tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14045132300738188012024-03-05T22:33:38.465-05:00Cuz I Said SewCuz I Said Sew chronicles the adventures of a seamstress and her software engineer alter ego. Join them as they create spooky goth blouses, fun vintage-inspired dresses, and silly costumes.Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-13899395915257462382017-04-03T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-03T00:00:10.675-04:00Owl Be Seeing YouNote: I wrote this post in December and didn't get around to adding the picture until now. Sorry.<br />
<br />
I am a bad aunt. My niece was born in October in 2015 (shortly after I got back from Germany). I had purchased the fabric for her quilt several months before I left, but between making my dirndl and prepping for Halloween, there was no way I was going to get it done before she was born. I figured no big deal, it would be a gift for her first Christmas. Nope. Okay, first birthday. Nope. Second Christmas? Yes, if for no reason than guilt!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIXMJ8uhD0_myCKurzBJNz-aeXCFKrBHekOkJIX2rmZSUUHT0qLutT5KHGVApV-uh85IlNFrdhRi39qBcuIra4Qo8Yp3APh_gnhAqcEJAnXyFs2tWZZnjiKYB66ej6ftmmZ01ZWbzyZM/s1600/20161217_133331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIXMJ8uhD0_myCKurzBJNz-aeXCFKrBHekOkJIX2rmZSUUHT0qLutT5KHGVApV-uh85IlNFrdhRi39qBcuIra4Qo8Yp3APh_gnhAqcEJAnXyFs2tWZZnjiKYB66ej6ftmmZ01ZWbzyZM/s320/20161217_133331.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydia helps test out the quilt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Her mother (my sister-in-law) is obsessed with owls, and decorated the nursery in that theme, so that was the fabric I picked for the quilt. (Note: my brother, as is the whole family, is obsessed with Star Wars, and received several gifts on that theme at their baby shower. The number of people who said things like "you can't use Star Wars stuff with a girl!" is really, really disturbing.) Anyway, my choice was <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/happy-harvest">Riley Blake's Happy Harvest</a>, in <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/c4033-blue">blue</a>, <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/c4033-brown">brown</a>, and <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/c4035-green">green</a>. I used plain white muslin for accents.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiNFS2tdIC-F_WBrEQ8izLIb0APqX9xr0P2UxTGCkHnS5OUomdTf_TBryJscEqVnBT_PD05NDk-mNAavlu5PTH1B4ia4ggLbGpGf3QUNFpcvQ8UalZHKtKIFiKPXcZOXMaI5JiwdK7l8/s1600/20161217_172714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiNFS2tdIC-F_WBrEQ8izLIb0APqX9xr0P2UxTGCkHnS5OUomdTf_TBryJscEqVnBT_PD05NDk-mNAavlu5PTH1B4ia4ggLbGpGf3QUNFpcvQ8UalZHKtKIFiKPXcZOXMaI5JiwdK7l8/s320/20161217_172714.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
Once I finally got off my lazy butt and got around to putting this together, it came together pretty quickly. I generally do patchwork quilts with rectangular patterns, because I have a limited amount of patience; this is a variant of the nine patch. I tied, rather than quilted, this project. I think I accomplished this in two afternoons, spending the second one streaming Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency with The Boyfriend.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSZwBv9WgoeUu9PU9RA-AGQeDIpi1l7yksQVIROjtanSO9XN4w7aTsc957yeqXbGuWwKDm2bEgxbHyG_JMWY2JHLBQeNUM9jOGRIZxHNpQmP33Fl2ypRo3Zjx0fGzPybXERJ2lsdZD1I/s1600/20161217_172610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSZwBv9WgoeUu9PU9RA-AGQeDIpi1l7yksQVIROjtanSO9XN4w7aTsc957yeqXbGuWwKDm2bEgxbHyG_JMWY2JHLBQeNUM9jOGRIZxHNpQmP33Fl2ypRo3Zjx0fGzPybXERJ2lsdZD1I/s320/20161217_172610.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nXWsPbep1fx_vGXnIHnkrlEC09iw_K8ao6yt8pqn2AZzaVVezpvr7VvAJ-_qHZH0u9X6K_Gqbw9AOqe5uJA-4NjzV8dG0TJ3bKZjw23fKsUHloV3R0LHm3hL26whLmmvA5wuyPrLGXY/s1600/20161217_172730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nXWsPbep1fx_vGXnIHnkrlEC09iw_K8ao6yt8pqn2AZzaVVezpvr7VvAJ-_qHZH0u9X6K_Gqbw9AOqe5uJA-4NjzV8dG0TJ3bKZjw23fKsUHloV3R0LHm3hL26whLmmvA5wuyPrLGXY/s320/20161217_172730.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1355363700"></span><span id="goog_1355363701"></span><br />Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-37202522038102855962017-03-27T00:00:00.000-04:002017-03-27T00:00:22.452-04:00Ask Me about My Radical Feminist AgendaMarch is Women's History Month and March 8th is International Women's Day; in the US, a women's strike was held on that day (for those that could). As someone with a radical feminist agenda (the notion the sexes/genders should treated equally), I participated in the strike and decided to spend my day sewing. I picked up <a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/3161369-feminist-killjoy-alien-green-black-by-haikumoon">this fabric</a> from Spoonflower, and its <a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/3161220-feminist-killjoy-pink-blue-by-haikumoon?iref=clk-xs-fab-by">coordinate</a> in pink. The pattern is New Look 6886, which was the <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2012/04/coffee-dress.html">coffee dress</a>, but this time I did views B (gathered bodice with thin straps) and E (bolero).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHPM240iJ-bN2NmRYzLB0tOKfo_M0iAi0AatSNeqDj5ZOol0nSKTuBULOi9OY30tOIq77oLdo3J_X6XQOugvoNQGd7rw9vRLV7UrqICKL3wTuF4UxK0K3F4ndBjEjAlDAIwd5RlF5tMw/s1600/20170308_095504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHPM240iJ-bN2NmRYzLB0tOKfo_M0iAi0AatSNeqDj5ZOol0nSKTuBULOi9OY30tOIq77oLdo3J_X6XQOugvoNQGd7rw9vRLV7UrqICKL3wTuF4UxK0K3F4ndBjEjAlDAIwd5RlF5tMw/s320/20170308_095504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I did the straps, sash, and bolero in the pink coordinate and the majority of the dress in black (big surprise, I know). For the bolero, I skipped the sleeves and the ruffle, because I didn't have enough fabric for the sleeves and I didn't think the ruffle worked without the sleeves. I'll come back at some later point and try the bolero the right way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEPfxQHZbBW8we0P1BxGxgAwNtI2_nbShteNmaWaUsXE0ubnJwgsMB_3tQKbEdA9Ivfkx7vOHQTieo0qhSSjgzxFGMuAtovJZMuxQ_kmMw3L0cCNyHZMhLp3GbCXOokCvIM6gOWyC_1Y/s1600/20170314_174052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEPfxQHZbBW8we0P1BxGxgAwNtI2_nbShteNmaWaUsXE0ubnJwgsMB_3tQKbEdA9Ivfkx7vOHQTieo0qhSSjgzxFGMuAtovJZMuxQ_kmMw3L0cCNyHZMhLp3GbCXOokCvIM6gOWyC_1Y/s320/20170314_174052.jpg" width="123" /></a></div>
<br />Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-47227776993734527392017-01-19T00:00:00.000-05:002017-01-19T00:00:00.706-05:00Happy Birthday, Edgar Allan PoeI'm a total cliche. I admit it. Which is why The Boyfriend and I hosted a Poe party last weekend for Poe's birthday (which is actually today). And you know what me hosting a theme party means: ridiculous costumes!<br />
<br />
I see you there, way in the back. Mumbling that I have an <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2012/10/poe-pourri.html">Edgar Allan Poe costume</a> already. Most people didn't know who I was when I wore that costume, and you know me, any excuse to sew. My first plan was to be Virginia Clemm (Poe's wife). Aside from the ickiness of her being his cousin and only 13 when they married (whether or not they had a traditional marriage is debated; there is some argument that they were more like siblings than a married couple), she died during the Victorian era and I knew I wasn't going to have time to make a full-on Victorian costume. The Georgian era, which proceeded it, had empire waistlines and simpler dresses. So I decided to be Lenore, as the poem only states she's "lost" and not when. She could have been dead for twenty years, right?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVijf2EtDwYE4_Bmo1w6CWhYtQnoi0RSw0Kfrl1MC5isR8V4Zb2FpMUD3UPzQUx9qQseEFk2MhAgxIvZ9eQ2EHHic0kv91MQuZd6AmhjMSRPP9cuvCjLMtbvbo6O4m91v4XDl8tBULGsU/s1600/20170118_183320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVijf2EtDwYE4_Bmo1w6CWhYtQnoi0RSw0Kfrl1MC5isR8V4Zb2FpMUD3UPzQUx9qQseEFk2MhAgxIvZ9eQ2EHHic0kv91MQuZd6AmhjMSRPP9cuvCjLMtbvbo6O4m91v4XDl8tBULGsU/s320/20170118_183320.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
<br />
Yeah, I know no one would care about such things except me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpc1fddNZwmNyml2O2YNKi-VMQ-NBhrfaS3vj_GcpJqvAQPPec3Am14yBwQC9EwptVwhbG24ODEU4vwhl5PaH3BLSP113VpchTDxmfOIOI1upiFmkwbLIoC9YedJx-ZQKf3ki5ntOm00g/s1600/20170118_183415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpc1fddNZwmNyml2O2YNKi-VMQ-NBhrfaS3vj_GcpJqvAQPPec3Am14yBwQC9EwptVwhbG24ODEU4vwhl5PaH3BLSP113VpchTDxmfOIOI1upiFmkwbLIoC9YedJx-ZQKf3ki5ntOm00g/s320/20170118_183415.jpg" width="144" /></a></div>
<br />
I went through the pattern stash to find something appropriate to the era. <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/burda-style-pattern-2493-josephine/X02493BURDA.html">Burda 2493</a> fit the bill. I went with this <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0408412/european-100-laundered-linen-purple">purple linen</a> so it would drape nicely and I could actually wear it in the summer. I'm kind of disappointed in the color, which looked deeper and richer online. If I knew it was going to looked so washed out (which is appropriate for a corpse, I suppose), I think I would have gone with grey instead.<br />
<br />
This dress is pretty simple and came together in an afternoon. Since linen likes to cease being linen, I had to finish every seam. I had planned to replace the elastic casing on the neckline with ribbon to make the dress less plain; it ended up being necessary because I had exactly the amount of elastic needed for the underbust and sleeves. Surprisingly, I did not have spider ribbon in the stash, though I did have spider webs, but it was white. Straight-up black it is.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDvydkIiPFYZYYq0cMtyk5xpWPEwkx0OMgJAlqJjI3VM0Qr0Adlea5SQbXN946FxfTZJdxC6LA4IUX-3P055V1OD34Ba3ufFKjY12OXq4Uz4MWDAoEfj1zmniQNvTziLdXKLHDhD_WKU/s1600/20170118_183339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDvydkIiPFYZYYq0cMtyk5xpWPEwkx0OMgJAlqJjI3VM0Qr0Adlea5SQbXN946FxfTZJdxC6LA4IUX-3P055V1OD34Ba3ufFKjY12OXq4Uz4MWDAoEfj1zmniQNvTziLdXKLHDhD_WKU/s320/20170118_183339.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Since the dress looked so plain, I hemmed it with purple and black spider lace. I didn't have time to do the sleeves before the party. I also grabbed these cute spider buttons from my stash to sew them on. I think these aren't enough, so I ordered more and I will add them at later date.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0ei0trauEqgGAXmjln2uUv2MDtIaq4dfUWC_b9_WI33Gn_AaJbGu91yc_F8AN9sPpN72aMBw0rQhODmnMF3Glf9l9TFP_eLlCyJod-I2GkglnGr2kQyuZsq4AYNyYRPTCQxLMMaOAJA/s1600/20170118_183349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0ei0trauEqgGAXmjln2uUv2MDtIaq4dfUWC_b9_WI33Gn_AaJbGu91yc_F8AN9sPpN72aMBw0rQhODmnMF3Glf9l9TFP_eLlCyJod-I2GkglnGr2kQyuZsq4AYNyYRPTCQxLMMaOAJA/s320/20170118_183349.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The bird here is the raven from my Poe costume a few years ago.<br />
