Sewing Circle

[Pensive]

Splendid work, Petratch!

[applepie]

Thanks, Meg. I'm curious to see this black and red baby blanket now. (Is there some reason your friend wanted those colours, since you obviously didn't?)

They live in California, and they're into the whole Rockabilly(sp?) culture. They are all about the red and black color scheme with skulls and roses and such. I'm not surprised it was requested, but still would have preferred something a little more baby like. Anyway, here are some pictures. Considering, I think it is really pretty. I would LOVE it if I didn't know it were for a baby.

[Granny5]

Beautiful stitchery, Meg.

[Petrarch's Love]

Splendid work, Petratch!

Thanks Pensive!

Meg--The blanket looks beautiful. I see what you mean about the colours not seeming baby-like, but since your friends do like the colours, I bet they'll love it.

[applepie]

Thanks Pensive!

Meg--The blanket looks beautiful. I see what you mean about the colours not seeming baby-like, but since your friends do like the colours, I bet they'll love it.

I'm sure they are going to love it. They should be glad that I love them as much as I do Otherwise I may have never finished it in time. I should have it in the mail this week, and that should put it there before the baby is born. I think he is due to arrive at the start of December, so there should be time.

[Lily Adams]

WHOAH Those are AMAZING! Petrarch, I loved that scarf! So creative! And that blanket is gorgeous, mkhockenberry. I can tell you right now I would suck at crocheting and knitting. Amazing. Such gift.

I've been really wanting to make a 1950s style dress lately. I was thinking a pale green one. I really, really am not a good seamstress at all. I butchered that last dress. And sewing is so expensive. And all the accessories for the dress...ahhhh too much. Plus where would I wear it? I don't go to many special occassion things and I would look ridiculous walking around in a 1950s dress. *sigh* May I could just try anyways...go slow. I was thinking:



One like the lady's in the blue dress.

Or



Like the lady's in the red dress.

And maybe, just maybe, it would be really nice if I actually had a swimsuit I wouldn't mind wearing i.e. the one on the bottom left, here:



And darn Simplicity doesn't carry these anymore because those are original patterns, so I'd have to order them off this website.

[1n50mn14]

Hey all,
Wondering if anybody else sews, knits, designs clothing and fashion, etc.

Anywho, thought that if this actually catches on it would be a good place to share our work, patterns, etc.

Currently, I'm looking for a good free corset pattern, and I'd be SOOOO appreciative if anybody could send me a good pattern.

Merci!
Bec

[LadyWentworth]

Have you ever made a corset before? I am asking as you requested a pattern. Those things are brutal to put together!

[1n50mn14]

I've made six, actually. The first one was utter ****e, but they keep getting better every try. Now that I've made enough, I'm feeling alright about actually going whole hog and getting nice fabric (silk brocade, anyone?) and making a NICE corset. I want a GOOD pattern though- I've had problems with all the others, as they haven't fit me very well. And they are a PAIN to put together lol! I had to use about 6 wheels of pins to keep each one together as I sewed it.

[LadyWentworth]

Where were your patterns from? Meaning, were they name brand patterns, or did you use other ones?

I actually prefer using patterns that are based on "old" ones. For some reason, I get more confused using ones like Simplicity (which is funny because I have difficulty with patterns with the name Simplicity! ).

I am using silk brocade on a dress that I am currently making (it is going to be more of an accent to the dress). I tend to go to places like JoAnn Fabrics when I am in doubt with finding anything anywhere else.

So, if you plan on being a little more "authentic" (I guess I could use that word, right? ), are you going to try to use steel boning, too?

I am lazy. I just use whatever I can get from a material store. I need some steel for an 18th century hoop, and I really don't want to pay the money for it.

By the way, I have this ridiculously expensive hobby of making "period" clothing. I don't know why I do it! But I do. So that is why I have a little bit of knowledge in corsets.

[1n50mn14]

I've found various patterns online, but I'm also cheap and my partner's mum is in the SCA so I've obtained patterns from her. None have been my favourite (grumpy*

^^I live in a small city with a Fabricland and a Lens Mill, so my access to good fabric is limited. I need to find steel boning somewhere, as well as a busk and grommets.

What sort of things have you made? And it IS an expensive hobby.

I also make synthetic dreads in various colors, out of yarn, synth hair, ribbon, etc. It's a lot cheaper and easier. =] Fun hobby, and profitable =O

[Lily Adams]

Those things are brutal to put together!

All sewing is brutal. D: Not one of my strong "talents". I tried.

[Niamh]

By the way, I have this ridiculously expensive hobby of making "period" clothing. I don't know why I do it! But I do. So that is why I have a little bit of knowledge in corsets.

A rediculously expensive hobby that could be a potential money bringer! Have you thought of making costumes for sale?

[Nightshade]

Where were your patterns from? Meaning, were they name brand patterns, or did you use other ones?

I actually prefer using patterns that are based on "old" ones. For some reason, I get more confused using ones like Simplicity (which is funny because I have difficulty with patterns with the name Simplicity! ).

