Yes, This is an Expensive Hobby.

My "favorite" mobile RSS reader is iReadG. Now, it's in quotations because I have a love hate relationship with the thing. It does what I need it to do, but I wish I could articulate it to the developers what needs to be done to make that thing POP. But that's not what this blog is about-- it's about the 140+ blog posts I need to catch up on and simply won't just skip over because I'm too stubborn to skimp out on my "obligations!"

Yes, self imposed obligations on things I feel I should be reading. But don't look into that too much- that's just a symptom of my insanity, I'm sure.

Anyway, I also have the good 'ol EGL LiveJournal community added and have been ridiculously avoiding diving in and looking at the nearly 90 posts that need sifting through. Most of the posts are utterly garbage (what are the measurements to...)-- but there are some really interesting ones every once in a while, too.

Now, I will preface this post to say that I've been on-and-off a peruser of that community for 10 years. Yes, let that sink in a little bit. I still remember the first day I tried my first lolita coordinate and posted about it which I will NOT go back to find: don't bother looking, it's hidden behind posts asking about where to find a decent petti! But suffice to say, even though I will freely admit I probably don't put my ~*~*~120% lolita best~*~*~ foot out there anymore, I think I can speak on things more than some. Authority? No way-- not in the least! But I'm not as scared of slander as I used to be, not as worried about what a late-teen girl with money can post, and well, it's my blog so I can weigh in on things when I feel like it.

Image from xylia on Tumblr

With that said, opinions and thoughts on recent posts. Because commenting there is dull sometimes anyway and it gives me a blog excuse + a reason to clean up my RSS feed.

New Project: Watercolor Blues Dress

Project Title: Watercolor Blues Dress
Short Project Description: White and Blue JSK with matching boucle bolero.
Projected Deadline: March 31st
Pattern(s) Used: For the JSK, the bodice pattern from Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing "Sultry Sheath", rectangle skirt. For the bolero, Simplicity 1780
Materials Needed: JSK: White with blue undertone fabric with a beautiful drape, dark blue satin for bow + cartridge ruffle trim + under trim, underlining fabric, white satin for cartridge trim. Bolero: light blue + white boucle. Sew in or iron-on pearls, standard notions.
Challenges/Obstacles: This one will most certainly be an uphill battle! Not to say that's a bad thing--- just that I'm absolutely certain that this dress is going to be a big one. I don't expect to find the right shades of fabric right away and will probably have to just worry about one piece at a time. I think the white dress fabric will probably be the most difficult to source. I'm looking for something with a solid, but beautiful drape with cool undertones... which are hard to look at in a fabric store if it doesn't have good lighting. The colors I'm looking for are more viewable in my Pinterest board dedicated to brainstorming on the dress~ you can check that out here.

I may end up settling for something white with a silver-ish brocade finish. The ruffles aren't hard, just time consuming, even with a ruffling foot. Also, lots of hand sewing in my future with a design incorporating pearl beading. The bolero is more of an after thought, I think... It would be a great addition to just my normal ward robe so I haven't decided the length of it yet. Plus I've never worked with something as un-ravelry as boucle, so it'll be interesting. That will need it's own lining and learning new finishing techniques as well.

I actually have quite a few things on my plate right now, so this is one of those projects I just want to work on with no pressure. I really would like to make myself at least two new pencil skirts (like my Speckled Skirt) for work and general use--- while working on this dress set. I also have some things I'm whipping up for the Etsy shop. The March 31st deadline is a good one because that gives me plenty of time to hand sew everything in and actually feel like I've redeemed myself from my Falling into Autumn disaster! I know quite a few people really liked that one, but I know I can do better and I've learned so many new techniques that will make the issues I had seem like a thing of the past...!

Watercolor Blues and Lush Textures

So now that my Falling into Autumn Dress is finally done, I'm starting to think about the sort of aesthetic I want to tackle in regards to a solid Christmas/Winter dress. I think I also really have to get better about stockpiling accessories and the things that make a lolita dress "complete". I've always somehow managed to be a seamstress that just focuses on the garment, accessories be damned!

Anyway, I've started a board on Pinterest for the dress so please feel free to follow it!

