Saturday, January 30, 2016

Another trip 'round the bend...!

aka ballet performance sewing time again!
This year it was Journey to Neverland, an original Peter Pan ballet basically, not the famous one. I was supposed to make costumes for Peter, Hook, Tink,the three London girls, seven Indians (Tigerlily and six ensemble) and fifteen pirates.
Nightgowns, based on a vintage pattern found on Pinterest... Charmeuse and lace, fully lined in polyester habutai; three colors of the same fabrics.
Vests and skirts for Indians and Tigerlily in fawn suedecloth. Circle skirts for the ensemble, fringed tutu (and lots more jewels) for Tigerlily. Simplified version of an old vest pattern.

Tinkerbell, in lime green suedecloth. Side zip, sequin lace appliques. Actually the beauty of suedecloth is that you can use hot glue! I drafted this one myself, with a one-shoulder bodice and short circle skirt.

Pirates -- red/gold metallic brocade vests, baggy below-the-knee pants in charmeuse... simplified versions of  a Burda pattern I already had (and used several years ago for silver rapper pants!)
As things happen, they decided to order Hook and Peter's costumes instead so now I have to think of a use for red brocade and green suedecloth... I was sad but realized that it was a good thing! I would have overthought them and stressed myself out. But it was fun to imagine and plan.

Ironic that I never work on my own dd's costume except for some appliques last year... but have some pretty pix anyway!




The pirate outfits modelled... if you can call it that.



And here they are, worn! Tigerlily, Joan, Tinkerbell,Wendy, Michelle... and Maria and Franny.
Aaaand another year done! Wonder what they'll do next time....

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

T'was a pretty good year! Roundup post 1: sewing

Nothing like a nice introspective look over the past year to make one'sself feel accomplished, right? Somehow arranging pictures of projects within a pattern theme makes the most sense.

First, dancewear... there is definitely a learning curve to sewing Spandex/Lycra/stretch knits. This year I had fun modifying and tweeking commercial patterns (two Jalie and a Kwiksew) into the following:


Top row are the shortards that snap closed along the inseam -- the second from left is the latest and best-fitting, with a diamond-shaped gusset. 
Second row are the snap leotards -- with lace, skirts and color-blocking, and one with flower snaps along the raglan closure. 
I have a few more fun stretchy prints to use this 2016! It makes me happy that her acrobatics jazz teacher actually noticed what she wears. She's in advanced tap and ballet now so they only wear black, but in acro-jazz anything goes. (And there's still good variation possible in black!)




Next, Oliver + S sewing... the patterns Liesl Gibson designs work so well, I wouldn't think to stray from them even as I riff on the classics. Looking at these, the Field Trip raglan and Sketchbook patterns are the ones that got a workout this year.