A quick no sew Cape

Last night my internet was down for a few hours and I really didn't have anything do. Dinner was on the stove, I had cleaned what I needed to clean. So I decided to make something. I had bought a lot of flannel and fleece this winter, so I had lot left over. I made everyone Christmas presents last year( scarves, covers for stuff, pillows, etc), well I had a couple of yards of this plaid fleece fabric and I figure why not use it. It's still cold and I can still wear whatever I make out and about. I decided to make a cape. I love a good...

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18th Century Stays are Done!

The other day after a few days of sitting in my room getting thread all over my bed I finally finished my stays. Two months of planning and work and I am finally done with them. I pretty proud of how well they turned out. I need someone to help me lace up a bit tighter then this. I chose not to do the typical tabs of that century cause when I made a muslin the tabs kept flipping up. I think It was my wide hips pushing them out and up. I decide to kept them in larger pieces and for the most part they stayed down, only when...

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18th Century Stays: Boning, Eyelets, and Binding

NOW that I have figured out my  layer problem and got all the boning channels sewn. I have already sewn the third inside layer together and set it aside for later. I can get to boning my stays. This will be my second time boning anything in my life. My first try at boning was back in school when we had to make bustiers. I never had to really do boning to support actual breast so let see how this goes. After doing a little research on boning online, in some books and after reading other costumers' blogs I decide to go with mix...

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18th Century Stays: lets start sewing

Yesterday I started sewing on my stays. Again. here's the story  Besides the other projects I was working on, I had some issues with the stays. I started sewing on the stays a day after doing all the cutting. I was following the instructions for the pattern and finding them easy to follow but that wasn't working out for me. I found the look and fit to be off. I was on the second layer and I gave up. I looked at my "stays" and decided to rip them apart and start over. I needed to throw out the instructions from this point on. I also...

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Atomic swing skirt

When I'm not working on my costume projects or any fun sewing I'm doing what I like to call my everyday sewing. That includes making clothes that I wear everyday, fixing hems or anything else for family members and sewing for costumers. So since I started on my stays I have had a few things thrown at me to work on. Two of my uncles brought over their pants for me to fix the hems. I actually have to take up two pairs for one uncle. My Grandmother want me to shorten her leather coat. and I got orders for skirts in. With all that I have...

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Early Birthday Present

Really earlier since my birthday isn't till next month but anyway it's here. A few weeks ago I finally decided to go on and get myself a dress-form. Well she is here and I'm so happy to have her. I love getting new sewing stuff and this is the biggest purchase I have made in a long time. I haven't adjusted her yet, she is still at the smallest size so I haven't used her for anything but I did slipped my chemise over her. I didn't want her sitting out in the living room naked. Now all she needs is a name...

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18th century Chemise

The first thing I made for the 18th century was the chemise. It makes sense to start with the first thing you would put on right? I used the chemise pattern that came in the Simplicity pattern I used for my stays. The chemise I cut out ( using the measurements on the pattern) was quiet big so decided to re-cut it a few sizes down and it still seems big, but I think it's the right look. I have to cut my ribbon a bit they are just too long. That's an easy fix. It took me four hours with cutting and re-cutting  to put the chemise...

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18th century stays

This is as far as I got yesterday just got all the layers cut out  But here is a little bit of my 18th Century Stays journey Last year when I decided to do the 18th century project I knew I needed to have the proper garments. That is when I started looking for patterns, tutorials, and tips on making stays. I  found a lot of helpful information. I knew I needed to find a pattern. I know a lot of people  recommended Janet Arnold's book but you have to scale those patterns. Add since my school was a complete waste...

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New shoes to start off the new year

Last night I ordered my shoes for the 18th century project. I know I only got one thing made, the chemise. I'm no where near working on the dress but getting the shoes now made sense. The little beauties that I just had to have "Kensington" 18th Century Leather Shoes From American Duchess and I chose this pair of shoe buckles to wear with the shoes. "Dauphine" 18th Century Rhinestone Shoe Buckles I have been  lusting after these shoes ever since I came across the American Duchess blog when I was just reading...

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