Crafty Bitch

Catwoman, take two

2009-10-25T22:20:00.011-03:00

Yes, again. Sure I could give it a rest. Sure, it doesn't seem very creative at this point. But I don't care- there is something very appealing about being in a Catwoman costume.
It's fun. People love it. And there's nothing even remotely like it in stores, (except for baggy-crotched, ill-fitting catsuits and that godawful Halle Berry thing) so I can be the best best-looking kitty in the joint.

Anyway- this costume is most closely based on the modern Catwoman comics of the 21st century, like Ed Brubaker's interpretation (above).

Lots of people on the interwebs have costumed the comic book versions- much better than mine, that's for sure. (where the f*** are they all getting their custom goggles?!)

(...surprisingly, very few people have even come come close to interpreting the Batman Forever Catwoman successfully)

However, I think this costume only set me back $50-ish and took maybe 8 hours from start to finish- a mere pittance (gee, I'm so glad I had a pattern for a catsuit in my size lying around). It is also absolute comfort to wear, as catsuits go (the flat boots help, and damn, spandex is so much comfier than vinyl- who'd have thought??) For all these pros, if I can walk into a Halloween party and the character can be instantly recognizable from a distance, I consider it a success.

Anyway- here's the gallery for this year's costume.
Are you ready for poorly taken, blurry photos?!?

it's really difficult to take pictures of oneself.

Paper Paper Everywhere

2009-08-25T15:01:00.008-03:00

Planning the invites evoked the most bridezilla reactions possible out of me (you're lucky you missed it)- and Christopher had to bear the full brunt of my obsessing, complaining, and rattling off half-formed ideas at him in the middle of the night.

Printing out my own invites = cheap and easy, right?

Well, yes and no.

I already bought the design so the majority of the design and expenses were already dealt with, right?

Oh yeah, I didn't bring my printer to Yellowknife (it was getting screwy anyway, and wouldn't print black) so I bought a new laserjet.

And I STUPIDLY didn't bring my full kit of metal rulers, cutting board, rubber cement, x-acto knives and boxcutters from 5+ years of school, either! STUPID STUPID! So I had to buy that stuff all over again.

Paper is expensive too. Wtf.

I bounced ideas around in my skull for months: incorporating fabric in the design, custom wax seals, different envelopes and jackets, pricey and complicated laser-cut lace... ugh! (none of which were actually employed) I tormented the poor shopgirl in a Deserres in Edmonton thinking my scattered thoughts out loud and actually becoming UPSET over not finding a fancy enough envelope.

Holy Crap embarrassing.

Luckily when I finally Got It Together, I sat down and made all the invites over the course of two days. (not including the countless supply-finding missions)

These are totally not all of them.

SO- I won't ruin the surprise for you by showing what they're like in detail. But please realize: each piece of paper had to be cut and trimmed by hand. The vellum jackets were individually sewn shut (so you might not able to open them. Whoops) The little jewels were applied with superglue and a set of tweezers (after I was tired of glueing my fingers together). And I wouldn't have dreamed of accepting help from ANYBODY. Because I'm a control freak and everything could turn out Exactly as Planned and Expected.Of course, I'm kind of sick of looking at them now. But hopefully you will enjoy them.

Peace. I'm out.

Raven wings shawl

2009-07-25T02:53:00.008-03:00

It took almost two months, but I finished it.

My lovely little blackbird wings (nothing angelic about them, really.)

The yarn (silk/bamboo blend) was dubious to work with (looked terribly shed-dy and pill-y, especially when undoing stitches) but after blocking it was smooth as.. well.. silk. Even after an absolute minimum amount of effort in blocking (dunked in water, arranged and rolled up in a towel, laid flat to dry) it softened up nicely.

Has a nice weight and a slinky drape. I'm a convert for silk blend yarn- even against bare skin there's no scratchiness in the least! No wonder it's a top choice for camisoles and other lingerie.

Also great stitch definition as you can see- which makes me wish I had made less mistakes. Pattern was kind of hell to read.

It was also the first knitting pattern I tracked by aid of my new Ipod app: Knitbuddy (search for it) It was $4.99 but worth every penny and then some! Not only can I track rows, short rows, cable rows, in/decreases, and all sorts of everything, you can carry around a record of your needle collection and yarn stash-- or quickly jot down a "buying" list (like I plan to do) with the aid of all those little scrolling options.

It's like having Ravelry in your pocket! (and designed by a ravelry member, no less)

If it could download patterns for me, it would be the end of paper as we know it.

I Love Lace

2009-06-18T13:08:00.005-03:00

Oh HO! Finally, some progress. I finished an entire lace project!

Imagine that. It took SO long but after blocking, I think it looked way, way better than I could have hoped (it's true- blocking works and it's amazing.)

I worried that it might be way too small but it's okay.. The only thing really off about it is the uneven center "spine" and the pointy edging is rather uneven but it looks perfectly fine as a whole. Size reference:

wow! mostly consistent!

This is a present for my sister, but don't tell her. If she stumbles across this post it'll be a surprise anyway.

List No. 2

2009-06-14T18:30:00.014-03:00

Continuing with my lists, I aim to embarass myself and make you uncomfortable with my Top 8 list-that-just-had-to-be-done: my personal pick of the Hottest Famous Men Alive.

WITH PICTURES!!!
Okay- it would have- *should have* been a Top 10. But this list left me emotionally drained. You can tell a lot about a person by their "Top" lists and I happen to put a *lot* of thought in them because I am very selective. Only those who make the cut consistently and continuously are here (and that should weird you out even more).

You won't find a conventional list here, I promise.

My Top 8 Hottest Famous Men Alive:

(Top Dead Guys might follow, if I can find a decent engraving of Liszt)

1. Christoph "Doom" Schneider

I have a thing for drummers. Even if a guy is also talented on guitar I will always think he looks better playing the drums. It is a strange, strange thing. Just ask me how I feel about Mikko Siren, drummer for Apocalyptica.

So even though there are a total of SIX huge German men in my favorite band, Rammstein, all of my utter fascination and attraction go to Schneider. (aka Doomy)

Whether he was channeling DeNiro from "Taxi Driver" in a music video (OMG mohawk!!!!) or having his massively curly hair stage I loved his face the first time I saw it. He definately wears eyeliner best of all the men in my harem. I mean, hot list.

2. Johnny Depp

Uh huh, yeah. Obviously. Brad Pitt can take a hike. See these dichotomous "style" photos? I love them both equally and unconditionally. Johnny can simply do no wrong. Haven't you heard he's a sweet heart to his fans, too? He's the only famous person I would consider doing unbearably fangirly for, like knitting a sweater with a strand of my hair in it. He might even wear it, too, if he happened to like it.

