Getting started..
So my goals for today is to:
- Clean my living room
- Clean my sewing area
- Straighten up kitchen and bathroom
- Vacuum
- Clean bedroom
Although it seems like a lot, it really is not. But for me, especially with feeling exhausted all hours of the day since we came back from Disney world, it appears to be a daunting task! lol. Hopefully I can motivate myself to get it all done. Because once those are done then I plan on doing the following things:
- Make a new bum roll. Last year’s bum roll was way to small, not enough roll for the bum to be noticeable!
- Make a new, pretty pouch for my new pretty gown
- Layout and cut the under layers for my bodice for my gown
- Layout and cut the under layers for my husbands doublet.
Here is the pattern that I ended up buying, although I said I will never buy a Simplicity pattern unless it was on sale, I just couldn’t let it go! lol
Men's Doublet
Now, if you know me, and have been a reader of my blog. You know that I hate using patterns! Not because I dislike patterns, but because I am the type of person that always wings it, and can figure out how to do things myself. When I use patterns, it kind of throws me for a loop when following their directions. So it’s not guaranteed that I will be using this pattern for his doublet, but it will be used as a guide at least.
Now for my dress this year. Of course I am basically winging it once again, as I did all of my dresses, but here is the inspiration:
Inspiration
Now for me, I don’t think I am going to do the shoulder rolls, and not sure if my waist of the dress will have the pleated effect as seen above. But that was basically my inspiration.
But I suppose that the only way to actually get those lists done is to stop blogging and do it! I will be back later with pictures on my progress!
Fabric Fiasco!!!
So ren fair is about a month away, and I have yet to work on my gown. The main issue is the fabric crisis I am having. I have yards and yards of this gorgeous silver fabric, but upon further investigation, it turns out the fabric is way to thin to do anything with. So I visited JoAnns where I always see lots of fabric I want, but surprisingly nothing I wanted.
So I ordered a couple of swatches from https://www.800fabrics.com/new_home.php, and hopefully when they get here I can make up my mind. I did find this great silver drapery fabric, on sale for $3.99 or $4.99, can’t remember, so if the swatch is perfect, then I will be ordering it asap! I hope it is perfect though, because the pattern looks really pretty.
i think it is absolutely perfect for what I wanted. I was going to go with a black underskirt, since I have a black chemise already, and black trim.
There was this PERFECT dark gray/blackish pearl trim at JoAnns, but at 24.99 a yard I definitely had to put it back. Hopefully I can find something similar, because it was perfect!
The fabric is not only for my dress, but for my husbands doublet that I will be making. I know I have to get started soon, but I need the fabric to get here!!!
I typically do two gowns a season, I mean I could wear the two gowns I wore last season, but as my sewing skills expand, I love to create new things, that and being that I am at home since I am on disability, lol. It gives me something to do. For the second gown I was thinking of this
my husband loves blue, so I figured he would enjoy this. we are trying to go for a matching theme this year. I also have to get some black crushed velvet to make him a new pair of tights. there is nothing wrong with his old tights, but he is looking for something new, and I can understand that lol. ren fairs are the only time that i can get him excited with clothing.
well i need to finish laundry and cleaning, then i have to visit my mother
oh wait, here is another fabric i was considering
im not too sure about using it as a fabric for my ren fair gown, or any ren fair item for that matter. but i do absolutely adore the pattern, and i was thinking about getting it anyway, just so i can make a really cute corset. add some frilly lace along the bottom. yes? no? we will see!
happy sewing!
Minnie Mouse and Knights
It is July, and you know what that means? Ren Fair season 2009 is right around the corner. August is opening days for both the Pennsylvania Ren Fair and the Maryland Ren Fair, which my husband, my friends, and I will be attending.
This seasons project is a new nobles gown made of lightweight sliverish/periwinkle fabric, with a black emroidered trim, and a black underskirt, and that is for myself. For my husband, I will be making black crushed velvet tights for him, a new black mens shirt, and a doublet out of the silver/perwinkle fabric with matching trim.
The only thing I will not be making is a new hoop skirt, which I so desperately need. I have a “wedding” type hoopskirt which provides very little hoopness lol, I wore that last year when I converted the wedding dress into a ren fair dress.
So in other news we just came back from Disney World, and it was an awesome trip. I don’t think I showed you guys my “minnie mouse” dress
I’m thinking about whipping up a new dress for the 4th of July weekend, but my house is a mess, and before I start sewing I need to clean. So we shall see
Off to Disney, well tomorrow anyway.
So tomorrow I leave for Disney. And right now I am in the middle of washing clothes, cleaning, and eventually packing. I am hoping to conquer two swing dresses before I have to leave 
I will have to see, because I have so much to do!!!
I think on the third day that we are there, we are eating at the 50’s prime time cafe, in which I am considering wearing this:
My red and white polka dot swing dress
and of course my awesome 50’s style bathing suit:
cherry print suit!
50’s style-my one true love
Here is my 50’s inspired swing dress. It is a red and white polka dot fabric, and because I did not have enough of the red and white polka dot fabric, I made the middle out of red cotton. This was a pretty simple dress to make. Basically a circle skirt, a waist, and a sweetheart neckline bodice. I received many compliments and I love this.
I think the next dress I am going to work on will be a red bengaline. I just saw this type of dress yesterday, and I think it will be adorable, especially since you can wear different tops for them.