<br />
The Boyfriend chose to be Montresor; I purchased a ridiculous Mardi Gras hat and he carried around a cake server (which he has now started to call a "cake trowel").Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-78812605802933702312016-12-31T00:00:00.000-05:002016-12-31T00:00:06.660-05:00Wednesday's Child Is Full of WoeCobwebs of Shadow Manor celebrated her birthday last month, and I wanted to make her something cute and fun. If you recall, she runs the Secret Pumpkin exchange every year, and a couple of years ago, I made an <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2015/05/secret-pumpkin-2015.html">Edgar Allan Poe doll</a>. Inspired by this, I decided to make her a Wednesday Addams doll.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmuV59fqSnDOOccBS_UMT82UCkQbzk3mgmqJJUe9XHsmci_iXIxlNrL8xu4QVLGjOJRJt2uLi9-DxWMLzPk6zFdmM3XkzzCZsoMSazxRF-smp2kbtTDblVxm0GCgil5At-WsE-T49gWc/s1600/20161126_083636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmuV59fqSnDOOccBS_UMT82UCkQbzk3mgmqJJUe9XHsmci_iXIxlNrL8xu4QVLGjOJRJt2uLi9-DxWMLzPk6zFdmM3XkzzCZsoMSazxRF-smp2kbtTDblVxm0GCgil5At-WsE-T49gWc/s320/20161126_083636.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wOx05nLZVbNQQ5svLMFO-LJcVC2ynlvh3481GFI4tHxe9N_nqUwk_c-QQApaPWhC5zIyaSKsJKJABt3ByXJ0qvW5aglr66jMlx5dQHUnorFhN9sis7YriD9vPgb_x8W1tMQvfwOjzh8/s1600/20161126_083717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wOx05nLZVbNQQ5svLMFO-LJcVC2ynlvh3481GFI4tHxe9N_nqUwk_c-QQApaPWhC5zIyaSKsJKJABt3ByXJ0qvW5aglr66jMlx5dQHUnorFhN9sis7YriD9vPgb_x8W1tMQvfwOjzh8/s320/20161126_083717.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<br />
Her dress was modified from the Raggedy Ann dress pattern, though I made it longer and didn't do the gathering. The dress, shoes, and scalp are made out of black polar fleece. The doll itself and the collar of her dress are muslin. Her eyes are blue buttons from my ex-husband's grandmother's vintage button collection; I had a bug up my ass that Wednesday should have grey eyes, and despite finding five or six different sorts of grey buttons in her stash, I only found ONE of each sort, so blue it was. The buttons up the front of her dress are from the same collection.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae66km1gANAguxqwDAC3ie4DSzONz1gK0-JI3Cpop5lOqH35DaWA3YqfTl98ZziNNrTYYvafxP_qdH6dukGO_dY-hsNpW9n8ruhDpg-BPGyR8ck70kWyDZ3fhuj4c1QjX5OOXmlRKPqk/s1600/20161126_083650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae66km1gANAguxqwDAC3ie4DSzONz1gK0-JI3Cpop5lOqH35DaWA3YqfTl98ZziNNrTYYvafxP_qdH6dukGO_dY-hsNpW9n8ruhDpg-BPGyR8ck70kWyDZ3fhuj4c1QjX5OOXmlRKPqk/s320/20161126_083650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Her hair is made of black yarn. I'm not super happy with how it turned out; it ended up being as tangled and crazy as my own hair.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCvUFZj10Vyrs5x8JWS2IYRxmoZM8uR4i6tPI7CG9-VErRqAfhE9Jm7BSwwdj5sm2vFl-fuk10hcx9Jk1iLNKbg3d0W7PnpdWtYyyXtpc9RbxvRTY_g7Pk_tNl8sCDVDgwdf4gLfDxZM/s1600/20161126_083711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCvUFZj10Vyrs5x8JWS2IYRxmoZM8uR4i6tPI7CG9-VErRqAfhE9Jm7BSwwdj5sm2vFl-fuk10hcx9Jk1iLNKbg3d0W7PnpdWtYyyXtpc9RbxvRTY_g7Pk_tNl8sCDVDgwdf4gLfDxZM/s320/20161126_083711.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy belated birthday, Cobwebs!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-64075161863670872752016-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:002016-12-16T00:00:33.420-05:00Return of the Red DressSo remember last Valentine's Day, when I <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2016/03/i-have-completely-lost-my-mind.html">completely lost my mind</a> and decided I needed a strapless red satin evening gown? Which was a total disaster and nearly ended up in the trash? In another bout of completely losing my mind, I decided I was going to make the damn dress work for me, lumpy and flat-chested as I am.<br />
<br />
First thing I did was kick up my exercise routine. I was already running over 30 miles a week, but I kicked it up to 40+ and started lifting weights again. On days I didn't run, I rode the stationary bike or did a combination of yoga and bellydance. I didn't eat all that many sweets, but I cut them out entirely. Unrefined carbs are a rarity for me as well, but I cut those way down too. I even stopped drinking orange juice in the morning, replacing it with V8.<br />
<br />
Guess how much weight I lost. Go on, guess.<br />
<br />
NONE.<br />
<br />
I LOST NO WEIGHT.<br />
<br />
No, I didn't lost fat and put on muscle. No, I didn't end up being more toned; I was as lumpy as ever. Yes, I did feel better exercising every day, and I would keep doing it even though I didn't lost weight, but it wasn't conducive to the red dress looking good.<br />
<br />
I was despairing over getting to wear the thing to my company's holiday party (which was last week), when I came down with a nasty GI bug that left me eating nothing but bananas and rice cakes for a week. Not how I wanted to get trim, but I'll take it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bTRKoLwCVRAD4TSigKymSgBluGbtwlxZh2QbY2RJtKTUtg-XbVqi6MXBNJ138AflBAb3QJ78A5mo3KTTnYeNR5f2gSd5tHBNx9-Q6KgoG39jvKSls3_lmFXy_53pWVupwVspqSqtZQo/s1600/15370199_10154906482958846_4994200698880858310_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bTRKoLwCVRAD4TSigKymSgBluGbtwlxZh2QbY2RJtKTUtg-XbVqi6MXBNJ138AflBAb3QJ78A5mo3KTTnYeNR5f2gSd5tHBNx9-Q6KgoG39jvKSls3_lmFXy_53pWVupwVspqSqtZQo/s320/15370199_10154906482958846_4994200698880858310_o.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<br />
The gloves are from Target, purchased from the costume section many years ago (featured in the <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2012/04/coffee-dress-full-outfit.html">coffee dress outfit</a>), the shawl is from <a href="http://www.charmingcharlie.com/charlie-solid-pashmina-scarf.html#color=light-red">Charming Charlie</a>, and the bag came from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GZKWKFQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Amazon</a>. The shoes, which you can't see here, are from <a href="http://burlesqueclothinguk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/5002.jpg">Leg Avenue</a>. I wore sparkly white jewelry, right down to my nose ring. Crappy lighting, but my hair is orange here, and I wore it up in a sock bun. I wanted to do something more elaborate, but I didn't have enough time and/or skill.<br />
<br />
It seems like the dress was a hit! But I think I will probably stay away from sewing strapless dresses in the future. Unless I lose my mind again.Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-64288915649762013092016-10-31T00:00:00.000-04:002016-10-31T00:00:16.058-04:00Happy Halloween from Cuz I Said Sew!Guys. I totally half-assed Halloween this year. Everything from my party to the decorations to the costumes. Especially the costumes. Behold my tale of woe.<br />
<br />
It starts back in 2014, the year of <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2014/11/halloween-2014-pictures.html">Wonder Woman and the pirate</a>. We were laying in bed, playing with our phones, when I came across <a href="https://www.fastcodesign.com/3021327/asides/the-addams-familys-living-room-was-pink">color pictures</a> from the Addams Family TV show from the 60s. I made the comment to The Boyfriend that I had always thought Gomez and Morticia would be an excellent couples costume, but let's face it, Morticia is only a slight exaggeration of how I typically dress. Then the fateful words came from his mouth: "Well then, next year, <i>I</i> will be Morticia and <i>you</i> can be Gomez!" And so our fate was sealed.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkLdBw68Z-jrOd_Hz0ThIqzMfAvwLP6DEZxTG2BAoYJDHb757_5BbAwda1Y7Umpez4LC6Z9aXCf3TQ9eK3u7M3NbKYTryP8KhFusWianiOrnEfjXb_o0FU9zu5zAC5lBVN8r5C9TUboQ/s1600/14753427_10154744985128846_3503685498524349251_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkLdBw68Z-jrOd_Hz0ThIqzMfAvwLP6DEZxTG2BAoYJDHb757_5BbAwda1Y7Umpez4LC6Z9aXCf3TQ9eK3u7M3NbKYTryP8KhFusWianiOrnEfjXb_o0FU9zu5zAC5lBVN8r5C9TUboQ/s320/14753427_10154744985128846_3503685498524349251_o.jpg" width="219" /></a>Except that last year, we were not Gomez and Morticia. Despite our best intentions, the trip to Germany took up so much time and energy that we wore our <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2015/10/dirndl-mit-fledermause.html">trachten</a> (his purchased from a department store in Stuttgart). We also wore those costumes to a 17th century market last spring and we have a Christmas market event his December, so we are definitely getting our mileage out of them.<br />
<br />
<br />
Then we moved in May. Honestly, the sewing room was the second room in the house to be mostly functional, with the first being the kitchen. And, really, I promise, I was sewing, but it wasn't for me, so I didn't really bother to take pictures for the blog. I made two cloaks for a friend of a friend of The Boyfriend, and did some upholstery projects for his boat. I also seem to became the Baby Pumpkin Hat Crochet Factory. I also threw a pretty big (and secret) baby shower for a friend of mine and his wife.<br />
<br />