Consistently his name will rise to my mind when considering "Best Actor, Ever"

3. Ewan McGregor

Oh Ewan, even though you've had sorta crap roles in movies lately you are always utterly convincing in every character that you play, with your sexy Scottish accent and your sexy stubbly chin. You are the only person who can make smoking look really, really sexy. You are also the only one for whom I've written this blurb in "open letter" format. I admire you to no end for saying that men should spend as much screentime naked in movies as women do. You have clearly done your part. Major kudos.

4. Anthony Stewart Head

YES! No one can deny that Giles was a sexy beast! But even better, AsH is an amazingly unconventional actor, further emphasized by the Intellectual British persona he is most known for. Look a little further in his repertoire and you'll see lots- from quirky comedy to cult-movie rock opera (that man can SING) and yes- he looks like Bowie when he's got the glam rocker outfit and makeup on. Anthony Head is a silver fox.

5. Seth Green

Continuing with the Buffy-verse fandom, Oz was definately my favorite supernatural heartthrob. I *definately* stopped watching the show when he was spurned- he was that worth it. Nowadays he is one of my favorite voice actors and seems to have a hand in a lot of comedy that I like. He is super cute and I would date the hell out of him.

6. Patrick Wilson

Holy cow, his hotness just hits you in the face. He has got the best kind of smile- dimply and very crinkly around the eyes. He's the sole and primary reason I watched Hard Candy twice (and Watchmen a third time)- and somehow made me obsessed with owls. His hairline is also receding and he is working it very, very well- proof that balding men are sexy- though Chris will hardly get over his jealousy enough for me to make it a point to him.

7. Jared Padalecki

UNK. Um. Errrr.... all of a sudden I'm lightheaded. This picture is dangerous.
Uh..... what... more... can.. I say? Supernatural. I love this show. More shirtless Sam, please (no? then wifebeaters? clingy wet t-shirts?.... please?) Sorry to Jensen Ackles (who is also unbelievably buff) but Jared just takes the beefcake.
It's strange because I didn't think a sweet set of abs could do that to be anymore (that is, hit puberty all over again)- male models don't do much for me- but... yeah. Just look at them guns.

8. Mischa Collins

It must be the eyes. Or his voice. Or the character, Castiel. Something about Mischa Collins actually makes me able to *take my eyes off of* Jared Padalecki in favor of him. He's got that 'serene yet intense' thing going all over the place. That is just what I'm trying to say- his appeal is inexplicable.

PS (aka: parting shot): I totally have a folder in my hard drive labeled "boys", just like Adrian Veidt. Heeheeeeeeeeeee

List No. 1

2009-06-03T15:46:00.020-03:00

I am so obviously in a blogging rut. Projects ARE coming along- just very, very slowly. So I will entertain (or horribly bore you all) with another thing that I love to do: make lists.

I can make lists all day, every day. I will try to post one every few days until my next big post. Can we make list-a-day a blog challenge?

I begin with:

Books Read since March (i.e: since arriving in Yellowknife)

along with my very short, half-assed reviews

because there is nothing else to do.

Alias Grace, Margaret Atwood. Is there any wonder why I like Margaret Atwood? Her literary style is masterly, the pacing is excellent her characters and story have boundless depth. You can also tell she does her research. That said, it was a very satisfying read with engaging characters, wonderful reading, memorable story, etc etc forever.

The Tommyknockers, Stephen King. I am liking horror fiction a lot lately, and decided to take the plunge into more "popular" writers- Stephen King seemed like a pretty obvious start. There are some very memorable and chilling bits and the unusual fusion of sci-fi and horror was novel But the book is Too. Damn. Long. It ruins the ominous pacing by making it drag on and on. The climax was epic and the ending was great (everybody DIES) but I was so glad it was over.

Wetlands, Charlotte Roche. Equal parts unnerving and fascinating, and not for the squeamish. This is a headlong rush into the innermost thoughts (and bodily functions) of an strongly opinionated and liberal-minded young woman that is sometimes gross and shocking but un-put-down-able. Regardless of your opinion of the story by the end, it will definately make you rethink your relationship with your own body.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, Mary Ann Schaffer & Annie Barrows. Making a trip into bestseller-land: it is certainly a good book with unique and witty writing. The occupation of unprotected British islands by Germans for 5 years during WWII is the main story but the love and influence of literature is the heart of the experience. It has an incredibly happy fairy-tale ending for the main character, which I'm not sure how to feel about.

Let the Right One In, John A Lindqvist. Very much the most chilling vampire fiction I've ever read- this is the vampire legend at its most primeval, mysterious and dangerous, counter-acted with the fragile innocence and trepidation of childhood with just a touch of the evils of humanity. It inspired a fantastic movie with the same pacing- peaceful yet ominous, with moments that are tender and brutal. Among the best of the best in vampire fiction.

The Last Watch, Sergei Lukyanenko. The last of the Night/Day/Twilight Watch series is as great as all the previous ones- chock-full of magic and spells and supernatural beings and alternate worlds and on and on... with a mystery to solve with each chapter. My only gripe with it is that it's over!! Each chapter and end of story left me feeling lacking because I wanted to *keep* reading, to learn more and more about this particular magic universe, terribly interesting and vast but largely unexplained. I suppose that is a good thing- I bid it farewell with fondness in my heart.

A Great and Terrible Beauty, Libba Bray. I was under the impression this would be good teen fantasy fiction with strong female characters but sadly, it told an extremely unremarkable and predictable storyline- so blase, I can retell it now: Girl is uprooted from hometown and placed in a strict finishing school following family tragedy where she is unpopular and rubbish and finishing school because she is Different but Special. Makes it into the popular crowd somehow but still defends the unpopular; they have a secret club; they enter a fantasy world with magic powers they didn't know they had; they are warned a lot not to abuse these powers but do anyway. Slight plot twist that reintroduces/explains the tragedy at beginning of story. Supreme evil threatens. Supreme evil is defeated, one person dies (by their own choice). There. Saved you the trouble.

Their problems in both the real and fantasy world never have very much depth or menace, and the unexplained bits aren't even interesting enough to read the next in the series. Ho hum.

The Luxe, Anna Godsbersen. Now this was teen fiction I could get into. Full of soap opera-like twists and turns and love quadrangles the high-society, rich-and-spoiled-but-with-everything-to-lose characters are all manipulated in such ways as to make their lives impossible. The dresses and parties are pretty but their lives are a mess. It's a wonder their heads don't implode with the intensity of their emotions. I found it very entertaining and am going to read the whole series.

