Skirt Decision

Since I decided to make a skirt next, I have been trying to decide which pattern to use. I have a hard time trying to make things fit the way I want them to so I decided to go with a skirt pattern from Simplicity's Amazing Fit collection. I like this skirt because it has separate pieces for a curvy fit (which I am so not), an average fit and a slim fit. The terminology throws me a bit here. I am not a slim person but I don't carry my weight in my hips. I decided to go with the slim fit. The front pattern pieces are the same for each of the different hip styles and the back pieces are slightly different. I've cut out the correct pieces and am going to iron them today and then start looking for my fabric. The envelope recommends several kinds of fabrics that are all fairly light weight. I assume so that it drapes nicely. I'll be looking for a lightweight denim, wool, or gabardine.

Over the weekend, I, Karen's insanely nerdy daughter, Shannon, whom she adores very much, went to Naka-Kon, an anime convention! I cosplayed (a combination of the words "costume" and "roleplay") the vampire Alucard from the series Hellsing. That's me in the flamboyant red and no, I don't sparkle. Google him if you like. He's a creeper. We call him "Ala Carte."
The coat, hat, and tie are homemade. The tie was actually a hasty, day before/of con project. The hat is felt with stiff interfacing holding the crown up and heavy floral wire holding the brim out.
The coat, which got quite hot (>.< agh! Sunday was "casual Alucard" where I took off the coat and unbuttoned the vest most of the time we walked around), is a linen (or linen-like, we aren't sure) material, which isn't that weird orangey color the group shot makes it look like.
Oh, featured in that group shot are Father Alexander Anderson, Alucard's crazy rival/nemesis dude with the bayonets, and TWO Seres Victorias, one before and one after she gets awesome. I envy that gun-cannon-thing (the Harkonnen).

(Now, to take back the sewing blog from Shannon:) Shannon enjoyed her coat and hat very much and I had fun making them for her. I'll post more construction shots later.

(Shan's pics of her and her friends' shenanigans are on Deviantart if viewers are so inclined to visit: www.spaztastics.deviantart.com.)

Have a great day!

Makeup Brush Holder

I finished something today! I saw a darling makeup brush holder on Louise's blog (vintagegiraffe.blogspot.com) and since I will be traveling soon, I decided to make one similar to it. I used items I had on hand. The red fabric was from a yard I bought at a quilt shop because it was cute. I had no idea what I would do with it. the light blue seam binding was all I had that wasn't a shade of red that clashed with the fabric. It was unfortunately only a quarter inch wide. Next time I will use wider seam binding. It was really very difficult to get it to stay on the edge of the fabric. I'm sure there are easier and neater ways to do this, but I am happy with the result and very happy that I finished it!

A brand new sewing blog

This is the first day for my new blog. I plan on posting what I am working on as well as the new things I am learning. And there will surely be a lot! I want to concentrate on clothes but will also do a few quilts. I'll have lots of photos and the layout will change over time. I'll plan on posting at least once a week.