I am using silk brocade on a dress that I am currently making (it is going to be more of an accent to the dress). I tend to go to places like JoAnn Fabrics when I am in doubt with finding anything anywhere else.

So, if you plan on being a little more "authentic" (I guess I could use that word, right? ), are you going to try to use steel boning, too?

I am lazy. I just use whatever I can get from a material store. I need some steel for an 18th century hoop, and I really don't want to pay the money for it.

By the way, I have this ridiculously expensive hobby of making "period" clothing. I don't know why I do it! But I do. So that is why I have a little bit of knowledge in corsets.

My mum hates simplicity too, I have tried one of their patterns yet, still a beginner really have tried any real clothing although I bought to rip up and remake a year ago and havent got round to it yet.. what era clothes?
And as for the hoop I seem to rember that you can although its not great as it does bend fairly easilly use metal wire and basically 'twist lots together to make it sturdier... are you going for a full hoop thing thats built all the way from the hips ( including hinges if you are going for skirts in the fashion of Pompadore? or for the kind that just has a hoop at the bottom of the skirt?
And the thing wth hoops if your not used to walking in themm is they can very easily trip you up if you dont calculate for their swing.

A rediculously expensive hobby that could be a potential money bringer! Have you thought of making costumes for sale?

yes...renissence especially custom made dresses cost an arm and a leg...

humm I should definetly try some of these things...

[LadyWentworth]

^^I live in a small city with a Fabricland and a Lens Mill, so my access to good fabric is limited. I need to find steel boning somewhere, as well as a busk and grommets.

I generally just go to WalMart or JoAnn Fabrics because it is cheaper. The higher end fabric stores are just too much. The only time I go there is when I am in desperate need for material that I can't find anywhere else.
I always enjoy how they tell people to go to a medical supply store to find the metal boning for the corsets. I am not too sure what I will do with this hoop that I want to make. Whenever I make something like a corset, even though they don't suggest it, I just use the plastic boning. It works FINE!
What is really frustrating is how I might need a VERY BIG amount of material and the stores NEVER have it! So then you have to HOPE the website does because that is the ONLY way that it is obtainable!

What sort of things have you made? And it IS an expensive hobby.

I am really into the US Civil War. So I have made different dresses from that period. I am begining a Colonial era dress. I am also thinking about starting a riding outfit (one from the 1870's-1880's). I recently tried to make this dinner dress, circa 1910. It looked terrible, though. The woman suggested that I use this other material (I honestly forget what kind it was - If I could remember it I would tell people to NOT use it!) instead of chiffon because it would be easier to use (this was suggested because I cut the chiffon wrong - it IS hard to use!). Oh, it looked TERRIBLE!! It looked so cheap. So, now, I am putting finishing touches on a Civil War ballgown and I want to begin my colonial dress.

I also make synthetic dreads in various colors, out of yarn, synth hair, ribbon, etc. It's a lot cheaper and easier. =] Fun hobby, and profitable =O

So you sell these then? Where?

A rediculously expensive hobby that could be a potential money bringer! Have you thought of making costumes for sale?

I have honestly considered this, but then reality sinks in. I can go through lazy periods with this. I don't touch any of what I am making for weeks. Besides, I really wouldn't know how to go about it. I am used to making outfits for myself. I have no idea about how to make them for other people (considering different measurements and heights).

My mum hates simplicity too

Simplicity is just hideous! Although now they have a Civil War dress pattern from the Wisconsin (where I am from) Historical Society. I would like to make that. Has she ever used McCall's or Butterick patterns? What does she think of those?

And as for the hoop I seem to rember that you can although its not great as it does bend fairly easilly use metal wire and basically 'twist lots together to make it sturdier... are you going for a full hoop thing thats built all the way from the hips ( including hinges if you are going for skirts in the fashion of Pompadore? or for the kind that just has a hoop at the bottom of the skirt?

I am going very much for a stereotypical Marie Antoinette style. I am hoping to go all-out with it! Something extravagant! I am considering using the widest plastic boning that I can find for the hoop. If it doesn't work, I will have to give in to the other.

And the thing wth hoops if your not used to walking in themm is they can very easily trip you up if you dont calculate for their swing.

I remember the first time I put on one of those hoops, I couldn't get through the doorway! I had to mess my dress up by lifting it up and sideways to make it through!

The frustrating thing about making clothing from a different period in time is that you basically need the appropriate undergarments for the outfits. If you buy a pattern that is supposed to be a little more accurate to a dress from a specific time, it won't fit right if you aren't wearing undergarments from that time, also. An example was when I made an Empire gown. It is patterned after one from the Regency period. I am thinking that it would fit me until I tried it on! So, I had to make the stay (which was NOT easy - but still easier than a corset because it calls for less boning and material). Once I did that, it fit perfectly!

I have honestly never made a hoopskirt. I just go to the Civil War reenactments and buy one if I need one. Unfortunately they never seem to sell corsets there. I would always just buy one at one of those places. I don't mind making the petticoats or chemises. It is just frustrating with the boning for a corset.