Fabric Depot is having a storewide 40% off sale... ending on Saturday. Oh, why can't tomorrow be payday?!  I'll probably take a trip down there tomorrow anyway to start seeing what fabric is around for the costume.  I'm thinking a striped fabric for the petticoat and a solid for the jacket.  We'll see what's there.


I'm almost done with the sleeves on the old linen chemise.   
 

Shoes, I'm having more of a problem with. I ordered some last Halloween from Jas. Townsend and Sons, and they were too big. They've discontinued that style, and I don't like their new women's shoes. Though they're more accurate for the character, I really really like heeled shoes (I know, I know, but pretty!! and I want to be able to wear them with fancier outfits too), plus they're more expensive than the old ones!

I've heard a lot of my costumer friends list has ordered from Fugawee and liked them. I was looking at the Anna or Martha versions. I'm planning on saving up for them (I think I have time! :D)

Anyway, I was wondering how the sizing was on them. I have large feet, that are short, but rectangular and kind of wide... I wear between a nine and a ten. The Jas Townsends I ordered were 11s and exactly a size too big, so if that's anything to go off of...


Also, I love the red ones from Burnley and Trowbridge! Would they be worth the extra money? I know you can send in a foot tracing, which may be helpful.

Thanks in advance! 

 I'm actually sewing something towards my halloween costume today.  Remember that linen chemise? yeah, I didn't either until I found it while looking for something to use as ribbon for a hat I'm also currently burried in (never did find anything, though).  I had abandoned it because the sleeves were waaay off, but I've fixed the armhole and I think it will work out okay.

In other news, I was up at 2:30 this morning freaking out about not finishing (or rather, not even STARTING) the halloween costume yet.   My main problem is that I really have no stash to speak of.  When I buy fabric, I almost always use it immediately.  The only things I have on my shelves are under a yard each.  Yeah, helpful.    I have to go to work at the moment (blaaaaah), but I'll post a list of things I need to get done when I get home.  Lists are helpful.

I went to Fabric Depot today! I got lost several times but once I got there- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.


Let me explain. The store is the size of the Target in Eureka. Seriously. I don't know what the square footage is, but it's HUGE. The whole center area is just calicos and prints. They even had some (and by 'some', I mean three racks) of 1800s and Civil War reproduciton prints! Plus, acutal wool- not just cotton blends, linens (printed too!), SILKS- taffeta, chiffon, dupioni, non slubbed! Plus, the sheerest silk organzas and organdys I've seen. They demanded to be made into a cap like tayloropolis 's! Also, they had rows and rows of racks of buttons and notions, plus jerseys, huge home dec section and a pretty good clearance area. I didn't even make it to the side of the building where they have their 'outdoor' sale section. Oh yeah, and they had gorgeous lace appliques and trims in cases on one section of the wall...


I DIED EVERYONE. DIED. 

I had to call my mom after I left just to tell someone. haha.

I found several things that would be perfect for my Halloween petticoat, even a great navy blue and offwhite striped linen :D It's a little pricey, but I signed up for their mailing list. They have 40% off sales pretty frequently. I think it's totally worth the price. I know the quality is huge compared to Joanns (yes, even the Supercenter)
I was so overwhelmed by it all, I walked out without buying anything! Next payday, I'm definitley going back!

Ah yes, this is why I moved here. Now I just need to find some sewing and history nerd friends! :)

I was up until 1:30 last night watching To Wong Foo- Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar  in eleven nine minute segments on YouTube.   

Today I went to Joanns to get a cutting cardboard, since I don't have any table space or floor area big enough to cut fabric out on that's not covered in carpet.  It's the firefly frenzy or something, and they have 50% off coupons.  Surprise, surprise, they were out of cutting cardboards, so I decided to buy the fabric for the petticoat.   I wanted a blue and white or a red and white stripe but they didn't have anything! At all!  No stripes in any sort of fabric in the entire store!  Errg, it's  just like back in Eureka.  So I bought some red white and blue ribbon to make cockades for the costume instead.  I figure I can wear it on Bastille Day too.   Anyway, I used jennylafleur's tutorial.  Here's the first one (the button's silver, not gold. it's just the bad lighting):



I've been really wanting to do sewing, but I just don't have the fabric!  Not from lack of trying though!  