My red and white polka dot swing dress
Dreaded patterns
So last night my husband purchased the Sims 3. I am a huge Sims fan, and I spent much of the night playing!
Today I received our Disney World package vouchers. Which means the trip is only 19 days away. I have one of my dresses to wear there about 98% completed, and still have 5 more dresses to go. Technically I should be able to knock out a dress a day. But I have had issues with my past cherry print dress and the new dress that is almost complete. The issues come from the boob area. I manage to not put enough fabric, and then get the dreaded side boob. And if I put too much fabric or just the right amount it freaking gapes at the boob, still creating side boob. Now this only happens when I do the sweetheart neckline. Which I think the universe is telling me, not to do the sweetheart neckline anymore. But it’s soooo cute!!! And keep in mind, I do not do any of my dresses by pattern. I’m kind of iffy to patterns, and let’s not forget the fact I cannot find any PLUS SIZE 50’s Patterns.
I can understand that during that time, before the dreaded high fructose corn syrup, many women were thinner than they are now, but seriously, us big girls that are addicted to retro clothing, want patterns too! I went to JoAnns a few weeks ago to look into the pattern books. I went to the plus size section as I obviously do…and they had patterns for 40’s themed clothes, and skips right into the 60’s!!! How do you skip a whole damn decade?
So most of my dresses are drawn out while they are being sewn. I have the circle skirt which is easy enough, then add a waist, and its the boob part that is harder. Being that I have gigantic boobs, I have to throw in extra fabric and some darting.
Well today I am “supposed” to clean the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Hopefully..I “clean” and then get back to sewing, taking pictures, and posting for them to see.
Oh yeah, Ren Fair season is right around the corner! Can’t wait.
I’ve been away far too long
I know, I know, i have been neglectful to my lovely dress blog. I honestly have not been into sewing lately. I have been really working on my photography, and just enjoying being at home. If you don’t know, I have fibromyalgia, so daily activities are hard as most of my time I am in pain, or just tired. But, I do have good news….
We are going to DISNEY WORLD! Yes, it’s our second trip, commemorating our “fake wedding” in 2007, our honeymoon from our real wedding which was in 2009, and just a vacation that is extremely needed. The trip is June 23-June 30, with my 23rd birthday being on June 24! We are having dinner with Cinderella and the Princesses in the castle on my birthday.
So my projects, well my main project so far is to work on my 50’s style sundresses. I have learned from our last trip to Disney World that clothing is a big factor in tolerating the heat/humidity that is Florida. Last time, I had one dress, and the rest of the time I had capris and shirts, and to be honest I was very uncomfortable. Not only was I uncomfortable because of the heat, I felt that I looked all blob like. I mean, yes I am a big girl, but still, some shots were not flattering.
My fascination with 50’s style dresses is that it looks great on any figure, and is comfortable. And since all of the dresses are the same shape, all I have to do is lay the dresses on top of eachother, fold and roll and pack. I’ll probably take two pairs of shorts, and like 4 shirts just in case. It is imperative that you change your outfit towards the early evening, since you spent all day sweating!
Yay! I am so excited for Disney!
Here is my polka dot dress that I completed and love.
polkadot dress
now although there is a sweater in here, I will not be wearing a sweater in florida! as you can see, I have victory rolls, which I LOVE!
my cherry print dress that I adore, I unfortunately dont have pictures of, i dont know why? lol. but it is awesome!
also here is my fabulous and awesome vintage bathing suit (more cherry print action!)
cherry print suit!
I personally think I look amazing!
Well I’m off to relax since I have a huge pounding sinus headache, and then maybe..just maybe, I may get to work on a new dress.
I did it!
I finally made my cute circle skirt. The pattern ended up being odd, because it was supposed to be 4 panels, but I did three because of lack of fabric yet it fit perfectly. So therefore that means that I measured wrong again, but it turned out to be awesome, especially with the fabric that I have. here are some pictures.
so i am going to make more to put up in my etsy store to sell. i got a couple of requests, and since i am home all day, i can make them, and sell them, and all will be good.
i am going to Disney World for my birthday! with Wesley-this is our 2nd year going on my birthday and it is going to be so much fun. This time, based off of last years weather experiences I am going to make a bunch of 50’s style sun dresses-because they are my favorite and they are comfortable and while I am walking I dont have to worry about being blah. So after I finish cleaning I will be working on the first dress tonight.
tata
Busy Busy Busy
That is what I am. I have been really sick, but I have kept myself busy by learning new crochet stitches, and crocheting/sewing bags and such. I opened up a new etsy.com store
http://taylormadedesign.etsy.com
I’m listing items right now as we speak. Check it out.
Gotta run, more cleaning, sewing, crocheting, and homework to do!
Retro pleated handbag
Im totally in love with this handbag. Here is the prototype. It is unlined, and doesnt have a pocket or anything, but its mine and super adorable
isnt it fabulous! good news is that i am making three more to sell in my etsy store
i also tried out the easy smeezy pattern for the circle skirt. it works like a charm. because i was in a rush, it didnt come out, exactly how i wanted it to, but its still awesome. and when i take my time, i know it will continue to be awesome.
also-Wes is getting me some awesome crochet/knitting books for vday i have TONS of yarn laying around. and only know how to do one stitch! i might as well learn something useful.
more crafty stuff tomorrow
