Skirt with bustle

I finally had time to finish the skirt I started over the New Year's break from work. I'm rather pleased with it.

It is a rusty-red shantung skirt with ruffle, overskirt and flounces on the side.  The bustle is detachable and the bustle and flounces have black contrasting lining.

This is my favorite of the few photos we took.  Too bad the flash didn't go off.  I'll be sure to get better photos when it isn't dark and 20 degrees outside.  I'll also need to get some from the back so you can see the bustle better.

The Models have Tea

My darling daughter has collected a few of her friends who are willing to serve as models for me.  So, today, most of them converged on our home for tea.  My ulterior motive was to get their measurements to make sure I was making things that would fit.  They were also able to look through patterns and tell me what kind of looks they would like to model.

 Of course, they also had some fun with things already here:

Above, S is wearing Vernon's smoking jacket and Karl's fez. Quite the combo.  But he definitely needs a different shirt underneath.
All in all, much shortbread, scones and apple tart was consumed along with several pots of tea.  A grand time was had by all.

Men's vest

Trying a new pattern.

Men's vest with collar and 3 pockets.

New vest coming soon

I've got a new menswear vest almost finished.  I've only got the buttons to put on so I'll be able to post photos soon.  Tomorrow I'll be cutting out a jacket that I'm pretty excited to try.  And Santa brought me a dress form for Christmas so the design fun can really begin.

I've now got 5-6 people interested in helping with a photo shoot in March so I'll need to have plenty of finished items ready for them.  I do hope to have an actual business up and running in a few more months.  Stay tuned... things are about to get much more busy and interesting around here.

Start to finish

Started and finished another sewing project today.  I love having days off my paying job! Today's project was a gift for my oldest son- the model of yesterday.  Nothing too artsy- but a soft fleece shirt in tie dyed blue.

Not the best photo but I don't have the best phone and the good camera is upstairs.
Still, not a bad piece of work for the day.  The partial zipper was interesting to put in. I modified the pattern instructions because the way they told you to do it was kind of bizarre.  My way worked quite well and eliminated lots of hand work.
Now the only holiday project I've still got is finishing the binding on a quilt.  And I've still got a couple of weeks to go!

Steampunk photo shoot

I finished a brocade vest for my youngest son for Christmas but I couldn't wait to share it.  So, I got his older brother to model for me and we had a bit of a Steampunk photo shoot.  I guess it he's going to be doing more modeling for me he'll have to get used to it!

 Nothing fancy for background, sadly.  We still have to keep the vest a secret and it is raining outside.

 I do believe this is his impression of a young Mr Lincoln!

 Obviously up to no good...

And lastly, with a companion, Mandy.

Awesome new fabric

Ok... I know I don't NEED any more fabric.  I need time to work on projects already at hand. But I couldn't resist this stuff.  It gives in to my inner Goth!  Plus I am a huge fan of Edgar Allen Poe.

From the Nevermore collection by Michael Miller.

Vernon says I need to make a quilt and call it "The Goth Cloth".  How awesome is that!?