Lace Corset

Okay, so I know that I am a little late getting this photo up as I finished this last weekend – but hey I have been busy sewing. Geez I love holidays. Anyway, I have finally finished my forth corset. This one I made to go with my pinstripe fishtail skirt that I wore to the Victorian train ride. I have also put together a pinstripe bolero jacket to go with the whole look. Now I just need a place to wear it.

Anyway, back to the corset. It is made of 4 layers of fabric; the lining, the interfacing, a peach satin and the black embroidered net over the top. The netting gave me the most trouble. As it is an embroidered fabric, when you cut it, it frays all over the place making a huge mess, and meaning I cannot sew with the fan on. (Not an advantage in the middle of summer) But after much cursing, I managed to get the corset fully put together. For the exterior boning casings I used black satin ribbon as it complimented the embroidery really well. Unfortunately, this meant that I could only use the light boning inside them. So needless to say that the corset is not really up to being tight laced. However I did not really intend it to be, as it is more designed as an exterior wear not as an undergarment. Which actually makes me glad that I did not lower the top otherwise my boobs would be hanging out indecently. One alteration I did make on the pattern was to extend the hem (me and my high waist did not work originally). So now my corset is quite a bit longer which gives me more the desired shape that I want. Though I still have to make a couple of changes – namely drop the top down a bit and taper it in at the bottom as it flares out a bit too much.

I also inserted my very first busk in the centre front. In the past I have used hook and eye tape, lacing and open end zips. I was surprised at how easily it went in. I think I had built it up in my mind as way too hard and I was very worried that it would not work. Though I have to say it was really simple, and I was happily surprised. The only addition I made to it was to stuff some heavy boning down the hole with it because it was just a little too flexible for my liking.

But I still love my corset, and am so happy about how it turned out. Though never again with the lace stuff.

Only 1 more day to my holidays

Okay so I know that it sound like I am bragging, but I am just really excited about my holidays. It has been way too long since I had any decent amount of time off and I am really looking forward to spending some peaceful days at home. Between baking and sewing, I should get heaps done. I intend to make a start on some of my sewing projects for next year. Though I will have to hit up a couple of fabric shops to get some of the missing pieces that I need. But so that I remember the projects that I intend to make I am making a list (and checking it twice).
1940s red Christmas dress (December 21st)
Steampunk Costume (January)
1950s swimwear outfit (January / February)
I dream of Jeannie Green Outfit (February 16th)
American McGee Alice (April)

And those are only the ones that I can think of at this stage. I would really like to get some of my other fabric bits cut up and made. I mean I buy the fabric for specific costumes and I would like to get them made up rather than store them as fabric. And of course, once they are made, there is room for me to buy more fabric. But the most important thing I need to get done is to make the cushions for my parents Christmas presents. I have the fabric. I just need to cut it out. But I have been waiting for a time when no one is home so that I can do it as a surprise.
Though, I need to cut out all of my fabric. I intend to dedicate Friday this week to cutting out fabric. I am just going to set myself up in front of the DVD player and cut fabric all day. I know it sounds a bit strange but I sit on the floor and use the coffee table for cutting out. It’s the perfect height and I would rather cut out a heap of stuff rather than just one thing, as I really hate cutting out fabric. I would rather be sewing it up. So I try to get as much done as possible while I am at it. And then when I feel like sewing something, it is already cut out for me.

ACG Christmas Party

I had every intention of putting these photos up last night when I got home from skating. But I was exhausted. I ate dinner, showered and went to bed. There was just no energy left in me to put them up. But anyway, I am only 1 day late and here they are. The photos I have from out ACG Queensland Christmas Party. Skating. Which in itself was an interesting experience for some. We had 16 in total, and all of out members dressed up. My brother did consider coming dressed in his Spanish inquisition costume, but I didn’t give him enough notice. You would think that me bringing it up 2 weeks in advance he would remember that I was going out. But it wasn’t until 1.00 on Sunday afternoon after mum had mentioned that I was going skating that he decided he knew. So he didn’t come.

But we had fun anyway. With fabulous costumes on.

Angel of Death

Like I said before, I would put together an entry about my Christmas costume for our ACG event this year. We are going roller skating. Or blading as in my case. Though, I hate my blades because the wheels are too hard and do not grip on the floor very well. I really should have stuck with my old ones, but they hurt my feet and ankles because they were so bent out of shape from all my trips and falls when I was first learning. But moving on, I am looking forward to the evening. It should be pretty cool, especially in costume. I am going dressed as the Angel of Death.

Well, one take on it anyway. I am making my outfit to match the angel wings that I made for Christmas last year (I wore them to work). And basically they are a wire frame with torn strips of fabric woven over them. I was originally going to do feathers. Back in highschool I made feathered ones that I stitched feathers onto, but I leant them to someone and never got them back again. And so I thought to re-create them. Unfortunately I could not get white stockings as my base and the glue that I had intended to use was off and stunk. Which in turn wrecked all the feathers. So I went woven.

Which made me want to make the whole outfit to match. Mostly because you look like a real idiot dressed as an angel any other time of year. So really, this is the perfect opportunity. (There goes my planned Pirate costume on delay). I have made the underbust corset. In only a couple of hours which I am rather pleased about. I drafted the pattern from some instructions I found on a website. Unfortunately it was a bit too big in the back (the gap) so instead of re-making them I added a feature. I made an extra 2 inch boned panel that sits up the centre back. And then I have 3 rows of eyelets which the lacing goes into (red for a nice contrast). I used a cheap white homespun 2 layers and really stiff shapewell in the middle. And together with my nice stiff plastic boning (not the stupid spotlight stuff) it has enough stiffness to hold shape well. And I also added an open end zip up the centre front so that it will come off easy.

