![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
it's ALIVE!!
Dec. 30th, 2004 09:54 pmYes, I am still alive, my silence is due to the fact that not much costuming is happening around here. The focus has been on holiday madness, Christmas fun and attempting to catch up with real life afterwards. About the only sewing I’ve managed to do since my last entry is to sew the hook & eyes on the kimono. Very exciting.
Christmas was lovely though. It was a quiet day full of my family, amazing gifts, funny games, tons of junk food and slightly too much champagne on an empty stomach. Just what Christmas should be, right? I am so blessed that it just isn’t funny.
Bridget has been beading away on her re-vamp and it’s almost finished. The beaded edging really makes the gown. It helps blend everything together, like we meant to do this design in the first place. I have some in progress pics around here somewhere to post… I also have the research page on the kimono about ready to post, along with some other site tweaks. I should try find the time to finish that up.
I have a lot to get done for the Twelfth Night party – too much really. I don’t know where my planning went wrong but I’m rather behind at the moment. I’m not planning on getting much sleep in the next week.
The List™:
re-vamp: finish hems, sew dresses together, insert wedgies, re-attach sleeves
banners: sew lining to front, paint design, cut and sew binding, attach beading
backdrops: cut, sew & hem both sets
kimono: shorten belt???lj-raw> Oy. All that plus, shopping, baking, cleaning and decorating for the party. Oh yes and company tomorrow to see in the new year. Nope, not much sleep at all. I’m not sure how much LJing I’ll be doing either, we’ll just have to see what I have time and brain capacity for. Either way there will be a big update and lots of pictures to post after the party. *grin*
Christmas was lovely though. It was a quiet day full of my family, amazing gifts, funny games, tons of junk food and slightly too much champagne on an empty stomach. Just what Christmas should be, right? I am so blessed that it just isn’t funny.
Bridget has been beading away on her re-vamp and it’s almost finished. The beaded edging really makes the gown. It helps blend everything together, like we meant to do this design in the first place. I have some in progress pics around here somewhere to post… I also have the research page on the kimono about ready to post, along with some other site tweaks. I should try find the time to finish that up.
I have a lot to get done for the Twelfth Night party – too much really. I don’t know where my planning went wrong but I’m rather behind at the moment. I’m not planning on getting much sleep in the next week.
The List™:
re-vamp: finish hems, sew dresses together, insert wedgies, re-attach sleeves
banners: sew lining to front, paint design, cut and sew binding, attach beading
backdrops: cut, sew & hem both sets
kimono: shorten belt???lj-raw> Oy. All that plus, shopping, baking, cleaning and decorating for the party. Oh yes and company tomorrow to see in the new year. Nope, not much sleep at all. I’m not sure how much LJing I’ll be doing either, we’ll just have to see what I have time and brain capacity for. Either way there will be a big update and lots of pictures to post after the party. *grin*
a fat banner & kimono update
Dec. 15th, 2004 12:09 amI have been super bad about updating this week. Do forgive me. In the holiday madness something eventually must give. It’s been a case of either work on projects or update the LJ. The calendar’s looming deadlines have me slightly freaked out right now so working on the projects seemed the better way to go…
Elvish Banners:
Bridget and I have made good progress on the banners in the past few days. I finished “cleaning up” the blown up copies on Saturday. I added the correct borders and seam allowances before using them to cut out the fabric and lining.
We were originally going to use the old method of punching holes along the design and using chalk or a marker to transfer the pattern onto the fabric. When we came to test this method however, we weren’t happy with the results. The most accurate, if probably the most time consuming method, we could come up with was to make a stencil of the paper pattern.
We knew that once the paper pattern was cut it would lose a lot of it’s stability - not a good thing considering that we have to use each pattern section twice. So we cut our stencil out of poster board. Bridget did all the meticulous cutting with an exacto knife. She first cut out the paper pattern, scoring the poster board underneath. She then cut the poster board layer separately. I’m so glad I didn’t have to do that part!! :> She finished the stencil cutting this morning, so they are ready to go now.
I tested the paint and fabric yesterday. My test piece shows no signs of flaking or anything so I’m going to proceed without a textile medium. Painting this puppy is going to be a seriously meticulous and time consuming process. Not that I’m surprised or anything. Every single step in this project has been that way. “Simple, easy little project” – ah huh!!
Having said all that, I can’t wait to see the results. I think they will be really stunning and we will find all the effort has been worthwhile.