I also went to the Walmart next door, since I needed a 30 oz jar for the swap I'm doing.  It's been impossible to find one that was a normal jar shape, not a mondo sized Gatorade bottle.  Anyway, I wanted a plastic one, since it will have a lesser chance of breaking in the mail, and would be cheaper to ship (since it'd be lighter), but all I found was a 32oz jar of strawberry jelly.  It was on sale for $1.99, so I picked it up.  Then I found myself wondering what the hell I was going to do with 32 oz of strawberry jelly-  I wasn't going to throw out 32 oz of perfectly good jelly... so I picked up a loaf of bread on the way out.   I'm sure I'm going to get four rounds of toast into it and just throw it out.  But, I have the jar!   Once again, Walmart was an experience.   The only place I've seen okies in the entire city has been Walmart (stating the obvious?).  I'm so shocked that the closest one we have is Crescent City.   Well, Crescent City is a prison town... hahah!  I do love the "everyday low prices' though.  Hell, 32oz of strawberry jelly for a buck ninety-nine is pretty good.

 

I've been thinking more about Halloween. It's a curse! 
 
Anyway, I've been thinking definitely about doing the revolutionary. I found this fabric that I think would make a cute petticoat, but I'm pretty sure I can get a better price on something similar at Joanns. I'm thinking if I do go through with the blue striped petticoat, I'd do a darker blue solid for the jacket.
   
Once again, I'm thinking about this JP Ryan pattern. I just really want it, for the maybe-future-halloween outfit and the brocade bought a long time ago. 
    
Also, once again, I'm probably going to start saving up for the Fugawee "Anna" shoes.  I've seen them on some of my costumer f-list members, and I love them.  I like the shape, plus the idea of being able to switch out the ribbon! Eee!  
   
I just have so many ideas flying through my head of things I want to make... time to update the costume wishlist sidebar! haha!
  


Oh yeah, since I actually found the nearest Post Office today (which is also right near an Ace Hardware, where I can probably pick up some cable ties for the stays!), I signed up for a swap.  It's what inspired the thing I sent uknowimprecious, which, I don't think I took pics or even ever posted about on here! haha.  Anyway, it'll be easy, no stress and not expensive to do.  I'm excited!

 I'm currently watching Jefferson in Paris* (THANKYOUNETFLIX) and it's made me think about Halloween again!  Arrg! hahah.   
While I love the uperclass clothing to death, I kind of want to make another French Revolutionary costume.  One that's better then the one I made about five years back that sucked. haha  I think that would be a bit easier to finish before Halloween than my other non-Halloween project.  Plus, I already have the prop.
Hmmmm....

Can you tell I'm itching for another project?  Beside the stays of course.  I'm so used to having at least two things going at once!


Anyway, I've avoided having to buy a new bra by cutting out the wire from another bra that doesn't fit and replacing the broken with it. HUZZAH FOR DIY!  Other than that... uh.. Kipppy broke the mirror I just bought when I came up here.  I went to Safeway.  Oh, my exciting life!








*I've seen it before-  Nick Nolte freaks me out a bit, and the costumes are on the eh side, but ... LAFAYETTE CAMEO>

Yes, I'm thinking about Halloween again.  


Oh yeah, I don't know if I remembered to post, but I found a home for Kitteen, so I won't have to dump her out in the wilderness with my grandma :(  My boss is taking her, and she has a cat the same age as Kitteen, so I think she'll be happy there.

