| Seams and Stitches |
| This is the page where I will show what I am up to now. Experienced seamstresses might want to keep out of here, since my way of doing things most likely will give you a headache :) |
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| May 2002 This is my first effigy corset, and to be honest, my first corset ever.It is made from the instructions on The Sempstress site. It is made from burgandy duck cotton, lined with the same colored cotton. It is boned all the way around, and all the way down the tabs with duct ties.(gasp) Yes, you heard me right, duct ties. I got the recommendation of using cable ties from Melissa (The Sempstress), and when I came to Home Depot I found the duct ties instead. They are a little bit wider and longer than cable ties. I choosed them because they seemed a bit sturdier.(and I need that, believe me) After having several little "talks" with the sewing machine we finally agreed and I was on my way. Sewing the channels were extremely tedious, the rest was a breeze! The corset fits me perfectly and Im perfectly able to even bend over without fainting!It is very comfortable, even when Im sitting down.And the best thing about it, it is washable.Plastic duct ties wont shrink or rust. |
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| June 2002 Ok, so I suddenly decided to make a peasant chemise...what? Can't I change my mind? No seriously, I ran out of pearls and still had a hunker for sewing, so I ransacked my stash of fabrics and found this white gause.I simply cut four rectangles, one for the front, one for the back and two for the sleeves.Cut the upper corners off of them about 6" in.Then I sew the channels for the cord/string around the neck and wrists before sewing it all together.Pulled string through the channels and voila, a chemise.I didnt choose to have it knee lenght, I just ran out of fabric.:) |
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| June 2002 This is the fabric I choosed for my Nobles fore part. It is a upholstery velvet brocade in wine and gold, with some splashes of black coming through. As you can see the beadwork on it has begun, but that is about it.Renfaire season started and I worked waaaay to much to be able to have weekends off. Ill probably continue this dress in the fall, when things have quieted down a bit. |
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| This is a closeup of the chemise, showing the channels for the neck and wrists.Proudly shown by my loyal assistant Martha. Realized the chemise was a little to "white" for my taste, so I put it in a teabag (15 of them) bath for a few hours. The chemise came out great, almost like a natural linen look, and just as "peasanty" as I wanted it to be. |
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| September 2002 Ok, on to the shoes. I found the shoes in a little import store for $5.Now thats my kind of price!. I used pearls on a string from the bridal section at Hancock's, and I used gold thread to sew them on. Then I added some pearls and a red glass pearl in a flower motif. Good enough to me to walk around in. |
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| September 2002 Now I'm tired of putting pearls on the forepart, and want to do something else. Started on a hat. If I only knew why I feel the urge to do all these project all the time. Must be the money I cant spend on going buying one for $100 ! Seriously its a challenge for me to talk myself into doing something that I think I cant do, just to prove myself wrong. ;) Anyway, the hat pieces are made from plastic canvas, covered with felt and black velvet. The edges were bound with wire first, so that they will be bendable, so I can get that renaissance look. This was a really fun project to do, even if it is all hand stitching ( a little hard to try and cram the hat under the needle in the machine...heh) |
| Finished hat, all decked out with feathers and all. Quite stylish if I might say so myself.:) No really, Im proud of it, and I like it, and that is all that matters to me. |
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| September 2002 Sleeves in progress. Well, I finished the sleeves and then decided I didnt like them, so they are now put away, just waiting for a dress to come around that loves them. Onward to the next page |
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