Kimono:
I started work on the tassels on Sunday. I got one tassel almost complete at my babysitting job that evening. The little girls I was watching were quite fascinated with the process. :> The second tassel took a bit more effort than the first. I really don’t know what my problem was. I had to redo three of them twice, and one of them three times. I kept dropping them or Nefret wanted to play with them or something. I think I spent all most as much time picking beads up from the floor as I did beading. I was really beginning to wonder if the darned thing was cursed! :>
I did mange to finish both tassels though and I took a series of pics to show how I made them. I’ll post those on my site sometime this month. It was really easy; I basically followed the way the original tassels (from the Bombay outlet) had been put together.
Today I finished up the sewing on the kimono and attached the tassels. I ended up taking the back darts in a bit more in the end. I just liked the more fitted feel. The facing was surprisingly easy to attach. I ironed each edge under, then ironed the belt in half (widthwise). I then pinned the facing to the neckline of the kimono, so that the neck was in between the two folded edges. I top stitched everything in place. The bottom hem was rather sloppily machined (like anyone will ever notice) and the tassels were sewn on by hand.
So, the kimono is essentially done, except for some hooks and eyes. And the beaded embellishment of course, but that is a long term project. I’m really happy with it, although the ties are too long to leave just hanging in front. I wish I could have the option of criss-crossing or leaving them hanging but I have to make a choice. For now I’m leaving them as is (I really don’t feel like taking the tassels I just put on off again) but I may shorten them eventually.
Elvish Banners:
Bridget and I have made good progress on the banners in the past few days. I finished “cleaning up” the blown up copies on Saturday. I added the correct borders and seam allowances before using them to cut out the fabric and lining.
We were originally going to use the old method of punching holes along the design and using chalk or a marker to transfer the pattern onto the fabric. When we came to test this method however, we weren’t happy with the results. The most accurate, if probably the most time consuming method, we could come up with was to make a stencil of the paper pattern.
We knew that once the paper pattern was cut it would lose a lot of it’s stability - not a good thing considering that we have to use each pattern section twice. So we cut our stencil out of poster board. Bridget did all the meticulous cutting with an exacto knife. She first cut out the paper pattern, scoring the poster board underneath. She then cut the poster board layer separately. I’m so glad I didn’t have to do that part!! :> She finished the stencil cutting this morning, so they are ready to go now.
I tested the paint and fabric yesterday. My test piece shows no signs of flaking or anything so I’m going to proceed without a textile medium. Painting this puppy is going to be a seriously meticulous and time consuming process. Not that I’m surprised or anything. Every single step in this project has been that way. “Simple, easy little project” – ah huh!!
Having said all that, I can’t wait to see the results. I think they will be really stunning and we will find all the effort has been worthwhile.
Kimono:
I started work on the tassels on Sunday. I got one tassel almost complete at my babysitting job that evening. The little girls I was watching were quite fascinated with the process. :> The second tassel took a bit more effort than the first. I really don’t know what my problem was. I had to redo three of them twice, and one of them three times. I kept dropping them or Nefret wanted to play with them or something. I think I spent all most as much time picking beads up from the floor as I did beading. I was really beginning to wonder if the darned thing was cursed! :>
I did mange to finish both tassels though and I took a series of pics to show how I made them. I’ll post those on my site sometime this month. It was really easy; I basically followed the way the original tassels (from the Bombay outlet) had been put together.
Today I finished up the sewing on the kimono and attached the tassels. I ended up taking the back darts in a bit more in the end. I just liked the more fitted feel. The facing was surprisingly easy to attach. I ironed each edge under, then ironed the belt in half (widthwise). I then pinned the facing to the neckline of the kimono, so that the neck was in between the two folded edges. I top stitched everything in place. The bottom hem was rather sloppily machined (like anyone will ever notice) and the tassels were sewn on by hand.
So, the kimono is essentially done, except for some hooks and eyes. And the beaded embellishment of course, but that is a long term project. I’m really happy with it, although the ties are too long to leave just hanging in front. I wish I could have the option of criss-crossing or leaving them hanging but I have to make a choice. For now I’m leaving them as is (I really don’t feel like taking the tassels I just put on off again) but I may shorten them eventually.
banner fun
Dec. 11th, 2004 12:36 am
I worked on the banners most of the day. They have turned out to be very time consuming. I started on this project a few months ago, so to refresh your memory…
The theme for this year's Twelfth Night party is "An Enchanted Forest". Lots of candles, silver branches, dark blue accents and glitter everywhere. We really want a decorative focal point in the room so what could be more perfect than a reproduction of Arwen’s bedroom banner. I fell in love with this banner the minute I saw it, so I’m very excited about the project. Unfortunately we don't have the time, or skills, to make a perfect replica of the original. The basic design will be painted on, with accents of superfine glitter and beading.
