My Journey in Dress Making

Opening Day at the PA Ren Faire

Marisa — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:23:39 +0000

The night before faire, was as always, a mad rush to complete garb. My husband needed grommets on the sides of his doublet (which turns out he DIDN’T because he lost so much weight that the doublet is a bit big), and he needed clasps for the front. We went to go get some clasps, and there were no clasps. Thankfully my friend Shasta (who is www.greenlinenshirt.com) came to the rescue, along with her awesome mother and helped me out. So Friday night, till about 1am, we were all in her house sewing and such.

So here is my husbands garb:

And here is my outfit. The overgown was made by Shasta who wore hers last year before her baby was born. And it still baffles me how it actually fits me. I swear, head on over to her dress blog, and see the dress on her. Then be in awe that the dress fits on me. We are two different heights, and vastly different in size. But damnit, that gown fit perfectly! I am very proud of my chemise and hat

Now…it RAINED about two hours after we got there. It was a freaking downpour. And the faire was closed. Which made me sad, and we had to head home. But at least we got pictures

More Booties

Marisa — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:39:22 +0000

If you have been following my blog, you know how I hate hand stitching. It’s not really hate, but I just don’t do it, nor do I like it. I am too impatient to handstitch. Well yesterday I promised myself to take a day off of sewing and just relax around the house, and that went well until midnight, when I became bored. My husband was home from work playing on the computer, the tv was on and I needed something to do. So I decided to make a new pair of booties to match Charlotte’s green velvet dress for faire (even though she is still nice and warm in my tummy). Here is the dress in case you missed it…

The booties were so simple to make and guess what? I hand stitched them! I don’t remember how long it took. From cutting to finish, I think it was about 5-6 music videos plus commercials. So in the span of an hour. I am so very pleased with these. At this rate, she will have booties to match every single outfit that she has.

Here is the super easy pattern/tutorial that I used for them : http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/07/led_firefly_booties_tutorial.html

For mine, I did not line them, so it does not have the contrasting fabric around the top. And I am going to wait until she is born to see if the shoe is too loose. If it is, I will sew a little tie on ribbon instead of elastic for her. Now since the pattern file is a .pdf you can scale the image to print. I believe when it comes up (at least for my printer) it was at 130%, I scaled it back to 75% based on newborn foot sizes, hopefully it works for her! So without further ado…here are her booties!

Now with all this done, I can now give the run down of the completed projects.

My husband
1)Double is nearly done. I need to place and set the grommets, and add the clasps to the front. It is up to him if he wants decorative trim, but he is not a real decorative guy, so it all depends.
2) I made him pants out of a light green linen a few days ago. Originally they were practice pants. But the light green actually works pretty well with the hunter green, so he will be wearing those to faire.
3)I was going to make him a new shirt in black. But I like the white and green contrast, so i think I am going to stick with that.

The Baby Charlotte
1) Her dress and chemise are completely done.
2)Her booties are done
3)I need to make her some kind of head gear. Either a little muffin cap or bonnet. Either way, both are super adorable.

Myself
1)The only COMPLETE thing I have done is my hat and fabric snood!
2)I am going to eventually purchase white cotton (even if it is a bed sheet-yay for resourcefulness!) to make my partlet blouse plus neck and wrist ruffs
3)I intend to wait until AFTER the birth to start working on my gown. It is going to be a simple gown, not full noble, but more of upper class merchant. Bodice and skirt. Still undecided if I want the skirt to be open in the front to show contrasting gold fabric or keep it completely closed. Surprisingly keeping it completely closed is much simpler. For the trim around the neckline of the bodice I intend to find and buy flat pearl buttons surrounded by rhinestones and sew those along the neckline. I will be keeping it very, VERY simple.

So wish my luck, and HAPPY SEWING!!!

My Hat!

Marisa — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:07:51 +0000

Not too much to say in this post. I made a hat, and I love it! Here it is. I also made a gold fabric snood to go with it!

Sewing Tizzy!

Marisa — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:30:21 +0000

I have been in a sewing tizzy. Which I am grateful for, as I was beginning to wonder where I would get energy for. Originally our plans for this years faire garb were to go as pirates, but I just can’t be satisfied with that. I love going as upper class/nobility. So what did I do? I started working on all new matching garb for the family. I have this great hunter green velvet fabric that I purchased from a friend and it has been a godsend. I am so proud to say that so far, all of my projects have been done with materials that I already have on hand!

First up, is Charlotte’s new ren faire dress

Squee! I love baby clothes. So little and cute and easy to make.

Next up is my husbands new doublet. Same hunter green fabric, and all made with the fabric I have on hand. It is not completely finished as I have to go get the clasps for the front closures, AND grommet the sides. I need him to put it on so I can mark the grommets. But my husband has a seriously weird body, hence the grommets on the side. I love the way it turned out. I had to draft the pattern based off of last years doublet since I could not find the pattern ANYWHERE! But it looks good to me!

