Halloween 2016 - Poison apple inspired!

Halloween was almost a year ago but I neglected to share my quickly put together costume that I was actually quite proud of! I didn't plan to get dressed up at first as I didn't have any plans and I would be working on the 31st. However when I saw an image of Snow White's poisoned apple online.. I started to think.. maybe I could dress up subtly for my shift that wouldn't make me stand out too much but still have a bit of fun?

So I looked in my closet and realized I had pieces that could work! All I was missing was the poisoned apple and a yellow skirt. I work at a fabric store so I got my material during a shift and made a really simple skirt I could wear leggings with.

As for the apple I searched online for a free pattern to make a plush apple and then free-hand cut out the poison skull shape in felt and hand sewed it to the apple. The result was really great! 

Blending right in. Not everyone was able to guess my costume though!

Some treats a coworker brought to share.

And my wonderful poisoned apple prop!

I had a Gudetama making this ;)

So now that the intended owner of this needlebook has received her package, which included Mr. Sloth and Apathy Egg man, I can share with the world my superb craftswoman skills! I had initially made this needlebook for my etsy (*cough* still available for sale) and shared it to my fb. She had commented that she wanted one so I said send me your addy and I'll make you one! But, (hopefully unbeknownst to her), I knew I wasn't going to make any ordinary egg needlebook..*mischeif foreshadowing*. Around Halloween we had shared pictures of a Japanese egg yolk character from Sanrio called Gudetama. This little guy is irresistibly perfect and strange. Exhibit A:

It was a natural choice, and I couldn't wait to get started. But I had to choose the right image... This part took a little a while. But by the grace of some divinity the perfect image fell into my lap. I was browsing my Instagram feed when this person I follow posted a pic of their phone case and guess who it was, Egg man! I wasn't sure how to go about cutting the felt pieces at first, should I draw it out, cut the paper and then use those as a pattern? Or draw directly onto the felt? Eventually I chose to just dive in and free-hand cut the pieces which turned out to work perfectly! Although I would recommend using smaller scissors, some of the small parts were hard to cut with large tailor scissors.

I enjoyed making this so much I absolutely cannot wait to make more.

Some more pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Detail of Egg man before he was stitched together.

Me with gudetama in process 1. Very happy with the first shapes.

In process 2. Impressed.

In process 3. Pleased with myself.

And this is the amazing package I received in return before she got her's! I couldn't believe all the gooooodieeessss!!!!

I had a very lovely xmas and new year's and I hope you did, too!

Halloween 2015: The solo edition

So this Halloween had great promise. It wasn't all bad but I was so excited about going to a party and figuring out a costume to make and wear, but sadly I never made it.. I don't usually make plans or get dressed up but the times that I have, I've had a great time so when I can I really try to!  Since having to live a bit further away from the island however it's been difficult to go to fun things due to last bus constraints and next-day work obligations. I've been graced by lovely humans who let me sleep over, but it's a lot of back and forth and carrying bags and bags of things, so I prefer to plan out my routes when I can. I thought I had it all figured out for that night though, but miscommunication and no more data on my phone led to me solemnly travelling back home late at night..

But let's talk about the fun part! I was invited by a very lovely friend to a gathering of ghouls and immediately started thinking about what/who I should dress up as..

I was browsing the internetz when a picture of Beetlejuice popped up and I thought YES! I've always wanted to dress up as Lydia! Question was, which outfit?.. I had something in mind for the one where she initially investigates her new home and finds the ghosts, but it wasn't complete. I could carry my camera around as part of the costume and randomly take pictures, which I planned to do anyway, so there was that.

Then I thought about her red wedding dress outfit and realized I had the perfect dress pattern that could go with the theme. It's not exactly the same as the original in the movie but I could just add a whole bunch of tulle and I should be ok. I also had a really quick flash of a Beetlejuice doll I could make as a prop and drew a quick sketch so I wouldn't forget it. The final result wasn't too far off!

Working on the dress and a lil beetlejuice sketch.

Process pics of the Beetlejuice doll. It was exciting to see it come together so quickly. I also traced patterns of the shapes in case anybody else would want to make him, too.

Tada! Little bunch of green stuff at the corner of his mouth is a touch I'm quite proud of.

Looking very un-well rested despite my face being covered in makeup. I did use purple eye shadow under my eyes to accentuate my naturally occurring bags. The youtube tutorials I found were very helpful. My result turned out a bit different but wearing the outfit + makeup felt/looked great!

So although Halloween 2015 was a bit of a bust, I'm keeping my hopes up for the next one and ideas are already starting to brew :)

T's Prom dress!

For about two months and a half, one of my students and I worked on a pretty big project: her High School graduation prom dress! Although I've been an off and on (more on in the last couple of years) autodidact sewer since I was 10, I've never sewn a full gown/dress/outfit. Actually that's not true.. the first dress I ever sewed for myself was a frilly nightgown, using leg and arm pieces of flannelette my father had brought home from a service call at a pyjama-making textile factory. I had a little bit of experience hand sewing for my Barbie dolls and thought why not make something for myself? It took me weeks but I was SO proud. I have no idea where that thing is now!