After it was put together and fitted to me. I went through and stitched horizontal strips of torn white fabric across. They go from the side back / back seam to about 1 cm away from the zip. The ends at the front hang loose and long so that they hang over the zip and look rough. I then went through and wove more fabric strips up then down so that all the ends hang at the bottom. It makes the corset almost fully covered with the weaving but it looks so cool.

Now I am going to make the base dress for underneath and the armour – this may work but it will be my first attempt. I may even try to get some laced up cuffs made to go with it all. And of course there will be a sword.

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Okay, so my angel costume has changed a bit during the construction. I have decided not to make any armour. Mostly because I did not get around to making some and I’m not too sure how to go about creating it. But I still have my sword to carry around.

The wings look fabulous and so does the corset so at least part of my costume will be fantastic. I did make up the dress but am a bit dubious about wearing it while skating, also it kinda looks like a nightgown which was not my intention. So I have picked up some white shorts and a singlet top to wear over some red tights (just to carry the colour through). I may still decide to wear the dress but at least I have a couple of options now. Hey, I could always dig out my new Lolita petticoat with a plain white skirt over the top. Although skirts and skating really do not go together all that well. Well for me anyway.

I have made the harness for my wings too. Originally when I wore my wings I had them tied on with ribbon, which will definitely not stand up to skating. So I have made a harness out of bag strapping tape and some clips. I just need to attach the wings to it and I am all good. They will not fall about the place as I skate. (Hopefully).

If I get a chance on Saturday I am planning to maybe get some lace up gauntlets together (may even get some time this week after work). If not I may just rip some strips of fabric to wrap around my lower arm which could look cool. As for the hair, I was thinking that maybe I should wear my white wig but I have asked a couple of people and they all think I should just go with my own. Which I must admit will be a lot cooler. Even though it is aircon at the skating rink, I would rather not be too hot in my costume. I always seem to sweat really badly when I am getting ready. I must remember to put he aircon and a fan on when I am getting dressed at home. And then as soon as I get in the car I will be blasting the fan straight at my face.

As for the makeup, I am going to get a little creative. At this stage I am thinking of using a white base colour around my eye are probably with a bit of sparkle dust. Draw in my eyebrows so that they are extended. False lashes – if I can get them to attach. Elongated eyeliner and probably some painted on tears. I may add a little fake blood as well. And if I get time, I will add a fake tattoo somewhere.  

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So, I made my brother take  photos of my costume. For my hair I did as I intended and went nuts with the hairspray and teasing. (the comb-out was painful and time consuming but I had the right look). I was happy with how my outfit looked. The dress I made was just really unsuitable with the underbust corset and looked really stupid. So I had my red tights with white shorts and a white singlet. I also wrapped a strip of white fabric around my wrist to carry the whole ripped fabric thing through. And my wings I was thrilled with. It took a bit of imagination to get the harness to work but the wings withheld roller blading so that is a big plus. I now know that those wings will stand up to any movement. Though, I did wipe a few people out.

Retro Afternoon Tea

Yesterday (Sunday) our ACG Brisbane group had a Retro afternoon tea date. We went to the Shingle Inn in McArthur Central on Queen Street. But first we went to City Hall for photos (it was too wet for the park and garden). It actually worked out nicely to have our photos there as it worked for the 1910s, 40s and 50s time periods of our clothes. I had a fabulous time (apart from the sore feet) and got heaps of photos (now put up here).

My dress was actually pretty simple to make. I used a vintage McCalls pattern that I picked up on Ebay and adjusted to fit. This was a lot easier than many patterns because it was a simple cut on the fold dress both the front and the back. Meaning all I had to do to enlarge it was add a bit in the Centre Front and Centre Back – saving me a heap of trouble. (The picture attached is the pattern I used).

For my fabric I used a seafoam toned faille. I like the fabric, it has enough weight to hang nicely but light enough to swish. And the colour really works for the 1940s style. I was wearing my 1950s corset underneath, though I probably would have been fine without it. I got to use my soft leather gloves, and I had on my lovely oxford heels which by the way are a 4 inch heel. And when I wear flat shoes all the time – me feet now hate me. I am thinking I need to wear heels a bit more often so that when I do wear costume, they work for me. Though I must say my arse, thighs and calf muscles got a work out, so yay.

I love my makeup – though being a makeup artist I know what to do. So I kinda cheat. But hey, it’s my secret weapon. I went with the full forties style, exaggerating the top lip line in a nice bright red. And my hair was the first challenge of the day. I have just put a chocolate brown dye through, so the colour is fabulous. So I went for the rolls, as they wore back in the day. After watching a couple of tutorials online, I tackled my hair. I first added mousse and put in the hot rollers. Probably not a necessary step – as long as your hair is brushed and smoothed. And my hair has enough natural wave that it would hold without curling. And then I attempted to roll my hair. Found out that it was too hard and made some rolls to wrap it around. I grabbed an old pair of stockings and cut them up, stuffed them with fabric and shoved them in. It took a couple of goes to get it sitting right but once it was rolled up I shoved in heaps of pins to hold it. Then I did the other side. The hardest thing was to do the back roll. Because my hair is so long I could not physically get the right angle on the roll doing it myself, so I had mum help me. She rolled up, and I stuck in the pins. I then added a tonne of hair spray and fringe pins to hold the fly-aways flat and neat. And eliminate my fringe.

I was really happy with how it turned out, and am now confident I can re-create the look when I need to put it on next time. With a little help of course. Through the dress will be worn to work now that I have it. Why waste all that work and the beautiful dress.