I will apologize for these terrible pictures taken at our party. They were taken in dim light by an inebriated person.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxDk7IVgIMBQ6coFqcKs8j35Nxe1Q4iFxPskDluyXfJjsCafPp1LvQ69E6yza2S1t_bzZdeXyeSU_ENMOXG-xvyyP6RB3yEHw3fEnHwNVpYYLe4EizA7LbJlvfE73vj6kp_MFMqDGtQQ/s1600/14711559_10154744984953846_666699466737162176_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxDk7IVgIMBQ6coFqcKs8j35Nxe1Q4iFxPskDluyXfJjsCafPp1LvQ69E6yza2S1t_bzZdeXyeSU_ENMOXG-xvyyP6RB3yEHw3fEnHwNVpYYLe4EizA7LbJlvfE73vj6kp_MFMqDGtQQ/s320/14711559_10154744984953846_666699466737162176_o.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvY0jnELQMv7sfXTnQT5av402ykmgcIL4SnQB0YaeNzGUTQ-Zh1yv1L_1plFs3AAn1X9v4_t86qigUHvfkSU2EjaqcRzZK4sXBmSImGK7HoKCDeTT-YVcWap_M6rZZ37tm56XD82okdM/s1600/14692188_10154744984778846_584788867784208004_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvY0jnELQMv7sfXTnQT5av402ykmgcIL4SnQB0YaeNzGUTQ-Zh1yv1L_1plFs3AAn1X9v4_t86qigUHvfkSU2EjaqcRzZK4sXBmSImGK7HoKCDeTT-YVcWap_M6rZZ37tm56XD82okdM/s320/14692188_10154744984778846_584788867784208004_o.jpg" width="233" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWp5-HH5luwfPrinAlFPoMo2u-vL79UjT6xtsWl4BLkQsirQGaj3nZpKZZX7Y1KBovaEBnit3MQ_1A24VgbS2XoJwpasA6sXd3MwIEni4wcAqZopfS4iic0rkLuNqPjdWCtuOE-YZCMzA/s1600/20161030_120221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWp5-HH5luwfPrinAlFPoMo2u-vL79UjT6xtsWl4BLkQsirQGaj3nZpKZZX7Y1KBovaEBnit3MQ_1A24VgbS2XoJwpasA6sXd3MwIEni4wcAqZopfS4iic0rkLuNqPjdWCtuOE-YZCMzA/s320/20161030_120221.jpg" width="180" /></a>So I was left with very little time to do our costumes. I'm ashamed to say, the only thing I did for mine was make the smoking jacket. And that started its life as a $8 velvet robe on clearance at Target. I bought it on a whim, years ago, intending all along to turn it into a smoking jacket, because I am sure it shocks everyone that I would want to own a velvet smoking jacket. So all I really did here was chop off most of the skirt of the robe. I intended to do some trim it in burgundy or purple, if I had the time. Which of course, I did not. <br />
<br />
Everything else was in my closet or The Boyfriend's. I had a black tuxedo shirt in the pictures above and the pinstripe suit. I wore heeled saddle shoes that I purchased several years ago. For a mustache, I originally used a stick-on one, but after I sweated that off in five minutes, I drew one on with eyeliner.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIjNS5cDpYiSvQkvijdlRvkpeoeaDHEYTZ2MDT3Vp1C46hxEVHytlNjCTmsEO6pRCRd6sGFsB7rTPU9hDcR5qvxAz618Sl4JZsKNtRKEsftsoxZT1D0xzLOuSjiJfUEQkF5Hmqexrj10/s1600/20161030_120447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIjNS5cDpYiSvQkvijdlRvkpeoeaDHEYTZ2MDT3Vp1C46hxEVHytlNjCTmsEO6pRCRd6sGFsB7rTPU9hDcR5qvxAz618Sl4JZsKNtRKEsftsoxZT1D0xzLOuSjiJfUEQkF5Hmqexrj10/s320/20161030_120447.jpg" width="180" /></a>I ended up drafting the pattern for his dress from a long-sleeved t-shirt of his and a pair of <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2016/01/jareth-iii-jarthening-featuring-toby.html">pajama pants</a> (to get the length and general shape). My intention had been to make it out of cotton jersey, but he wanted velvet. I was also going to make it as a two-piece, to make it more comfortable for him, but he said he wanted his dress to resemble Carolyn Jones' as much as possible, so we went with the classic Morticia style.<br />
<br />
The tentacles on the bottom were just free-hand cuts and I zig-zagged over the edges to keep them from ravelling. The organza drapes on the sleeves were also free-handed but I left them unfinished because I wanted them to look a bit distressed. It ended up fitting him well, but he complained about the lack of pockets all night, and kept saying "how do you dress like this every day?"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifs-Wrkj6j0Ot6_5lpJHT3dUhapCX72xYc_5x47on4aw9WCXfr-tkV1v-qvrcdYg_V_m0z5YpgbhIaCg9aofRpWKOiPkHuwpbB5T53wWm7ZbQOlwx1K-eb85w5PDu-TFSyGbjmt4xMy_M/s1600/20161030_120603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifs-Wrkj6j0Ot6_5lpJHT3dUhapCX72xYc_5x47on4aw9WCXfr-tkV1v-qvrcdYg_V_m0z5YpgbhIaCg9aofRpWKOiPkHuwpbB5T53wWm7ZbQOlwx1K-eb85w5PDu-TFSyGbjmt4xMy_M/s320/20161030_120603.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjJzFm7eLBJUbRdgRSQ6Zok46atDvmyv80raNBD1uMkDlHwpnq_k8hEB3yi9HpxnSgqQbY-crUTvV476k-DWI7Dnwialkf7xgHz6vXxv93ID5lJ8CZqp3bzZxuVbfixyZ-L93Ccdcfz0/s1600/20161030_120540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjJzFm7eLBJUbRdgRSQ6Zok46atDvmyv80raNBD1uMkDlHwpnq_k8hEB3yi9HpxnSgqQbY-crUTvV476k-DWI7Dnwialkf7xgHz6vXxv93ID5lJ8CZqp3bzZxuVbfixyZ-L93Ccdcfz0/s320/20161030_120540.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I ended up buying a garish ring and a <a href="http://www.partycity.com/product/20s+cigar+7in.do?from=Search&navSet=cigar&bypass_redirect=1">fake cigar</a>. His necklace is one of mine. We ended up attending another party after ours and I wore a white button-up shirt and one of ties instead of the black shirt shown here (see below).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Bc_J9KXzkn2gQQKE4uvoVoj5y7TE1LzobzgZ8cL_cO6i1790JPH2kNdV1U_5gGhL9-hHkyHGpwjRhVue_w4Kg07DZUIGLvcZFmPwnK25NwYTq1wvoIa18696AVl3rE9mPoYApW_Z3e4/s1600/14902931_10154762889058846_8105066192129930584_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Bc_J9KXzkn2gQQKE4uvoVoj5y7TE1LzobzgZ8cL_cO6i1790JPH2kNdV1U_5gGhL9-hHkyHGpwjRhVue_w4Kg07DZUIGLvcZFmPwnK25NwYTq1wvoIa18696AVl3rE9mPoYApW_Z3e4/s320/14902931_10154762889058846_8105066192129930584_o.jpg" width="124" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNluOojpgEoXXD-9mZVdhcpCvsq6Zx8HHBL_nIJUSJicQfDRyhi4_ltSq_QikJXtmhLiO90sbUQezB6R3hk1lryG4xEJIHJsbG75I5LUbOGf8wpZqCD74x3vv707FTBlKnl1KBvRuX0w/s1600/14853274_10154759184228846_2649219231646395760_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNluOojpgEoXXD-9mZVdhcpCvsq6Zx8HHBL_nIJUSJicQfDRyhi4_ltSq_QikJXtmhLiO90sbUQezB6R3hk1lryG4xEJIHJsbG75I5LUbOGf8wpZqCD74x3vv707FTBlKnl1KBvRuX0w/s320/14853274_10154759184228846_2649219231646395760_o.jpg" width="169" /></a>Gomez doesn't work as well without Morticia, so I wore a different costume to our work party: the Tenth Doctor from Doctor Who. I bought the 3D glasses and Converse, but otherwise had the rest. Believe it or not, this is a different suit. The Gomez suit was double-breasted and this is single. The shirt and tie here are the ones I wore for our second party as Gomez and Morticia. I had the sonic screwdriver because I am a ridiculous fangirl and the psychic paper is just an old checkbook that I stuffed with some printer paper.<br />
<br />
And for last party that we are attending tonight, I think I might resurrect my pirate costume.Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-69695751325507930472016-07-13T00:00:00.000-04:002016-07-13T00:00:30.633-04:00Along Came a SpiderI'm slowly putting my sewing room back together, but I thought I'd share a dress I made two summers ago that I forgot to blog about.<br />
<br />
The pattern is <a href="https://butterick.mccall.com/b5642">Butterick 5642</a>, view C. This is a super long dress; I could have not lengthened it at all and been fine, but I added three inches because I had enough fabric. It's now long enough that I have to wear heels with it or it will drag on the ground. The fabric is Marvel Ultimate Spider-man Spidey's Web Black (isn't that a mouthful).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thefabricsociety.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/3/13080106_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thefabricsociety.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/3/13080106_b.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I found the instructions for putting the dress together to be weird, so I didn't really follow them. I also skipped a lot of steps, like enclosing things in a bias casing. It was still pretty easy. I had the pieces cut out and the major parts pins already, but I recall I managed to get it all sewn together while watching a Troughton-era Doctor Who series. If I made this again, I might do a contrasting insert in the bodice, instead of using the same fabric like I did here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpY2jMTz9R6ZsFHxrF03TIgUGG-YY54vJRsiY2QLSL2y11rIWiIOdOv1Z_OORafz5DQV072ZHn5DB3jucYr-d5lfkE7THytgeRlFvHaiT0zIYDPZuMi0bLhomKMeQPnx_8ArargpigAw/s1600/20160709_160109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpY2jMTz9R6ZsFHxrF03TIgUGG-YY54vJRsiY2QLSL2y11rIWiIOdOv1Z_OORafz5DQV072ZHn5DB3jucYr-d5lfkE7THytgeRlFvHaiT0zIYDPZuMi0bLhomKMeQPnx_8ArargpigAw/s320/20160709_160109.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
These pictures were taken at The Boyfriend's marina. Minutes afterwards, the sky opened and we got completely soaked. Phones, etc, were thankfully not damaged, though I did spend several shivery hours with my dress draped over a fan, waiting for it to dry out.<br />
<br />
I get a lot of compliments on this dress, probably more than most of my other clothing. I guess Spider-Man is more appealing to the average person (or at least my co-workers) than Halloween? Twerps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPuPAtZ3qzgCmZhCUFz4la_Jo8bGn8BeufJWvWdmMD_K1VU_fdTtOFZAQI2mYoOFK80qteece9KzEPKu_Al5nD9q9iLFTvN2iH6HENkgiSwGlmKJ4VFnNGb122lF5fyt47IXp66wPujk/s1600/20160709_160114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPuPAtZ3qzgCmZhCUFz4la_Jo8bGn8BeufJWvWdmMD_K1VU_fdTtOFZAQI2mYoOFK80qteece9KzEPKu_Al5nD9q9iLFTvN2iH6HENkgiSwGlmKJ4VFnNGb122lF5fyt47IXp66wPujk/s320/20160709_160114.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-71077162676004665392016-05-21T16:12:00.001-04:002016-05-21T16:12:53.411-04:00Movin' on UpThe Boyfriend and I just moved into a new place earlier this week. Most of my sewing stuff is still at my old house, and the new place is chaos, so it's going to be a while before we're settled in. Looking forward to setting up the new sewing room!Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-69726947120588797672016-04-29T00:00:00.000-04:002016-04-29T00:00:23.343-04:00Dino-mite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhLcdngfIRcBR9WLOptZ08sfR2Cuwb6lsUn_2y4tcS8K7k7wbSmkLV16rlZbxc0Euok6oF324glXqBd2nby4VB-qSYb5g-EPSl-1wJkJMQQcotShcxSzBKGxL7lobpjfVl0UGN9T54H8/s1600/13051500_10154208113658846_6515143883497360934_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhLcdngfIRcBR9WLOptZ08sfR2Cuwb6lsUn_2y4tcS8K7k7wbSmkLV16rlZbxc0Euok6oF324glXqBd2nby4VB-qSYb5g-EPSl-1wJkJMQQcotShcxSzBKGxL7lobpjfVl0UGN9T54H8/s320/13051500_10154208113658846_6515143883497360934_n.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I turn *gulp* 35. Last Sunday, I had a dinosaur-themed birthday party. Me being me, I had to make a dress. Me being me, I ended up with only three nights to do it.<br />
<br />
<br />
The pattern is <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/17564">New Look 6776</a>, which was also the <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2012/06/green-with-envy.html">Green with Envy</a> dress (also, wow, my hair is shoulder-length in that post, but now it's down to my butt). I picked this mostly because I had done the pattern before and knew any weirdness I would face, which is crucial when I was so pressed for time. The fabric is <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/el-179/urban-zoologie-dinosaurs-bright">Urban Zoologie Dinosaurs Bright</a>. Not my first choice, but the one I had originally picked was out of stock by the time it came to be cut.<br />