Now, my gown I have not started yet, as I do not know what my measurements will be after the baby is born. But more than likely, I will be making the skirt ahead of time, as I can always adjust the waist band. I can also start on the sleeves which will be italian inspired. Yes I know, italian inspired sleeves on a tudor gown? Weird. And I do need to go out and purchase some cotton fabric to make my partlet blouse.

I am now about to start on my hat, which I have been very excited to work on. So more pictures to come soon! Happy sewing!

Of bags and women

Marisa — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:25:05 +0000

I have been on a roll lately. I just only hope that this energy lasts up until and way past my due date! Today I managed to get a pair of pirate pants done for my husband. They are not as poofy as I would like, but I am using fabric from my stash (I promised myself I would not buy ANY new fabric unless absolutely necessary). I basically used this dark navy velvet fabric which used to be a gown I had from back in 2006 I believe. This was the days when I threw things together in an attempt to look good. He’s not home yet (correction…he JUST walked in the door) for pictures. But I will get pictures of him in the pants soon.

After that I STILL had energy, and decided to make a bag for myself since this year I will be carrying more around. My pouch from Morseca is still reliable, but doesn’t have enough space. I basically free handed the pattern while cutting it! YAY for intuition and stuff!

And here are the booties that I made for the wee one

First piece of garb of the season!

Marisa — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:20:28 +0000

Wow. I must say that being pregnant really does take ALL of my energy out of me. Between the sleeping, nesting, doctor appointments, photographing weddings (which I am on maternity leave now) and other things, my love for sewing has been gone. But today, I finally had the urge to sew and set to it! So what was my first piece? Renlet garb for my little baby girl Charlotte.

I made her a simple, simple, simple chemise. It doesn’t even have sleeves, and it ties on each shoulder. I also made her a little split-front over dress that laces up in the back. It is not complete yet, but it will be. I have to bind the armholes, punch the grommets for the lacing and that’s it! I have the fabric for her matching booties cut out, but I have yet to get to them.

So here are some shots of the tiny ones garb!

I can’t make up my mind!

Marisa — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:20:31 +0000

On costuming that is! Originally I decided that I was going to make a new upperclass ensemble for myself, my husband, and the baby. At first I was torn between Italian or a Spanish Ropa/Elizabethan Comfort gown for me. I even have the fabric already!!! Then I decided, that it may be too much to do, and since we will only be going to ren fair once that it does not make sense to create something new. So instead I was going to stick with a fancy pirate theme. I have this amazing full tiered offwhite circle skirt, and a red skirt to hike up on top of that. I was then going to purchase a bodice from Damsel in this Dress…the Vixen corset (shown below)

Isn’t it lovely? I just love the way she designs her corsets. But yes, that is the style of corset I will be purchasing, it will be a gift to myself after the baby is born. She has this gorgeous Maroon and Ivory floral chenille that I am going to pick for the corset. On top of that I was going to make a nifty, super fancy pirate hat, some awesome jewelry (it’s all about the accessories) and a cute bag.

I figure that it is awesome enough for me to be comfortable, but at the same time, pretty enough to still be gorgeous.

And…to top it off, I have a PRAM! Yes-my two friends saw a pram at our Farmer Market and snagged it for me for a baby shower. It’s a maroon leather looking pram that is in pristine condition. I am going to pimp it out a bit. Color the piping from white to gold, and make the cushion cover gold and maroon, and then the interior is probably going to be gold or maroon. My husband needs to oil up the parts and if possible spraypaint the metal parts to black (I don’t really want them looking silver)

I am also trying to find vinyl pirate ship decals that are removable so that I can put on the side of the pram and on the cover. I want to remove them, because the pram will be used for Steampunk next year also.

In addition to all of that, I have to complete the doublet for a friend, and get NEW fabric so my husband and I can match this year with color. So I will keep you updated pretty soon with pictures!

Steampunk Worlds Fair 2011

Marisa — Mon, 23 May 2011 01:43:40 +0000

There is nothing more than I can say other than it was amazing. I had a great time, especially seeing people that I haven’t seen (except on Facebook) from last year. Besides a few mishaps concerning vendors, the fire marshal and the restaurant, it was great.

Initially, when I packed, I tried to go with comfortable clothing, nothing too flashy. But once I arrived there, I felt severely under dressed, and needed to rectify that…immediately. So the second day I purchased a long skirt plus an amazing jacket with tails, a top hat and a few other items, and rocked it for that whole date!

Now that this event is over, I can focus all of my extra energy into this years ren fair outfits! I know that this will take some good timing and patience!

I have my Margo Anderson-Elizabethan Comfort Pattern that I want to make for myself. As a secondary, I want to make (or possibly purchase) and underbust bodice and short sleeved chemise to throw together a quick pirate/wench ensemble paired with the skirt pictured above.

