Dresses like this make me sooooo happy! :)
Needle and Thread, Quill and Ink, Pins and Seams, Tea and Friendship...
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Fairyland
I know this is cheating just a little, but I have to post the Fairy post I was going to do today on Monday because of the family stuff we're doing for Easter weekend. I just got in from a Christian Music Rock concert that was utterly amazing and I am falling on my face, I am so tired.
So thanks for hanging in and being patient. Real life, though awesome, gets in the way of Lucy Jane stuff sometimes. I promise everything will be back to normal and posted correctly on Monday afternoon. Lots of Fairy goodness on the way. :)
Night!
So thanks for hanging in and being patient. Real life, though awesome, gets in the way of Lucy Jane stuff sometimes. I promise everything will be back to normal and posted correctly on Monday afternoon. Lots of Fairy goodness on the way. :)
Night!
Eyelet Setter, How I love Thee
Due to a lot of things going on this Easter weekend, this is going to be a short post. But completely true.
Five years ago, I wanted to close the back of a Civil War era ballgown with laces rather than hooks and eyes. I didn't want to hand stitch all of those little eyelets, so I decided to use metal grommets. When I went to Joann's to get them, instead of the little hammer and setter tap system thingie (give me a break, I'm exhausted and it's late) I found THIS:
I'm going to bed. So tired. I promise better posts next week!!
Five years ago, I wanted to close the back of a Civil War era ballgown with laces rather than hooks and eyes. I didn't want to hand stitch all of those little eyelets, so I decided to use metal grommets. When I went to Joann's to get them, instead of the little hammer and setter tap system thingie (give me a break, I'm exhausted and it's late) I found THIS:
Squishy the handle and there's the eyelet, all ready to go. I heart you, Dritz company. I heart you, too, Joann's for having it in stock and on sale for 40% off. Best less than $20 I ever spent on sewing equipment. EVER. Here are some photos:
I'm going to bed. So tired. I promise better posts next week!!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Dragon Con
A costumer's paradise. Costumers from all over the world fly into Atlanta for 4 days of wonderment.
Dragon Con is where wizards from the world of Harry Potter hang out and talk with Professor X and Wolverine. Jedi Knights compare the merits of light sabers and rapiers with Porthos, Athos, and Captain Barbossa. Galinda sashays past with a dreamy wave, and over there- look, who is that just coming in? It's a group of Storm Troopers. Are they looking for droids? Ah, no- they were looking for Iron Man and Cat Woman. The only place with a more concentrated gathering of Steampunk is the World Steam Expo in the midwest. There are enough superheroes here to rival Comic Con in San Diego. Kitty Pryde runs over to hug Frodo, who was getting a snack with The Blues Brothers and a couple of Jack Sparrows.
I love Atlanta in the fall...
I really want this to be my 'D' post for the A-Z, but I realize that it's going to take more than one post to cover all of the awesomeness that is Dragon Con in Atlanta. And I haven't even been able to attend one yet! I have a lot of friends who go every year, though. Some with multiple trunks of outfits. (Yes, you read that correctly. Trunks. Plural.) I think I actually have more friends who attend Dragon Con (or have always wanted to) than who don't.
I really want to showcase some Dragon Con awesomeness on this blog. However, it's 10 minutes to midnight and I am verrrry tired from a full day, which included a wonderful tea time with 3 of my closest friends. :) I can't do it justice.
So here is what I will do. If you can't wait for photos and stuff in later posts by me, visit these links, pronto!
- go to the Dragon Con website and see what all the fuss is about for yourself.
- Or, if you have an hour to spare, I highly recommend this PBS film on Dragon Con. I know
somea lot of the people in it. Worth the watch!!
If you want to see my take on (and preparation for) the Con, stay tuned for several more Dragon Con themed posts after the A-Z Challenge ends.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Concept Boards: The original "pinning"
I shared a little about this in an earlier post on the Hobbit costume, but I wanted to share another one I've finished, and also why I love them so much.
There are so MANY ideas and inspirations running around in my head for pieces to make (just take a look at my list in the right sidebar!), that sometimes I miss out on wonderful materials or design ideas, simply because they fly by too fast. Concept boards allow me to hang on to a basic idea, and then piece things together either as I find them, or (more commonly) find time for them. I'm not a spectacularly organized person by nature. The concept boards take a lot of stress off of me to remember whether I've found this or that bit for trim, or what the exact color of the main body is, etc.
