craftgrrl | A few sewing projects (Reply)

Been lurking, first time posting projects, etc. [insert n00b schpiel here]

So, I'm normally a knitter rather than a seamstress, but this year I started university. My geekiness increased exponentially - I was the first girl and first freshman to be elected president of the sci-fi/fantasy society - which led to an increase in my desire for costumes, especially steampunk and medieval ones.

First thing I decided to make was a petticoat, as they were standard female attire for hundreds of years and still look nice as skirts now. Huzzah for versatility! I used this pattern, which served me well. It was pretty simple to follow. But since I was at university at the time, I didn't have my sewing machine... this was all done by hand. It was a pain in the ass. Also in the back. But at least I can say it's uber-authentic. I also used linen, which was available and commonly used during the period I was going for. (The fabric store had it labeled as Lenin, which cracked me up.) Unfortunately this is the only picture I have of it at the moment - it's kinda wrinkled and gross because I've been too nervous about hurting it to wash and iron it yet. But I like it. It also spins really nicely! :D

Next thing up: cloak. One day my boyfriend and I were out walking, and it was cold and windy and I hadn't brought a coat - but said boyfriend just happened to have a cloak in his car. (He's supafantastic.) It was warm and billowy and wonderful, so I decided I needed one. I am a huge fan of A Song of Ice and Fire, so mine was going to be in Stark colors. I used polarfleece - not exactly historically accurate, but it's warm and soft and easy to clean. Made up the pattern as I went along, with some vague descriptions of how my boyfriend makes his and some sketches on the backs of envelopes. This worked out okay except that the bottom is kind of uneven. I'll get around to fixing it eventually. Maybe.

A terrible picture of me, but a good one of the cloak...and there's the petticoat again...

I used the Romance Cloak Clasp in silver from twin roses designs, which I quite like. Next one may have a bit of a bigger clasp though. We'll see. Another picture, of it lying out on my dining room table - it's pretty big, really.

Winter is coming.

You may or may not remember that a while ago, Joann Fabrics was having a sale on simplicity patterns. When I went in for that, they also had brocade and sari silk on sale. I picked up three yards of this great gothy black brocade with medallion patterns for $12, and made an asian top from a simplicity pattern I had lying around from a friend's cosplay. This was a pain in the butt too. I'd forgotten how much of a bother mandarin collars can be. (Or at least are if you follow this pattern.) The collar is a bit high for me, really, but I can actually fold it down in half, which looks cool. Once again, excuse the crap photo quality.

I'm picturing myself all gothed up in this sometime next year, with long black lace sleeves under it. Possibly a black walking skirt with it. We'll see. Anyway, glad it's done. It was hard to make it fit right, because as my mother pointed out when she was taking these pictures, the pattern was not designed for my boobs.

That's all for now, folks.