<br />
While I changed the construction of the bodice (as it would have had exposed seams on the inside of the bodice) and shortened the straps, there is nothing else I changed here. There are some pleats in the skirt, but nothing too terrible. I did space out when putting in the zipper and did it backwards, but managed to figure that out after I'd sewn it to the lining but before I'd sewn the rest of it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPs8xX9YRzKmwMuYmpzTrfIM3d2Fs5J0BTfpMZb32nwtf2vPqfhXTsRkA5HfviRtWZ3vjK6K0-Pakek8rPji61QZbJ8r0mrJ6gH7tHQWTtbrA3b4MawfcebOukaE_5DJATbgkOACSsoDg/s1600/13055364_10154208113778846_4440170839202382429_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPs8xX9YRzKmwMuYmpzTrfIM3d2Fs5J0BTfpMZb32nwtf2vPqfhXTsRkA5HfviRtWZ3vjK6K0-Pakek8rPji61QZbJ8r0mrJ6gH7tHQWTtbrA3b4MawfcebOukaE_5DJATbgkOACSsoDg/s320/13055364_10154208113778846_4440170839202382429_n.jpg" width="167" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcK6pY1gm8ytsWx867qC5y8E1jCn7QEi9ys14ObWvIA3RDVTE4d5aKdHFrYQuyQV7TC6XStHZF72zcKEVfT5NiouXazVhpVWu7G5WSW1uf6rBhXS4c3hDGsEyTXAsoO5zwwKlwfx7ss7o/s1600/13007223_10154208113718846_7681310497441230880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcK6pY1gm8ytsWx867qC5y8E1jCn7QEi9ys14ObWvIA3RDVTE4d5aKdHFrYQuyQV7TC6XStHZF72zcKEVfT5NiouXazVhpVWu7G5WSW1uf6rBhXS4c3hDGsEyTXAsoO5zwwKlwfx7ss7o/s320/13007223_10154208113718846_7681310497441230880_n.jpg" width="118" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKWoumegjx9FMR6USJdv1O_wdROtvgHRmDO20zl6iMxJB3i_lMmIBkNj7WR47jj1s1lPmg0Usw7jUoTHdFa6UVqf6yd8dRSzsRAjvr2804PGTuLM8s90CrsQAQ0ijxjge23gmKFiK9DQ/s1600/12994354_10208129858476385_1788038772080378247_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKWoumegjx9FMR6USJdv1O_wdROtvgHRmDO20zl6iMxJB3i_lMmIBkNj7WR47jj1s1lPmg0Usw7jUoTHdFa6UVqf6yd8dRSzsRAjvr2804PGTuLM8s90CrsQAQ0ijxjge23gmKFiK9DQ/s320/12994354_10208129858476385_1788038772080378247_n.jpg" width="202" /></a>The highlight of the party was the ostrich egg, which The Boyfriend deviled. It was HUGE. Even after a few days, we didn't finish it and I ended up taking half of it to work. Some of my guests and co-workers were in complete disbelief that it was even a real egg. After boiling it for two hours, we ended up opening the shell with a Dremel so we could keep it. I think we might stick it back together and paint it with green dots, like a Yoshi Egg.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_2c9_6TWI6Us7Bh_vlCmCnDX5Q9VionyknSHYVcfCZyCKgUWMo6gKe7dgMlJxflUnV5tYkp5CsH7UcUEWOpWl7SRFbKTj3-JZtTwOyg1Q8bK3mzk2qhAzC_XSzbEpUPpahw0qaMXr-w/s1600/13043747_10208190666196540_1197159153287814159_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_2c9_6TWI6Us7Bh_vlCmCnDX5Q9VionyknSHYVcfCZyCKgUWMo6gKe7dgMlJxflUnV5tYkp5CsH7UcUEWOpWl7SRFbKTj3-JZtTwOyg1Q8bK3mzk2qhAzC_XSzbEpUPpahw0qaMXr-w/s320/13043747_10208190666196540_1197159153287814159_n.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIlNMluZcIT0glgxZ7tQw-RAZfNU4YHGEW8RXqoNwdTz5jHl7-UYH3cyrH56F2N3-lU1EYQXU0FvEXqhxcIU5GN2v0Ui8_8Z0fOpD62041q7UOrHlMCSY8umNhg1b0h5dhuSEvbEJG68/s1600/13076771_10154214218773846_6481943271984368111_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIlNMluZcIT0glgxZ7tQw-RAZfNU4YHGEW8RXqoNwdTz5jHl7-UYH3cyrH56F2N3-lU1EYQXU0FvEXqhxcIU5GN2v0Ui8_8Z0fOpD62041q7UOrHlMCSY8umNhg1b0h5dhuSEvbEJG68/s320/13076771_10154214218773846_6481943271984368111_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="176" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEcFy6POTZhyLGn3r-aKPp3Yjh3xxrsM_4GtoQ0swByBunbWs-LWBGqCNBiX42KRWIeG92YO405ViWEhx4XBMVWDzWN-DEGAOaxxgLFEB2YR_Jh-YUL6g_wMT5SUvi6LzmH2kWnXeiZE/s1600/13094419_10154214262888846_4018165912907603781_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEcFy6POTZhyLGn3r-aKPp3Yjh3xxrsM_4GtoQ0swByBunbWs-LWBGqCNBiX42KRWIeG92YO405ViWEhx4XBMVWDzWN-DEGAOaxxgLFEB2YR_Jh-YUL6g_wMT5SUvi6LzmH2kWnXeiZE/s320/13094419_10154214262888846_4018165912907603781_n.jpg" width="176" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkN_4KIiWyhm-ySfAE4Ygx1vuR2RnDs2Eg1KqPjAXcHF0HltRkxNqxNSUmNmgASfsQFUzS5x2QE2WCgKIESQqxBQhq4lrnpB-JeHaCyBu6hkYTg6NdkuTUWsPCJE9xLE_7GH52EHPZKw/s1600/1934554_10154121488873846_9120929206462085645_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkN_4KIiWyhm-ySfAE4Ygx1vuR2RnDs2Eg1KqPjAXcHF0HltRkxNqxNSUmNmgASfsQFUzS5x2QE2WCgKIESQqxBQhq4lrnpB-JeHaCyBu6hkYTg6NdkuTUWsPCJE9xLE_7GH52EHPZKw/s320/1934554_10154121488873846_9120929206462085645_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIxQELgbQ1XMgoq9itF9pOhffPIKK5ALxbxMFrf_o3CsjDZcuVQx3itEIyD9NRwrveM0OxFNBF1WjqqRDEXfO_GDV8Vff-kUW6ZJsfzJMoJmDmmApaGFeGNrACH87gFFEmvIMaJPsFOg/s1600/13083102_10154214128933846_8943487168844727035_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIxQELgbQ1XMgoq9itF9pOhffPIKK5ALxbxMFrf_o3CsjDZcuVQx3itEIyD9NRwrveM0OxFNBF1WjqqRDEXfO_GDV8Vff-kUW6ZJsfzJMoJmDmmApaGFeGNrACH87gFFEmvIMaJPsFOg/s320/13083102_10154214128933846_8943487168844727035_n.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummus!<br />I also took green tortillas and used dino cookie cutters to<br />make chips.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO74F_EcpcRtS3FoPncMyYr6Pyt2kzoCLzW22kaz1Vnap3yqidHq4-7DNbz3mfNaD0l5wLW8mBfyHaiNGsalbaeZWq0BPG_vWJ91wVnhfbJIOBXL1gdVQ4lRb1NioSdxaIezK7Zry-PYA/s1600/13095914_10154213595528846_6229442699344112242_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO74F_EcpcRtS3FoPncMyYr6Pyt2kzoCLzW22kaz1Vnap3yqidHq4-7DNbz3mfNaD0l5wLW8mBfyHaiNGsalbaeZWq0BPG_vWJ91wVnhfbJIOBXL1gdVQ4lRb1NioSdxaIezK7Zry-PYA/s320/13095914_10154213595528846_6229442699344112242_n.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcano Cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljmPTsFp2vUrp_foA27a9Ix5m6sOlkH-OPLHhLb2aCbSdqNHGrjQs6osNIMGOQS7xsIqTSSWtEDyYN0Xbx2nikFVUWcMZdSMlR3u-7vtXvJSeW8SmZRB8ppI6HCoIZl585Vp2hTRnQME/s1600/13103542_10154214128888846_838785834411422034_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljmPTsFp2vUrp_foA27a9Ix5m6sOlkH-OPLHhLb2aCbSdqNHGrjQs6osNIMGOQS7xsIqTSSWtEDyYN0Xbx2nikFVUWcMZdSMlR3u-7vtXvJSeW8SmZRB8ppI6HCoIZl585Vp2hTRnQME/s320/13103542_10154214128888846_838785834411422034_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOURFv3XWQN477tzPXGS1oncmSBuOK2prUZB9M-lD1XD42GijDRZbf7C8awlQgVn50zWTasQpOVliVFWyKPaPp4BhpF_iJDLL5w_RSXa5PS9VspkpSeHQKur6fE50H_e0zM4oOYTAS3M/s1600/13103272_10208190665676527_6678789394847548183_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOURFv3XWQN477tzPXGS1oncmSBuOK2prUZB9M-lD1XD42GijDRZbf7C8awlQgVn50zWTasQpOVliVFWyKPaPp4BhpF_iJDLL5w_RSXa5PS9VspkpSeHQKur6fE50H_e0zM4oOYTAS3M/s320/13103272_10208190665676527_6678789394847548183_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massacred dinosaur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_g6-mQCiTo5oc-tkJz5lRqzygO7H9X_WuZbc84-1wNh3E7ngEvkvAyN2t_XEFKN__GuwFKRjkRPLZdr_u2tzknXp1W5wfE4Gjr9eb-vkl_FPSJ6go74_hdTSiRXVK5V3p5sZ_LhkfOE/s1600/13095974_10209087568377241_6082682069930889719_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_g6-mQCiTo5oc-tkJz5lRqzygO7H9X_WuZbc84-1wNh3E7ngEvkvAyN2t_XEFKN__GuwFKRjkRPLZdr_u2tzknXp1W5wfE4Gjr9eb-vkl_FPSJ6go74_hdTSiRXVK5V3p5sZ_LhkfOE/s320/13095974_10209087568377241_6082682069930889719_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-5408142260289131662016-03-30T00:00:00.000-04:002016-03-30T00:00:05.152-04:00I Have Completely Lost My MindI had elaborate plans for Valentine's Day. I made a gift for The Boyfriend and then had another one custom-made, and planned a six-course French meal. All this planning required a fancy dress for the fancy meal. And I somehow got it in my head that it needed to be a red satin strapless gown.<br />
<br />
I can't wear strapless anything. I don't have the proper assets for it and I feel I like kind of look ridiculous. But I'm never one to let logic stand in my way!<br />
<br />
Through an unimportant but convoluted set of circumstances, we had to move Valentine's up by a week, which ended up leaving me four days to make the gown (start on a Monday and be done by Thursday night). While I also had to go to work and prep for a fancy meal. Hey, I have other fancy dresses I could wear. But I had it in my head that it absolutely had to be the red strapless dress.<br />
<br />
The fabric is red bridal satin and the pattern is <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/misses-special-occasion-dresses/U06454A.html">New Look 6454</a> (I have previously made a different view in <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2012/12/here-today-gown-tomorrow.html">black and purple</a> crepe-back satin). I picked this one partially because I had already done it and knew the tricky bits, and I could save some time by not having to cut a new pattern. I chose bridal satin because it's heavier and less shiny. Like any satin, it is slippery to cut and frays like crazy, so every edge needs to be finished.<br />
<br />
Monday, I bought the supplies and cut the fabric. I also pinned the bodice.<br />
<br />
Tuesday, I sewed the bodice and lining.<br />
<br />
Wednesday, I was starting to panic about finishing. I realized I wouldn't have much of Thursday to work on it because I had to shop for the fancy meal and would need to wash the dress before the big day. So I left work two hours early and put my shoulder to the wheel. I sewed in all of the godets (six of them!) and put the skirt together. I sewed the skirt and bodice together and put in the zipper. I hand-sewed in the bra cups and sewed the bodice lining down. At that point, the only thing I had left to do was hem the dress. I finished the seam and threw it in the laundry basket, thinking I could finish that part at any time (which still hasn't come yet).<br />
<br />
And then on Thursday, everything fell apart. I tried the dress on and I looked awful in it. I felt like a little girl playing dress up in mommy's clothes. Even with padded bra cups, I looked even more flat-cheated than usual. Every flabby place looked flabbier. I was so upset, I nearly threw the thing in the trash.<br />
<br />
The whole plan was a total disaster. No more strapless dresses.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-23528333574175732662016-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:002016-02-01T00:00:21.346-05:00Nautical by NatureAs I've probably mentioned before, The Boyfriend lives on a boat. We spend most weekends working on it, which is part of the reason I don't have a lot of time to sew. Anyway, I was perusing nautically themed fabrics, because that is a what a supportive seamstress girlfriend does, and I was disappointed by a lot of what I found. Most of it is navy, instead of black, and a lot of the patterns are boring or would be too overwhelming as a dress. Or the fabric is just plain uninteresting. Hall, if this post-30 sorta-goth chick is gonna wear nautical fabric, it's gotta be special.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fifisfabricology.com.au/images/products/4_11_2011/lge/DSC_0451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fifisfabricology.com.au/images/products/4_11_2011/lge/DSC_0451.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></a></div>
