn’t even realized that it happened until I looked at my hands. In between the afternoon school runs, I got dinner in the ovenand got the breeches sewn completely together. We had a pretty good dinner of BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy with homemade corn bread. Again, I spent the evening reading and watching tv with the family.

Saturday, I was back in the sewing room around mid-morning and started on the frock coat. I had that finished by mid-afteroon, and promptly started on the waistcoat. I had the waistcoat done long before dinner (for which we order pizza). Both went fairly quickly, and went together nicely (you can see more about these on the page listed above).  I just have a bit of hand sewing do on both, and the buttons and button holes to finish them off. I’m not sure what buttons I want to use, I’ll just have to hit the store and browse a bit to find what I want. I am hoping to find some nice antique looking half dome buttons, in a silver or pewter tone to use. Or maybe some of the cover-yourself buttons. I’ll just have to figure it out once I’m in the store.

On Sunday, was back to the sewing room about mid-morning. I pulled out the pattern I wanted to use for my 18th c. chemise, just to find that the size I traced a few years ago was way too big. I retraced it, about 4 sizes smaller. Then I ironed my bleached muslin and started tracing and cutting the fabric. I had it about half way sewn when PJ dropped in to have me help her with her hubby’s frock coat. She used Simplicity 4923 for the whole outfit, and the shoulders, sleeves and cuffs of the frock coat just didn’t want to co-operate with her. We found what was wrong, and as she went about fixing that, I finished off my chemise, and even got a set of pockets finished for myself. So, now I am just down to my underpetticoat, a new bum pad, my over petticoat and my dress. Only after I make sure that my stays still fit, or if I need to make a new set, of course.

Well, there was a nice sized update with a few pics sprinkled in. lol. For the rest of this week, I have a few pairs of pants that I need to finish hemming or fixing for several co-workers, and whatever else I can get done of my 18th c. underpinnings. This coming weekend, Miss PJ and I will be back in the sewing room to start on the dresses. I’ll try to take more pics. Oh! And we are having a blog give-away at the Emerald Parlor. It’s a pattern give-away. You can see the details and enter for your chance to win by clicking here! You have until the end of the month to enter, all you have to do is comment on that blog post. The winner will be announced on March 1st. Until later….. Happy Sewing!

I tripped and fell…

..face down on the couch for a couple of days. I am so tired of these illnesses sneeking up behind me, and jumping me when I’m not looking. Lol. I’m still not up to snuff, and hoping I feel much better by this weekend as I have a ton of sewing to do. I did manage to find the cutting table under the mess from cleaning Monday night just before I got sick. However, I still need to find both work stations and the couch. I hope I feel well enough to get that done tomorrow night, that way I can get started bright and early Saturday morning.

In other sewing news, Angie and I have decided that we want to join the other costume bloggers in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage. We will be creating evening gowns from 1912, and using mostly materials and notions that we have on hand. I pretty sure that I have my design in the bag. I just need to finalize it, and go through my stash to make sure of what I do have on hand. I will probably not be using a pattern for this one, as I don’t think there is one. So, that means I will have to drape it. Once these dresses are done, we have something special in mind to show them off. More on that later.

Well, I should be signing off for the evening. It’s getting late, and I’m more than a little on the tired side after returning to work today. I’ll try to catch up more later. Which should be easier since I finally found the WP app for my Nook Color. Until then… Happy Sewing!

What a mess!

Well, there was more destruction than there was production in the sewing room this weekend. lol. Miss PJ and I didn’t get to do anything until Sunday. Then, we spent most of the day running from store to store getting material and trim for her next 18th century dress. Once we did get back to my house, we kinda blew up the sewing room. I decided that we needed a new floor plan and a little more organization. We started by moving furniture around. The couch and coffee table went back to it’s near original position, the cutting table went to the middle of the floor, the over flowing costume rack was bagged up by costume and moved into the crawl space, and work stations were tentatively set up for both of us. I still need to bag up a few more costumes, move the small book case, get some heavy duty hooks for a couple of organizers, buy a 3′ wire wall rack and a couple of 2′ wire wall racks, get some 1″x1″ boards to hang the peg boards and shove a few more totes into the crawl space. That’s about all, until the warmer weather hits and we can start tearing up carpet and painting walls once we can open the one tiny window down there. All in all, once we are done down there, it will be a spiffy little sewing room. lol.

As for actual sewing, I haven’t done a thing since I finished the mock up for the husband’s 18th century breeches. I will have to get the cutting table cleared off in order to cut the mock up of his frock coat. So, that means I can’t slack on getting stuff finished off this evening, huh? lol. Once I get the frock coat mock up done, I can go ahead and cut the actual fashion fabric. I also need to wash, dry and iron the bleached muslin I will be using for his shirt. Boy, do I have a laundry list of things that need to be done. lol. Time to get it in gear.

I’ll try to post photos of the before and after as I can, still haven’t gotten a new laptop. Until then… Happy Sewing!