Costume & Crafting Help

[lazerfox]

Let's just say that I never realized that my sig picture + my eplaya name = random email from guy looking for furry camps.


And when I politely told him I had no clue and that he should've kindly asked first if I was even a furry (vs. making assumptions), he became holier-than-though and gave me his impression of how life should be lived.

[EmilyD]

If I ever upgrade, it will be to this tarted up Singer:

http://www.joann.com/singer-160th-anniversary-sewing-machine-/zprd_11457413a/

Probably not the best machine, but it is soooo prettty shiny.......

That, or I'll get mom's old Pfaff serviced and running again.

DAMMMNNN that is a beauty AntiM! Definitely the best of both worlds/time periods. My mom had one of those old black Singers. I opted for Sears Kenmore when it was time to buy my own machine because the button holes came out better. I also have a White Overlock (some folks call them Surgers) which is really great for sealing up frayable hems.

[EmilyD]

Let's just say that I never realized that my sig picture + my eplaya name = random email from guy looking for furry camps.


And when I politely told him I had no clue and that he should've kindly asked first if I was even a furry (vs. making assumptions), he became holier-than-though and gave me his impression of how life should be lived.

LOL an indignant Furry! "FURR YOU!"

[lazerfox]

If I ever upgrade, it will be to this tarted up Singer:

http://www.joann.com/singer-160th-anniversary-sewing-machine-/zprd_11457413a/

Probably not the best machine, but it is soooo prettty shiny.......

That, or I'll get mom's old Pfaff serviced and running again.

DAMMMNNN that is a beauty AntiM! Definitely the best of both worlds/time periods. My mom had one of those old black Singers. I opted for Sears Kenmore when it was time to buy my own machine because the button holes came out better. I also have a White Overlock (some folks call them Surgers) which is really great for sealing up frayable hems.

AntiM- I have a friend who recently posted an image of a jar bank with that same wonderful instrument taped on it as she saves to buy one of her own.

EmilyD- HAHAHA nice! And I'm slightly jealous of your Surger. Not sure when or if I'll ever be able to reason myself to think I'm a good enough seamstress to buy one but man you can do some amazing things with them!

[AntiM]

I was sewing enough a while back that a serger looked like a good idea. I've slacked off considerably lately though.

The shiny machine is well within my budget, just not a priority now. I'd feel guilty and frivolous.

[Drawingablank]

Finally found some time to finish carving and dyeing a leather buckle cover - now it just needs a couple coats of satin finish and lacing it over the buckle blank.

[EmilyD]

Finally found some time to finish carving and dyeing a leather buckle cover - now it just needs a couple coats of satin finish and lacing it over the buckle blank.

Mmmm very nice DAB...and good for any/every year being date-free.

[EmilyD]

I was sewing enough a while back that a serger looked like a good idea. I've slacked off considerably lately though.

The shiny machine is well within my budget, just not a priority now. I'd feel guilty and frivolous.

OR it could be just the inspiration you need to get back into sewing alot again! It sure does keep seams from unraveling!

[EmilyD]

I'm holding off beginning my big multi-person costume project until I know we have tickets but I do have a lot of the fabric already stockpiled. Just the other day I had a brain-flash about how to make the costume work (after pondering it in the back of my mind for a couple of months, and getting helpful advice from some of you) so as soon as we get the ticket situation resolved, I'll hit the sewing machine HARD! If we don't get tickets I'll use the fabric for a single, magnificent costume to wear in a fashion show some friends of mine put on every year in Santa Cruz. I just won't know which way to go (and they're very different approaches) until ...you know.

[lazerfox]

You are great inspiration for a slacker like me. I've had tickets and even bought all the fabric I need....just haven't taken the time to start sewing my robe 2.0.

I also have about 3 projects that have been waiting in queue in front of it so I am completely and utterly slacking! Wish I were more organized with my life.

I'm sure however it works out you will have a wonderful costume!!

[lazerfox]

Finally found some time to finish carving and dyeing a leather buckle cover - now it just needs a couple coats of satin finish and lacing it over the buckle blank.

that is one kick ass buckle!

[Drawingablank]

Thanks, the man icon also glows in the dark, although that won't work on the playa as I discovered last year.

[Ratty]

Dab, That buckle is a masterpiece! I am so jealous of your skills.

[Drawingablank]

Dab, That buckle is a masterpiece! I am so jealous of your skills.

Thanks, but I am totally jealous of your repurposing skills so I guess we are even.

Since one of the things I do for a liviung is teach leather carving it doesn't seem all that awesome to me (a rather simple design in fact, although the painting and dyeing was tedious).

[Jax Dee]

Dab, That buckle is a masterpiece! I am so jealous of your skills.

Thanks, but I am totally jealous of your repurposing skills so I guess we are even.

Since one of the things I do for a liviung is teach leather carving it doesn't seem all that awesome to me (a rather simple design in fact, although the painting and dyeing was tedious).

No, it's beautiful. Don't take your talent for granted. I love it

[theCryptofishist]

No, no, hide your light under a bushel! Don't bask in the glow! Don't bask in the glow!

[EmilyD]

You are great inspiration for a slacker like me. I've had tickets and even bought all the fabric I need....just haven't taken the time to start sewing my robe 2.0.

I also have about 3 projects that have been waiting in queue in front of it so I am completely and utterly slacking! Wish I were more organized with my life.

I'm sure however it works out you will have a wonderful costume!!

GIT TA WOIK! What is the first step on your robe project? Do you need to make a pattern, or do you have one? Are you ready to cut the fabric or do you need to wash it first? What's THAT FIRST STEP? It's the key to getting going!

[lazerfox]

First step is probably why I haven't. I need to finish 3 other projects.