I found this one, Anchors Aweigh by RJR, and it was long out of print, so I think I ended up picking it up on Etsy. I love the old-style diving helmets and the knots (wanting to learn to tie knots was half the reason I joined Girl Scouts). The whole thing has sort of a marine steampunk feel to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzrNvQnOr5-snHC8aiLQQg1Aykow_LpvtG_j490KbZMDY46Q4UHATd7nu2HkT3esfE63RpuCf5q8IsxOU9HrJKzRy2C2lSgr4ZEox_l2D_HmQxCy0WDVjC_TQ8mdgpjtEt2Jf-zEnoN0/s1600/20160128_183052-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzrNvQnOr5-snHC8aiLQQg1Aykow_LpvtG_j490KbZMDY46Q4UHATd7nu2HkT3esfE63RpuCf5q8IsxOU9HrJKzRy2C2lSgr4ZEox_l2D_HmQxCy0WDVjC_TQ8mdgpjtEt2Jf-zEnoN0/s320/20160128_183052-1.jpg" width="150" /></a>I don't know why I'm on a remaking old patterns kick, but this was McCall's 5094, the same pattern as the cherry dress. Due to the weird layout this pattern calls for (the grain goes perpendicular to the selvage, rather than parallel), I shortened this a bit to make it work. Think I will ever learn my lesson about double-checking the layout before purchasing fabric? Neither do I.
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzqd8xJNmDaqkcshHSaK8RtY4fyk3zOJAzAnIltZ5KdmUOGcgCjfdsIkeLTTC9oRCmC21Jg_7FO72Cz7gIrtmMkI9kMrJxK9epHLKgS-MA9VQGsHkQ6AMD3Vu7ILL9RXcYAWm_rmKklw/s1600/20160128_183102-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzqd8xJNmDaqkcshHSaK8RtY4fyk3zOJAzAnIltZ5KdmUOGcgCjfdsIkeLTTC9oRCmC21Jg_7FO72Cz7gIrtmMkI9kMrJxK9epHLKgS-MA9VQGsHkQ6AMD3Vu7ILL9RXcYAWm_rmKklw/s320/20160128_183102-1.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibW9NJzfV1_DDmVtGwSdK9v9huZ1dvowAuRQ2r2UsUEbigGe8-ZL0yWOwevgfgnK4gQj8i2QevGLlZkyx3vr1rbIsSP6mCgaB7EEYvet0uAS7bsHQgX522coIbq-wH_rOO9LJhxyj8_c/s1600/20160128_183113-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibW9NJzfV1_DDmVtGwSdK9v9huZ1dvowAuRQ2r2UsUEbigGe8-ZL0yWOwevgfgnK4gQj8i2QevGLlZkyx3vr1rbIsSP6mCgaB7EEYvet0uAS7bsHQgX522coIbq-wH_rOO9LJhxyj8_c/s320/20160128_183113-1.jpg" width="147" /></a>
I did the majority of this on Monday, my last day off of work from the snow day. At the time of writing this, well over half of our three feet has melted and we're expected to hit 60 degrees this week.</div>
<br />Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-75010357928152817242016-01-25T00:00:00.000-05:002016-01-25T00:00:13.695-05:00Yo Dawg, I Heard You Liked Sewing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUswnvUPPGRBvE0d-7RduARFOPGXUgpzZ7TENmrfkObJluryYvTNn6SgoIJ8pKVP2wT5aQdpZovdEJxQixwjtlB6-U_mNE7Yb7Y5z4h5gOjgP4FjEmNoL6NJgXMX2SiQh1rSVkE4eQVeY/s1600/20160124_110009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUswnvUPPGRBvE0d-7RduARFOPGXUgpzZ7TENmrfkObJluryYvTNn6SgoIJ8pKVP2wT5aQdpZovdEJxQixwjtlB6-U_mNE7Yb7Y5z4h5gOjgP4FjEmNoL6NJgXMX2SiQh1rSVkE4eQVeY/s320/20160124_110009.jpg" width="110" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y1LkjBhlDLva79rlJ_NuY0vZKSe_w-F92GKVHe287gJRv6Hl_DgWdZPrwROhY2vhrHPk9yaiT00iojxnSRi4pIt_owtepkhYZHykTCcHIIPZUSiPCn6L1-2Gr7RZAfl6pB5mryTwP74/s1600/20160124_105949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y1LkjBhlDLva79rlJ_NuY0vZKSe_w-F92GKVHe287gJRv6Hl_DgWdZPrwROhY2vhrHPk9yaiT00iojxnSRi4pIt_owtepkhYZHykTCcHIIPZUSiPCn6L1-2Gr7RZAfl6pB5mryTwP74/s320/20160124_105949.jpg" width="108" /></a>For those of you who haven't heard, the greater DC area, was the center of a major snowstorm over the weekend. I don't know what our official totals were, but the meteorologists were projecting two to three feet, and I had a snow drift up to the top of garage. Thankfully, I didn't lose power, and I'm waiting for the plows to come through (which they haven't since Friday night).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.joann.com/novelty-cotton-fabric-sewing-machine/13937313.html#q=sewing+machine&prefn1=prod_type&prefv1=Product&start=14" target="_blank">This fabric</a> was a gift from The Boyfriend. We had gone to Joann's shortly after Christmas because he wanted to peruse their outdoor fabric for his boat. I saw this and cooed over it, but declined to buy it. I ran off to work the next day and he went back and bought it for me, leaving it in my sewing room. I only discovered it a week and a half ago, which tells you how frequently I go in my sewing room these days.<br />
<br />
So the combination of being snowed in (I couldn't open my door because the snow was piled so high. I had to take the glass pane out.) and four yards of lovely fabric in the stash that was calling to me makes for Snow Day Sewing.<br />
<br />
The first task was to find a pattern in the stash that used four yards (ish) of fabric. It's a weird amount; they're usually 2 to 2.5 or 5+. I ended up settling for an old favorite, <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/its-so-easy-misses-dresses/2421.html" target="_blank">Simplicity 2884</a>, which was also the <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2014/01/rantin-and-raven-i-dress.html" target="_blank">Nevermore dress</a>. This was View A, as opposed to B. The differences are the halter (A ties and B attaches with buttons) and the skirt (A is longer and pleated, whereas B is gathered). This one went together much faster, probably only slightly from previous experience with it, and mostly because I am not suffering through a divorce like the first time I made this.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYTL3DYW-kETWYuN1EBW6xf0ZhGsklIRGqeTazpLYCC7LeCbdMamjz9QaMuVSRsQ48aPcfLH7wv2CyRZiOdPQpmrqAuas3Ayr4x-ZPiGYsgYkye-FOgtzSZkkIyT21jFInLXAarpeuxQ/s1600/20160124_110042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYTL3DYW-kETWYuN1EBW6xf0ZhGsklIRGqeTazpLYCC7LeCbdMamjz9QaMuVSRsQ48aPcfLH7wv2CyRZiOdPQpmrqAuas3Ayr4x-ZPiGYsgYkye-FOgtzSZkkIyT21jFInLXAarpeuxQ/s320/20160124_110042.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSqJCIBDquTZLOH3jCeW1lVVCNCAhxViZ88uIw_CxjfOQlcJkrgliprOgpH5to0mU-BKbQZgDumkyot8ZS5USnNLuZSkbVNRRqH0FpLT3emMS43bwTNe66qdCXNaX1-eEjJURHr9yMq8/s1600/20160124_110025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSqJCIBDquTZLOH3jCeW1lVVCNCAhxViZ88uIw_CxjfOQlcJkrgliprOgpH5to0mU-BKbQZgDumkyot8ZS5USnNLuZSkbVNRRqH0FpLT3emMS43bwTNe66qdCXNaX1-eEjJURHr9yMq8/s320/20160124_110025.jpg" width="120" /></a>I did change how the bodice was constructed so I can slip in bra cups later, so the lining isn't entirely sewn in (which is why the bodice looks somewhat, um, deflated). I'm going to need to get the beige-ish ones, because white will show through the cream-colored fabric. Surprisingly, I had cream thread in the stash (not sure from what). The zipper is actually white, and it came from a pillow cover that had torn. I ripped the zipper out before throwing the cover in the compost, originally intending to throw it away. The fabric might have been shot, but the zipper as perfectly functional, so into the stash it went. Good thing too, because I have a bunch of black zippers in the stash and one in navy blue (the doomed zipper from the <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2014/05/elf-esteem.html" target="_blank">elf dress</a>).<br />
<br />
Thank you, The Boyfriend! If you can't be snowed in with me, making a dress out of your thoughtful gift is a nice substitute.<br />
<br />Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-36175672832153705172016-01-12T00:00:00.000-05:002016-01-12T00:00:12.148-05:00Jareth III: The Jarthening, Featuring TobyI had originally written this post in November, with the exception of adding the pictures, intending it to go up immediately. And then I was going to post it some time in December. And then I was going to post it last week for David Bowie's birthday. And with his recent death, I decided that now was the time.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtcDLp2c-Wcl4MCa7UH1cLXzCTg06mcj9iehbwsGN36YJcsh3p6l-sbF2SQB9Bz-jHV3HnPf4c9zk_I4zZzxesezThVXKVCUhB1r2Pq1tzP_agkmHgiRjerJO4qM2Zkiid9_7jP0NMdk/s1600/11090968_10103900267424673_4913716704052340478_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtcDLp2c-Wcl4MCa7UH1cLXzCTg06mcj9iehbwsGN36YJcsh3p6l-sbF2SQB9Bz-jHV3HnPf4c9zk_I4zZzxesezThVXKVCUhB1r2Pq1tzP_agkmHgiRjerJO4qM2Zkiid9_7jP0NMdk/s320/11090968_10103900267424673_4913716704052340478_o.jpg" width="223" /></a>The Boyfriend and I went to Muppet-themed party in November. When the party was announced, I was in the middle of frantically finishing the dirndl. He asked what sort of costumes we should wear, and I gave him a dirty look. Since I already had the Jareth costume in the closet, I told him we were doing Jareth and Toby and I wasn't going to be making two new costumes on top of everything else. The Alamo Drafthouse was showing the movie last winter, so I had thrown together a hat for him then (which I had mentioned but never did a post about). This time around, he asked for pajamas too. In a fit of madness, I agreed.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfJtP8hSM__ZWjEB9TznEJ2Fpa_c9T8hd8aMeADrFOoCPHqMP1aSCKbcYWrd_ta6vSw7NBgyK0efw59a50ZGAZ-EUBGGyNkixQIkSVT2gcEB9BwUumrXi_auYV0mF16sNvxDDuHSmsN8/s1600/12247107_10153807830308846_3867339192922782106_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfJtP8hSM__ZWjEB9TznEJ2Fpa_c9T8hd8aMeADrFOoCPHqMP1aSCKbcYWrd_ta6vSw7NBgyK0efw59a50ZGAZ-EUBGGyNkixQIkSVT2gcEB9BwUumrXi_auYV0mF16sNvxDDuHSmsN8/s320/12247107_10153807830308846_3867339192922782106_n.jpg" width="176" /></a>At first, we were going to emulate the movie costume: one-piece footie pajamas with a boat-ish neck with snaps. I pointed out that would make bathroom breaks a bit difficult, so we changed it a zip-up front, maybe with a drop seat just to be ridiculous. I ordered the fabric with that in mind.<br />
<br />
