Dancing with the Stars - Costumes

Well, I'm not a regular viewer of Dancing with the Stars. I am very sad that Woz was eliminated. He isn't the most graceful performer but you could really see is heart. Note to performers: Woz was voted out when he didn't show any expression in his face (or when he wore a serious expression on his face). Your facial expression is the most important part of your performance, especially when you are dancing for votes.

In any case, I read an article on Sunday's SF Gate (San Francisco Chronicle) website: an interview with Randall Christensen, the costumer for all the competitors on the US version of Dancing with the Stars. Ahh, the magpie in me would love to see his fabric stash. There is no such thing as too much glitter. I'm also intrigued by his comments regarding cutting clothing on the bias. Enjoy!


Dressing 'Up" Dancing Stars

I'm still here

Well, my sewing mojo disappeared for a while. I think that it might be surfacing. I had the brown and white version of the Jalie 2793  on Dolly (my dressmaking mannequin) for close to 2 weeks without change. I wasn't inspired to finish it, even though all that is left are the hems. I just didn't like the colors for spring. So, to get it off my plate, I mentally cataloged it as a muslin, and I decided to make one from the turquoise and brown print. I made myself finish in in two rounds of sewing, so I could wear it to work, which I did. I'm not certain that this is the pattern for me, though. I am planning on making it in one more combination--a white floral cotton lycra jersey, with white bands. I hope that the effect will be very spring-like.

While Dolly wore the brown and white muslin, I did make a muslin of HotPatterns Deco Vibe Flippy Skirt I like it. I'll have to cut out a 'real version'. The pattern pieces are simple enough, but the end results is very nice. As several reviewers have noted, I have to be careful with matching edges. But my next project which is Simplicity 3880, which is a Threads magazine collection pattern that is now out of print. I'm making view B, the cargo pants. I actually made a muslin (no pictures) to check the fit, and instructions. I've cut out the pattern pieces, interfaced what needs to be interfaced, and I've already have sewn up the pocket flaps, trimmed with lace. I'm actually excited by this project, so I'm hoping I can finish them this week. I need some pants that fit nicely.

I spent a good chunk of time working on the pants yesterday and today. I wanted to spend more time today, but I had to fix (well, replace) my bike basket. Last summer, I bought a bike to ride to work (and exercise), and of course, if I'm riding to work, I need a basket to haul stuff. I asked the bike shop to install a front handle basket. Well, the brace, which holds the basket to the handlebars, broke sometime over the winter. And after I removed basket and the brace from my bike, I realized that all the brace's parts were plastic, and even I got replacement parts, the design is flawed. So off to REI to get a WALD basket. It took a while for me install it (including a trip to the hardware store to replace a stripped screw. Have you ever purchased something for 11 cents and received a receipt? One guy helped me determine the proper size metal screw (I brought the bad screw and the WALD brace with me), and told me it cost 11 cents. He was going to ring it up, but he started helping other customers in the nails/screws/bolts aisle. I went to the cashier, told him it was 11 cents. He accidentally rang the sale up for 2 screws (he saw my stripped screw). I was surprised that the price came up to 24 cents. The cashier fixed it, when I pointed out the error, but it wasn't' until I was in the car driving home did I realize how frugal (or cheap!) I must have appeared.

Other stuff I want to work on: I'm waiting for my Jalie patterns to arrive. I'm joining the jeans-sew-along on PatternReview.com. I have some denim in the stash that will be fun to work with. I also want to make a woven blouse. I want to wear something more businesslike to work other than knit blouses. I also purchased a book by Adele Margolis, "Making your own patterns." I think that it's great bedtime reading, along with pattern instructions--right now, my clothing needs a number of alterations for the clothing to look good, so I'm hoping that reading this book will be helpful.

Thank you to the House of Kent!

I would like to thank Peggy of The House of Kent blog for showcasing my blog earlier this week. Thank you, Peggy! :)

The House of Kent

Catching up

Sorry! No pictures today! It's been close to a month since I've last posted. Work has been keeping me busy: we had some layoffs, and my job has been restructured a bit (but I'm still employed, which is very nice).

I'm close finishing the first version of Jalie 2793. I should have something to share later today. Marita asked: I selected the the dark brown and cream abstract print jersey, with dark brown bands. When I look at it, I can see that these are Fall Winter colors. I like the overall effect, but right now, I'm craving brighter clothing to wear. I have some abstract (non-floral) print jersey's in my stash that don't have a lot of black in them, as well as an interesting jersey with a large paisley border (purchased very recently from Fabrix in SF).

