A week of productivity Saturday, Dec 26 2009

I’ve been a little busy the past week, mostly being unproductive (I’ve been sucked into the world of Magic: The Gathering!), but I’ve gotten a few things done!

I finished my 1886 black rose overbust, but sadly it turned out a little short at the bust, so it ends up like more of a mid-bust. Apart from that, it’s extremely well fitting, and very comfy! I promise I’ll get around to taking pictures eventually. It doesn’t really look good on my dress form, and I always forget to take pictures when I’ve got it on.

I also finished a bombshell dress that I’ve been making for a friend (another one in pinstripe! Woo!). And I found a pink Betty Boop fabric, which will be made into a bombshell dress for consignment I hope it turns out as well as I’m imagining! I’m about to get a start on it tonight, as I was supposed to have the dresses in between Christmas and New Years. I also really want to make one in white cotton with small black polka dots, and some bodices in black with white dots. So many things to make!

As for Christmas, most of my Christmas present was my sewing set up that I got a little while ago, but yesterday I also got a Spotlight giftcard (which will be spent tomorrow morning!) So that’s gonna be a big help, since I’ve been spending most of my money on fabrics and making a tonne of things that I don’t really need to. Woo hoo!

As for the pinstripe, I bought 10 meters a while ago for a bargain basement price. When I bought the Betty Boop fabric, I was told that they had more pinstripe in. So I’m gonna have to go grab some more! It’s just such a great fabric, and there’s so many things to make out of it. Yay!

xxBella

Leave a Response »

 

Bombshell dresses – how I love thee! Tuesday, Dec 15 2009

It’s been nearly a week now since I recieved my first consignment request. And, up until today, I’ve been pretty lazy with it. I cut out all the pattern pieces on the weekend, but just left them sitting in a pile. My main problem was that I was having trouble with my new overlocker, but I took it in today and got help threading it. I also grabbed some better cottons that make it run a lot smoother than the cheap-o ones I picked up at Spotlight.

So tonight, around 9, I got off my ass and started to sew. Three hours later and I have a new size 12 pinstripe bombshell sitting on my dress form. Tomorrow, though, I have to head out to get some zippers (the one thing I always forget) so I can finish it off. And then I need to shorten the skirt. Since this is one for consignment in an alternative store that I frequent, I know the market pretty well, and a below-the-knee dress isn’t going to fly that well.

Since I got the pinstripe at an absolute bargain, this dress cost me little to make. I’m now on the hunt for a fabric to make another one out of (also for consignment at the same store). Apart from that, I’ve also had a few commission interests coming my way in the past week or so. And on top of that, I still need to fix the sizing on my 1886 corset mock-up, and then get started on it.

All of my shipments arrived last week. Enough boning for roughly three corsets, casings, tips, grommets, my shiny new grommet setter, two vintage patterns from eBay, three new corset patterns from Ageless, coutil, and many more pretty sewing things!

I’m absolutely stoked that things are coming together so smoothly. Early 2010, I’m going to grab a domain and put together an online portfolio, as well as a proper host for this blog, which will hopefully generate some more traffic for comissions.

For now, I’m off to hunt around for fabrics and watch DVDs – woo!

xxBella

Leave a Response »

 

Supplies, supplies everywhere! Sunday, Nov 29 2009

I’ve just ended a mini shopping spree on fabrics, supplies, notions and books.

On Thursday, I bought two books at Dymocks in Swanston St – Corsets: Historical Patterns & Techniques by Jill Salen and Nineteenth-Century Fashion in Detail by Lucy Johnston. Then, on Friday, I ordered a book from Angus & Robertson (which I’m expecting sometime this week) – Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims and Accesories from Ancient Egypt to 1915 by Katherine Strand Holkeboer. As well at a freestanding grommet press from CorsetMaking.com

Yesterday was my new machines and cabinet (expected tomorrow), along with all the goodies. I also bought a black rose brocade, black cat halloween quilting fabric, a patterened black European fabric, and a cream satin with black lace overlay (also European) from Joys Warehouse.

And, today, I bought overlocking cotton, quilting pins, tailor’s chalk and 12 pattern storage boxes – all those for under $50! And now I just ordered enough corset supplies for a new overbust for myself, an overbust to commission/make to sell, and an underbust (not sure who/what I’ll make that for yet).

I just remembered I need to order a new pattern *facepalms*, but that may have to wait until next payday!

xxBella

Leave a Response »