...And then The Boyfriend decided he wanted a two-piece, which uses more fabric. I managed to get it all in, but it was tight.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7Q_L2OphXGFiJ2gArAP0A0h9toy4aQJXgxcoXfcttgKtP6La5r5zfOdTV2UzqX2uFTib-pduxIRGTWtVNieGAa2FV1gO8r4mpWHZLUrde5WRthb87TcI48SUDEaORiL6sD-TJ5OP7H4/s1600/12265938_10103900267414693_3764295210738086825_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7Q_L2OphXGFiJ2gArAP0A0h9toy4aQJXgxcoXfcttgKtP6La5r5zfOdTV2UzqX2uFTib-pduxIRGTWtVNieGAa2FV1gO8r4mpWHZLUrde5WRthb87TcI48SUDEaORiL6sD-TJ5OP7H4/s320/12265938_10103900267414693_3764295210738086825_o.jpg" width="178" /></a>The pattern I used was <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b5572-products-13463.php?page_id=870" target="_blank">Butterick 5572</a>, which I picked out of a number of possible candidates because it had all the adult sizes in the same envelope. The Boyfriend is very tall, but slightly built, and I'm not very experienced in sewing for him, so I wasn't sure what size he would be. We also only seen each other on weekends, so getting measurements easily wasn't going to happen. And, just like me, we carry our height in our limbs, which means sleeves and legs need to be lengthened. We ended up deciding on an adult medium and added two inches to the sleeves. For the legs, I just cut them the extra-large length and that was perfect.<br />
<br />
This pattern is size for knits, which are super-duper fun to sew. This isn't a difficult pattern, but I did have some tension issues because <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0304997/riley-blake-knit-1-2-stripes-red" target="_blank">the fabric</a> I used wasn't as heavy as I would have liked. Surprising, considering it was a Riley Blake (and not too cheap either).<br />
<br />
So when it came down to it, I churned this out in about five days, finished seams, pockets, at all. The Boyfriend said they're comfy enough to use as, well, pajamas.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu-rmxVFS0apoYEXAKqd9XNy-d3a0JCkpS6dsQgrJrqd5i7EIPNC-246XWhllOGhv5QYoDdf5b8k40rq3K860lkKJJIZkbIP2UdnRH6pcUo56sCd6s7wZ9UqCtgligRN6tFVh_yvEfpQ/s1600/20160111_182353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu-rmxVFS0apoYEXAKqd9XNy-d3a0JCkpS6dsQgrJrqd5i7EIPNC-246XWhllOGhv5QYoDdf5b8k40rq3K860lkKJJIZkbIP2UdnRH6pcUo56sCd6s7wZ9UqCtgligRN6tFVh_yvEfpQ/s320/20160111_182353.jpg" width="222" /></a>As for my costume, back when I made this, I was still married to the old stick in the mud. I had intended to pack the crotch, because, well, it is a pretty essential part of the costume. Not for work, of course, but for the party at my house. The ex was very upset with that idea and damn near flipped out. he never really explained why, so I still don't know to this day why he was so upset. All he said was that it would make people uncomfortable. Butthead.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the party goers were the type to be amused by such things, so I decided to stuff. I was going to use socks, but then I remembered I had this little item in my drawer. (Ironically, given to me by my ex-husband.) It's soap, which he bought for me as a gag gift when I saw an ad and found it amusing, but never used it as I'm more of the shower gel type. I shoved it down my pants and swaggered around. After a few hours, I was tired of adjusting, so I hung it around my neck. Which actually worked out pretty well with the costume.<br />
<br />
The death of a celebrity never really seems real, because they never seem like real people. David Bowie, in particular, seemed so far beyond common experience that it was a real shock to me. To his family and friends, I extend my deepest condolences, and hope he knew in the end how much his art touch other people.Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-47720743176263681292015-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:002015-12-25T00:00:12.596-05:00I Heart YouThe Boyfriend and I don't generally exchange gifts for the winter holiday. We do birthdays, and we'll do something for our anniversary, but that's about it. This year, I did want to make something for him, but with my free time being what it is these days (pretty much non-existent), it needed to be pretty easy. So I decided to make us a couple's glove.<br />
<br />
They go by a couple of names, the most common being <a href="http://smittenmitten.com/">Smitten</a> (which is apparently also used for mittens made out of old sweaters). This one satisfies both of those. I went thirfting with a friend and found an ugly red sweater. I should have taken a picture before I applied my magic to it, but just trust me that it was hideous.<br />
<br />
It shrank more than I expected it to when I felted it. I had actually been hoping to make matching mittens for the other hands, but no dice. In fact, getting just this out of the body of the sweater was closer than I would have liked.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgh57BNe-YC88jyXljRrJEO7zbptb1nNitGlDzCog7hu64IFKiyW08JfgSL61kMKR5HO31z-2tZLyWSfNee90sVokq9zhyphenhyphenP9s6SZYmlnrd3wR0lP7p0aHG26xJKCutu1J0gC7ObSAVr8/s1600/20151222_180010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgh57BNe-YC88jyXljRrJEO7zbptb1nNitGlDzCog7hu64IFKiyW08JfgSL61kMKR5HO31z-2tZLyWSfNee90sVokq9zhyphenhyphenP9s6SZYmlnrd3wR0lP7p0aHG26xJKCutu1J0gC7ObSAVr8/s320/20151222_180010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I kind of winged the pattern. I should have made the heart fatter on top and it's overall bigger than it needs to be. The ribbing for the wrists is just the bottom ribbing from the sweater.<br />
<br />
Not that the weather is cooperating with using this. The forecast for today is 70!Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-84772385510751341702015-12-18T00:00:00.000-05:002015-12-18T00:00:45.049-05:00Secret Santa Can Suck It 2015It's time for <a href="http://www.shadowmanor.com/blog/" target="_blank">Shadow Manor</a>'s Secret Santa Can Suck It! My assignee this year is Cobwebs, who I actually know in real life. Her house is a menagerie, so let's first start by spoiling her canine companions.<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://petus.imageg.net/PETNA_36/pimg/pPETNA-5236327_main_t300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://petus.imageg.net/PETNA_36/pimg/pPETNA-5236327_main_t300x300.jpg" /></a> I actually own this Martha Stewart pet bed, and my cats love it. (Of course they would; they're my cats.) Her doggies can curl up and sleep in style.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://petus.imageg.net/PETNA_36/pimg/pPETNA-5240326_main_enh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://petus.imageg.net/PETNA_36/pimg/pPETNA-5240326_main_enh.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
And these lovely treats look up their alley. Almost look good enough for human consumption. Maybe they'll lay off of Santa's cookies.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://petus.imageg.net/PETNA_36/pimg/pPETNA-5235868_main_enh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://petus.imageg.net/PETNA_36/pimg/pPETNA-5235868_main_enh.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
And this variety of toys should keep them busy while they wait up for Santa. (So they can chase his reindeer.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSJKD-4fPQcWcp1WcXk_8kIC-kLeSIisPZ05Xwzo1dY1i-BNA94AbWaRbW1zVyh3JlwIRAD6e2cnr6T_w91Ol9kAhwqYq7ibRPs6Oqa8y1BZDFbYQe2ciIVyOto263laA0eA1xROByBA/s1600/HalloweenCNFullAlt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSJKD-4fPQcWcp1WcXk_8kIC-kLeSIisPZ05Xwzo1dY1i-BNA94AbWaRbW1zVyh3JlwIRAD6e2cnr6T_w91Ol9kAhwqYq7ibRPs6Oqa8y1BZDFbYQe2ciIVyOto263laA0eA1xROByBA/s1600/HalloweenCNFullAlt.jpg" height="320" width="241" /></a></div>
I didn't leave her ratties out! They get this new redecorated cage.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For Cobwebs herself, she gets a comfy new study, where she can read up on demon summoning or whatever else her dark heart desires.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.beautifullife.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/11/skull_chair_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.beautifullife.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/11/skull_chair_07.jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c7/29/a9/c729a9cf800c97b4999583db5f8d5be7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c7/29/a9/c729a9cf800c97b4999583db5f8d5be7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c5/c1/b8/c5c1b8e2aa72e0c4f0020a4d2849656d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c5/c1/b8/c5c1b8e2aa72e0c4f0020a4d2849656d.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.instructables.com/FAK/I6WV/FLA1LCDT/FAKI6WVFLA1LCDT.MEDIUM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.instructables.com/FAK/I6WV/FLA1LCDT/FAKI6WVFLA1LCDT.MEDIUM.jpg" height="320" width="281" /></a><a href="http://blog.madisonseating.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.madisonseating.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/halloween.jpg" height="289" width="320" /></a></div>
Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-52042354740275090162015-10-27T00:00:00.000-04:002015-10-27T19:02:44.355-04:00It's Curtains for You!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguER91mO7XT1E6XTIHgLo8lDg51NXNfuMoVnF4DYvVySd5rGkKIHAAizghfdfSMDjoeDcmJrPfQAN47_R0ruU3VtURz6XoAi-N7hQeDI84rLVuVMHG0mbQfg_duIsKz-WmJG2_iYndepo/s1600/20151027_180900-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguER91mO7XT1E6XTIHgLo8lDg51NXNfuMoVnF4DYvVySd5rGkKIHAAizghfdfSMDjoeDcmJrPfQAN47_R0ruU3VtURz6XoAi-N7hQeDI84rLVuVMHG0mbQfg_duIsKz-WmJG2_iYndepo/s320/20151027_180900-1.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Last week, I decided on a whim that I need Halloween curtains for my living room. I ran out to JoAnn's and picked up the only kind of fabric that had eight yards on the bolt, which was this pumpkin print.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Simple curtains, I just hemmed the edges and sewed down a pocket at the top for the curtain rod. Still took two hours to make.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-10124829723551251602015-10-23T00:00:00.000-04:002015-10-23T00:00:03.777-04:00Pictures from GermanyAs requested, I've written up a post of my trip to Germany. It's very picture-heavy. It was very hard to limit it to just these few, because I quite literally took hundreds of photos.<br />
<br />
(Click on any photo to enlarge it.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtl1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12038397_10153718286768846_5453820333202717088_n.jpg?oh=5d18acc1846c1b9b2d9cbec1afc99782&oe=568813AF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtl1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12038397_10153718286768846_5453820333202717088_n.jpg?oh=5d18acc1846c1b9b2d9cbec1afc99782&oe=568813AF" width="220" /></a>We headed to Karlsruhe our second day in Germany. (We landed in Frankfurt, but I didn't get any pictures. We went to the Goethe house there though.) This is from the Baden State Museuem in the Karlsruhe Palace.<br />
