Works in Progress

Earlier in the year I told myself I'd make myself lovely pieces of clothing, and blog about it. I've been slowly doing the making part, but slacking with the blogging. So I figured showing some of what I'm working on would help.



I'm sort of stuck on which fabric I should use for the blouse, though I could make two. The fabric on the left I received as a gift from a professor last fall semester, and it's incredibly soft, but quiet sheer. But, I'm sure a slip or nicely colored undershirt can help with that.



I originally intended to make this to see Casablanca during the TCM 20 event, but sadly the dress sat in a pile, and I actually never saw the movie that night. I was cleaning and found the instruction sheet, and I figured I can finish it up. It just needs sleeves, facing and hemming right now, so that can probably be done in a weekend.



I've been sitting on this circle skirt for a good bit of months, which is laughable considering how quick it is to work on a circle skirt from start to finish. But as of today, it's got the zipper installed. Just have to put the waistband, and hem it up. I think I'll work on it tomorrow, as I gotta have purple in the machine for a costume I'm working on.

I'm of course working on cosplay for SDCC, but photographing progress on those is a bit different. But, I will have oodles of selfies on my twitter and Instagram during the event, so be sure to check those out. I'll have a nice little blog post about it afterward, as I think you guys would be interested in that.

What are some of your works in progress? Are any of you going to Comic Con?

A Few Finds

Hello everyone!
 This past Sunday I decided to get out of the house and travel to the San Diego Vintage Flea Market. A couple semesters ago a classmate told me about it, but I was unable to attend it due to having other things going on. But I am very glad I was able to go. I took public transit, ended up on the wrong bus first go around, but eventually made it, and left with a few treasures! Sadly I took no photos at the event, but I believe the next one is in November, so I'll see what I can do!



I scribbled up a simple list on Evernote, and was able to grab what I could from it. Clearly getting patterns was my main goal.



I grabbed this pattern, and the gloves in the big haul photo from a booth which I stupidly forgot to grab a business card from. I'm wondering how a higher collared pattern would look on me.



Snagged these buttons from a very sweet vendor who chatted me up a bit. She was very happy to hear I sew my own clothing, and wished me luck in my endeavors. These are ceramic buttons, and I plan to add them to a dress I have planned later this year.



I was meandering down the the aisle and my patterns radar was kicked off. These were both in the same bag, and of course they needed to come with me. At the vendors stall, I saw a very gorgeous lucite purse, but I refrained from getting it, I decided to be good, and I'm not kicking myself over it so it worked!  The first patterns envelope was in a sad state, but all the pattern pieces were accounted for. Now to get some comics sleeves to protect them.



Picking between the various offerings of the Oblong Box Shop booth was very difficult. I left and came back after a little bit of wandering about, and ended up taking the white Pinup Top home with me. Its a very cozy fit, and is quite versatile!

In the overview of my patterns, I found an extra little treasure. It's not that much, but it made me smile and wonder a bit.



Tucked inside this pattern instructions was a note from a lady who was taking home ecc in the 1950's. They seemed to be her class notes for this pattern. And I got to wondering, did she ever finish making the outfit? What colors did she choose? Did she love the end result? I suppose this is why I like history and old things, I always get to wondering about the past. Here is a close up of the note, if you're curious


And I have a question for you guys, have any of you been to a vintage flea market in your city, or anything similar? How was it?

Spring Dapper Day 2014

On February 23rd, I attended my 3rd Dapper Day. (yes I went to last falls, I just never blogged about it. Oops.)

It was an interesting day all around. It was very packed that day, and I got a bit overwhelmed with the crowds, so I stole a friend and broke away quite a lot.



I acquired some yellow synthetic from a friend and made the dress as per the instructions, with the exception of shortening the bodice, skirt, and sleeves. (I'm fairly short). The pattern is Advance 9925.



I ran off with my sweet friend Erin for a bit to get some air, and to hop on the monorail, something I hadn't done in about 20 years.



We ran around the Grand Californian for a bit, contemplated buying a Vespa and did some shopping.




(photo from Jets stream)
I ran into my friends Aimee and Jet and snagged pictures with them.



Then we all piled in the car and headed back home. I only made one purchase from the Dapper Day boutiques, and it's those gloves. They are nice creme color, with pale yellow piping, and were made in West Germany!
I also snagged a parasol from New Orleans square, and was gifted a tie and pocket square from a sweet acquaintance from SDCC.

I can't wait for the next time I hit up Disney -cough- next week -cough-, and I totally can't wait for my next Dapper Day.