Oh, and about the title: Some of you have asked, but I'm not on Pinterest, simply because I've heard how addicting it is, and I already have MUCH TOO MUCH to do as it is. I'm convinced, at least for the time being, that joining Pinterest would send my creative happy little brain off the edge and you'd find me in a padded room saying "I want to do this, and this, and thisandthisandthisandthis!" over and over whilst hugging myself. :} Society can do its "pinning". I'll do mine. :) Getting back to the concept boards...
I finished out the Hobbit board by FINALLY finding the right contrast fabric for the bodice. I'd fallen in love with the stitching on this material:
But when I paired it with the bodice swatch, the flowers were WAY too purple. The bodice linen is more of a wine-ish shade. So, as much as I hated to, I had to nix this as the contrast.
Next, I tried a couple of plain neutrals. Here are two that were considered:
But ultimately, while I liked the textures, I didn't like the fact that there wasn't any pop of color. The entire look has to be achieved by all of the elements working together, like instruments in an ensemble. If one part is "off", the whole look loses its full potential. So, after several more afternoons scouring the fabric stores (and another thing- in this instantaneous society, people often want to know "Why does it take you so long between when you promise photos of a costume and when it's actually finished and being worn by the model/client?" This is why. I don't just throw any old thing together. I take my time and find the right parts and then do all the work of cutting and sewing. To quote one of my favorite films, "You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles." Okay, tangent/rant over!), I finally found what I'd been searching for:
It has the right texture, the fabrics complement each other and are very "Hobbity" together, and the color of the flowers and the bodice linen are a perfect match. Here is the completed concept board:
As you know, I don't need the Hobbit outfit until December (which is no reason not to hurry up and finish it, I know, I know!). I DO need this piece in just over 6 weeks- this is the sheer overlay Regency dress for the Hydrangea Festival that I've been telling you about:
I hope to have more concept boards finished soon. The Hydrangea Festival is getting the lion's share of my time right now. It's going to be a busy summer! :)
There are so MANY ideas and inspirations running around in my head for pieces to make (just take a look at my list in the right sidebar!), that sometimes I miss out on wonderful materials or design ideas, simply because they fly by too fast. Concept boards allow me to hang on to a basic idea, and then piece things together either as I find them, or (more commonly) find time for them. I'm not a spectacularly organized person by nature. The concept boards take a lot of stress off of me to remember whether I've found this or that bit for trim, or what the exact color of the main body is, etc.
Oh, and about the title: Some of you have asked, but I'm not on Pinterest, simply because I've heard how addicting it is, and I already have MUCH TOO MUCH to do as it is. I'm convinced, at least for the time being, that joining Pinterest would send my creative happy little brain off the edge and you'd find me in a padded room saying "I want to do this, and this, and thisandthisandthisandthis!" over and over whilst hugging myself. :} Society can do its "pinning". I'll do mine. :) Getting back to the concept boards...
I finished out the Hobbit board by FINALLY finding the right contrast fabric for the bodice. I'd fallen in love with the stitching on this material:
But when I paired it with the bodice swatch, the flowers were WAY too purple. The bodice linen is more of a wine-ish shade. So, as much as I hated to, I had to nix this as the contrast.
Next, I tried a couple of plain neutrals. Here are two that were considered:
But ultimately, while I liked the textures, I didn't like the fact that there wasn't any pop of color. The entire look has to be achieved by all of the elements working together, like instruments in an ensemble. If one part is "off", the whole look loses its full potential. So, after several more afternoons scouring the fabric stores (and another thing- in this instantaneous society, people often want to know "Why does it take you so long between when you promise photos of a costume and when it's actually finished and being worn by the model/client?" This is why. I don't just throw any old thing together. I take my time and find the right parts and then do all the work of cutting and sewing. To quote one of my favorite films, "You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles." Okay, tangent/rant over!), I finally found what I'd been searching for:
It has the right texture, the fabrics complement each other and are very "Hobbity" together, and the color of the flowers and the bodice linen are a perfect match. Here is the completed concept board:
 |
| The colors aren't showing well in the photo, but trust me, they look great! |
 |
| Close-up of the design sketch. |
 |
| Notice how I am sure to turn the fabric to the direction I want it on the dress rather than just randomly pinning it to the board. |
 |
| This trim is going to look so sweet around the neckline and around the sleeve cuffs! |
Monday, April 2, 2012
Belts and Buttons
Welcome! If you're stopping by from the A-Z, a special welcome to you!
