Fabric!

So as you might imagine this post is all about fabric!  More specifically this post is about fabric I own.  Some need projects, some have projects.  Let's see what we have shall we?  They appear in no particular order.

This is a deep burgundy stretch velvet.  I've got about a yard of it and I have no idea what to do with it.  I love the color though so it's why I haven't given it away yet.









This is a light cream colored stretch knit.  It's what I made my Cleopatra inspired Anat costume out of ( Seen here ).  I bought way too much of it so I have several yards of it.  I've said that I will make a choli out of it, but I've not other plans and that doesn't take much.





This is actually a sari.  I have two of them that are exactly the same so I thought that I might use the fabric of one to make something else.  It's sheer red with glittery roses all over it.  No ideas as of yet.






This is a fun patterned cotton that I have about a yard of.  I used it originally to make a top to my gypsy costume.  It no longer fits, but I've also purchased others since them.  I think that this will still become part of a costume for the renaissance festival I just haven't decided exactly what yet.

I bought a yard of this silk ages ago.  It's black with jewel toned butterflies all over it.  I want to use it for a corset...
Now I just have to teach myself how to make corsets.  This is one of my goals for the new year!!



  





Another colorful striped cotton.  This is one (of several) fabrics that I got from my roommate.  I think it will also work well for ren faire costuming.









This is a gorgeous dark green satin.  I think I have about 5 yards of it.  It was bought for a project that never got finished.  That being said I'm very glad to have it.  It will become an elegant gown for my new PC next chronicle.

This is a dark green cotton twill.  It's another that I have no ideas for.  But it's a pretty color and I'm sure I'll think of something.  Roughly 5 yards.








A stretch velveteen that I only have scraps of, but I couldn't let it pass me by!  I foresee Burlesque costuming with this.  It's pink and green and sparkly!

This is a beautiful orange silk.  It will become a ghawazee coat.









This is a green and gold something or other.  I actually have no idea what the fabric is.  It's very stiff, but the color and pattern are quite lovely.  I have no idea what it will become.

Just some grey blue terry cloth.  I'm thinking bathrobe!!

I have probably 5 or so yards of these two and they are both the same fabric (blue/black stretch velvet) only one has butterflies and one has dragonflies.







Silver crinkle! I have about a yard.

Silver stretch velvet (yes, another one).  About 5 yards.  It will also probably become a gown for my new PC.









This is a cotton with a winter berry pattern.  I probably have enough for a cute little dress or could be combined with some of the others for a wintery Changeling.








A pretty leafy linen in pale blue.  Either combined for the wintery Changeling or on it's own.

The picture on the left is of a pale pink linen with embroidered flowers.  It will become a dress (probably pillowcase style) for my baby niece!

The picture on the right is a soft fleecy fabric that will be a baby blanket for the same little one.  It's way more than I need so I don't know what else yet.




Pale pink satin.  I imagine it will become something for Burlesque. 










More silvery sparkles.  Only about a yard.  Possible winter Changeling.  Or maybe Burlesque.  I suppose we'll see won't we. 

Here are all the fabrics that I felt might be layered in a costume for a winter Changeling.  Something in the style of a kimono or that at least has a similar feel.

Courtesan: Part 2

Sometimes projects go unfinished or changes are never made.  When I posted pictures of the finished courtesan gown I remarked on a few things that I would adjust for the next time I wore it.  I decided to wear this dress again for a different event and I actually made the alterations that I posited.  Here are pictures of the gown in its current incarnation.

Photographer: Marie Arledge

One of the first changes I made was to take some of the fullness out of the skirt.  I feel like it hangs much better now than it did originally.  The fullness of the original dress made it a little poofy rather than letting in hang long which was the look I was going for.

The decision to add chains across the back was purely aesthetic.  I was happy with how the back of the dress turned out originally but I feel like the chains just add a little something. 

Now it seems that the only problem I have is that the dress is too big!  This isn't necessarily a bad problem but it means I either have to make more alterations to it or retire it.

The Scale Dress: Finished Project

First off, apologies for the lack of updates in so long.  I just recently got pictures done of the Snake Dress and the new designs of the Courtesan Dress.  Otherwise I haven't had any new projects to speak of so thus the reason for no posting.

All photos were taken by the lovely and talented Marie Arledge.

With the help of my wonderful and very patient roommate we were able to fit the dress perfectly.  I sewed a bra into the top to help with support.  Originally I planned for it to be high necked like the lace dress but instead I allowed the natural fold of the neckline stand.  It created a really nice look and ultimately I think that a high collar would have been a little too overwhelming. 

My original thought was to lace up the back.  I was going to use a gold-ish chord and large eyelets but I didn't find anything that really matched the way I wanted it to.  I bought some pieces that would work but I wasn't really happy with them.  I mulled over it as I made the dress because the closure would be one of the last things I worried about.  I finally settled on a V with some chain detail.  As you can see it works, though I think it throws off the fit of the dress a bit and I'm not entirely pleased with the final result.  The dress was a success and it certainly worked for the con.  And of course, we are always our own worst critics.









Recently though it's really been bothering me.  I want the dress to fit better across the waist and the bust like it did in the original fittings (in progress photo for reference).  My thoughts on how to achieve this are:

1) My hope is to redo the back entirely.  This means buying more fabric if it is still available.  I shouldn't need that much (1yd, maybe 2).  If I re-cut and sew the back I will probably do a hidden zipper and forgo any back detail.  I think the dress will still be quite elegant.

2) In the case that there isn't more of this fabric I have a couple of thoughts.
           a. The first is to do an insert with some criss-crossing straps and one of those heavy metal zippers up the center for accent.  It's not my first choice but it will do in the event that option 1 doesn't work out.
           b.The other is to do just criss-crossing straps made out of an elastic OR do chain detail that's tight (not pulling but like the top chain) and then put in a hidden zipper up the side for getting in and out of it. 

Man I really need to work on my drawing skills so I can give you a better idea of what's in my head.