Just a sneak preview! I’m not entirely happy with the shape of the sleeves and I might shape the bodice a bit more, but it’s definitely wearable! Do I look like Cinderella yet?

(Although if I was Cinderella my bathroom would be a lot cleaner…)

THAT MOMENT OF PANIC WHEN YOU TRY ON THE DRESS YOU’RE GOING TO WEAR IN TEN HOURS AND IT DOESN’T FIT

Posted in sewing by themetaphorgirl

Luckily I just added a gusset to the side and it worked out just fine. You can’t even see it, and it’ll be even less noticeable when I add the sleeves.

Also YES I am watching How to Train Your Dragon again. I just have so many feelings about it right now. The scar on his chin. THE SCAR ON HIS CHIN

The scar, you guys.

YES I KNOW NOT SO SCARY IS IN LIKE 36 HOURS SHUT UPPPP.

So far this is what I have for my Cinderella rags dress. Not much. Basically I’ve shaped the bodice with darts (the outer and the lining) and attached the skirt so it can hang. (Circle skirts have to hang at least 24 hours because otherwise the bias won’t stretch properly and you’ll be left with a really bizarre hem.)

Did I mention I also have to make a fairy godmother dress/cloak combo for my friend? Because I have to do that too.

Basically all the sewing has to happen. Wish me luck.

This is Hiccup’s idea of helping Mommy sew. Thanks, Hiccup. (at The Dollhouse)

Cinderella pieces are cut!

I firmly believe in the art of frankensteining- mixing and matching pattern pieces to assemble the desired piece. So this is a combination of three different patterns, plus some of my own calculations!

Simplicity 1873 view C bodice front (2)

Simplicity 1873 view C bodice back (4)

Simplicity 4236 view A skirt (1 on fold, 2 on selvage) (it’s just a circle skirt piece, so you can find tutorials pretty easily)

Simplicity 2443 sleeve (2) (although any basic sleeve piece will work; I just grabbed the nearest pattern)

4 pocket pieces (I don’t even know what pattern it’s from. I just keep a pocket pattern piece in my sewing kit in case of pocket emergencies.)

1 apron skirt: fabric width by 15"

1 apron waistband: waist measurement by 5"

2 apron waist ties: fabric width by 5"

And also a cat. Thanks, Hiccup.

Cinderella’s Rags Breakdown

So after a really long hiatus, I’ve decided to start sewing again. And since my first Not So Scary party of the year is in a week, I figured I should start now with something simple. I’ve always thought Cinderella’s rags were actually kind of pretty, plus my friend is going as the fairy godmother (which I also have to make, oops) so it’s perfect.

The dress is pretty simple- loose ¾ length sleeves, a slightly fitted bodice, and an A-line skirt. All it needs from there is an apron, a pair of black ballet flats, and a blue hair ribbon. Sometimes Cindy also wears a white kerchief, but I probably won’t bother with that. But really, it’s just a hemmed square of white cloth, so I’m not really concerned if I do decide to make it.

While her skirt in the movie is an A line shape, I think it’ll translate better in real life as a circle or half circle skirt. Probably a full circle, because I have a penchant for spinning. In order to have more fullness, I’m going to add a gathered muslin slip layer underneath. Basically a tulle-free petticoat. Besides, Cinderella most likely had some kind of plain petticoat under her dress if this was an actual time period. Also, petticoats are fun.

And because I’m a sensible human I’m also adding pockets.

Typically I’m a big proponent of getting lifelike fabrics. Like…if I was doing Snow White’s dress, I’d get velvet for the bodice and matte satin for the skirt, maybe with some embroidered texture to it, rather than just solid cotton or costume satin. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! That’s just what I like to do personally. I was thinking about that for this project- corduroy for the bodice and heavy linen for the skirt- but I’m on a time crunch and I’d rather grab accurate colors than search for the Perfect Fabrics. Besides, they’re rags. Cinderella probably wore cotton.

So all in all I bought:

3 1/2 yards white muslin for the petticoat and apron
2 1/2 yards light brown cotton for the skirt
1 yard dark brown cotton for the bodice
½ yard light blue cotton for the sleeves
14” dark brown zipper
6 yards white eyelet trim for the petticoat (yes I am that weirdo)
1 yard blue ribbon for my hurr

And a pair of black ballet flats, because I have a pair and they’re painfully too small and I really should get rid of them.

Next up: cutting pieces

23Oct2012

Tuesday’s Ten: Sewing Frenzy!

