Working on my cat tail.. Thursday, Feb 5 2009 

As I have stated before, I am going to AnthroCon 2009 this year with Wes (my husband) and some friends (who invited us).  I always get excited about things like this, basically all I need is an excuse to sew, and I am there.  So Wes and I discussed what my “fursona” should be, we decided that I am a liger (liger/tiger mix).  I am an exotic liger (I needed an excuse to wear hot pink and  black).  So here is what I worked on

This is the fabric and stuffing used to fill it. It is a hot pink/black tiger print, both items are from JoAnns

This is the fabric and stuffing used to fill it. It is a hot pink/black tiger print, both items are from JoAnns

So the first thing I did was fold in the fabric about 3.5″ and cut.  That left me with a folded piece of fabric, approx 42 inch long.  After that I folded it the other way, with right sides facing eachother, and sewed a 1/4″ seam

022

023

Seems basic enough. So after I did the seam. I then laid the fabric out so that the seam is in the middle of the fabric, I needed to do this, so I can sew the bottom edge together.

026

That white line you see is my attempt to make a curved line, so that when flipped inside out, instead of being straight, it will have an actual curve to it, just like a cats tail. Didn’t work out…exactly the way I wanted it, but it was ok.

So after all that, I flipped the tail inside out, and started stuffing it using the poly fill. I was able to slip my hand and wrist in there, and basically I would hold the poly fill and then scrunch the tail. I didnt over stuff it, I just stuffed it enough to be full.

Then…I took a hanger, straightened it out (to the best of my ability) and CAREFULLY worked the hanger into the tail, leaving about a 1 inch space from the bottom so that it doesn’t pole through.  I bent the top part of the hanger, stuck it into the poly fill, and then sewed the top close, and then flipped the over lap over and sewed that close to create a basic loop to slip the band through.  Here is the finished product..

030

It just so happens that my sheets have a tiger pattern going on. I also have a black and white tiger print blanket, and a tiger print bag, and other countless tiger print things (I love tigers, can’t you tell ?)  So the resulting length of the tail is about 37 inches, and with the hanger in it, I can curve it any way I want.

Tomorrow I am going to basically do an elastic band using 1 yard of elastic and the same fabric. I am just going to make a belt, slip it through the loop of the tail. And I can wear it around my waist. I am also going to do the ears/headband.

And I have designed my dress for opening day-here is a quick sketch of it018

Sorry that it is on the side. But I basically want a bodice, overskirt, and underskirt.  The bodice and overskirt will have black trim. For the main color I wanted a light gray/silverish fabric. It has to be lightweight (opening day is usually a scorcher).  I will be wearing a white chemise, and detachable bell sleeves.  So once I go through my existing fabric (I think I have some light gray/silver fabric lying around) I will start working on it :) .  I am adding black to make a stark contrast, and black is usually a color associated with nobility.

Well that is it for tonight. Feel free to share your comments and questions! tata

Some of my past garb Wednesday, Feb 4 2009 

Here are pictures of some of my past garb for the ren fair. I made all of these by myself!  I either reconstructed garments, drafted my own patterns, or just freehanded it. Enjoy!

Wes and I

Wes and I

My friend Tim and I-with alot of Ale in our systems

My friend Tim and I-with alot of Ale in our systems

Me in my red and black pirate garb-I didnt sew a waistband to the skirt!

Me in my red and black pirate garb-I didnt sew a waistband to the skirt!

Wes & I-Pants, pirate coat, bodice, gloves-We were going to use this picture for our wedding invites-say "till death do us part"

Wes & I-Pants, pirate coat, bodice, gloves-We were going to use this picture for our wedding invites-say "till death do us part"

Simple 1 peice Irish Dress-black chemise-made 4 hours before opening day for PARF 2008

Simple 1 peice Irish Dress-black chemise-made 4 hours before opening day for PARF 2008

Wes and I-my first attempt at a nobles gown. Reconstructed from my ex-sister in laws wedding dress. I think for a first time, it came out very well

Wes and I-my first attempt at a nobles gown. Reconstructed from my ex-sister in laws wedding dress. I think for a first time, it came out very well

My closing day gown (and cloak) Gown is a navy blue velvet, and the cloak is from Half Moon

My closing day gown (and cloak) Gown is a navy blue velvet, and the cloak is from Half Moon

So these have been what I wore to the ren fair. As you can see, I have progressed fairly well, if I must say so myself. Stay tuned!

new projects Monday, Aug 25 2008 

so i was so excited to work on my first nobles gown.  i am now ready to work on my second one! i dont now what color scheme i will be choosing, but i do like my navy blue and ivory color scheme.  it works well as to matching my boyfriends color scheme.

i also need to work on his doublet.  i dont really sew according to patterns, but for a doublet i think i will need one.  also i have never made a real bodice, so i think i may have to make one, my boyfriend suggested a great idea about how to interchange my pieces of garb, but im not sure how to work on that yet.

but what i do need is a new sewing machine. i saw a singer “simple” at walmart for $100.  this is the same sewing machine that i used to work on my recent outfit, but it was my friends, and i cant keep having her tote her machine to my house or me back up everything to go to her house.

i also need more fabric. i love fabric, and when i go to the fabric store it is a wonderful trip.  i have no problems with making the skirt part of my nobles garb, but to actually work on a bodice will be a bit hard :(

i also found some great hoopskirts at a great price. as some of you may know, my current dress is a reworking of an old wedding dress. so my next project will be a full dress from scratch, and a bodice. 

it’s funny, i spend so much money on fabric and supplies and such, but will never spend so much on my regular clothing. thats the mindset of a rennie, lol

well i need to go look up some free patterns, and such. so till next time

So happy Friday, Aug 15 2008 

OK everyone, i got the fabric! I am sooooo happy, i found it at the last minute just when i was losing hope on finding the perfect fabric that i imagined for my dress! i was in the fabric store with my friend jumping up and down with excitement

my friend is sewing glass pearls onto my snood, i found the perfect headband that i adore and love. i have the perfect fabric for my sleeves. and the trim almost made me cry lol

i cannot wait to start working on this (as soon as i get out of bed)