Twilight, Stephanie Meyer. I have already read lots of spoilers for the books to come (including the last one, with every character's eventual fate) and fear what is to come if the general opinion is that the books go downhill after the first one- which was fine- okay, the lead characters are terrible and the love story is rubbish and more irritating than not but the story and secondary characters look(ed) promising. It was readable and enjoyable but not gripping or essential. I can definately wait till they are all out in paperback- but I mostly want to finish it as to understand Twilight references.

Dead until Dark, Club Dead, Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris. Incredibly entertaining and might I say- a great companion to the True Blood series. You'll like Sookie a lot more if you read the books. I just bought the box set- can't wait for it to get here!!- for the fun, sexy, supernatural escapism that it provides. I will definately re-read them all- in a Southern accent.

back in black

2009-05-23T18:31:00.005-03:00

After a long hiatus involving moving to Yellowknife, getting (two) new jobs, working full-time hours with both jobs combined five days a week for the first time in my life and a whole lotta computer drama, I have finally assumed some sense of normalcy. And that means knitting!
Still homesick as hell, though.

I started these as the cold weather seemed like it would never end (it's still unseasonably cold for May) but of course the weather warms up to mid-ten degrees as soon as I finish.

Wheeeeeeeee multicolored roving! Thrumming looks so cool- and is super easy. With all the extra thickness, the mitten is at least 1.5 times larger than your actual hand.

But even with all that roving (around 8 oz) these mittens wouldn't be warm enough the dead of Yellowknife winter- maybe spring or fall... or Halifax winter.

ALSO, how come nobody told me these existed?? And of all places to see them for sale- a small gardening shop off Kam Lake here in Yellowknife- along with a lot more knitpicks products. They were $80 but seem like a bargain as I'd be set for life for circular needles! I had to try hard NOT to buy them- only because I've already amassed a huge collection of circulars... and saving up for a major shopping trip in Edmonton. Some day, though.

I'll be back soon, promise.

another month another... oh, you know

2009-03-22T19:08:00.011-03:00

okay. here is the post about stuff with the thing.

Having a week off work gave me tons of free time so as not to stress out about the big move, but at the same time I went completely stir crazy. I crafted like mad, although along with the strict organized side of me, I finished all endevours perfectly on schedule. In no matter what condition.

First off, I cast on and completed this super steampunk aviator hat in three days.
It buckles underneath the chin, wowee.
I used fuzzy cream yarn to line the earflaps to mimic sheepswool.

I accidently clipped an enormous hole in the dead center front of the hat- can't you tell? It was bad. Real bad. As the alternative was chucking the whole thing and starting over (the only reason I didn't: wouldn't have enough brown yarn for another), I patched it up hastily with little regards to the appearance.

The inside is a mess of retarded intarsia.

I would like to remake it a size bigger, with less mistakes and lined completely with that fuzzy yarn, because it's awesome and was such a quick knit nonetheless, considering.

This month's Masq was "cult movie" themed.

me and my Masq posse.

Is it bad that I already owned most of the components of Amber Sweet's "Zydrate Anatomy" outfit? (as well as a Lydia outfit from Tim Burton's 1989 "BeetleJuice" for Meaghan?)
....don't answer that.
(here I am intimidating Kitt, as Shilo. If only they had played the actual song-- as we were perfectly prepared to reenact the scene)

Seriously, besides the lace for the bolero and the beaded trim and sequined elastic I dismantled to adorn the corset and the bra, I only needed buy the wig.
I was dying to share my costume-making technique with other party-goers (who I assumed would know about Repo?!) Mostly, I got hit on by girls because I am asian.

So yeah, the "skirt" took about 3 hours to make (a long time, for a bunch of straps) while the bolero took 30 minutes. The bra was hand-beaded, one sequin at a time.
Makeup took a long time too (courtesy of wonderful Meaghan).

I was absolutely freezing all night, due to complete lack of pants. I was wearing TWO corsets (one ultratight elastic, one boned) and was squeezed outta my life. The underbust miracle bodysuit was designed to push tits together so that plus a push-up bra ensured my boobs consistently pointed UP and OUT and painfully so (that is NOT my normal posture, realize).
The false eyelashes were murder, (i'm a lightweight when it comes to contacts to boot) the wig kept sliding around, and I stumbled around on numb, aching feet, my organs packed tightly inside my squashed ribcage, simultaneously sweating and shivering and feeling tripped out of my skull.

At least I was in character.

owl obsession

2009-03-12T13:02:00.006-03:00

This month's craft blog is devoted to the big (and well-deserved) hype of the month: Watchmen. I will be seeing it again soon for the third time in 2 weeks (but this time in IMAX. So. Excited.) And I loved it. (You either do or don't) But probably the reason that keeps me going back is the overwhelming amount of man candy in a single movie.

PATRICK WILSON AS NITE OWL = SEX ON LEGS
...even with the weight gain and retro haircut! Dan was always my favorite in the graphic novel (underdog? nerdy? gentleman? multiple costumes? awesome ship? HELLO FANTASY BOYFRIEND) and the movie just cemented the crush.

On that note- which Nite Owl fan doesn't have an obsession with the infamously cute snowsuit from the graphic novel? (look it up in the book if you don't know what it is- don't have a pic to post) Inspired by posts of fan plushies across the internets (mostly of Rorschach) I knew it MUST be done.
Time: 9-10 hours / Material: Felt, Fleece, Faux Fur, Acrylic paint, stitchwitch, plastic buttons

This is my very first attempt at making a custom plushie (entirely self-drafted pattern). Considering it was about 90% handsewn I think it came together extremely quickly (there is also a strong motivation aspect when being propelled by fandom)
The coat is not removable and the legs are only continued up to the waist. (where they are then sewn to the coat)

I call it "Version 1.0" because I definately plan to make another one to perfect the design- although the prototype was definately necessary to test the effectiveness of the pattern.
Version 2.0 will include:
- felting the brown "feathers" detail into the fleece, instead of paint
- refining the sewing and stuffing
- more ovalish eyes
Because it was such a success, I did consider making an entirely separate doll to be encased in the coat but it would simply be too much for my skills (and wouldn't get the desired cuddly chubbiness that this plush boasts)

Of course, I lamented this version was not in the movie (probably cause it looks like the kind of coat grannies wear) but I appreciated the high-tech version with zip-up snuggie sleeves. Perhaps he could have put the hood up- but then the chorus of "awwwws!" would have drowned out the soundtrack.

Next in the plan: Rorschach plushie with changeable masks!!!

clothes talk

2009-02-25T15:35:00.007-04:00

Sorting through my wardrobe in preparation for 6 months of clothes-shopping-barren Yellowknife, I've noticed some repeat items that I buy again and again- in many different varieties, brands and fabrics- but still the same specific thing.
It is a difficult choice to decide which of them I want to bring- because there are so MANY, and yet I love them all.
This is because I wear them incessantly.
This is because I am completely obsessed with them.