Dear Hot Topic Customer,

Here is a mass list of answers to all of your questions:

I made it.
No, really.
Three months.
A lot of money.
Since I was about nine.
No, I don't sew  for other people.
Okay, but it'll cost you.
The costumes that are half off have a large orange sticker that says "50% off"
No, not that one. It doesn't have a sticker.
Not that one either.
We're out of candy, hence the multiple signs on the doorway.
No, I really did make it.
Yes, I'm sure.


>.<

I'm not a hundred percent sure how it went over. Some people liked it and some people were just mad that my manager forgot to give me keys before he left for his lunch, so I couldn't get out belly button rings out of the cases for them.
*stab*

SIX SEXY BEE COSTUMES. I SAW SIX SEXY BEE COSTUMES.


 Guess who was the only person who dressed up last night?

Yes. 


I guess it was better than sitting at home, since that's what I would have been doing otherwise, due to my, oh, lack of friends.  eep.

I'm  pretty sure I had food poisoning yesterday. errrrrg.  I had to call in sick to work, which was lame, since there was stuff I needed to do, there and elsewhere.  Plus, I'm always nervous about calling in sick, since it was always a huge hassle when I worked at Joanns, but it doesn't seem to be a big deal at Hot Topic.  I've only called twice since I've worked there, and the first time was when I was in that accident, so... lol.

 I'm going to Joanns today, probably, since I'm feeling a lot better.   It's the 'moonlight madness' sale (actually a good sale from them this time), and I need the final stuff for that Historical swap.  Plus, I'm thinking of making a small Mothra costume for Saturday, which will be the last day of mandatory dress up for work before Halloween.  The only thing is that I'm worried that fleece is going to be expensive. eh. We'll see. 

Dentist appointement on Thursday-  eep

here it is, sneak peak bathroom shot style. my halloween dress is on my dressform, so i can't take pics of it on that.


my dad picked up his costume today and it's pretty good... but it wasn't made over two days, now was it.

I may make an apron out of the pillowcases i bought for the embroidery challenge, since I decided I don't have time to enter it. We'll see how much time I have.

Even thought they're not accurate, in the least, I've found some possible replacements at the mall during my lunch break today.  The first one is a paire of satin flats that are light pink and quilted.  They're really pretty and $44.  The second option is a pair of maryjane flats that are the exact color of the gold dupioni of the bodice and the'yre only $18.  I'll probably go with those.  I was going to buy them, but we got new Emily the Strange shirts that look JUST like my kitten, so I had to buy it.  Also, I found out that we've started carrying underwear up to juniors size 4X and bras up to 38DD! HOLY SHIT! I snatched up a bra in that size, finally a size that will fit me! EEE!

So, hopefully the gold shoes will be still there when I work next time.  I'm going to Target tonight and I'll check to see what they have, but so far the gold ones are looking pretty good to me, style and price-wise.  Plus in flats, it'll be easier to work in. Heee.

Here's the shirt I got:



Kitten:

 

Resemblance? yes.

I just got a call from Jas Townsend and they've discontinued the ladies shoe and the only size they have left is 11s!  She said that they've switched manufacturers and the new versions won't be in until after Halloween. Eep.  Oh well.  So many things have gone wrong with this costume that I'm completely not mad.  I'm actually happy that they called me, as comparing to Joanns dropping off the face of the earth! EEP! I'm still angry with them, though. LOL.  So now I have to find something and I dont' have the funditure to get authentic ones, so I'll probably be shopping around at Target for some ballet flats or something.  Maybe Torrid still has those ones I was looking at and I could put a rush on it.  I've bought from them before many times and their really quick. 

Eep. 

