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...!

Completed Project: Falling into Autumn Dress

Finally. It's finally done!

Rockin' That New Weave.

I'm so excited!

I just received a recent splurge purchase for myself, a lovely, long, wine colored wig from the Korean brand Gabalnara.

To be quite honest, I've never really rocked a wig before. Not because I haven't wanted to, but because for most of my life my hair has been ridiculously unruly and quite thick. Mexican/Puerto Rican descent does not make for particularly great hair to manage and I've just barely gotten comfortable (25 years later...) with some styles I look good in and are relatively low maintenance. 

Now when it comes to red hair, been there, done that! I've bleached my hair so many times at this point that as much as I love having a deep red head, in good conscience I can't put my hair through the drama again. Hence, the wig. 

This particular Korean wig actually really blew me away! The strands feel lifelike (even the "recently colored hair" way) and it's nice and thick! As I've never owned a wig before, I was really unsure what to expect, but if I had any expectations, this really would have exceeded them. The structure inside the wig was beautifully constructed and for the amount I paid (80$, including shipping), it feels like amazing quality.

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. 

Project Update #2: SpringGreen Dress

How many bodices have I sewn and put back together? Too many to count at this point! I'm sure my boyfriend isn't happy in the least with tons of little pieces of thread that have been clipped in my attempt at a better fit. Honestly, I'm glad I did it! My bodice muslin fits me great!

I spent a good six or seven days working on it and eventually had to put the bodice aside and frankly, restart from scratch a few days later.

Things I learned quite quickly:

• I will always need to do a FBA
• Extra darts might make the whole process easier, but I just don't think it looks good to have a dart at the arm scythe
• Don't backstitch muslin because I will have to rip that apart within 5 minutes anyway
• All that extra muslin is reusable and I intend to use that fabric to wax my legs (lol)

Will I say I jumped into it too quickly? No, because I still feel like I had a general idea of what I needed to do and frankly, all that editing was super useful to learning. Execution was just a little weird for me, though! Plus I think it just comes down to my knowledge base and honestly, knowing what steps to do things first. Do I fix the waist size first or do the FBA? How far down am I able to push a waist dart? How much am I allowed to adjust an arm scythe before I have to change the corresponding piece on the back bodice panel? All good questions that will be answered with time and practice, but in the meantime sucks to have to waste my time with. 

Project Update: SpringGreen Dress

Wow- this pattern is all ready starting to perplex me! Not to say that tracing the pattern out is difficult at all-- and not even the sewing, so far! It's the fit.

Before the end of the semester last week, I made sure to have a go-over with the pattern and my sewing instructor. She confirmed most of the changes I was planning on making (reassuring!)-- as well as suggested sizes and where to edit. The areas covered were:

• The Waist. Need to use the biggest size and add on an inch or so.
• The Neckline. Besides the bust, I have a petite frame and the neckline always seems to gape on me.
• The Armholes. My shoulders aren't very tall (see comment about neckline!)

All of the above changes are undoubtedly easier said than done!

After doing the only big sewing alteration I'm pretty sure I can't botch, I went to work and sewed up Muslin Sample #1. Pictures are as follows and well-- I cropped it to hide the foopa but damn it, I will not be intimidated!

New Project: SpringGreen Dress

I'm so excited to start working on this! The pattern was bought for 1.99$ on sale (yes, I scrounged for pennies to get it!) and the illustration is my own. I figured after taking a class on doing these sort of croquis, I should definitely keep my drawing hand practicing!

Project Title : SpringGreen Dress
Short Project Description: Scoop-neck dress with delicate lace ruffles at the neckline and rectangle skirt bottom.
Projected Deadline: June 10th. Not arbitrary! Payday and whether I get any "me" money dictates this!
Pattern(s) Used: McCall's 5972 for that scoop neck bodice piece.
Materials needed: Various laces for trims and neckline, slightly sheer dot fabric, cotton lining, matching invisible zipper. 
Challenges or obstacles: I've never done such a fitted bodice before and my focus for an entire week will be just getting that thing perfect. Also, I'm putting a 40$ cap on materials... but if I can make it cheaper without compromising the integrity of such a pretty dress, I'll be happy. I think the most expensive item will be the lace.