Hello,
Goodness, it has been quite a while since my last post. Things here in my parlor have been rather busy as of late, which means that my best laid plans of doing the Historical Sew Fortnightly have gone completely out the window.
The main reason is that my studies are taking up a lot of my time. The joys of studying fashion I suppose.
So hopefully I will soon share some of my other projects that I have been working on in my very small spare time.
Until then,
Warmest wishes to you all.
Elizabeth
Thursday 3 April 2014
Saturday 1 February 2014
Challange the 2nd - Innovation
I had hoped to make an 1890 corset for
the second Sew Fortnightly Challenge – Innovation. I had planned to
have a heap of information about how the busk and steel boning had
made corsets what they are today and about how before steel boning it
was cording, rushes or whalebone.
But unfortunately life interfered
with my plans and made it almost impossible to get this challenge
done. That coupled with the fact that the supplies I ordered for this
project have not arrived, being delayed by the Chinese New Year, mean
that I will be skipping this challenge.
So, on to the next challenge.
Best wishes,
Elizabeth
Wednesday 15 January 2014
Historical Sew Fortnightly - Challenge 1
For the first challenge, “Mend and
Make Do” I have made a Victorian bustle pad out of an old
cotton shirt.
In my research I found these two examples of similarly shaped bustles:
Fabric: Cotton muslin / Hobby fill / Merino Fleece.
Pattern: None, though I did draw out a rough guide.
Year: Roughly 1880'.
Notions: Cotton tape / white thread.
How historically accurate is it? Fairly accurate.
Hours to complete: About four or five (several episodes of both QI and The Addams Family), spread out between other projects.
First worn: Not yet, as I have no skirt to wear it with, but it is a start for my historical wardrobe.
Total cost: All materials were scrounged from the fabric stashes, but if I tried to give a rough estimate it would be around $6 (AU) for the cotton tape, the top I was given by a friend and the thread was about $2. The fleece I used was also given to me from a friend and the hobby fill was $9 for a 500g bag.
On-ward to the next challenge!
Regards,
Elizabeth.
In my research I found these two examples of similarly shaped bustles:
- This example from 1880, made of
cotton muslin is very similar to the one I am making.
- This is the
other example, also from 1880, is similar in shape and the ties are
closer to the model I am making.
Here we have the materials and such (though not pictured are the several large cups of tea that also formed an important part of making this). And also the kuta top that formed the basis of my bustle.
Starting with my measurements and a rough guide drawn out on scrap paper I cut the general shape out, leaving a 2 cm seam allowance.
Starting with my measurements and a rough guide drawn out on scrap paper I cut the general shape out, leaving a 2 cm seam allowance.
I
machine stitched the main part of the bustle, double
stitching to make sure no stuffing will come out,
stuffed it with a
combination of 'hobby fill' and partly felted merino fleece as I have
them on hand, and hand stitched the cotton tape on.
The Stats:
The Challenge:
No.
1Fabric: Cotton muslin / Hobby fill / Merino Fleece.
Pattern: None, though I did draw out a rough guide.
Year: Roughly 1880'.
Notions: Cotton tape / white thread.
How historically accurate is it? Fairly accurate.
Hours to complete: About four or five (several episodes of both QI and The Addams Family), spread out between other projects.
First worn: Not yet, as I have no skirt to wear it with, but it is a start for my historical wardrobe.
Total cost: All materials were scrounged from the fabric stashes, but if I tried to give a rough estimate it would be around $6 (AU) for the cotton tape, the top I was given by a friend and the thread was about $2. The fleece I used was also given to me from a friend and the hobby fill was $9 for a 500g bag.
Regards,
Elizabeth.
Tuesday 14 January 2014
Joining The Historical Sew Fortnightly.
I stumbled upon the blog of Leimomi Oakes, The Dreamstress, halfway through last year, and her wonderful challenge,the Historical Sew Fortnightly (HSF).
Inspired by it I had thought of joining at the beginning of the next
year, but events and time pushed all thoughts of it out of my head,
until it came up in my web trawlings the other day.
So I decided this year was the one I
was going to join in.
The challenges have been set and my
mind is already ticking over the possibilities.
I think I should note now that my
historical accuracy may be a little out, as I am going for wearable
as well as historical. And in my case it means most things will be
made on the darker side of the spectrum.
Wish me luck.
Monday 13 January 2014
First Project for 2014!
A Sewing Machine Cover.
It has taken me a little while but it
took my finally got sick of all the dust in my sewing machine to make
me realise that I need a cover for it.
A quick hunt through the fabric stashes
(yes plural) I found the one. Its a Halloween print quilting fabric,
a purple base with little black bats and orange stars.
All the necessary components, including my cup of tea.
To start with I measured my sewing
machine.
I could not find my tape measure so I
just grabbed my yard stick and measured it roughly.
Then measured the pattern out with
scrap paper.
Cut the fabric to size, leaving about 2
cm gap all the way around for seam allowance.
Sew together.
To finish I edged the bottom with some
black satin ribbon I had laying around.
And voila, my sewing machine cover is
complete.
I had thought of lining it with
something to stiffen it up, like cardboard, interfacing or wadding
but a lack of suitable materials and a severe case of the
“couldn't-be-bothered-s” I left it as it is. It does the job,
that is all that matters.
Friday 3 January 2014
New Years Resolutions
With the new year bringing thoughts of
resolutions and the fact that my wardrobe has become rather thin of
late (and that being a poor student I cannot afford to buy myself a
new one) I have decided to take up a sewing challenge.
The main idea came from a few places:
Sewing Your Style on tumblr with her
“Check Out My DIY Wardrobe” post.
And
Sew Country Chick with her post “Sewingyour basic Wardrobe.”
While her suggestions for a basic
wardrobe is great for most people, those of us with more unusual
tastes may find it a little harder.
A little info before I start. I am a
Goth, a Goth with more of a Victorian flavour so most of my projects
will be based around that. I adore the ornate and the unusual, as
well as historical fashion so that has crept into my plans.
So here is my Sewing Plan:
Tops
- High collar blouses in black and white
- Shirt with v neck and large bell sleeves
Skirts
- Semi bustled/gathered back victorian
skirt- Witchy handkerchief hem black skirt
- Corset laced pencil skirt
- Fishtail skirt with frilled bottom
- Fishtail skirt with gathered base
- Fishtail skirt with pleated bottom with alternate inner colour
- Victorian (natural form) bustle skirt
- Long skirt with back ruffles
- Knee length (for over petticoats)
in a spider web fabric
in plain black satin
in blue velvet
Jackets and Capes
- Victorian military style jacket- Lily Munster style cape
- Opera cloak
- Dolman Mantle
Corsets
- Under bust sleeping corset
- Under bust everyday (underwear) corset
- Under bust pleather corset
- Under bust vinyl corset
- Under bust brocade corset
Suits
- black pencil skirt and tailored
jacket set
Hats and Fascinators
- Veiled hatsAnd anything else I feel like making.
My main idea is to try and make one
garment a fortnight. If I can make one a week, even better, but to
start off with I think one a fortnight is more achievable for a
sewing beginner like me.
And in the spirit of New Years Resolutions I thought I would share some of my other resolutions.
- Tightlace
- Learn to play 5 songs on the piano:
PrimaveraComptine D'un Autre Ete L'Apres Midi
Lacrimosa (piano solo)
Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
Swansong for a Raven (piano solo)
- Create an inspiring sewing studio
space
- Design and create my dream wardrobe
(Fits rather well with this)
- Own a corset collection (So does this
one)
- Create a beautiful gothic garden
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