This is what's called a signature look, though. And this is mine down pat:
- Black long-sleeved blazers: I love the way they can dress up a pair of jeans or be dressed down with a printed t-shirt. I've got a collection for every season and occasion (nearly...) whether 3/4 length sleeve or velvet or cotton jersey or lightweight or outdoor-weight. At last count I had nearly 10.

- Flat, knee-high, lace-up boots (black): You simply can't beat the lace-up variety. I wear them every day. When it comes to boot shopping, I shun all other varieties. But when I encounter a lace-up pair, I must have it. I've tried different variations (high heels, calf/ankle height, no-lace) and they simply don't work for me. Call it the Daria and/or Jane syndrome. That shit was all about me.

- Long hooded sweaters (black): The absolute ultimate in lounging gear. And they've got to be long: I'm talking butt-length- or longer. I don't get to wear them enough as I work every day, but I've got half a dozen stuffed in a shelf for single, glorious, warm moments. I've got a knee-length zip-up hoodie that is the only thing I've worn enough to warrant multiple repairs and I'm going to own it forever.

What is your signature style?

Another month, another costume party

2009-02-24T12:13:00.006-04:00

This month I got creative with a "Mobsters and Dames" themed Masq as a 30's cabaret dancer. I am accompanied by Meaghan, who used awesome makeup skills to perfectly emulate a silent movie actor, a la Clara Bow.

The craft aspect was the sequined bustier (custom-drafted pattern, fully lined, fully boned). It is a MESS but it looks great because the fabric was so forgiving and hid all the mistakes. It was my first time working with stretch sequins.

I have learned:
- stretch fabric is stretchy and needs to be made smaller than normal clothes. (so often i neglect this fact)
- industrial fishnet tights are incredible- they conform to your legs perfectly, retain their shape, and are immune to picks and runs. They are also extremely uncomfortably itchy and feel like fishing net.
- I would like to start designing panties.

P.S: I am spending all my knitting time at Ravelry which is taking significant attention away from this blog- oh my.

P.P.S: I fly to Yellowknife in exactly a month and must now face the dilemma of bringing a sewing machine and tons of fabric and supplies up there, oh lordy.

** photo credit goes to Paul Smith

Subject: things on my head

2009-02-01T23:21:00.009-04:00

Just a little update to show off some new hats.

I totally jumped on the cabled tam bandwagon- they are currently my favorite thing to make.the obligatory facebookey image

can it be-- that i have something other than black in my wardrobe??

On another note- this was not made by me but just too full of crafty gorgeous not to post.
I commissioned Monique Ryan (she has hats at Pretty Things Boutique) to make a little 30's inspired hat to be worn in lieu of a wedding veil (is there anything that girl can't do??). I basically told her what I would like on it (veil in a specific shape, feathers, pearls) but had no idea what she would come up with. I was beyond pleased with the result!

The cute half-moon shape, the flashy pearls, the feathers radiating out of it, the subtle veil, the vintage-y look-- the more I look at it the more perfect it gets! Even the ladies at the bridal store agreed that it was 100% better than any of the cage veil styles they had seen. (the secret is real vintage lace- not the horrible stiff acrylic stuff)
The price was beyond reasonable- almost too cheap for something one-of-a-kind. I only needed to sew on a little hair comb ($0.50 at Michael's) and it was ready to wear.
And if you happen to be interested in THE dress, I put a deposit on that sucker a few days ago. Here is a preview. (DON'T show to Mr. Christopher!)

Tune in next time for: More hats.

Repo! Costume Awesome and then some...

2009-01-26T11:22:00.008-04:00

Wow, monthly update.
Okay- I was going to keep this a secret but supposedly I was to finish a project a week and feature it immediately thus update around once a week. That's um.....you know. not gonna happen.
I got some things accomplished.... including (yes, they are in bullet form)

house cleaning
remaking Mattie the mannequin (updated pattern and the padding is sewn more-or-less into place so she can now be stripped off the mannequin with padding relatively intact)
a strange felting attempt (not featured)
designing a new tattoo
party hosting
knitting

-- this was actually completed before Christmas- it was a present for my sister.

she loved it, by the way! It looked so good I wanted to jump on the tam-o-shanter bandwagon myself.

*jump*

... oh yeah. and

REPO! the genetic opera costumes!!!!!!

These were completed in my free time over a few days- I was seriously bootin' it.
There was a seriously bastardized version of costume construction going on with every corner cut possible- barely any tracing of pattern (cut the fabric directly around it instead) modifying the pattern during cutting, draping after initial construction and by the very end... some double-sided tape.
from left: Nathan Wallace, Not-quite-Blind Mag, Amber Sweet and a Genetic Opera-goer.

I made the jacket ("Legal Assassin") for Nathan from a modified bathrobe pattern. Got the exact buttons from the button jar at work. After some searching, the glasses were bought at Ardene (stop laughing)- they were super-cheap and had fake lenses (better than screwing up Mr. 20/20's vision with real glasses) but had a really terrible tortoiseshell pattern. Solved with a coat of acrylic paint. Dress pants and authentic Anthony Stewart Head hairline already owned.

The hooded dress was merely inspired by Mag's "Chase the Morning" outfit-- how could I afford/what would I do with a holographic snakeskin coat? Instead, the total materials cost $30. The lace was on sale for buy-one-meter-get-three-free and the stretch velvet underlay was sent to me by accident by a fabric company and well... free.

I gotta give props to Meag's Amber Sweet ("Extra scene during the credits") costume as well. That shit was goddamn authentic, down to the knotted necklace and the white contacts (so creepy!).

Yeah, the party was pretty awesome. Blue curacao (sp?) Zydrate shooters (I can't feel nothing at all!) incessant sing-alongs to the soundtrack and BIG SCREEN PROJECTION (see the window behind me? not a window covering. movie screen.) with surround sound. For someone who never got to see it in theatres, it was the closest I was ever going to get.

Wasn't sure what to do with myself once it was all over (kinda been hyped up for weeks). Now that I've seen it 3 times in a row, I can pace myself now.

Luckily there is the 1st Haliblogaknittas gathering to be psyched about- will most likely report on that next. If not- you know- in another month or two.