Today's post is the letter B, which made me think of Belts and Buttons in costuming.
Many eras and genres of costume make bold use of belts. Sometimes they are utilized as a means to secure weaponry and supplies. Legolas's held his daggers (presumably to make his hands more free to use his famed bow. ;)).
Lucy Pevensie's held both her dagger and her healing cordial. And let's not forget these three lovely ... er... people, who use their belt(s) to become rather armed to the teeth in order to fight their way out of the messes Captain Jack manages to get them all into. :)
I found 3 such belts that I plan on using for battle/preparedness gear on some upcoming costumes. (Think Laura Croft/Witchblade/Steampunk/Kick@** female fantasy epic type character, etc, etc.) I got a great deal on them- only a few dollars each at the local thrift store. :)
Conversely, belts can be used strictly for decorative means. Just wander down to the textiles/fashion room of ANY major art museum. They can be fabric (scarf-like), beaded, or embroidered.
Check out this embroidered belt (circa 1912 costume design) in "The Music Man":
I found one (same thrift store as above) to go with a 19teens era dress in the near future.
Here's a closeup of the embroidery:
B is also for buttons. While myself keeping things viewed through the lens of a British influence/era, I do currently reside in the Southeastern US. And nothing says "Southern Sewing Gentility" like a mason jar full of Grandmother's (and in this case, Great-Grandmother's!) buttons in the sewing room:
Last but not least, don't forget about these buttons for the Hobbit Dress! (Which, regrettably, has been put on hold until the Regency pieces get done!)
Today's post is the letter B, which made me think of Belts and Buttons in costuming.
Many eras and genres of costume make bold use of belts. Sometimes they are utilized as a means to secure weaponry and supplies. Legolas's held his daggers (presumably to make his hands more free to use his famed bow. ;)).
 |
| (yes, please, and thank you!) (c) Newline Cinema |
 |
| (c) Disney Pictures |
Conversely, belts can be used strictly for decorative means. Just wander down to the textiles/fashion room of ANY major art museum. They can be fabric (scarf-like), beaded, or embroidered.
Check out this embroidered belt (circa 1912 costume design) in "The Music Man":
 |
| I cannot flipping wait to make my own reproduction of her costume!!! |
Here's a closeup of the embroidery:
B is also for buttons. While myself keeping things viewed through the lens of a British influence/era, I do currently reside in the Southeastern US. And nothing says "Southern Sewing Gentility" like a mason jar full of Grandmother's (and in this case, Great-Grandmother's!) buttons in the sewing room:
Last but not least, don't forget about these buttons for the Hobbit Dress! (Which, regrettably, has been put on hold until the Regency pieces get done!)
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Aspirations, Aims and Airs
Hello there! Welcome to the first post of the A-Z Challenge!!!
I regret that I don't have much to report as yet, other than that I am continuing to get my Aspirations in order and completed for your enjoyment. It's not easy to manage only 24 hours to cover everything that I want to get done! I'm sure many of you feel the same way.
Costumes are being planned on concept boards this weekend.
I'm sewing a plethora of pachyderms to be ready for upcoming festivals. It is my Aim to have at least 50 ellies to fill up the booth!
And the Fairies! Wait til you see the fairies! (It's letter 'F', so lucky you- you don't have to wait too long! ;) lol)
I promise not to put on too many Airs during this challenge. But I hope you will indulge me a few now and again- especially when the new Regency dresses are finished! :) (There will be a photo shoot!)
That's all for now- I'm off to make some tiny embroidered stitches on some fairy tunics!
Love to you all,
Lucy Jane
I regret that I don't have much to report as yet, other than that I am continuing to get my Aspirations in order and completed for your enjoyment. It's not easy to manage only 24 hours to cover everything that I want to get done! I'm sure many of you feel the same way.
Costumes are being planned on concept boards this weekend.
I'm sewing a plethora of pachyderms to be ready for upcoming festivals. It is my Aim to have at least 50 ellies to fill up the booth!
And the Fairies! Wait til you see the fairies! (It's letter 'F', so lucky you- you don't have to wait too long! ;) lol)
I promise not to put on too many Airs during this challenge. But I hope you will indulge me a few now and again- especially when the new Regency dresses are finished! :) (There will be a photo shoot!)
That's all for now- I'm off to make some tiny embroidered stitches on some fairy tunics!
Love to you all,
Lucy Jane
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