It's only fabric. It's only fabric...

I've been busy at work with various projects, but tonight while watching the Academy Awards I traced out Jalie 2793. This is a banded tunic top with inset sleeves. I like the look, especially since this version already comes with a insert. I imagine that I'll work this pattern to death make it up several times so I'll have a TNT (Tried N True) pattern.

Now comes fabric selection. I have a large stash of fabric from a variety of sources. I'm planning on using the dark brown jersey for the band (top row, second from the right). I'm still deciding on the other fabric. Fabric sources from left to right, top row: Happy Stop, Fashionista Fabrics, Diva Friend, Diva Friend; second row, Happy Stop, Fabric store in New Orleans (Garden District I can't remember the name), Fashionista Fabrics, and Happy Stop. I didn't pull the two brown animal print fabrics, or the dark brown and turquoise dots (more abstract) from my stash bins. I like having a selection, but sometimes too much fabric makes it difficult for me to make a decision.



I hadn't realized that two fabrics have the same colors, but different patterns (one is brown paisley, the other is the brown larger scale floral): these two fabrics along with the blue pucci style have an olivey green in them. This presents some fun sewing opportunities: using the paisley as bands for the larger floral and/or finding an olivey green to use as a border for the blue piece. Or use the olivey green as the main fabric and the patterned fabric as the border. Of course, I'll have to look for the olivey green jersey. I could also look for a light brown/tan jersey and do the same thing with the other fabrics. :)

I think that I'll start with the abstract brown and beige fabric in the upper left with the brown bands. It's a pretty fabric, but it's the one I like the least. I can get paralyzed by too many options, so I just need to get a move on it.

Sigh, I broke down this weekend and participated in an online sale and bought more fabric. Way more that I needed, but I'm sure I *knew* that as I decided to purchase. Sigh.

Another Tea Cozy, another hard-won yard!

While sipping my morning tea, I was disappointed that it got cold fairly quickly. So I made another tea cozy! after selecting the fabric, it took me 2 hours. I added some appliques to the outside again. I like have the ravens disappear into the fabric, and I couldn't imagine using the owl for anything else.



I'm also including a link to show how the different pattern pieces work together. The red part is the lining, the brown is the stripe, and the yellow is the outside.




Stash usage = 1 more to the total!, 12.75 for the 2009 so far!

pic of the other side

Ten to Midnight

This wasn't on my list, but I decided to sew a tea cozy.  I made one for a friend for Christmas, so I  know how to make it.  The pattern has been cut out.  I have no qualms cutting a craft pattern because there are no fitting problems.  clothing patterns are usually traced, unless I have a second copy.  Oh! those pattern sales! :)

It took me about 3 hours to make this, including ironing the fabric that I had stored in one of those huge ziploc bags.  I wasn't certain if I was going to finish it.  But I stopped sewing at ten to midnight.  I was reaching that dangerous time:  tired, but wanting to finish before I went to sleep, the time when you can't judge if you are making a mistake that you will rip out later or if you will work!  And you then you think twice, then three times, and then you know you are tired and but you keep going, until you need to rip something out.  I think that I did okay--my mind didn't range that far.  Nothing looks like it should be ripped out, but I'll know for sure in the morning! LOL !  I had better make certain that I have unplugged my iron, though.  I know that my sewing machine is turned off.

I used Simplicity Pattern 4341, view A (the larger cozy), which uses about a yard of fabric all together and a 1/4 of insulated lining.  For whimsy, I sewed on some appliques that I purchased at an estate sale:  some flowers on one side and a ladybug on the other.  The outside fabric is so busy (some aubergine colored quilting fabric with wine labels, that the appliques kind of disappear, which I like.  It does make me wish I had some ant appliques to sew onto a cake-patterned cozy).  To close it, I used some knit drawstring (similar to that found in commercial sweatpants) from SF SCRAP and some stretchy round elastic that I had in my stash.  When I have time, I'll do a formal review:  you need three different colors (or patterns) of fabric to make the pattern look good.  Also, the lining fabric  (which should be dark, I think, because it's gonna get tea all over it), peeks out on top.  I'm going to take it into work to use on the teapot at my desk.  

I took this to work today and I was able to take a couple of pictures before left for the day.

Tea at my desk 

1 yard to add to the stash total.  I think that this would make a nice gift (quick, pretty, and it can be personalized) so I'll add the label it as a gift.  

[Edited to add]  Three hours to remove one yard of fabric from my stash!  Yikes, I need to make a dress.  Or think quality, not quantity.  Or don't worry at all.  

Off to sleep, perchance to dream....