For my husband, I have to finish his doublet, make or purchase a new shirt (we already have the fabric for it), and he needs a new pair of tights.

The baby needs a little chemise and overdress to match mine!

And I have to complete a doublet for a friend of mine!

The Baby Bump

Marisa — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:03:32 +0000

Well, I have quite a few events coming up. 16 more days and it is time for Steampunk Worlds Fair! Have I made anything? No. I can’t really do corsets because hey, I am 25 weeks pregnant. But I do have some very nice skirts and tops which should be suitable. I am going for comfort rather than style.

After that, it’s Ren Fair. And boy oh boy I am confused as to what to do. We won’t really be going as often since we will have a baby in tow, but I still want a pretty outfit. I have my two pirate skirts from last year. I definitely want to make an underbust bodice and chemise. For my noble garb, I want to make an Italian gown. We will see how that goes.

But today, I was bored and decided to make a dress!

That’s me, in my pregnant glory. The dress is basically a skirt from scratch, an old shirt that definitely was not fitting over my stomach, and a belt from scratch. sew the skirt to the top, and bam! Instant maternity dress. Took literally 30 minutes, and that’s because I had to make the rosettes that are on my belt.

Trying to get the mojo up!

Marisa — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:31:07 +0000

Happy New Year! I know I am kind of late. Things have been crazy. I lost my sewing mojo for a while, but I have a reason…I’m having a baby!!! We found out on 1/9, when I went to the ER after feeling like absolute crap for 10 days. We had no idea what was going on. We assumed it was gastric bypass complications. But we got to the hospital, and while there we found out I was pregnant. So i am currently 4 months pregnant and due in early August. We are so excited.

So with new baby coming, I have been going into nesting mode, wanting to clean everything. And being that Steampunk fair and Ren Fair are coming up and such, I need to make a few new items. Even though the baby is going to be born right before ren fair, when we finally do make it to ren fair, I know I will not want to be tied up in a tight corset, and gown and all that. So this year I am going to go with an Italian/German type gown, with a few adjustments that make nursing a bit easy.

Now here are the DEFINITE projects that I need to finish before working on my new stuff:

My husbands doublet! It is actually cut and pinned since…LAST REN FAIRE! I just never got around to finish sewing it. It is going to be so nice. Its a lovely blue/purple iridescent tafetta, he loves it.
Dave’s doublet! A friend purchased fabric for me to make his doublet, LAST YEAR, and I just never got around to it. So I definitely need to finish it

Now for Steampunk fair, which I am so looking forward to, I made a GORGEOUS outfit, but unfortunately I may not be able to wear it. I will be about 28 weeks pregnant at the SPWF, so most likely this outfit is not going to work. Plus, even then, I will not want to be in tight corsets and whatnot, so I am going with comfort rather than style. I figured a nice khaki wrap dress for one outfit, and possibly a “newspaper boy” outfit. Some cute pants, a vest, cute shirt. we will see. But I am excited for one of my more creative outfits though! I’m not going to give away details, but it involves a porthole, LED lights, an awesome strap system and a couple of other goodies.

So on to ren fair!

We may be going to the VARF in May. It’s a week after Steampunk Worlds Fair, so we may have to see how things go. It will be a M’Crack Family gathering, and since I will most likely miss the one at MDRF on Labor Day since baby will still be “new” lol, I want to go to this one. So…Italian gowns! Here is one I like

It is from Well Dressed Lady, I admit, she makes some pretty nifty things. Now i’ve been torn between buying the gown or making my own. I figure that I could freehand most of it without using a pattern. Since I hate using patterns. I could start with a V-neck or a square neck bodice, have it hit right below my bust. Then have the split front attached skirt (room for the belly). I will somehow make one side detachable at the shoulder so if I need to nurse (depending if we take baby to ren fair) then it will be easy.

Ever since my pink nobles gown last year, I have been hooked on it, and the only other ensemble that I love is pirate costumes. But of course most pirate costumes require a tight corset/bodice to push the “assets” up! lol.

This seems like a great resource. I may have to dive a bit more into it. http://genvieve.net/sca/mcitalrennotes/index.html, and I just found a link that shows how to construct a bodice, this is pretty cool too http://homepages.wmich.edu/~rowen/renbk/rendressbook.html

It’s going to be a back closure gown, made out of the blue and gold jacquard fabric that I have had for two years, but have yet to make anything from it. I have 6 yards of it, so it should be enough for the bodice, the skirt, and the sleeves. If it comes down to it, the sleeves can be made out of the same fabric as my foreskirt. I do need to search for trim though, something bold that stands out from the fabric. Forgive the lack of quality of the picture, my camera phone sucks, and it’s not the best lighting.

And besides I can’t start working on it right away. I have to wait till closer till ren fair to measure my bust and my underbust line, lol. I would hate to start working on it, and it be too small.

Well thats about it! Once I clean up my sewing area, i’ll get ready!