Winter Reviews

2008-12-22T23:27:00.007-04:00

It's going to be a slow week on the crafting front with so much holiday goodness coming up. God knows I'm not going to use my days off on embarking on some seriously creative project (besides last minute present-making and potluck-dish-baking). So here I give you my reviews on some things that are keeping me happy this winter (all awesome)

"I like you: Hospitality under the Influence" by Amy Sedaris

Quite simply the most enjoyable and useful homemaking book you will ever pick up! A humourous advice book as well as dead useful when you need to prepare food for a funeral in hurry, Sedaris teaches the masses what she does best with dry wit and endless flair. A slightly disorganized layout and relatively limited variety of recipes doesn't put this at the top of the list for reference tomes, but there are some mighty solid gems and major crowd-pleasers among these recipes- and it's entertaining enough to curl up with and read cover to cover!
The recipes are simple as hell- which might bore the chef looking for a challenge- but that is also the beauty of it: completely foolproof instructions and the use of full-fat, no-holds-barred flavorful ingrediants guarantees each dish to be delicious. Sure, some of them seem like no-brainers ("Root Beer Float"? "Baked Chicken Wings"?) - but for those of us who never actually learned how to cook, this book is an invaluable tool that actually makes cooking, entertaining and homemaking fun.
(ps: the amazing Li'l Smokey cheeseball present at the Haliblogospheremagonianmas2008 party was a recipe from this book- 'nuff said)

knit. 1 magazine

Search results describe this as a "knitting magazine targeting hip 18-35 year-old knitters" and boy, does it succeed. Not too cutesy or country-style like many craft magazines, and not as complex as Vogue knitting (gorgeous, but impossible) Knit.1 hits just the right combination of challenging and simple patterns. Hip, trendy items like funky hats and stockings clash with classic cabled sweaters and lacy shawls in every issue. There are always a few fun, fast-knit items that can be tried right away (instant gratification knitting!) and of course, there is the major advantage of a new issue every season! Perfect for those of us with a short attention span, and valuable reference material to collect to build up your pattern hoard.

Asumiko Nakamura

Okay, this is a person- a mangaka (manga artist) and illustration artist to be exact. She has only been published in Japan thus far and has very little online presence so it is difficult to expose others to her work. Her manga published in Kera magazine (a crazy/weird teen subculture fashion magazine made available to me by parents living overseas that would otherwise be an extravagant import) is where I first saw her.
Just when I thought manga art couldn't impress me anymore, Asumiko comes along to raise the bar! Her style is very flat and consists of extremely delicate ink lines, with particular attention to eye-catching pattern and embellishment. She also has a strong eye for fashion and seems to relish elongated, exaggerated forms and of course- super concentrated detail. Everything about her drawing screams the perfect fashion illustration for me.

Bitch be Late wit the Update

2008-12-19T11:44:00.015-04:00

Aw shit. Late update.

I will unabashedly blame this failing on the fact that my "permanent boyfriend" and I decided on a wedding date.... a few days after my last post, actually.

So- why almost a month late on the update?
Because I'm going to DIY this bitch. I've always known it- I'm gonna plan the whole muthafuckin' wedding.

the look on my face says it all.

Just typing it gives me the tremors. Just realising that I would be married in about a year's time effectively launched me through kubler-ross model of grieving/tragedy, progressing quickly through denial, anger, bargaining, depression and then finally acceptance-- in about a week. Every so often I have a quick relapse. However, letting someone else take charge would bother me more than having a mental breakdown from stress. Us creative control type freaks wouldn't have it any other way. It will definately be a learning experience in delegating tasks, however- if I don't, I will definately die.
Things to be DIY'ed include the invitations, favors, and um... basically all of the decorations. (Fabricville, Michael's and Loomis will be my second homes, the desktop printer and gluegun my very best friends.)
Things NOT to be attempted are my dress (NO- I never considered making my dress... although buying a plain one and then beading and embroidering the whole thing- yes), food, furniture and dishes.

I don't want to go on too much as it makes me icky to my stomach. That seems to bode ill for this celebratory union but really- it's a happy-and-excited-but-trying-not-to-obsess-too-much kind of sick. Don't worry about this being turned into some kind of wedding blog (sick and wrong)- I will treat it as any other DIY project- and update here about any significant progress.

Meanwhile, there is this hat.

A hat-and-scarf combination hat! Pure mastery of design in cold and windy/rainy Halifax weather.
The scarf secures the hat to your head and protects your ears, neck, and chest all at once! Not even a ski mask does that so well- and this is even much nicer and less detrimental to your hair. And of course, it can be used as a scarf only- the hat portion becoming a cute sort of hood at the back of your neck.
And yes, it is as insanely warm as it looks.

There is a distinctly middle-eastern look about it when it is worn all wrapped up- but those arabs really know what they're about when it comes to wind protection. Myself, I started out disliking the extremely textured pattern I knitted the hat with, until I realized its resemblance to the knot-like hairstyle depicted on certain enlightened prophets.

Ethnic crossovers abound- all for the sake of staying warm during Canadian winter.

Cutopia Aprons Launch!!

2008-11-23T15:35:00.009-04:00

BEHOLD!! The first lineup of subversive-yet-adorable aprons from the producer of all that is cute and sinister: Cutopia!

Cutopia is my brand name for all my handcrafted things, by the way- based under my not-yet-existing company: Dotworks (insert copyright sign here). Branding your image is very, very important if you want to be any sort of professional- it's one of the first things you learn in art school. Although I couldn't be arsed to make brand labels with my logo at this point... anyway...
All aprons are made from cotton/poly broadcloth and lined with flannelette, unless otherwise stated. They are One-Size only with a fixed neck strap (adjustable upon request), have tie-backs (to be tied at the waist) and look great on many sizes of women and flamboyant men alike!
All are handmade and are therefore "imperfect"- each slightly different from one another!

By the way- these prices are for friends-only and only when referred to from my blog!
(click the pics to make them big)You will remember the ~~Sweet Cherries~~ apron from my first post- This is the first prototype that has also been machine-washed and dried (see Care Instructions)
Sweet and domestic, totally classic. Looks fantastic with a pair of panties and nothing else, for those of you who like to branch out with your functional wardrobe. (okay well- all of them do. Just so you know.)
ALSO. After the wash test, the cute cherries patch with its felt surface and puffy texture became very pilled. This style of patches probably won't be used again.
Price: (original prototype, slight flaws & prewashed condition) SOLD

If you love to beat out male competition in kitchen or just beat men in general, the Man's Ruin apron is for you. Featuring white polkadots-on-dark blue print and tattoo-like lettering on the patch-- men will see you and know their undoing.
Price: $35

So camp and fierce! Which is more vampy- the leopard print or the "Hot" patch that shows you know your way around the stovetop/oven combination?! Hot Mama is for bold ladies that aren't afraid to show it.
This was a fabric experiment, with printed polyester fabric and an all cotton twill base in dark brown. It turned out exceptionally sturdy.
Price: $35

So. Fucking. Punk. The badass patch tells everyone you are here to "fuck shit up", whether you bring chaos and break rules whenever you enter the kitchen or generally promote anarchy in your everyday life.
This apron was constructed with the flannel fabric on the outside, and the tartan is a loose weave and possibly prone to fraying. So the apron will look more worn and punkish the more you use it. The tartan fabric was horrendously difficult to deal with and will likely be only re-used ever again by special request.
Price: $35

I love this- it's like a nega-version of the sweet cherries apron. Blazin' Cherries uses the same racing-checkers pattern but couldn't be more different. If you are a speed demon at anything, this apron shows it in every aspect.
Price: $35

Care Instructions:

All aprons and their patches are machine washable (in cold water), dryable and ironable. They tend to get very wrinkled when tumble dried, and softer with every wash. Do not bleach, dry-clean or otherwise attempt to sterilize the fuck out of these aprons, you crazy bitch. The patches are reinforced with stitching- don't worry about them peeling off. However- as they are each unique and come from various sources I am unsure of their durability and construction. But they are pretty darn nice.

