Retrophile

It's Been A while!

2012-01-06T17:29:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

It has been a few months since my last post and boy do I have a lot to catch up on. The reason I have been M.I.A was I have been finishing up my Master's Thesis. It is finally printed turned in and awaiting approval by the committee, keep your fingers crossed.

So keep your look out for updates. I will be posting some catch ups this weekend. For now I will leave you with a teaser of my Dicken's Fair Costume from this year.

Loving my Pattern Collection

2011-10-11T19:24:00.000-07:00

If I had one piece of advice to aspiring costume makers, it would be BUY PATTERNS!! Doesn't matter if you think you will use it anytime soon or not. If you like it and can afford it buy it. My compulsion to buy patterns is really working in my favor right now. I am a self taught seamstress and have had no formal sewing, draping or pattern making lessons. This being the case I depend on my patterns. This has allowed me to piece things together, alter existing patterns and just some just for their general shape.

This is what I have been doing the last couple of days. I found my perfect Dicken's fair inspiration dress.

http://www.antique-frock.com/earlyvictorian/products/dress102.html

I am in love this dress. It is an acutal 1860 gown and being such, there is no specific pattern for this dress. So, this is where my pattern collection comes in to play. I am using 2 different patterns to piece together and create this dress.

I am using the jacket of this pattern, which i used for my Dicken's dress two years ago. ( I just realized I never posted that dress, guess I will have to soon!) I will also be using the skirt for the over skirt section. I like how this skirt isn't very gathered and will fall nice in front. The back will be more gathered than the front to give the right shape.

Burda 7880

I will be using the skirt from this pattern for the under skirt the from will be pleated (not looking forward to this!)

Butterick 4954

I am currently working on the sketches for all the modifications I will be making to the patterns and the details of what need to be done. Keep an eye out!

Simmering

2011-09-28T21:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been posting lately. With work and classes back in full swing haven't had much time. I do have a few projects in the works though.

2 cowl scarves
Fall skirts
1 dress
Christmas countdown project.
And cont. to declutter.

So keep your eyes out!

Clean and Simple

2011-09-07T18:32:00.001-07:00

Once again, a new look. I just wanted something clean and simple without a lot of clutter. Seems to be the theme of my life right now.

Revamping The Castle: De-clutter Along Week 1

2011-09-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

After reading a post on Kath Eats Real Food, I was inspired to simplify and overhaul my apartment. Me and my boy are going on 3 years of living in the same apartment. This is the longest I have lived in a place since 2003. So not moving means, not going through things, and accumulating too much. Sometimes if feels like the walls are closing in. Well no more. I am setting a goal for myself. I want to declutter all the rooms/ areas of my house by Nov. 1. In some cultures Nov. 1 marks the beginning of a new year. The actualy New Year Jan. 1 is a bit too far off. So, Nov. 1 sounds like a better date. I have designated 7 areas or zones that I am going to target. I have 8 weeks, or 59 days.

I thought we could make this a declutter along, and you guys could let me know how things are going for you and share any good ideas you come across.

The Zones

1. Bedroom

2. Linen Closet
3. Kitchen
4. Bathroom
5. Living Room6. Outside Closet

7. Craft-room (This one is mostly finished but could use some polishing up.)

Monday De-clutter Along Week #1
I started #1 the bedroom today and am about 1/2 way done. I will be doing further posts and updates as I move through the zones. So Keep an Key out on Monday's for the Weekly De-clutter Along Updates