I'm hoping to start sewing at least 2 nights a week starting this week....we shall see how it goes.

[EmilyD]

First step is probably why I haven't. I need to finish 3 other projects.

I'm hoping to start sewing at least 2 nights a week starting this week....we shall see how it goes.

Ahhh okay. And, not sure of your organizational set up but if there's a place you can set up the sewing machine permanently or at least for the length of the project (card table in corner even) it will help you from talking yourself out of all the set up hassle each time you decide you're ready to sew something.

[Savannah]

I walked through a street fair the other day and saw wonderful sweater-coats for sale. The creator had scoured thrift stores for sweaters per coat in approximately the same fabric weight, and in 3 or 4 similar (but not identical) colors. She would then wash them in hot water to sanitize and pre-shrink, then cut them into horizontal strips and alternate the colors to make beautiful, drape-y, soft, knee-length coats with long pointy hoods and exposed serger stitching. She would even take a placket, with buttons, from a cardigan. I would have purchased one, but I don't really have a good excuse to spend $250-333 on a sweater coat. But oh, I wanted one.

I'm very tempted to try to cobble something like one together.

[EmilyD]

I walked through a street fair the other day and saw wonderful sweater-coats for sale. The creator had scoured thrift stores for sweaters per coat in approximately the same fabric weight, and in 3 or 4 similar (but not identical) colors. She would then wash them in hot water to sanitize and pre-shrink, then cut them into horizontal strips and alternate the colors to make beautiful, drape-y, soft, knee-length coats with long pointy hoods and exposed serger stitching. She would even take a placket, with buttons, from a cardigan. I would have purchased one, but I don't really have a good excuse to spend $250-333 on a sweater coat. But oh, I wanted one.

I'm very tempted to try to cobble something like one together.

Savannah, there's a woman on Etsy who's famous for doing these coats. People wait months for her stuff: http://katwise.com/coats.html She does the best ones of these I've seen anywhere. I think she also offers tutorials on her techniques. These would be beautiful on the playa for sure.

[tattoogoddess]

I freaking LOVE her stuff! I really want to make one just done have any sweaters. There is a video on youtube that shows you step by step how to make her coats.

[Savannah]

Thanks for the tips!

I'm guessing it was a different seamstress, indeed, using the very same techniques. Her work was a little more gentle than the examples in the linked sight, but very beautiful. Then again, it may also have been that some of the more technicolor dreamcoats had sold before I got there . . .

[Jax Dee]

I freaking LOVE her stuff! I really want to make one just done have any sweaters. There is a video on youtube that shows you step by step how to make her coats.

Thx for this info. I will have to check it out and see if it is something I can pull off.

[theCryptofishist]

I want to expand my uniform (so I can get in the dm thing) by putting extra panels of cloth in at the sides (takeing out current seams). So these are my choices of fabric:

NEW* Kona® Cotton: Premium Quilting Weight: $18/yd
100% cotton fabric with a soft hand, easy to sew
42" wide printable area (107 cm)
4.5 oz per square yard
60 x 60 threads per inch
Appropriate for quilting, appliqué, shirting, dresses, children's clothing, and home decor
Estimated shrinkage 2%
Machine wash warm or cool using phosphate-free detergent

Or

Cotton Poplin: $20/yard
100% cotton fabric
42" wide printable area (107 cm)
3.7 oz per square yard
Appropriate for quilting, shirting, skirts, dresses, pajamas, home decor
Estimated shrinkage 3%
Machine wash warm or cool using phosphate-free detergent

Or

Cotton Voile: $24/yard
100% cotton voile, combed, delicate, silky texture.
Please note that this fabric replaces cotton lawn, which was discontinued on 11/30/2010.
54" wide printable area (142 cm)
1.4 oz per square yard
Thread count: 70x70, yarns 60/1 x 60/1
Semi-transparent, gauzy
Appropriate for dresses, blouses, lingerie, scarves and handkerchiefs.
Estimated shrinkage 3%
Dry clean or hand wash gently, warm or cool using phosphate-free detergent. Air-dry.

Sadly my first instinct (#2) is out right now. I don't know when it will be back, beyond the word "soon", which can easily mean days or weeks...
I don't even know if that is my choice because it represents "Well, I won't go bargain basement on this, but I don't want to spend too much" or not.
Any thoughts?

[Drawingablank]

I've played around a bit with making my old uniforms fit once again, and a lot depends on your personal tastes and what the uniform is made of.

For myself I am happiest with a fabric that is about the same weight and texture as the uniform. Since my old uniforms are heavy cotton, this usually means shopping in the denim section (some of the camo denims have no pattern on one side so can be used as a solid color).

You may prefer more of a contrast in texture, color, print, etc...

I must say that the prices you list seem a tad on the high side I usually pay about $5 for cotton or poplin. Even premium quiting cotton I usually see off sale for $12 or less.

[theCryptofishist]

I think I want something lighter than the uniform, because it's hot on the playa.
Of course these prices are expensive. This is custom printed stuff in one yard bits. I want something that screams Soviet! or at least Russia!, but not a matrushka doll... Which is why I'm only getting one yard. I'd go for a third yard, but I only have one uniform coat, only intend to get one other and I'm not real sure how this would work out.
http://www.spoonflower.com/spoonflower_fabrics

[Drawingablank]

Wow, actually that price sounds pretty reasonable for custom printed fabric.

This link has some authentic vintage soviet designs if you are interested.I don't think they are for sale but you may get some good print ideas there:
http://pinterest.com/filipbeijing/fabricssovietandothers/

[theCryptofishist]

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/1092962

[tattoogoddess]

For those who can not sew....


Totally on this for a dress or two for BM