Most of the aprons are constructed with flannelette so know this: It appears smoothly brushed and soft when new, but pills after you wash it. Like a flannel shirt- it becomes a lot more textured. After much consideration, I decided that I didn't want to change my fabric choice. It's still lovely and soft and perfect weight for backing. With the exception of some aprons where the design permits it, it's only used for the lining anyway.

Customization:

Any of these aprons can be remade with your choice of patch (or none) Though-- many of them are found items or very limited availibility so no apron will be the same! The base color can be changed as well (extra cost beyond solid black or white). The patterns will have a limited run of 2-3 aprons each. I am happy to use any fabric that you supply to completely customize your apron (using this template).

Armwarmers and Apple Pie (plus Crocheting Rant)

2008-11-13T11:09:00.013-04:00

So-- it would seem that I generally get around to posting once a week. Since I only feature completed projects, that's a pretty good crafting turnover!
But I'm a little late on this update. And I could be doing better. Much better.
This week I made a pair of a heavy white fleece version of winter bloomers, and knitted some armwarmers. But... wasn't I supposed to be learning to crochet?

I can't crochet. Screw crocheting!!!
As many hours I spent practising (LOTS) and as much as I want to make amigurumi dolls and granny square quilts and whatnot- I simply CANNOT DEAL with crocheting.
I decided to start out really simple. Just a little clutch bag, only one stitch to know. EPIC FAIL'D. It was unraveled after a few days and WAY too many hours.

First of all: one hook means twice as much work for one hand. The joints of my thumb and index finger were aching after only a few hours. Also- I've never been the best person when it comes to tension. The very notion of crocheting sucks because you have to pick up from previous stitches to make rows. When the stitches are even the slightest bit too tight you have to force and wiggle that hook through. Over and over and over again. When the stitches are on a needle, this is not nearly as much of a problem.
I taught myself how to knit from a book when I was lonely and depressed in T.O. There are really only two stitches you need to know: knit and purl- I was making hats within a week. (okay- a really huge, poorly guaged hat out of chenille yarn... but guess what- these slouchy oversized hats are WAY back in style now) Whereas in crocheting you have to know in which stitch and in what direction and in what order you are looping and hooking and poking. There's a whole slew of new abbreviations and weird-ass terminology that I hate because I'm old and set in my ways.
Another factor- once I am holding the needles and the stitches are cast on, I can knit a hat without looking. The stitches are very easy to feel for on the needle. Not so with crochet. You have to be looking at it ALL THE TIME to perform what I have previously described. And that. gets. boring.
Siiiiiiiiiiiigh. Of course- this is not the case with everybody. Reasons why I might have failed:
- too accustomed to knitting in general
- learning something new is hard
- I am a terribly ambitious crafter and I like to run before I can walk. I want to try the 3-d sculptural techniques before I even know the stitches. I want to jump right into a complicated project simply because I want to make it. This can backfire (and has- with lots and lots of thrown away materials and piles of dusty half-finished failures) but then again, trial and error is how I learn. It's frustrating, but I don't mind it as much as most.
Although I tried to do something simple and it was really difficult and frustrating, it may have simply not have been the right project for me. As an afterthought: I would probably be most adept at making lacy, open patterns with crochet as it kind of feels like beading (counting stitches) and the "drawing with yarn" quality could keep me interested.

Anyway, after such a failed crocheting attempt, I reconciled myself with knitting with these armwarmers (single-arm picture is most accurate to color)
Worked with a really lovely leaf-and-vine pattern and sexy form-fitting ribs for your arms. The green-flecked-with-yellow yarn turned out buttery soft after washing. Knitting, I love you!

They aren't really my style so I am selling these for $12- both arms aren't exactly the same :x
Wear them and think of spring!

Also- if you need yourself some fingerless gloves I can totally hook you up. Example:

I will be the first to say they are completely useless outside on a cold day but indoors when the heat isn't working and you're snuggled up in front of the computer? Absolutely indispensable typing gloves.

And only requiring a single skein of wool, you can afford to get the poshest yarn possible. (cashmere? alpaca? silk? such a good investment)

P.S: I really didn't mean to offend any hookers in the audience. I am genuinely jealous if you can crochet and you find it easy. I think it's the same as they say about cooking and baking- you are usually great at only one or the other; you get it or you don't. Those who are masters are both have mad skillz akin to ambidexterity.

Speaking of baking, I think I will include completed projects in this aspect as well, because I am a baking type, and I did make it myself...
Behold the sweetest, tastiest and most apple-y apple pie of all:

To prove my claim, I will now share with you my Mom's recipe- sacred to our family- for this absurdly simple and ridiculously easy to make pie.

frozen pie crust (if you're not picky-- you shouldn't be!)
4 cups sliced and peeled apples
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
cinnamon and nutmeg to taste

mix all together and pat evenly into pie crust. Bake in oven preheated to 450*F for 10 minutes. Turn to 350*F and bake for 40-45 minutes. Done.
Super fast, easy, and super-sweet with maximum apple taste. For if you are like me- when you want fresh apple pie RIGHT AWAY. Reheats well, too.

Anyway! Another post done. Up next: I am making a line of aprons- FOR REALS. All the materials are bought and this weekend should yield around 4 new aprons! All strictly one-of-a-kind and available for sale. Get first pick! Tell your friends!
Later.

Winter Bloomers

2008-11-02T23:07:00.006-04:00

It's finally cold enough to break out those warm winter socks and tights- lots of layering, here I come!
I love love love socks of all kinds: knee-high, over-the-knee and thigh high especially- and wearing skirts and dresses to show them off!
But there is a specific problem one encounters when the temperature dips below zero- no matter how warm your socks and thick your tights (and don't enough think about pantyhose!) cold wind goes right up yer skirt and chills your poor panty-clad bottom! So how to solve this problem?
Not a pair of shorts. No pair of shorts- no matter how woolen or fleecy- can stop the cold air sneaking around your thighs.