The fabric we are using is a lovely dark blue poly/rayon fabric from the G Streets bargain table. We really wanted something with a “sheen” to it and this color is perfect, a deep, deep blue. Michael's Crafts supplied the painting supplies. I looked at pretty much every paint in the store before setting on a silver colored acrylic. I’ve never worked with acrylic but one of the repro banner makers on AlleyCat used it. Besides, it was on sale.
The pattern is from AlleyCat. I enlarged it in my graphics program, printed out the sheets and taped them together. Today I finished outlining the pattern I’d enlarged (with a sharpie marker) for the center banner and started work on the smaller banner. I’ll take pics of the completed patterns tomorrow once I've finished. These banners are going to be a lot of work but I think they will be worth it. The paper pattern is already lovely… painted fabric will be even better! :>
a slight cutting day
Dec. 9th, 2004 11:23 pmI cut out the kimono belt, B’s re-vamp and taped together one of the banner patterns. Not a bad day, huh? :>
I got the Titanic DVD out of the library and watched it last night. I should say I watched the “Jenny edited” version anyway. I skipped all the bits without pretty clothes. :> I also paused and zoomed on some particular gowns, the kimono inculded. I love DVDs! Today, I started compiling all my notes & thoughts on the original kimono. Eventually it will be part of the dress diary but I’m not in a hurry about it. At this point it’s sew or write code and sewing wins out.
I really need to compile all my Titanic costume notes. I have researched a number of the outfits in detail over the years but my notes, sketches and photos are scattered in various places. A lot of it is just in my head, not written down at all. This kimono project has really inspired me to delve back into the 19-teens. It might be a useful thing, having some of that stuff easily accessible in the near future... *wicked grin*
I got the Titanic DVD out of the library and watched it last night. I should say I watched the “Jenny edited” version anyway. I skipped all the bits without pretty clothes. :> I also paused and zoomed on some particular gowns, the kimono inculded. I love DVDs! Today, I started compiling all my notes & thoughts on the original kimono. Eventually it will be part of the dress diary but I’m not in a hurry about it. At this point it’s sew or write code and sewing wins out.
I really need to compile all my Titanic costume notes. I have researched a number of the outfits in detail over the years but my notes, sketches and photos are scattered in various places. A lot of it is just in my head, not written down at all. This kimono project has really inspired me to delve back into the 19-teens. It might be a useful thing, having some of that stuff easily accessible in the near future... *wicked grin*
bargain table finds & a new project
Sep. 12th, 2004 09:39 pm
Oh, I was SO bad today! Sewing wise was a jackpot day at G Streets.
They, quite unusually, had lots of luscious cottons on the bargain table. I’m all about high quality cotton! I am a sucker for fine, expensive cottons, even more so than silk. Did I mention they were having a sale so the bargain table was less than normal too? :> The first piece I got was a fine white shirting. Really lovely, soft stuff with a fine striped pattern to it. I got all there was, 3.5 yards of that. Not sure what I will do with it yet. I’m thinking it would be lovely for my neckerchief though. Too bad there wasn’t enough for a gown. The second piece (not pictured) was a simple white cotton. It isn’t as fine as the shirting but it feels like butter to the touch. *melts in sighs* Someday I will regret that I didn’t get the whole piece but my meager bank balance won’t allow it. I wish parties weren’t so expensive to do! I got 6 yards, enough for a regency dress, a couple of shifts or perhaps a modern blouse and slip. So many options!
What I actually went to G Streets for was some twill tape (for the shift neckline) and the fabric for the Twelfth Night banners. After much changing of our minds, we’ve decided to go with an Elvish/enchanted forest theme. Lots of candles, silver branches, dark blue accents and glitter everywhere. We are pretty locked into this scheme now and I don’t expect it to change, hence the investment in supplies. I will be making a repro of Arwen’s bedroom banner as the main focal point in the room. I’m very excited about the project.
Anyway, I had seen this lovely dark blue poly/rayon fabric the last time I was at G Streets. I decided not to buy it, fearing the drape and overall silkiness of the fabric would make painting the design hard. After thinking about it I concluded that if the LOTR props department could do the original on silk, I could do it on slick rayon. I really wanted something with a “sheen” to it and this color is perfect, a deep, deep blue. Luckily the fabric was right where I left it two weeks ago so I was able to get what I needed.
I also stopped by Michaels on the way home and picked up the painting supplies for the banners. I looked at pretty much every paint in the store before setting on a silver colored acrylic. I’ve never worked with acrylic but one of the repro banner makers on AlleyCat used it. Besides, it was on sale. :> I will add some glitter to certain areas to bring out the design but I’m waiting for those to go on sale. There is no big rush on this…
Oh yes and when I got home, Nefret was very cuddly and curious about my bags. I think she might have missed me. :> She was especially delighted with the big I’ve been keeping the orchids in. So the obligatory cute kitty pic…