<br />
Lots of stuff from the ancient world to the modern in this museum. I went ga-ga over the Egyptian stuff, as expected, but I thought this would be appealing to my readers. Death-themed imagery was everywhere, which kind of makes sense when you face years of The Black Death.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12038043_10153720285768846_6047627020111413414_n.jpg?oh=d06ad6d8a7cbfe49c64aa9f55bf74e3d&oe=56BBB2C4" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12038043_10153720285768846_6047627020111413414_n.jpg?oh=d06ad6d8a7cbfe49c64aa9f55bf74e3d&oe=56BBB2C4" width="220" /></a></div>
The next stop for us was Stuttgart. We only spent an afternoon here, mainly walking around town. This is the Wurttemberg State Museum, which was closed (unfortunately).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/q84/s720x720/12036948_10153722556858846_4880534007282553121_n.jpg?oh=bd32ef8cc908f953791970150c2d5d0f&oe=56863794" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/q84/s720x720/12036948_10153722556858846_4880534007282553121_n.jpg?oh=bd32ef8cc908f953791970150c2d5d0f&oe=56863794" width="225" /></a></div>
After Stuttgart, we headed to Ulm. We went to the Bread Museum in the morning, which was more interesting than it sounds. Einstein was born here, but his house was destroyed. This memory stands in its former place, which is very close to the main train station.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpl1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12063336_10153722556698846_4451636151764175779_n.jpg?oh=d756448365a68641be8fe7550e6d2392&oe=56D17A3E" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpl1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12063336_10153722556698846_4451636151764175779_n.jpg?oh=d756448365a68641be8fe7550e6d2392&oe=56D17A3E" width="400" /></a>We took the train to Munich and immediately changed into our trachten. I had planned ahead for the weather (it was miserably cold) and wore a wool shirt under my dirndl blouse. I also wore the heavy socks I purchased there, along with my sweater. I was still glad of the coffee house at Oktoberfest, with some pretty decent hot chocolate. That was the highlight of this event.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12074907_10153724200318846_3552987102802173325_n.jpg?oh=04803779f732be23f96174c70799c0b7&oe=56C13539" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12074907_10153724200318846_3552987102802173325_n.jpg?oh=04803779f732be23f96174c70799c0b7&oe=56C13539" width="220" /></a><br />
From the Deutsches Technology Museum in Munich, a gondola from Italy. I called it a goth-dola.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11202653_10153724236533846_8925118237537943026_n.jpg?oh=e39730354160dab9985eb3473cb9ba80&oe=56CE0520" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11202653_10153724236533846_8925118237537943026_n.jpg?oh=e39730354160dab9985eb3473cb9ba80&oe=56CE0520" width="220" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">An Enigma Device from the same museum! One of my Master's degrees is in crypto, so I really geeked out over this. I even gave an impromptu lecture on the subject to a couple of tourists who were interested in how it worked. I'm not ashamed.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12063708_10153724178813846_8122816523316570517_n.jpg?oh=22f9d3f40a0109030f3c1f69e6158b94&oe=568F72AF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12063708_10153724178813846_8122816523316570517_n.jpg?oh=22f9d3f40a0109030f3c1f69e6158b94&oe=568F72AF" width="220" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">The Munich Glockenspiel. We stopped by the on the way to the train station. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see it in action. The size of it was overwhelming.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12074811_10153726277933846_1414592009283049342_n.jpg?oh=90fdd10bac64f2e1266c92b040a1d202&oe=56CDBF20" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12074811_10153726277933846_1414592009283049342_n.jpg?oh=90fdd10bac64f2e1266c92b040a1d202&oe=56CDBF20" width="225" /></a>We spent the next night in Fussen and then rented a car to head to Schwangau. It was very tourist-y and well-polished. We took a hiking trail up to Frauenstein, which was a memorial to a former castle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12036404_10153726236028846_5069911466576690810_n.jpg?oh=4e83d22dbbbbd58df2d7347ecc181815&oe=568A8133" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12036404_10153726236028846_5069911466576690810_n.jpg?oh=4e83d22dbbbbd58df2d7347ecc181815&oe=568A8133" width="220" /></a>Neuschwannstein was built by the sorta-loony Ludwig II. Supposedly Sleeping Beauty's castle at Disneyland is based on this one; doesn't seem like a stretch at all to me.<br />
<br />
No pictures of the inside were allowed. <br />
<br />
I got a sunburn here. Only I could get sunburned in autumn while wearing sunscreen.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xal1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12112029_10153727833918846_699437136109174443_n.jpg?oh=74875bb42bf4df1ddb37389476058a0e&oe=56C2B7AE" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xal1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12112029_10153727833918846_699437136109174443_n.jpg?oh=74875bb42bf4df1ddb37389476058a0e&oe=56C2B7AE" width="400" /></a>Ettal Monastery is nearly 700 years old. We went here mostly because my boyfriend wanted to buy some of their blueberry liqueur.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12118930_10153727025113846_8105814339501287234_n.jpg?oh=8b2b7e7cc371944a3a4b497b67124c01&oe=56B90070" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12118930_10153727025113846_8105814339501287234_n.jpg?oh=8b2b7e7cc371944a3a4b497b67124c01&oe=56B90070" width="400" /></a>Our hotel in Ettal was across the street from a cemetery, right next to the monastery. This was the view from our window.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12108083_10153727843063846_7558741787272553137_n.jpg?oh=b71f493a6bc3df37b4033a5b37194ada&oe=56BB48D5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12108083_10153727843063846_7558741787272553137_n.jpg?oh=b71f493a6bc3df37b4033a5b37194ada&oe=56BB48D5" width="220" /></a>More death imagery, from inside of the monastery.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12096385_10153727864108846_8932401593023205906_n.jpg?oh=094af868c9712c782e813fdcfe27ba47&oe=56BAB260" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12096385_10153727864108846_8932401593023205906_n.jpg?oh=094af868c9712c782e813fdcfe27ba47&oe=56BAB260" width="400" /></a>We had lunch here in Oberammergau. No joke, there was garlic hanging in the window.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/12074782_10153727695943846_4698399807793007934_n.jpg?oh=5c580bec01ed276060a0b29371ac1144&oe=56D1C044" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/12074782_10153727695943846_4698399807793007934_n.jpg?oh=5c580bec01ed276060a0b29371ac1144&oe=56D1C044" width="400" /></a>Werdenfels Castle dates from 11-something. It lies in ruins near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, overlooking the Alps. And you can just crawl all over it, no safety ropes or guards or anything. I wish we had taken a picnic up here. It was just so beautiful and peaceful.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12107799_10153729269583846_8752860759631138239_n.jpg?oh=60732e4766bd8d07c686235f16308106&oe=56BA007A" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12107799_10153729269583846_8752860759631138239_n.jpg?oh=60732e4766bd8d07c686235f16308106&oe=56BA007A" width="320" /></a>Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany. This was one of our main destinations on the trip. Unfortunately, we started too late to make a serious summit attempt, but we had a nice hike and a lovely day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpl1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12079434_10153729256328846_7558813019166510119_n.jpg?oh=f6d55fc93a66ca00c1cd11d34fa3a1ff&oe=56CDF818" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpl1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12079434_10153729256328846_7558813019166510119_n.jpg?oh=f6d55fc93a66ca00c1cd11d34fa3a1ff&oe=56CDF818" width="176" /></a>More Zugspitze.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12141751_10153730841588846_5955346379756195539_n.jpg?oh=705671404d454c110211c75ea5070f1f&oe=56CC108D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12141751_10153730841588846_5955346379756195539_n.jpg?oh=705671404d454c110211c75ea5070f1f&oe=56CC108D" width="220" /></a>We didn't stay there long, but from what I saw and experience, I really liked Nuremburg. After our breakfast (I swear I ate half a pound of cheese), we headed to the Germanisches National Museum. We didn't get to stay long, because we had a train to catch, but there was all sorts of wonderful medieval exhibits.<br />
<br />
These doors reminded me of Labyrinth.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12096080_10153730818483846_4475835682511492692_n.jpg?oh=13e28c526b498208d4e4a0f51818ab77&oe=56BD1062" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12096080_10153730818483846_4475835682511492692_n.jpg?oh=13e28c526b498208d4e4a0f51818ab77&oe=56BD1062" width="225" /></a>This was near a fountain in town square. The poem basically amounts to "sometimes, love stinks".<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12072672_10153734310923846_8763789814396072971_n.jpg?oh=4df2933bdb20b4419e0968660137845a&oe=56CB9606" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12072672_10153734310923846_8763789814396072971_n.jpg?oh=4df2933bdb20b4419e0968660137845a&oe=56CB9606" width="176" /></a>Of course we went to visit Nefertiti in Berlin! We weren't allowed pictures (again). So this is a bust of her and Akhenaten in the next room.<br />
<br />
The staff here was really cranky.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12088208_10153738582488846_3102838284268182900_n.jpg?oh=6e9078e2646a984272fbac6a65e0545f&oe=56C5751D" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12088208_10153738582488846_3102838284268182900_n.jpg?oh=6e9078e2646a984272fbac6a65e0545f&oe=56C5751D" width="176" /></a>The next stop was Hamburg. This shot is the medicine chest of a ship in the International Maritime Museum.<br />
<br />
We stopped briefly in Bruhl to see the Tim Burton exhibit at the Max Ernst Museum. Yeah, no pictures allowed.<br />
<br />