No- the answer is bloomers... made of the softest and coziest fleece!
This one-hour project was a direct result of wanting to wear my big collection of wonderful thigh-highs, but suffering all day long of cold wind blowing up my skirt. Bloomers are the only answer because they are cut fuller than shorts (more fabric = more warmth) and they are gathered/elasticated at the leg opening so your bottom half remains contained and cozy. Thanks to the elastic, they can even be hitched up to a boyshort length or pulled down halfway to the knees.

As soon as I slipped these babies on I felt warmer instantly. Can it be that I can wear skirts with impunity now- no more chilled bum when I sit down, no crossing my knees and shivering when a breeze goes by? Even if they won't stop my legs turning blue, they'll make a difference.

Next I'll make a version with heavier weight fleece. Experiment with the trim. Maybe a version with a built-in garter belt on the inside?? I'm totally bringing bloomers BACK.

Li'l Red

2008-10-28T12:47:00.011-03:00

Hello yo,

Just a little update to show off this morning's stitchin'... and my 2nd backup Halloween costume.
YES. I have a SECOND Halloween costume. Though I have worn Tim Burton's Catwoman for the last Halloween and a FanExpo, it is simply too good a costume to not wear as often as possible.

Surely you must agree. (see Fig.1)

...Also, due to extenuating circumstances (Europe trip) I had no time or money to make my ambitious $400+ costing 18th century French court gown.
Next year, okay.

Anyway- see Mattie model my own version of Li'l Red in da Hood. (once again, the lighting in my apartment and my camera make the lovely dark reds look orange)

I guiltily enjoy "adult" versions of fairytale costumes but the ones you can buy look so terrible- not because of design but poor fabric choices and horrendous construction. Better get a cute or sexy outfit that you would actually wear, and get creative with the accessories. It looks way better, and you will not see anyone else wearing the same costume (how many identical girly pirates did I see last year? argh.) It's not hard to find a non-costume circle skirt or a real bustier, guys.

Honestly, I tend to love craftsmenship over creativity when it comes to costumes. It's a time to raise the bar and kill 'em dead with your costume-making skillz. (okay- for just me, then) Then again, I really love the Halloween costumes that come together with items thrown together from your own closet! (yes, my wardrobe is that freaky!)
I just grabbed fabric and little metal fastener for the cape on Sunday and put it together today. Yay! A costume I can wear when I don't feel like struggling into a skin-tight, heat-and-moisture retaining vinyl catsuit! This is probably an outfit I would wear out any night of the week!

Vampire coat

2008-10-27T13:33:00.011-03:00

Major success on the sewing front today as I have completed a project that has been 4 years in the planning (ever since Costume Studies, oh boy) and spanned nearly 5 months in the making- an 18th century-inspired winter coat that I have dubbed my "vampire coat", suitable for all my gothy needs in cold weather.
Time: Lots of hours, I suspect- spread out over several months. Aaaargh.

Material: The black wool was a fantastic find- on clearance at buy-one-get-two-metres-free. The lining is my pride and joy- beautiful, plush, fleece lined kasha lining. It is thick, silky soft and warm- one of the main reasons this jacket ended up becoming a winter coat.
Plastic buttons- at least until I get my hands on a vintage set.

Okay- so I cut a lot of corners and yet it still ended up taking a long time- but I didn't expect it to be any other way. Since making a coat is a rather new experience for me I opted to buy a pattern (Butterick 4665) and alter it... a lot.

Let's just say the intructions came in handy (as I don't have very concise notes on putting together a jacket- and will tend to forget steps or the order in which to do them) but I probably would have been better off drafting my own pattern.

Like most patterns, the sizing turned out to be way too big all over! The shoulders were the worst part- as I have narrow and sloping shoulders, I had to reshape the entire armhole (I still haven't got it quite right). The waist had to be taken in a full 8 inches for the fitted look that I wanted. The princess seams were reshapen, the sleeves and hem shortened and frockcoat vents, a center seam AND slit were added to the back. All that alteration time that could have been
spent on a custom-drafted coat- but oh wells- I didn't have a mannequin at the time of starting.

I had to bring this sucker in to my work at the tailor shop to press the thick, stubborn wool after hours with the big industrial steam iron.

The coat is very "relaxed" due to light interfacing and much warmer than it looks- though it is more a fall/mild winter jacket and will not stand up to the challenge when temperatures dip below zero.
To be honest, it was designed for the express purpose to be worn with impressive knee-high boots. It would also look best dressed up with many accessories.

Pictures simply don't do justice to this gorgeous lining- it is a deep, blood-red crimson but very shiny (it has no trace of orange)

Anyway! I looks like I won't debut the wearing of it for a couple of days as it is raining. Gross!

Coming up next: learning to crochet (bought a book and ever-ay-thing), Halloween MADNESS
omg omg omg halloween anyone???

Did you think I forgot about you?

2008-10-21T22:37:00.007-03:00

You thought I made two posts and lost all interest, didn't you? Nawwww.
Not that I don't lose complete interest in what I am making at times (knitted yoga mat bag, "all-thumbs" mittens, and dozens of clothing alterations languish at the bottom of my projects pile)
Although it is better than the projects I complete and THEN lose interest in (lolita dresses and skirts, "knitted" chainmail, dozens of animal hats prototypes).
Perhaps my favorite kind of crafting forgetfulness is buying specific supplies and eventually forgetting what they were intended for. (sea-foam green yarn, 0.5m of beige charmeuse silk, 24 d-rings?)

But I must admit- I didn't complete any projects this week.... well, except for this pair of silver stockings.
Intended to be worn for a retro-themed masquerade party (thrown by Masq Halifax) I gave up my electro-slut idea to opt for a more elegant cocktail dress remniscent of swingin' ladies of the 50's.
I did need an iconic pearl necklace to complete my ensemble the night of the dance though. After trolling the mall and being appalled by the prices they were asking for a bunch of plastic beads string onto an elastic (like- $10 to $15) I went home, dug out my bead containers and rustled up a pearl necklace in about 50 beads and 20 minutes. Money-saving result!

Unfortunately, the party was geared mostly towards the 70's, 80's and 90's (err hello? The 90's aren't retro!) and I discovered that I'm not particularly fond of dancing to music of any of those eras, preferring instead the sweet sounds of current, modern-day synthesizer-produced music the likes of industrial metal and EBM.

But I digress from the aim of this blog... but who cares! It's my blog! So I might end up writing about my weekend every so often.

And so long as the subject is still about me, I can do this MEME!

The Rules:
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

As I was tagged by both La Belle Ecrivaine and The Dartmouth Soundsystem my participation is not only required, it is vital.