When I told an acquaintance that I wanted to do a blue/white color scheme the response I got was "That's very Jewish."-- and I get it- the colors are very Hanukkah. But that's not the blue I want to go with! I'm thinking something more like dark, deep blue, and like water color blue. If I could hand dye the fabric and make it look like sea salt and blue water color, it'd make me happy. Granted, I doubt I'll be able to do that for such a project and have it turn out well, the mental image is perfect.

There's really no snow in San Francisco... but I think cold, deep winter is the image I am striving for. And texture. Lots of texture. Gauze? Tea dyed eyelet lace? I don't want to go as so far as making it look too "period" or steampunk. But crisp white would be too "perfect". I want weathered and cold-- yet beautiful and delicate. This would also make the makeup fun to apply: a purple and blue toned ruby lip, like blood in snow. Silver grey eyes and a cold-kissed cheek with a pale touch.

Either way, I think I've decided on using Moi-meme-Moitie's general design from the Iron Gate OP. I'm not sure if I want full sleeves, but at the very least half sleeves. The more I think of it, the more the prospect of an off white, chiffon sleeved dress, with grey blue trim and ribbons sounds amazing. Blue lace tights and satin dark blue shoes and accessories.

Exciting!

New Project: Falling into Autumn Dress

It's been a while since I've worked on a solely lolita dress so I'm really looking forward to picking away at this dress in the coming month!

Project Title : Falling into Autumn Dress
Short Project Description: Honey Gold fabric with a heavy hand, fashioned into a sweetheart neckline lolita JSK. Pleated ruffle and neckline French Roast trim with accents of gold and Rose Smoke venice lace and pipping. 
Projected Deadline: October 28th. Long way off, but tbh, I have a lot of things going on but I would really love this for some sort of Halloween celebration!
Pattern(s) Used: Innocent World pattern in Gothic Lolita Bible #42
Materials needed: Honey Gold fabric, French Roast fabric, lining, zipper, Rose Smoke venice lace, multicolored pipping, 4 buttons, hook and eye.
Challenges or obstacles: I'm quite fortunate that this particular pattern has been featured in a YouTube tutorial video that goes through the entire construction process- which is great! I'll be omitting the back shirring because if it's going to be custom-made... what's the point of making it multi-size? Seriously. Also, I've never done a FBA on a princress seam bodice but tutorials online don't make it seem too difficult; I've all ready bought some muslin to get that portion done without hassle. 

I was really unsure of the colors I wanted to use for this particular design. After falling in love with one of Baby the Stars Shine Bright's preorder capelets, I knew I had to create something that would match. (Pantone Fall 2012 similar colors? Heck yes!) I definitely would like to track down some Bambi faux fur to make myself a similar fur capelet- I must have something similar! Matching beret and hand muff? Lolita autumn heaven.

Super cute! I will definitely make one of these for myself!

Completed Sewing Project: Cherry Print Wiggle Dress

I'm actually really proud at how busy and motivated I've been in the last few weeks- it feels amazing. I know a lot of people don't necessarily see being busy as being a good thing... but I'm happy because I'm getting so much done, all the time. Lots of projects under my belt, lots more on the table. I think also starting to have a dedicated sewing space has helped!

My most recent project is for my upcoming birthday party!

The above picture is an in-progress, but it's completed now and basically looks... like the above pictures! Sans the white basting lines. I still haven't worn it out yet, though, so cute pictures haven't been taken.

But a cherry dress? Oh yes. This is after scouring Joann's Fabrics for a lemon print like I posted about a few weeks ago. I see this as a practice run for that dress, however! After making this dress, I'm hoping round two is a little more precise with less random pulling and seams that match up a little bit better. It's probably a good thing that this print is so busy- most of my mistakes aren't visible unless you're looking for them! (...but I know they're there!)

Anyway, I used a combination of McCall's M5972 (from my SpringGreen dress, but I used the pencil skirt portion) and M6557 (for the bodice).

I lucked out with the bodice because it was originally designed for petites so that was one issue down. I still had to do a FBA which was interesting considering the pleating at the center front. I kind of winged it, though, and it turned out better than I had anticipated!