Posted in sewing, theatre by themetaphorgirl

I have to sew All the Things for Narnia.

Lucky for me, not only has Simplicity come out with a whole slew of patterns that I can use, but JoAnn’s had them on sale for $.99! SCORE.

#1, 2, and 3: Simplicity 1771

I’m making a modified view A dress for Mrs. Beaver- the skirt isn’t nearly as full, and because of the actress’s height, I’m adding a ruffle on the hem. It’s a combination of a brown gingham, red stripe, and a yet-to-be-determined accent color, as well as a yellow and brown daisy trim on the bodice.

I’m also making the cloak for Lucy (and then saving it for myself!)

#4: Simplicity 1737

I’m making this for the White Witch- but in white, obviously. The overlay is going be sheer with silver snowflakes on it, and I think it’s going to look AMAZING!

#5, 6, and 7: New Look 6872

This is my all-time favorite pattern for a gathered skirt. I’m making three- one in navy floral for Susan, one in a gray, black, and yellow print for a member of the Witch’s Army, and one in red gingham for a follower of Aslan.

#8 and 9: Simplicity 2072

Yes, I’m using a slutty Halloween costume pattern. Don’t worry, I’m not dressing my students up like trollops! I’m using the basic dress pattern for the White Stag, although longer and without a bubble hem, and the sailor jacket pattern for Lucy. Lucy seems like the type for a sailor dress, doesn’t she?

#10: Simplicity 1873

And this is the dress that Lucy’s wearing with her sweet little sailor jacket. It’s such a lovely, simple pattern, especially with the full skirt, and when it’s done and she has all the accessories, it’s going to be adorable.

But that’s only part of the sewing list I’ve got! Stay tuned for more…

…and hopefully some progress shots soon!

19Oct2012

New Look 6872

Posted in sewing by themetaphorgirl

Pattern Description:
Misses skirts in various lengths with sash, pocket, and hem band options.
Pattern Sizing:
Sizes 6-16, I cut view D in a 12.

Cost:Pattern: $4
Fabric: 2 1/2 yards for $6 per yard; $15
Zipper: $3.00
Total Cost: $22

Time:About two hours

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

It did! I eliminated the patch pockets, but other than that it worked perfectly.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Honestly, I didn’t really follow them. There’s only a few pieces to the pattern and it’s very easy to put together.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I loved this one! It went together very easily and it’s really flattering to my figure.

Fabric Used:
Cotton from JoAnn’s- it’s very thick and washes well.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I didn’t add the pockets- I thought they were distracting with the print I chose. I also think that I won’t cut the waistband on the bias next time. It made it stretch too much and I had to take it in.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will definitely sew it again! This is my TNT skirt pattern and I’ve got plans to make it several more times, both for myself and for costume work.

Conclusion:
This is probably the best gathered skirt pattern I’ve found. It’s easy to cut, doesn’t take too much fabric (it helps that I’m short and I don’t need a long hem) and only took me about two hours to construct! I highly recommend this one.

17Oct2012

Bad Hair Day

Posted in fashion, outfit of the day, sewing by themetaphorgirl

What is up with my hair? It’s all weird and frizzy and junk. Maybe it’s just still recovering from the hardcore dye process. Poor hair. Tomorrow I’ll put it up and condition the crap out of it.

This is my new favorite pair of shoes! I’ve been admiring the Blowfish Garrens on my favorite fashion blogger (Kaelah from Little Chief Honeybee) for ages, and finally snagged a pair on eBay for dirt cheap! They’re so incredibly comfortable. They actually meet my standard for comfort- they’re comfy enough to wear to a Disney park! (After being a cast member for four years, I learned a lot about wearing proper footwear while in Disney.)

I made this skirt last year for teacher clothes, and it’s one of my most-worn pieces that I’ve sewn! The print is very Anthropologie-esque (at least in my mind…) and the pattern is super easy to construct- I made it in about two hours, including the hem. So if you’re looking for a simple gathered skirt pattern, I highly recommend New Look 6872!

Speaking of sewing, I started working on costumes for the school production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I moved my sewing machine to my work desk and basically set up a sweatshop for myself. Mrs. Beaver’s apron is done and her dress is underway!

Top: Thrifted
Skirt: Handmade (New Look 6872)
Shoes: Blowfish Garrens via eBay
Belt: Faded Glory

Nail Polish: OPI You Don’t Know Jacques!
Perfume of the Day: Vera Wang Glam Princess