Christmas Goodies!

I just got some amazing fabrics from Fabric.com. I ordered them, thinking that they wouldn't come until next week, but here they are!

Taken from my instagram

The fabric on the left is this stunning metallic border print. I am so in love with it. It will become a skirt! The three on the right are scrummy rayon challis (x, x, x)  The black will become a skirt that may go up in my etsy as a made to order item. The gingham and dot will probably become tops after my surgery.

xx.
Kate

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate! I hope your Christmas (or just a regular Friday) was wonderful!

I got a lovely new dressform! It's actually my size, and it's so much prettier than my adjustable one!
Her name is Phoebe. Bought from here in size 18/20. I'm currently a bit bigger than her, but I am scheduled for a breast reduction and a bit of lipo in January, so it's all good.

Isn't she so beautiful?

I also got my very first serger! I don't have a picture of it because I haven't been able to set it up yet, as I'm currently bunking with my mom. I got the Brother 1634D. I'm very excited, well excited and scared, to use it.
As my Christmas present to myself, I've bought a gorgeous vintage cream and green floral taffeta that is dying to become a 1950s dress, and I have some very exciting fabric on the way from Fabric.com.

xx,
Kate

Indie Pattern Suggestions

Does anyone have any Indie Pattern suggestions for me? I usually make my own patterns, but there are things I don't feel skilled enough to pattern (and also too lazy). I'm mostly looking for tops, sweaters, and tights/leggings. It would be preferable if the patterns went into plus sizes, but I can usually deal with xl/18ish. Thanks everyone!

HSM: Sewing Secrets

I've been taking a bit of a hiatus from HSM, not on purpose, but life happened. Part of my halloween costume somewhat went along with October's challenge, though! I hope to get back in the groove soon.

Excuse the awkward face and the weird bodice lacing

The secret!

The Facts:

The Challenge: Sewing Secrets
Fabric: Poly (probably) damask, cotton duck for interlining, tan cotton for lining, checked cotton for secret armhole facing, poly satin for piping
Pattern: My own!
Year: Vaguely 16th/18th century
Notions: Heavy duty cable ties for boning, cotton yarn for piping, beading lace, poly satin ribbon
How historically accurate is it? Not very. The bodice is a very stylized version of stays
Hours to complete: lots and lots
First worn: Halloween!
Total cost: I think everything was in the stash, so none at this time, but I'd guess $15-$20

Purple Paisley Dress!

I actually finished this dress and got pictures a couple of weeks ago, but I never got around to writing up a blog post. But here it is! (Sorry for the headless pictures again, I can't seem to control both my face and body at the same time for a picture.)

  

(Sorry for the long line of pictures! I had them arranged nicely, but apparently they wanted to go all wonky,)

It's made from the same basic pattern as my floral border print dress, but I adapted it to have a cross-over neckline. 

This dress is made of 3 yards of 36" wide vintage cotton with a woven self stripe and a purple paisley print. I'm so in love with this fabric. Not only is it beautiful, but it was lovely to work with. I just barely got my dress out of the yardage, but I did it! The bodice is lined with white cotton twill, and the skirt is lined with cotton gauze. The dress closes with a hand-sewn zipper on the left side. I even put a patch pocket for my phone!

I'm very happy with this dress! It probably cost me less than $10, because the paisley was gifted to me. 

I've got a couple more dresses on the to-do list! They'll most likely end up being 1950s-esque fit and flare silhouettes, because that's my favourite style right now. And I've made a pattern for a wrap skirt to wear to ballet class, which I'm going to make up in purple chiffon. I've also been wanting to try my hand at making some tights/leggings, some cropped cardigans, and maybe a coat for winter. (I'm dreaming of a sunshine yellow or aqua full-skirted coat in wool, a cardigan in every colour, and comfy, non-itchy tights!)

xx, Kate

Etsy shop!

I now have an Etsy shop! (x)
Not much in it at the moment, but I am finishing up a costume that I'll be listing soon!

Halloween 2015 Costume

This year I'm going to be Belle! Specifically, Broadway Village Belle. The costume is in progress!