Next I attempt this dress (with a lemon print, damn it!), I'll probably be changing the size of the pleats because they didn't match up the other seams somewhere along the way... but either way, with a quick FBA, the bodice was perfect. 

Weekend Running Around.

I had a really amazing weekend- I had to post pictures of it! So many good friends to see, so much to do-- I absolutely adored it. It was wonderful spending time with so many of my good friends; I needed it.

A lot of running around was done and I got to enjoy the Jpop Summit Festival in Japantown! The popular Japanese brand Liz Lisa set up a pop up shop, as well as presented a fashion show.

I really love all their designs-- but most of them are way too small and short for me to rock! Still, though, the aesthetic is lovely and I think if they branched out to the US, they would actually do quite well. 

Completed Sewing Project: SpringGreen Dress

It's done! Three weeks from my initial posting about this dress, it's finally completed and ready for a day out on the town!

First off, yes, yellow. Yellow was my backup color after hunting high and low for mint green swiss dot fabric. When I found plenty of pale yellow fabric and matching lace... I took it as a sign. Even if it's completely off from my croqui and from my original idea (and the NAME!), I'm still super pleased with it.

Completed Sewing Project: Petticoat

At long last, the petticoat I spoke of weeks ago... is finally completed!

The Facts

Start Date: April 2012

Finish Date: May 19, 2012

Fabric: 100% Polyester Lining, Tulle, 100% Polyester Lace

Pattern: Loosely based of the petticoat pattern in various Gosu Rori magazines + Inspired by Baby the Stars Shine Bright standard petticoat

Year: Contemporary-ish.

Notions: 1" wide standard elastic

Time to Complete: Completely lost track, but on and off for three weeks

First Worn: Haven't yet!

Wear again?: It was made to replace my old sad petticoats... so yes!

Total Price: 2y tulle at 1$p/y, 4y of lace for 3.50$ p/y: 16$ 

Changes from original Plan: PLENTY! Looking at the pattern I drafted, it has some serious changes and I will probably have to redraft some pieces in case I'd like to make another in the future. 

Big Sewing Post: Summer Plans.

Alright, so when it comes to sewing, here are my plans for a little while. Now, I'm well aware that these are all brand images sans the randomly placed sewing patterns. But that's just because I'd like to make similar items to what I post because I like them. I'm a stitcher and a pattern maker-- but a designer? I ain't kidding myself...!!

Reintroduction to Lolita + LOL LJ.

For those of you lurking, and following my posts for years, I'm coming forward and saying: I'm bringing it back! ...my LiveJournal I mean! And not because I want to become a regular blogger there again. Far from it, actually. I just would like to comment on communities now and again for shits and giggles (and to be honest, to drive traffic here as a by-product!)

What does this actually encompass? And why would I do such a thing?

Well, the first encompasses going back through 10 YEARS (holy crap!) of entries and marking them all as Friends Only. I never had an issue with people reading what I used to post, but in all honesty, I just want people to pay attention here, rather than there, which is why I'm closing off those old entries. I still want to keep everything at the old journal, though, for nostalgia, justice, and the LOLs. I still have a lot of housekeeping to do on that old account so no posts until I do. I know in reality it doesn't particularly matter what that old journal looks like, but to me, it makes all the difference.

I even went out of my way to give this blog a header image and a decent background so when its linked, it looks like someone LIVES here!

So again, why would I do such a thing?

I'm getting back into (classic) lolita.

:X

(I don't often use emoticons on this blog, but I felt this warranted it)

At the encouragement by several people I know both here in San Francisco as well as old friends back in San Diego, I'm doing it. That old 10 year love kind of came over me again with the quickness and I'm ok with it. I can kind of look at it with different eyes than when I did when I was younger and appreciate different aspects of it. Plus a huge sewing-kick is giving me a big head and convincing me that I can TOTALLY make some of those dresses with enough determination and patience. 

Anyway, LiveJournal comes into play with how I'd like to comment in communities every once in a while and I would like to do it without ads... Yup. Also, 15$ to rename an account? Honestly?

520 entries in and I've barely hit the 5-Year Anniversary post for my account. I had that thing since like 2003. Eep.