Friends

Final Fantasy (VII, VIII, X, X-2) [14]
Marie Antoinette [55]
Pride & Prejudice (2005) [24]
Keira Knightley (Atonement, POTC, The Dutchess) [16]
Muse [41]
Misc (Lady GaGa, Leighton Meester, Taylor Momsen) [7]



Over@ my journal here

Final construction entry ( cut for photos. )

I've been planning this project for a while, so I'd made some queries of med_embroidery for advice on going about getting the interlaced herringbone insertion stitch for the centre seam of the Birgitta Cap to ( less wonky than it might have otherwise. )

We now leap to modern times with a pair of flannel pajamas, affectionately nicknamed after Frankenstein's monster. Read on to find out why. . . .

Continue Here

While I'm waiting for thirteenletters to be around so I can do the second fitting on his Sture jacket, I'm making for myself a version of the St. Birgitta coif described in Medieval Clothing & Textiles 4. ( The first two steps, plus photos )

Sometimes a toile can only take you so far... This time it failed on a small but essential part.

( Collarted by the collar and caught by her skirts... )( Collarted by the collar and caught by her skirts... )( Collarted by the collar and caught by her skirts... )( Collarted by the collar and caught by her skirts... )

Side note – does anyone know how the heck to pronounce “bliaut”?
( I want all the details and a bunch of photos, please. )

My assessment:
I'm pleased with how it's turned out so far. Red likes it, never a sure thing when sewing for a small child. She tried it on before lunch today, and was running around the kitchen flapping her arms squealing “I'm a bird, I'm going to fly away!” I spent a couple evenings in research and drafting the pattern / cutting layout for the bliaut, one evening in making the smock, and two afternoons making the bag and bliaut. I may change my opinion after attempting to deal with the side lacings and various other remaining issues, but so far it's gone together quickly and easily, and I'd be happy to make it again. This is good, since I don't plan on going to the event naked, and I still need a dress for myself.

(x-posted to my personal journal)

Returning to the 18th century, we have for your consideration a Robe a l'Anglaise.

Continue Here. . . .

Rather than write the whole saga of sewing the bling on the coat out again, let me direct you to these posts about constructing the coat:

www.cutterandtailor.com/forum/index.php

www.cutterandtailor.com/forum/index.php

www.cutterandtailor.com/forum/index.php


Some of the tale you may have see, but this is it in stitch-by-stitch gory detail!

A little of the BLING! to excite the curiosity...

This is my first post and also my first completed sewing project EVAR! I am totally inexperienced in sewing, I've never been taught anything more than how to use the machine. I did SO many things wrong with this project but it came out ok, I think~

I think I was sort of afraid I wouldn't finish it, though, so I didn't make any diary posts as it was going. Instead, I'll sum up with pictures of my steps all at once - I hope that's ok~!

I used Simplicity #3635 because I am totally inexperienced and was daunted by other more authentic patters I saw online. I also used some spare fabric I had from failed projects (as I said, this is my first real completed garment I've ever made!) I used cotton duck for the lining and interfacing and the festive modern print you see for the front. When choosing fabrics I decided that 1) I might muck this up or it might never get finished, 2) it's UNDERwear so who cares what it looks like and 3) it's not an 'authentic' pattern. Below you see the pieces cut out, channels are stitched and 2 pieces are boned with 3/8" featherweight boning as called for on the pattern.

( #1 )

Below are the pieces put together (still without lining) and all the boning is in. I really had a hard time with keeping to the 1/2" seam allowance as I worked. Must do better with the next one I make!

( #2 )

Below you can see the lining sticking out a bit from behind, the ribbons are on and it's pinned to a pillow en lieu of a dress form. It took me a while to wrap my brain around some of the steps in the pattern - especially when it came to where to put the last bit of boning at the back edges and where the eyelets should go but with the help of the internets I figured it out!

( #3 )

Below is my 1st attempt at bias tape. Ugh. So wrong. I did it more properly on the bottom later but still a long way off from right or good. No love for the bias tape. I did it all by hand because I can't make turns with the machine with any sort of efficiency. I'd do five stitches, go off kilter and spend another five minutes ripping stitches out and doing it over. No fun. Also I didn't have heavy duty sewing machine needles to get through all 3 layers plus the binding and it was a nightmare to try with the normal ones.

( #4 )

Below is the finished project!! Fits good, though a little large in the back top... :/ Next one will be better~? I also did the eyelets by hand with an awl that was too small so I used it and a mechanical pencil to get them bigger! I made a corset because I want to make an 18th century dress to walk in the Memorial Day parade with my Daughters of the American Revolution chapter this year~ Next up: a shift! Then the dress. I'll do my best to actually diary as I go this time now that I have some confidence. Thank you for looking~!

( #5 )