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Making of Mother Gothel’s Cloak
I made this cape to go with a fan art version of the villain from Disney’s Tangled: Mother Gothel. For those who haven’t seen the movie, she wears a red dress and is sometimes featured wearing a dark blue/purplish cloak with a hood. I used McCalls 7886 to create the look. Read on to find out how I made the fabric and my review of the pattern. Pattern Description:Lined cape is gathered to neck band with hook and eye closure and has side arm openings and train. Hood is lined and has contrast ruffle. Purchased appliques. Pattern Sizing:XS – XL Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope…
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Making of Belle’s 1860-Inspired Bodice
Belle was a passion project of mine. After seeing the Cinderella’s dress in the 2015 live-action movie, I instantly knew that cut was meant for Belle. From the Basque waist to the bertha, this was not Cinderella’s dress. I sat and I waited, not confident in my skills to create such a gown. Then, five years later, I got the gumption to attempt the “Beast.” First I needed a design that was my own that I could love for my lifetime as I will never make her again. Going to the drawing board, I took inspiration from Cinderella, but I wasn’t in love with the relatively plain organza bertha. I…
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The Princess Coat: Charm Pattern Review
I’ve always wanted to feel glamorous in the winter. Being bundled up in 27 layers of fabric isn’t quite that. You see, I’m from the desert of California; we measure heat waves above 100 degrees, not 90 like most of the country. Winter is a time when I freeze. While I have gotten more acclimated to the weather over the past decade, I still have troubles staying warm. Coats are a necessity but, like most of ready-to-wear clothing, they don’t fit me correctly based on my somewhat wonky proportions. To put a name to those “problems,” I’ll elucidate from the neck down: Back to being fabulous in winter! I’ve wanted…
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Making of the Aurora Flower Dress: McCalls 8078
When you have scrap fabric lying around collecting dust and being generally in the way, you have to find a way to use it. In this case, I had bought this magenta polyester voile for my Pre-Raphaelite Zelda’s cape. I ended up ditching the cape idea as it didn’t look cohesive. I was left with 4 yards of 118″ sheer fabric. After having it around for awhile, inspiration struck. I’ve always loved the sheer overdresses of the 1930’s, with interesting sleeves, unique seaming, and just aesthetically delightful looking. I set my brain on a path to find the perfect design for the dress. Originally I came up with a knife…
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Sew Chic Valentine Slip Sewing Pattern Review
I’ll be honest–perhaps too much so–I adore lace. All things lace. I just feel pretty and feminine and graceful in lace. For reference, my wedding dress featured TWO lace fabrics that overlayed. I LOVE lace. In no surprise, I wanted to make a lace adorned slip for myself to wear under all these dresses I make. I hate store bought ones, they’re made of fabric that ladders, are stifling hot, and are just kinda ugly. But what if I made my own? Then I could put all the lace on it I want and make it out of a light sturdy fabric. Alas, there was no pattern that I could…
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Making a Renaissance Elsa: The Details
I had an idea for a Renaissance Faire Elsa that I could wear in high heat and still be comfortable. I did some research and with the knowledge of what people tend to wear to Renaissance Faires from my years of going, I came up with a style that I have not made or worn to Faire. Landing on this “milkmaid” design, I then gathered materials. Considering that it can be 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more with 100% humidity, I needed a fabric that would wick sweat, help stay cool, and aid in bug repelling. Linen is the only fabric that fits that bill. If you’re wondering, linen is a…
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Renaissance Elsa: Simplicity 1773 Pattern Review
When I decided to make a Renaissance Elsa, I knew I had to make her extravagantly simple. Which is no easy feat! Making sure this cosplay was balanced in color, cut, and styling was a great deal harder than I thought it would be. But check out my Making of Renaissance Elsa post for more information on that. This is the review of the pattern I used to create the look. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once I was done sewing it?White dress: It did indeed, the shape was consistent with the envelope examples.Blue overdress: Heck to the no. After 6 muslins, I finally got…
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The Gatsby Dress: McCall’s 6318 Review
Pattern Description:Women’s lined dresses: Close fitting, lined dresses have side seam pockets. Pattern Sizing:Standard big 4, only goes up to a 20 instead of a 22 though. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?The pattern is quite accurate to the drawing and envelope picture. The pleats and “wings” on the bodice are exactly as they look. Were the instructions easy to follow?The instructions are tricky. You’re working with inset corners, so it’s always a bit confusing. This pattern is not for beginners, it’s definitely for someone who has made a few dresses before that have more than just princess seams…
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Linen Safari Skirt Sans Dinosaurs
I made a vintage style safari skirt (think Rachel Weiss in The Mummy) using the 7 panel skirt portion of McCalls 7718. I shortened the pattern piece by 10 inches and by the end of the hang time, I ended up taking off/hemming up 14″ to get it all even. The hem is exactly 16′ (4.88m) which is awesome because I’m going to hand embroider 16 dinosaurs spaced 12″ apart. I thought I was going to do 14 and zhuzh it, but I can’t pass up the exactness of it. And yes, I will include some popular ones, but also some really obscure ones like the Amargasaurus! Can you tell…
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Pattern Review: Butterick 6094
Pattern Description:Pattern: Butterick B6094 (patterns by Gertie) – Sleeveless dress has close-fitting, lined bodice, wide waistband, bateau neckline, and fold-back contrast facings. A: Flared skirt (cut on crosswise grain of fabric) and petticoat. B: Straight skirt. I made view A. Pattern Description:Pattern: Butterick B6094 (patterns by Gertie) – Sleeveless dress has close-fitting, lined bodice, wide waistband, bateau neckline, and fold-back contrast facings. A: Flared skirt (cut on crosswise grain of fabric) and petticoat. B: Straight skirt. I made view A. Look how pretty that brocade it! It just shines perfectly and adds enough visual interest to keep the dress intriguing while still remaining simple. Were the instructions easy to follow?The…