Sewing proper clothes has always been on my to-do list however, even though it seemed a bit daunting and complex. Ironically, when I was 18, I also tried sewing my own grad dress, but failed so miserably at following a pattern and gave up when the bodice didn't fit.

Since 2012 I've been teaching the basics of sewing to a small amount of students during private lessons. Previously I worked at a shop and atelier where I taught the basics of sewing as well to small workshop groups. I don't really advertise about being a sewing teacher because I live quite a bit far away from the island and my current part-time job and lessons eat up a lot of my time prep and travel wise. Despite, word got around, and last fall I met my new student, T (name kept for privacy, also why her face is blurred in the photos). We started with simple projects and very soon she wanted to sew an outfit for a school assignment. Although her skill-level wasn't quite at the point yet where she could sew clothing on her own, because I was able to guide and help her (and do a bit of the sewing myself) we proceeded and the results were great. We made an adjustable gold sequins tie, a short-sleeved white blouse with a short collar, and a black stretchy fitted long-sleeved dress. 

Then her eyes were set on an even bigger project: her prom dress! I was a bit worried at first, but was assured that we would choose a simple design. Sewing clothes is never simple though, it is a true labour of love, especially when made with a domestic sewing machine, there are certain limitations. I didn't doubt my ability but I knew it would be a time-consuming project to produce with a beginner sewer. The initial steps of cutting out the pattern and the test pieces were all done by T with a bit of help from me. Eventually I had to step in as half seamstress/half sewing teacher since the deadline was approaching and there were growing concerns that we wouldn't finish on time.

Luckily we did :)

We followed the VOGUE 1434 pattern and it was T's idea to make it into a two-piece and forget the belt. We used silver sequins mesh for the top and lined it with blue broadcloth. We used blue taffeta for the skirt and accented it with a ribbon trim of crystals.

Her final fit was pure magic.

Altogether it was quite the adventure and I learned that I can most definitely sew fancy dresses and that I actually really enjoy it.

This most likely won't be the last one!

 

Another tote!

My originality knows no bounds... (I think to myself with a slight hint of sarcasm).

I've quite enjoyed turning scraps and odd ends into uncommon looking totes lately. And my ideas for more have been blooming! For this one, I used an old t-shirt from my cegep days. As a Fine Arts graduating parting gift, each student was asked to draw a 2x2 square illustration that best represented them (mine is the top right corner one; a doodle I'd been obsessively drawing at that time). The drawings were then compiled and silkscreen onto a white t-shirt. We all got to silkscreen our own, and mine has been in storage ever since. I haven't had much reason to wear it..

But,

sewing it onto this tote with added decos like frilly frills and fringe has given it a new purpose while also allowing me to reminisce about those youthful days while I go about my errands. 

And I do plan on making more! It's turning out to be a great way to express creativity and to use up the ridiculous amount of fabrics I've accumulated over the years.

Whip it good

Had some lovely company recently and good times were had while eating onigiris, drinking a bit of a sangria and laughing our chucks off at Bedazzled. So lucky to have had the pleasure of such sweet and funny people. And even luckier to have been left with a few scraps of gorgeous hand printed or screen printed fabric from Ghana or Nigeria, not too sure, but look, a tote!

(back fabric is from my own stash bought at fabricville)

Another Dick Tracy thing

 Well I suppose I am on a roll. This project came about through a request by an etsy buyer who admired the skirt I previously made with the Dick Tracy fabric and suggested I make shorts out of the same fabric! Lo and behold, the shorts have indeed come to be! 

  The pattern was very simple, I followed a standard men's pyjama pants pattern and just modified the length. I am very much looking forward to recycling/upcycling more hardly used bedsheets, the graphics are so nostalgic and so bold and so lovely.

  I won't promise that this is the end of projects I make using this fabric.. there's still quite some bit of left :) I can promise though that I will give you a breather, yes.

"A superman tag!"

POP

  One of my favourite self-centered  things to do in life is to buy things that I don't need. Specifically, craft things. Things that will allow me to make other things. It's a vicious addiction that needs to be subdued. Although I doubt karma really has it out for me because I look for these things mostly at second hand shops. And oh the wonderful things that there are to be accumulated from such spots! 

  As I like to sew and teach it in my spare time, I'm usually looking for snazzy bed sheets with little wear and graphics that satiate my hungerr for colour and pattern. The second hand isles are rich with these and I recently came across a Dick Tracy bed sheet that screamed POP ART! at me (rude like that). I remember the film when it first came out though it didn't really have as much of an impact on me as "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". For some reason my childhood memories confused the two.. 

  All detective films are alike? Nah. I was definitely drawn to the comic style however, it's like a drug.

  Regardless, I couldn't avoid the boldness of it and how great it would look as a bag, skirt, anything.. and for 3$, who am I to not indulge my consumerist itch?

  Thus the upcycled Dick Tracy skirt was born. I used the 2451 Simplicity skirt pattern that Ms Suzie so so kindly permitted me to use on this project. The design really fit the fabric and I was pleased with it from the very beginning.

  But that's not all I've been busy with! I finally used my glow in the dark cat eyes fabric to make a reversible tote bag and bought some super heroine fabric for who knows.. maybe some re-usable sanitary pads? 

  Actually, that would be amazing!!