You need it - I've got it.

Setting my sewing box on the floor for some much needed space, my little helper decided it was his job to make sure I had everything I needed.

Cut it right here!

As soon as I had the board down he was on it showing me right where I need to put my garment. The exact spot - what a great helper!

Underthings - Stays

My first drafted project! I relied heavily on my dress form. Based on a modern day corset Pattern 5006 from Simplicity I modified it to have straps and lowered the front. I made a mock up in pattern and muslin before cutting my final garment. Even with all the measuring and mockups I had to take it in on the sides. The result is a perfect fit.

Making of My Basic Corset

I had a few corset patterns to choose from and I decided against the historical costume corset and went straight for the basic modern corset. Using Simplicity Pattern 5006 as a base I cut it quickly in newsprint and taped it up on my dress form. Once the straps fit. I marked the paper for final alterations like lowering the bodice. I made sure the straps lined up and adjusted the arm hole to fit. I added straps to the corset in paper, then traced new pattern in bakers paper (it is what I had at the moment) but it worked well. I made sure the newly traced pattern still worked, and made a few adjustments to the straps and arm hole. Once I had my paper pattern I cut it in muslin - tried it on then made my final cut adding 1/2" seam allowance.

The lowered front works well too. My thought is this corset will work for a variety of periods -although not specific to any.

Dress - Wench

I used Simplicity 8715 and 80% old sheets to make this Ren Fair dress. The peasants blouse was purchased from Good Will to make muslin mock-ups for my Regency gowns and the double skirts were old sheets that were going to be scraps and rags. The bit of fabric I bought was the corseted top to match. 

The outfit worked well, but I would have made the waist smaller on the skirt and done real metal eyelets. All of the eyelets I cut and then embroidered by hand. They looked okay, but when the bodice was laced up - they were pulled out of shape. If I have time I would redo this bodice and make the straps long enough to sew together instead of being tied with a ribbon.

At the Shrewsbury Ren Fair

Outerwear - Spencer Jacket

I used Simplicity Pattern 2508 as a base. This is made of 100% Cotton fabric and thread. The whole thing was sewn up white. I put it all together and dyed it with Dark Brown Rit Dye. (Which was one of the most agonizing moment!) I finished it with 14 fabric covered buttons. The dying process did break down my interfacing for the collar so I had to press and starch the whole thing to get it back in shape. It all worked out.

Tea Festival 2011

My friend and I went to the Northwest Tea Festival yesterday! Best part is the little cup tasting cup with admission.

My booty...

Market Spice - Cinammon Orange

Market Spice - Earl Grey

Chado - Champagne
Queen Mary - Royal Rose

Matcha

Loofa Soaps!

I have been on the look out for new things to add to melt-and-pour soaps to make them super scrubby. Like a spa in bar. I have been purchasing my soap base from Bramble Berry which is a Washington supplier and best of all the owner is very knowledgable and produces lots of tutorials like this one about Loofa Soap. Which I had to try out! The results were fantastic. I am also getting better at the whole melt-and-pour process. Of course when she posts tutorials the materials are generally sold out in her store. I was able to find cheap loofa at Target. I used mostly mica for my color and I didn't pre-mix it before adding it to the soap so it left little floating chunks which I liked. I also used only enough color to tint the soap so light shows through - like an aget revealing the loofa.

Soaps:

Aloe Base - Lavender Oil, Dried Lavender, Loofa, Caster Oil, Vitamin E, Purple Mica Colorant 

Olive Oil Base - Ceder Oil, Sea Salt, Loofa, Caster Oil, Vitamin E, Orange Mica Colorant  

Olive Oil Base - Tea Tree Oil, Cinnamon, Loofa, Caster Oil, Vitamin E, Green Mica Colorant  

and some combinations of the above...