A friend of mine came to me a couple weeks ago, requesting a costume for her to wear to the Renaissance fair. I happily accepted the challenge And here is how things went down.

She picked out this Simplicity pattern, because she liked the gypsy costume. We ended up only doing the clothing pieces and left out the purse and head wrap. Because, I got lazy… :/

We picked fabrics at the color store, and upon one her freinds suggestions picked more natural, earth tones. Apparently  jewel tones are offensive at the Ren Faire… Or you have to be special to wear them or something. I’ve still never been to one. Maybe someday…

Meli’s color palette and fabric choices.

Constructing the sleeves (Chiffon is a bitch!)

Party time! Putting the corset together. This was my favorite part!

Close up while I was lacing it up.

Pinned to my too skinny dress form.

Making Sarah model the (almost) finished product.

The actual finished product on Meli! So ready for a Renaissance fair!

Project: Emily wants something specific to wear to a wedding.

My sister in law was in preparation to attend a wedding a while back. While I was over chillaxin with her on my lunch break one day (a regular happening), we sat together a sifted through various websites looking for dresses. I think I remember it was in the J. Crew wedding dress (you know, for the brides) section that she decided she wanted to wear a skirt. A layered, possibly tulle or chiffon, skirt with a kangaroo pocket. Somehow, I’m not sure of the details it was decided that it would be made! I had never sewn with chiffon before mind you, so I’m not sure WHAT I was thinking. But, off to the fabric store we went. and and picked her materials, and I headed home and got to work.

The ribbon and tulle pictured here didn’t actually make it into the finished product. But, as is the case with most projects that you are trying for the first time without a pattern, you learn, things get left behind, because sometimes, less is more. And that was the case here.

Here is has a layer, or 2 maybe, of tulle underneath the chiffon. It looked too boxy, so we ripped it out.

Here was the final and finished outfit she wore to the wedding. Skirt included:

She looked gorgeous. And I felt pretty amazing. Something about her wearing this to such a big event really made me feel great, very confidence boosting. I felt honored that she trusted me with such an important task.

The icing on the cake:

At the end of this project, my poor rickety, cheap-o sewing machine (I won’t even name it, I’m too embarassed)  really started to act up. Thread jams every hour, on the hour, the bobbin thread would sew way too tight while the other was loose. It was just straight WACK! I knew my machine was special. And I had planned to invest in a new one. Well, Emily had a sewing machine from when her and I took a few Fashion design courses together YEARS ago and offered to let me use her machine for a bit until I do eventually find one that I am ready to take the plunge into (I’d really like to get something nice). Well, this beauty is the machine Emily sent me home with:

It is an Elna model #2110, and it works like a dream.

I LOVE this thing. I am so grateful to Emily for being so generous and letting me use it. This baby is a huge part of the reason I have been so happy and sewing as much as I have lately. My old machine slowed me down and stressed me out. I haven’t had the problem once with this one. THANK YOU, Emmie! But, you can have it back whenever you want of course.

I thought I’d do  a few quick posts showcasing a few other projects I have worked on in the past few months but haven’t really discussed here enough. I sort of took an unexpected hiatus from blogging. I just was having issues finding the time while working and hanging out with friends, and sewing.

So here a re a few projects I’ve worked on:

A crib organizer. My girlfriend Laura is expecting a new baby boy in November. Through out her baby shopping she came upon a crib organizer and asked if I’d make her one similar to it, but more suited to her crib bedding. So, we took a trip to the Super JoAnn’s.  (It’s perfectly about halfway between her place and my place.) I’ve only ever gone there with her. It’s huge. She brought along pieces of her bedding and this was what came out!

I took these at her house last time I was there. I had been so anxious to see it set up with the crib and the bedding.  The organizer is meant to store spare diapers and wipes to have nearby for quickie changes. It was super fun to make.  This was really fun to put together, and also really easy. I love little projects my friends come to me with. It’s fun to try out things I wouldn’t come up with on my own, and attempt spread my skills out on different types of little projects.

I’ve been trying to make a little dress for my niece, Sawyer, for some time. My first 2 attempts failed. I did both with no patterns and the first I didn’t even really measure her. Ridiculous idea to attempt to make something for someone and eyeball the size. Don’t do it. I thought I couldn’t screw up a simple baby sized dress. Truth is, I can!

So, I went over to visit one night with tape measure in hand. Got all her stats. Bought a proper dress pattern to try out and her is the result:

she’s so tiny that the dress is sort of like a ball gown on her (not supposed to be, I was meant to shorten it, apparently :/ oops. )

She’s such a little lady <3

Don’t judge the super pink fabric too much. I got the yard of it for $1 at JoAnn’s during a sale with the intent on practicing this pattern with it. I’m confident enough to say, that I think I’ve had enough practice It came out well. It feels sturdy. I’m planning to whip her up quite a few more in some more wearable, everyday styles.

I loved making this. I was so excited when I got to put it on her.  I hope she lets me make her clothes for years to come! I also hope her and her brothers don’t end up thinking of me as the crazy Aunt who only gives strange handmade gifts. Although, I’m fully prepared for that outcome. It may very well be my future

My buddy, Brett had asked me to fashion him something to wear to an upcoming Renaissance Fair last week.  His idea was a wizard robe and cape of sorts, based off the idea of this kids costume:

(Magic Missile)

We discussed color options, and ended up with these:

A photo of the finished product on my dress form, with Darth Vaders head (thinking this could make good Halloween decor, it was pretty creepy chillin’ in my apartment).