My factoids:

1) I have a severe addiction to magazines- I buy/receive via subscription about 5 a month. I think it is because I read so quickly and am in constant need of reading material and visual stimulation.

2) I like to get really close up to paintings and drawings (like, nose to the surface- close enough to set off alarms) to discern the marks that were used and every little subtlety of color, texture, pressure.... I can stare up-close at art like this for a really long time without getting bored.

3) I can't do crafts (i.e create anything that goes on this blog!) or even get motivated to begin unless I have music playing. Then I can usually go for hours without stopping.

4) Alcohol is poison to me- I don't like being drunk and don't think I will ever like the taste. As a result, I feel a bit of an outcast at most social events. It's a shame that I live in a town (nay, a society) with such a strong drinking culture.
That said, I love pot.

5) I recently got engaged to my boyfriend of 7 years and many people have asked me to take pictures of my ring. So here it is.

But the fact that accompanies it is this:
I am not a rings person (though I like and own lots of other jewelry). I generally never wear them because they feel cumbersome on my finger and becoming accustomed to wearing one is awkward when I am dependant on my hands. If I go about my daily life with a ring on, I will bump it on things constantly, fidget with it, take it off and forget to put it back on, etc.
Honestly, my preferred type of ring would be as thin as possible and have a completely smooth and unadorned surface. It would need to be a very good quality metal and be able to withstand being exposed to countless washings so I wouldn't have to bother removing it, ever. No bling for me, thanks.
So I love this ring to bits for what it represents, but you won't ever see it on me except for special occasions. P.S! Check out my pinky finger- it is crazy (the one on my right hand is worse) I think they were both broken at one point though X-rays reveal nothing)

6) That said, I can't stand the word "fiance/fiancee". I just hate the way the word sounds. I will continue introducing him as my boyfriend, thankyouverymuch. Or even better- "extra-special" or "totally exclusive boyfriend"

7) Annnnnd- I never wear makeup 90% of the time. Again, it is only worn for special occasions (mostly costumes~!) and only if I remember to apply it.

......I am not tagging anyone, therefore breaking the rules :( I don't know enough people in the blogsphere yet.
So- if any strangers happen across this- I invite you to do this meme!

Meet Mattie

2008-10-14T13:16:00.004-03:00

Yaaaay-- I did it! I was on a roll this Thanksgiving weekend.
(see previous post for how the mannequin looked before)
It is easily accomplished in four steps of varying difficulty:
1) Prepare a basic block. Ok- not many people know how to do this. I would have put off the whole thing a lot longer had I not already had a pattern for my measurements drafted.
The only other way to can think of if you wanted to wrangle this on your own is to find a pre-existing shell top (non-stretch, with a full separating zipper- just because it makes things easier) a size too big to be fitted with.

2) Fit the block. No matter how well you have drafted it, it has to be majorly altered and it must fit skin-tight. This is impossible to do on your own and required me to scream for my mom's help. The darts are still not in the right place and the armholes are rather inaccurate (check out those ugly tucks I added to compensate for a thin neck and shoulders- haha) but I was sort of impatient, ok.

3) Resew the block and refit as much as necessary. Mark the neck, armholes and waist (at the very least) with contrast thread as reference points (and to prevent stretching)

4) Now the fun part- padding her up! It is actually a lot more time-consuming than one expects.
Amazingly, the mannequin was closer to my size than I thought, so it took less material than expected. First I covered it all with a thick layer of fleece so the surface would be pinnable (the skinny bitch needed lots of wraps around the waist and gut).
Then I zipped the block on and broke out the polyester batting (pillow filling) and padded out the squishy bits- boobs, gut, and love handles all. I even padded out the upper back a bit to better replicate my usual posture.
Padding out requires you to be terribly honest about your body- to be intimately familiar with your stores of fat. After wasting some time trying to pad out my hips (which pulled the block in the wrong directions) I had to admit that most of my curves come from my belly, and that I have very little in the way of a defined waist. Then the block began to lay smoothly.
I think I've got it right when I feel 'er up and it seems creepily familiar.

Finally, grab the measuring tape and compare your measurements. The mannequin is slightly bigger (maybe by 1/2") and a lot firmer (of course) so I would not trust it with anything painstakingly fitted but I can now fit most clothes with impunity, drape something crazy, let it hold a garment while I add buttons and other details, display and photograph outfits- the possibilities are endless!!

And unless you are happy with the all-purpose name "Judy" every custom-mannequin needs its own name. The more matronly and rhyme-y it sounds, the better. Mine at school was "Lucy" but "Mattie" short for Matilda popped into my head for this one. So Mattie it is.

Hello, new blog!

2008-10-13T15:29:00.000-03:00

Let's keep this short, shall we?
This is my new blogging endeavour. Do not read too closely into the title- it is basically the first thing that popped into my head.
The purpose: To showcase completed projects of the textile variety, primarily but not limited to sewing and knitting. (occasional artwork, jewelry or any other type of craft work may be involved). It is mostly intended to be viewed by people I know IRL, but nice to be seen by new people. I am highly interested in helping people with their own projects or creating custom and commissioned work.
The goal: To challenge myself to complete more craft projects and pursue more craft varieties, and to keep record of my progress and/or skill development.

yeah- I'm not in school anymore but still feel a need to have an "artist's statement". Everything to follow need not be nearly as formal.

SO this is something I made today- an adorable girly apron that is just... adorable.
Time: 4 hours (if there is one thing you should know about me, it is that I'm a speed demon at sewing)
Materials & Cost: only about 1/2 m each of white broadcloth, white fleece and checkered cotton (maybe $15?), one cherries patch ($3)

Every girl needs one. They are both cute as pie and foxy as hell. But it's hard to buy one that fits your style and your needs. Simplicity won out in designing an apron to be cute-as-possible but also functional. As a result, this one is simple as hell to make. All it needs is the right amount and combination of pattern and ruffles.
The light fleece backing makes it possible to rest a hot dish against you as well as prevents the apron from riding up.
It is fully lined, something I rarely manage to do.

The only problem is that you have to bring yourself to get it dirty. We'll have to see how it survives the washing machine test.

COMING UP:

I got this mannequin (including the stand!) from the GAP at a clearance of their old store fixtures for $30!
When fate sends you a message like that (even when you are broke from a recent trip) you do not resist, especially when you've been considering dropping $300 on a dressmaker's form so you can drape a goddamn skirt.
I didn't really need the legs but they twist off at the thigh so in case I never have the need to display pants I can use 'em for blugeoning.

She is like a size 2, though. So my next project is padding this mannequin out to real-girl dimensions with pinnable fleece, polyster filling and cotton batting!
(at least it's better than a duct tape form...)