sorcha.renspace.com

 

 

Also saw beawolf. excellent movie. end kinda disappointing though. 

So Today is friday. I got tomarrow off of work and I am looking forward to a three day weekend!

A weekend full of Faire!  I may pick up a few hours at one of the booths for some extra cash. And I need to track down the girl who borrowed my blue flogger. I plan to party with my new gypsy guild on saterday night. To eat, drink and be merry, for on tuesday I must go back to work.

Look for taron on sunday afternoon, he may have to miss saterday as his oldest is ill.

But I'll happily find new people to carouse with!

 

Love,

Sorcha

I was lucky enough to have taken a basic sewing class in high school.

However, if you don't know the basics, like how to wind a bobbin, un-jam a sewing machine, or put together the pattern pieces after you've cut them out, I recommend going to your local fabric store and asking one of the ladies at the cutting counter if they offer any basic sewing classes. Also I cannot stress enough the importance of getting a really good sewing machine if you're making garb. With garb you're usually going through several layers of thick fabric, and a machine that isn't prepared to deal with that is going to jam, allot. And take your sewing machine in regularly for eminence. For $30 you can get your sewing machine cleaned of all the various fuzzys and snapped threads that clog it up and mess with your tension.

If you have enough room, set up a sewing table, with dedicated storage for thread, trim, fabric, and remnants. Many patterns will leave you with enough to make a draw-string bag (or several) and those can be good practice, and a wonderful item to give to friends who are just staring out at fair.

I made the dress I'm wearing in my profile picture. The dark blue is velvet. The dress cost about $50 to make, that includes an underskirt, split overskirt and bodice. I found the velvet in the basement of my local fabric store on the remnant table for $5 a yard; of course it was all in 1 1/2 yard segments.

The easiest historically accurate patterns are some of the McCall's ones, they have very little boning though, so you need a corset for underneath. I prefer to spend good money on a nice corset to give my less boned outfits a better fit. All patterns have a line that you can use to shorten them! They'll be in the directions. Always read the directions first.

The very merry seamstress is going to have some patterns coming out with simplicity, and her costumes are beautiful. I don't consider myself good enough to make something noble class, but peasant skirts, chemises and basic bodices are easy.

Here are the patterns I have made:

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4696.htm?tab=costumes&page=5
(This is the one I'm wearing in the picture, it would benefit from some of the plastic mesh that cross-stichers start on slid into the center panel. it has NO boning, which makes it easy to make.)

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4090.htm?tab=costumes&page=6

(this is a really good basic skirt. if you want to simplify it better, you can eliminate the interfacing on the waistband, make it big enough to go around your hips and put elastic in it. if you do that you can ignore the slit in the back.)

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4107.htm?tab=costumes&page=6

(on this one I made view H. it has light boning, but you can, and should, wear a bra under it. it was the first bodice I made. very easy very nice. I still get complements when I wear it.)

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4091.htm?tab=costumes&page=6

(the only chemise pattern you need. go ahead and ignore the ruffles. you can replace the draw string with elastic as well if you would like to. if you do that you don't need to put the button hole in.)

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5157.htm?tab=costumes&page=3
(Another style of skirt)

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4994.htm?tab=costumes&page=3
(An easy looking top, I haven't made it, but I don't want to show my mid-drift.)

The rest of the things I've made I've made my own patterns for. If you want to make bloomer cut up and old pare of sweat pants for a pattern. Remember to cut extra for seam allowances.

If you find a pattern you like check the back for the notions section, if it includes a zipper, skip it. The best part about making garb is no zippers.

Grommets are the worst part. Always add interfacing to the edges that should have grommets. In fact, add boning in between the grommets and the edge. You can slide it into the bodice after you've turned it right side out and before you sew up the hole. Buy a grommet setter, if you're constrained for spaces (and money) as I am just get the ones that look like pliers. You will have to cut holes for the grommets with scissors however.

The things I've made for the children I've had to make my own patterns for because I can't find good children's patterns. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

My fall fair starts this Saturday, so I have a few more things to make for the kids.

~Tiffany.

My home isn't in a mandatory evac area. in fact, the fire didn't get into this part of poway, so I'm back home. and back to work. we'll be open all day today.  buisness as usuall.