And, The Grand Finale. The completed look. Brett put together a belt that could carry his sword. I was really excited with how it came out. I hope the fair was a lot of fun! and not too hot in that thing.

Projects on my plate: (in order of planned completion)

- Chili pepper fanny pack. (a friend of mine’s mother wants it for a friend.)  I’ve been lagging on this one, it’s been on my plate for a while. But, I have finally figured out HOW to actually do it properly and to my liking. So, that  should get finished up tonight. As a test run I made myself a solid black one. I love it. Pics of both to come.

- a gift for an, on the way, baby love bug. (I’ve already told the Mama, so I suppose it’s not that big of a surprise.) But, I’ll wait to post pics until its completed and I’ve given it to them.

- a black pencil skirt for my sister ( one of about 10 things on my list to make for her. )

- Dresses for my niece Sawyer! I made her a dress recently, and now and am in planning with my sis in law to load up on adorable fabrics and bang a million dresses out! She deserves only the prettiest and most amazing clothes. I plan to do all in my power to help contribute.

- Christmas gifts! It’s my mission this year to only hand make all Christmas gifts this year! I have some fun ideas in store too. I love to shop though, so hopefully, I don’t cave when I see toys for the kiddos (that’s what gets me, I love buying toys at Christmas, in hopes that I can play with them at some point. I’m really 5)

-Bedding for my nephew. My sis in law has an idea in mind for my nephews bedding when he transitions to a toddler bed, but  isn’t too keen on the options out there or the prices for the ones she does like. SO! She asked my thoughts on the idea of making some. I obliged, of course. I love a good challenge!

Other projects on the horizon:

- Duvet covers possibly for Mario, Sarah, and myself. I’m weary of it, I admit.  It’s gotta be easy, but it’s so big!

-Possibly a dress for my sister in law to wear to a wedding she is attending. We haven’t confirmed details yet, but have toyed with the idea.

-Skirts and dresses for moi! I bought some fabrics and drew up some ideas, and plan to get to work on the when I find the time. Fall and winter require more skirts and dresses for tights wearing!

-Eventually building some sort of inventory with a few ideas I have to start putting some Fashion pieces into my Etsy shop. This may not happen until after the Holidays, and after I find some time off from my ACTUAL job to work on it all. But, it is something I really want to to work toward. So, Stay tuned! If you’re interested, of course.

This model singer sewing machine is in a storage locker near my carport in my apartment building. The storage locker has no lock on it. And the table (with machine inside) is the only thing in it.

I want it.

I am wondering what the chances are that it was left behind I know my machine is the heaviest thing I own, but it’s a model from 1910. This model,  the 401a, is a model from the 1960′s) Maybe someone didn’t want to worry about it anymore. Not sure why they wouldn’t sell it. I’d BUY it! Unless someone in my building is just storing it, I just don;t know why they wouldn’t put a lock on it. I found it while going through to look for any empty locker to use myself.

I’m considering asking the building manager if that particular locker is assigned to anyone. If it is, I will shut my mouth, and let it rest. But, on the off chance no one currently is assigned to or linked to the locker, is it fair to grab it in a few months when I move out, if it’s still chillin?

I know, probably not. I don’t think I would. I would feel too shady. I don’t want to steel it, if it does belong to someone who wants it. But, it seems as though it’s been forgotten. I have been checking on it since June. I just feel sad that something so lovely is just sitting in a dark, dusty storage locker

image from:http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/kraftasmic/2007/05/08/slant-o-matic/

I made my sister and I dresses to wear to wear to our girlfriend, Kristin’s, Beetlejuice themed birthday party.

The idea was to come as a character from the movie or dressed in stripes or as someone dead as if you were in the waiting room.

I made this dress for Sarah:

And here is her completed overall look:

And here is Sarah, Steph and I in a little photo shoot before heading to the party.

This party and all of the preparation for it got me really pumped for Halloween. I love dressing up.

New clips, needed a new name. I’m trying to working on naming my pieces better. I clearly suck at it. I love a good name.

First up, Reagan:

But a bitch cant get a crumb up out of me
I drive a cadillac wear a perm and im a g
And im a motherfuckin P.I.M.P

Bought this Singer sewing machine table at My sister in Law’s Community garage sale over the weekend. I’m in love. Been wanting one for awhile. And while they are pretty common and easy to find, sometimes they are out of my budget.  And I got it dirt cheap. Con: Thing weighs a ton. legitimately. Fortunately, my sister is a bad ass and helped me lug into the apartment (no dolly!) just straight lifting. We took a lot of breaks and the elevator, but we still both had sore forearms and biceps the next day. It should be fun to move again someday. Next time I will have something with wheels handy.

I Love it. It goes so well in my room. AND, it works. Everything is functioning from what I can tell so far. It still has a needle in it even. Only thing it needs to actually sew is a treadle belt (think that’s what it’s called) which is about $9. Although, I’m worried dewing with it will cause more damage. From my research I’ve found that it is a Singer model number 66, made sometime around 1910-1920. Apparently I can email Singer with the Serial number the machine for an exact date it was made. Kind of RAD. Also, I can still purchase the manual from Singer. Party.

Singer, When I can afford it, I will come to you for my next machine.