^^ That's my new favorite not word word

Arrg, the internet has been down all day thanks to someone cutting the fiberoptic cable. again.  This is the third time, at least, this has happened this year!  And every time it's due to some idiot cutting the line.  It cuts off the whole county, so the internet doesn't work, credit cards won't run and ATMs don't work.  Makes shoppers at Hot Topic real, real happy. Eep

I'm done with the bodice of the Renfaire dress, and will cut out the skirt tomorrow. I've made it before and it's really easy.  Also, Thursday is the start of mandatory dressing up at work for Halloween, so I have to gather last year's Angus Young out fit.  I know where the jacket is and bought socks today, but have to find the shorts, tie and white shirt. Also, I'll probably have to remake the hat. Hopefully I"ll be able to find some suitable fabric. 
gah

and an hour later...

 

buhhm, buhhm, buhhm, buhhm, buhh- buhhm *tympani*

Okay, lame attempt at the "2001: A Space Oddessy" theme, but it's fitting nonetheless;

THE DRESS... IS DONE. THE MADNESS IS COMPLETE.

Remember this? the inspiration picture?

 

Yeah. That's right. I had so many people scoff (not on LJ, though) when I posted this picture and said that I was going to do it. So, having it finished is a big "SUCKITBITCH" to all those assholes.

SUCKITBITCH>

Okay, better now.

Anyway, it took me near three months to complete it, with a lot of handsewing- not something I generally do a lot- and a hell of a lot of waiting. Waiting around for Joanns to not bother putting in my dupioni order, waiting around for denverfabrics to send. I had to go out of state for the two trims I didn't make. I'm still really angry at Joanns for what they pulled, and the girl Jennifer, who I worked with and who lied to us about it being in, but when you live in a one horse town, or more like a one sheep town, that's what you get, right?

Anway, now, a review: 

 



Petticoat (eep, I still need to hem it, just waiting for my shoes to come)-




 

Bathroom Action shots-

(note the Wriststrong Bracelet lOL)

EEEEEEEP>

More action shots to follow. I'd like to take them at places other than my backyard, but the lack of car thing may impede that. Maneuvering the bus in that thing would be interesting. We'll see what I come up with.

A lot of it actually being done is thanks to padawansguide</lj>'s site. It was super helpful!

Just waiting for my shoes to come! I'm actually excited about working on Halloween! 

Now I'm off to start on the renfaire dress. eeeep



 

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Artistic Nerd   Whether it's painting, sewing, drawing, arts and crafts; or just splashing paint onto a canvas and calling it art; you mostly fit this description. Lots of people envy the artists, but be humble and keep working on it. There is a shortage of true artists today who actually contribute anything to society.
Literature Nerd
Musician
Drama Nerd
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In other news, I got most of the stuff I need for my Renfaire costume. It was a supremely shitty sale at Joanns (what's new, right?) so the additive price for all the stuff I needed in the fabrics I wanted (twill) was going to be about 70 dollars! Aaak! So, instead of brown twill for the skirt I just got broadcloth. Eep. We'll see how it turns out. Also, I didn't get the lacing I needed, so i'll have to go back later in the week and hopefully it'll be there still. arg.

Also, I got a bra (lol, tmi?) that's not black that I can wear with the costume. My only other one is black and it totally showed. Luckily this one was on sale and actually fit. whoo.

Also, new mood theme! The other day I was looking for new icons and stumbled upon some from Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet. I was reminded how much I love that adaptation! EEE! Lol. I may switch back to the other. I'll be fickle like that. :D

I went to the only store locally that has hook and eye tape, and the only kind they had was black. I asked if they had white and the woman was really bitchy about it, but no surprise here. They've got quite a snobby reputation. Anyway, I'm hoping that it works and looks good, or else, I'm going to be stuck with just plain crappy weak hooks and eyes. I'm going to Joanns tomorrow to get the fabric for my RenFaire costume, so I'll take a look.

The trim's done! I just have to add the bows and the closure, and I can move on to other things! lol.

I went with

bauhausfrau, and used the Portland trim with the pink strips underneath.

 

Weird camera malfunction+ kitten= weird cat malfunction



I'm going to start working on drawing up the embroidery pattern for the craft challenge today