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Hi everyone,
Are you finding everything ok?
Are you happy that I moved all the non-costuming stuff out of the blog?

Sorry for my lack of updates. I hope to have one or two updates done soon.

Sailor Moon Make-Up

Makeup artist Michelle Phan explains step by step how to create the complete Sailor Moon look including detailed makeup instruction and how to put on a wig. The makeup aims to create the illusion that you have big anime eyes and looks fantastic.

If you are like me, and don't know a lot about makeup you might find this and Michelle's other videos very informative and educational.

Home Made Dress Dummy

Dress Dummy by Q is for Quilter

Every now and then I get questions about dress makers dummy's usually centred around making them match unique sizes. I personally have an old bra that is a permanent attachment to my dummy, stuffed with tissues. I found this article on how to make your own dummy to your own perfect size and thought it might be of interest to others.

Lolita = gathering x infinity

Gathering Progress

Today I completed the dreaded task of rethreading my overlocker (serger) with black thread. This is well overdue as most of my sewing is dark colours, but as it is still relatively new to me (even after 2 years) I didn't want to take the jump and rethread it for the first time. The hardest part was actually working out that I have to cut off all of the threads close to the needles to get them to come out. Then I followed all the little arrows and I must have done it right because it has been going fine.

This also means that it has made my life a lot easier with the velveteen. I have given all of my raw edges seam treatment with the overlocker now which will hopefully reduce the amount of mess spreading from my sewing machine to my kitchen table.

I have also gathered the last layer to the next layer. I have two options now. Gather some more lace to the edge of the next layer, or gather some lace to cover the last seam. I am feeling the urge to procrastinate about the lace again, but at least that is some more progress to show for tonight!

Steam punk skirt lace

Lots of Lace

I thought it was time to do something on one of my other works in progress, so I tackled the tedious job of attaching metres and metres of lace and finally finished the first layers.

I don't know what my machine is playing at today, but it really doesn't want to help me out. I battled through the next layer of lace though. Today I have finished sewing two layers of lace to the last ruffle and then sewed this to the next layer. Only the lace is gathered at this stage. Next all of this is gathered onto the next section.

There are two types of lace used here. Approximately 10 metres of one and 5 metres of the smaller. The velveteen has a nasty habit of pilling with little navy balls of fluff everywhere! The progress photo wants to go purple, so I have had to adjust the colour as I can't seem to take a good photo tonight.

Steam Punk Progress

Gathering Lace

I feel like i have been gathering lace for days. I have spent the best part of the day working on this now, beginning at about midday with the measuring and cutting for the velvet. I then stitched the upper part of the skirt, including inserting an invisible zip. This time around I used a friends metal invisible zip foot and it was so much easier. I think because it is a proper foot instead of the plastic kind it held everything firmly in place and so I was able to just sew instead of having to make sure nothing was coming loose.

I have also completed the bottom frill by gathering 10 metres of lace and attaching it to the velvet. This took the most time. I spent well over two hours altogether as pinning the lace onto the 4.5m (approximate) length of velvet was very time consuming. I have a couple of progress photos over on my flickr account.

Who Watches The Watchmen?

Watchmen Costumes

Friends recently got dressed up for the premiere of the Watchmen movie. Their costumes all looked absolutely fantastic, so if you are a fan check out the whole photoshoot. -> Watchmen Photo Shoot

Steam Punk Lolita

Types of Lace

I am finally making some progress! I have just cut out the frills, which took quite a bit of effort as I had to spread the fabric out on the floor because the table wasn't long enough to cut a 2m24 length. My sudden burst of energy is due to actually having a clean house at the moment which is lending itself to being inspired to do other things instead of feeling depressed about the amount of housework that is piling up.

Earlier in the week I scored some acceptable lace at DK Fabrics which made me feel confident to cut into my lovely blue cotton velveteen. This is the best lace I could find without having to spend over $4/m on Torchon Lace. I needed about 65m of the stuff so I was happy to get it for under $1/m and even happier to realise that one of the designs I purchased might be the same as what was used in the magazine example, so I am sure it will be OK.

The only downside to sewing lolita is the amount of gathering, but the end result is worth it.

Putumayo Skirt Replica

Skirt Replica

I began this skirt after a burst of inspiration. This is the tartan that I found in a remnant bin for $2 and I also had left over black cotton. I had to get half a metre more of black. After the first weekend I have it almost complete. I still need to make 3 more bows, but I haven't been able to get silver badge backs so that they will be removable. Perhaps I should just sew the bows onto the skirt. I also need to sew on the waist band.

The pattern for the skirt is from Gosu Rori magazine volume 12. The finished skirt will look something like this.

Altered Designs

Dragonfly Pendant

One of my steam punk pieces arrived last week and It was amazingly wrapped in tissue paper and done up with a ribbon like a present. It is so nice when ebay sellers take the time and care to make your purchase memorable.

The piece is a heart and dragonfly combination on a long brass chain. Other pieces like this can be found through her ebay store "Altered Designs" and are quite affordable if you are looking for something a little different.

Cameo

I have also purchased a cameo today that looks old fashioned enough for my tastes. I fear it is not "real shell" as stated, but still it might end up being one of the cheaper plastic cameos from up to 50 years ago as it looks like the setting is cast metal. While it is missing a stone in the corner I hope to either be able to replace it cheaply or fix it either by taking out the one in the other corner and adding cogs to give it a steam punk feel, or taking out all the stones and replacing them with something appropriate. I guess I shall see when it arrives in the post!