So that was my whirlwind two weeks in Germany. I am happy to be home, just because it means I get to sit still for five minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-88348490539364998722015-10-14T00:00:00.000-04:002015-10-14T00:00:08.379-04:00Dirndl mit Fledermäuse<div dir="ltr">
I initially started writing this post on my phone while on a train from Frankfurt, and I finished it on my computer, so I apologize for any weird layout issues.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx9biYsReeZ6hiXnHsE2Ye4fI4uZ3mOvEGCfnE0324URMGtzWTgAmD2nxD-3Q04vgV3YzVjSMsAS7T9CCgqVvb6yilqIqGEtG53gVXoNQZBt36ImY4NYA_g9k5iA_ORflbCHX6AHdSBw/s1600/20150919_165524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgx9biYsReeZ6hiXnHsE2Ye4fI4uZ3mOvEGCfnE0324URMGtzWTgAmD2nxD-3Q04vgV3YzVjSMsAS7T9CCgqVvb6yilqIqGEtG53gVXoNQZBt36ImY4NYA_g9k5iA_ORflbCHX6AHdSBw/s320/20150919_165524.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfHzmjbn_Jh_I5e-W6WfJ38zfwc0oC1qf7wt7jPyEleNO_tz6_QF75K6I8rRdf2AO-xnuDqyMgqy0WeRyZyhLllPe37pfqRuPeYYXFqKtaUaxw_Ki0bS7tEyuPZ8YdSHrJyb18f3kgoE/s1600/20150919_165540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfHzmjbn_Jh_I5e-W6WfJ38zfwc0oC1qf7wt7jPyEleNO_tz6_QF75K6I8rRdf2AO-xnuDqyMgqy0WeRyZyhLllPe37pfqRuPeYYXFqKtaUaxw_Ki0bS7tEyuPZ8YdSHrJyb18f3kgoE/s320/20150919_165540.jpg" width="180" /></a>I used <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-8498-burda-style-folklore-dress.aspx">Burda 7057</a> as the pattern for my dirndl. Burda is a German pattern company, though they're owned by Simplicity. A couple of other pattern companies had dirndls, but they weren't nearly as good. I wasn't really concerned about being perfectly authentic since I was using bat fabric, but I didn't want it be poorly fitted and look like a cheap costume. Burda actually has their dirndl patterns with the regular dresses, since it's perfectly acceptable to wear them to weddings and such things in Bavaria (sort of like a kilt).<br />
<br />
This pattern is labelled "young", which I'm guessing means it's marketed towards juniors, though it seems to use standard adult sizing. I checked and double checked the measurements to make sure they were comparable.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lbFGUa5qk4bOpsePNsnDbFFSdH6mGdafR3iklYUWCC9tumSq1YyXfyIKFSP-bB-ngVuAFdYXDkpgC-DPBPBuxrAlogjNxdDsVO4ABTnPSetxWN45DuqY_VxRWBB2MPZuiUxGWYkr5wE/s1600/20150919_165551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lbFGUa5qk4bOpsePNsnDbFFSdH6mGdafR3iklYUWCC9tumSq1YyXfyIKFSP-bB-ngVuAFdYXDkpgC-DPBPBuxrAlogjNxdDsVO4ABTnPSetxWN45DuqY_VxRWBB2MPZuiUxGWYkr5wE/s320/20150919_165551.jpg" width="320" /></a>The first things I made were the blouse and apron. I had only two yards of fabric and the pattern calls for nearly 4. I mostly made it work, though the ties for the apron aren't solid pieces. I started off making the pieces perfectly matched, but I was using three or four pieces per tie. So by the end, I didn't care as long as they were the same grain (and I can't guarantee they were).<br />
<br />
I didn't alter the blouse except to add the bat lace around the end of the sleeves. It had been sitting in the stash for years. Seemed like a perfect occasion to use it. I only changed the apron by adding lace and pockets. I should have made them a bit deeper (I have a GIANT cell phone), but they did the job.<br />
<br />
I didn't bother with my usual alterations on the dress (shorten the straps and lengthen the skirt). This was mostly due to indifference on my part. No alterations were made here, except that my hooks weren't too traditional. It was a bit snug in my apparently voluminous rib cage (a problem I have experienced more than once), but I expected this and didn't sew in the lining until I'd checked the fit, to give me room to let out the seams, if need be. The bodice was supposed to be interfaced, but I skipped it, due to not needing more bulk on my middle; I would have under-stitched the lining, but this was when I had reached the indifference phase of the sewing. And of course, this didn't fit on the dummy.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5o7O3AVDld_Ot7U-0wO-V-j8fWOKqeCDu2Lhyo9JdsCWLu94s0Se_c1dgr5nFwAvhn29u8nIVZnxUe6taiLbrtfa9qNRZJhrPKJP2jaDmO0B0FDTyJvf83pb6EN4EcjsOn2Jxw6u8fwE/s1600/20150909_180728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5o7O3AVDld_Ot7U-0wO-V-j8fWOKqeCDu2Lhyo9JdsCWLu94s0Se_c1dgr5nFwAvhn29u8nIVZnxUe6taiLbrtfa9qNRZJhrPKJP2jaDmO0B0FDTyJvf83pb6EN4EcjsOn2Jxw6u8fwE/s320/20150909_180728.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcN-LQoq9iMCXBDNKkd3y3bnlNqRD6TSybya6SzhBvbv-s_hcxVJCrncNTBjOMXVhjacs-_qQJbNqGbPfqt07Wsot6z4698RRAKaC_j2112RB3tGjXQxNaJ3LGylcFme2twED92HIa3r4/s1600/20150909_180719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcN-LQoq9iMCXBDNKkd3y3bnlNqRD6TSybya6SzhBvbv-s_hcxVJCrncNTBjOMXVhjacs-_qQJbNqGbPfqt07Wsot6z4698RRAKaC_j2112RB3tGjXQxNaJ3LGylcFme2twED92HIa3r4/s320/20150909_180719.jpg" width="180" /></a>The crowning piece here is the shawl. I've been crocheting on and off for about six years. I've never been very good, and mostly made the little amigurumi toys for my niblings and friends' kids, but most of them are past the age where such things are appealing. In the past year, I've spent a lot of the time I would have been sewing doing crochet instead. It was hard to motivate myself to get off the couch, but having my crochet bag sitting right next to the couch meant I didn't have to. So I wrapped myself in a blanket, put on some Netflix, and got to work. By my count, I've made five scarves in the last year, one of which was fifteen feet long (it was a Tom Baker scarf).<br />
<br />
Anyway, not a very good crocheter. I started this shawl in March, before we had even seriously discussed going to Germany. I wanted to try my hand a filet crochet and had a pattern for a bat curtain in my crochet book (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Bitch-Crochet-Happy-Hooker/dp/0761139850" target="_blank">The Happy Hooker</a>). I kind of threw the shawl pattern together without really knowing what I was doing, but it worked. It took me five months to finish the damn thing, but I spent two of those months with my arm in a cast, and it is over six feet long.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdnyWfJjmzczpkE6QnKMevnHGxFW27xmRWCKJ0UBTteMIKjSloGm56OMsGfvuApo8HOkgzpiijnE1fuQNGt6brlrpOp4xdyoq3OT3XG1HRb5LGXa6d-IpsB89JDRbUsDEiEXN0Bj6AEU/s1600/20150919_165619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdnyWfJjmzczpkE6QnKMevnHGxFW27xmRWCKJ0UBTteMIKjSloGm56OMsGfvuApo8HOkgzpiijnE1fuQNGt6brlrpOp4xdyoq3OT3XG1HRb5LGXa6d-IpsB89JDRbUsDEiEXN0Bj6AEU/s320/20150919_165619.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CiuGMJFTzpCsaeFkllErPhmxIxdhcMrzJT7oWnmZTRpGFJovgHdFDsm6naFut0C-kgitenFiJkfAgp0zA9xvfp2fFD4yN6MHWKqo8F2Cic7BNwMiLjuLeGpM28HJoWgR9rzP5RowW40/s1600/20150919_165603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CiuGMJFTzpCsaeFkllErPhmxIxdhcMrzJT7oWnmZTRpGFJovgHdFDsm6naFut0C-kgitenFiJkfAgp0zA9xvfp2fFD4yN6MHWKqo8F2Cic7BNwMiLjuLeGpM28HJoWgR9rzP5RowW40/s320/20150919_165603.jpg" width="180" /></a>In Germany, I ended up buying the traditional thick knit socks to wear with it, which came with a cute little stein on a ribbon. It got lost at Oktoberfest, so I plan on redoing it with leftover ribbon from the lacing on the dirndl and a bat charm.<br />
<br />
So how was the pattern? Burda's intended audience is people who know what they're doing, not beginners. A lot of the instructions are given in one step, with no picture, whereas it would be three or four steps in Simplicity, each with an illustration. I've only ever done one Burda patern before, and that was a tuxedo, and likely far beyond my skill set at the time. This pattern is rated at 2 out of 4, and I would agree with the caveat that if you aren't accustomed to reading Burda patterns, you're going to spend a lot of time figuring out what to do. So it isn't hard, it just takes some time to learn how to read the pattern.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqK_CFaK93qQOcKdlpUGfdk1z-b_tAuhKXiKXetGNtc7HBM8uyK_nPH0wUv6L4OBxUxFypQkIAaXMonDUIPAt6_bqv_71loiZnMd8GmfKOfzXyDZlISOEK0AODHFa-YHbcVlMOMv6pVs/s1600/IMG_20150920_182109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqK_CFaK93qQOcKdlpUGfdk1z-b_tAuhKXiKXetGNtc7HBM8uyK_nPH0wUv6L4OBxUxFypQkIAaXMonDUIPAt6_bqv_71loiZnMd8GmfKOfzXyDZlISOEK0AODHFa-YHbcVlMOMv6pVs/s320/IMG_20150920_182109.jpg" width="210" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUM7TZSuXqEB5ly3UnC42o35MUw08AVi5g2eCIbPMSJ8t050so1hJtzmFWxcEtoloG-Sf8lY1P5rZyP3ea9pDTBEdb5PTM96bHJAD5jOFa023MFb0pFPT2tCD-gNi380yI6Kae3Q2k0U/s1600/20150929_181055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUM7TZSuXqEB5ly3UnC42o35MUw08AVi5g2eCIbPMSJ8t050so1hJtzmFWxcEtoloG-Sf8lY1P5rZyP3ea9pDTBEdb5PTM96bHJAD5jOFa023MFb0pFPT2tCD-gNi380yI6Kae3Q2k0U/s320/20150929_181055.jpg" width="180" /></a>I should probably mention how Oktoberfest was. It pains me to say it, but it wasn't so fun. I wouldn't go back. The people who worked at our hotel in Munich said that it has become all for tourists in the last few years, and more of a frat party than a celebration of Bavarian culture. Additionally, apparently my dirndl wasn't seen as fun and quirky, but confusing and weird in a bad way.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Overall, I did have a great time in Germany and would be happy to go back when it isn't Oktoberfest. Would my readers be interested in my vacation pictures?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-26055473423326321352015-09-25T06:33:00.001-04:002015-09-25T06:33:04.791-04:00Germany UpdateHeading to Germany today. The dirndl is finished, but I haven't had a moment to breathe, yet alone write a blog post about it. I'll try to do one during my long train rides.Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-78635034424772679812015-07-08T00:00:00.000-04:002015-07-08T00:00:03.021-04:00Sew What?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpDdKyCjoGYCieay3r5m1CGsUNe1VUE4sqqxlxQc4hGyUT8WXYpESq6XQmhIqWq__WNaKxxUYrF-ZEF9M62kfADhWk2tnISAe-99baXHdY2pBuSRrvY_X24TUXL-6eUowWH0j4GDa3zs/s1600/20150704_151538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpDdKyCjoGYCieay3r5m1CGsUNe1VUE4sqqxlxQc4hGyUT8WXYpESq6XQmhIqWq__WNaKxxUYrF-ZEF9M62kfADhWk2tnISAe-99baXHdY2pBuSRrvY_X24TUXL-6eUowWH0j4GDa3zs/s320/20150704_151538.jpg" width="122" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ3XIyN8YLPbXRejdAyVghJpPwBiZZYSnESzH6BiP240_eOJHyXy84YM7xcQkfB5pKXe2Stv61naaSpFHKRniL01RnHZo0612GUFA97Ur1dFVycvGmln7dLSjmI7vplBrPyEgktFQz94/s1600/20150704_151441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZ3XIyN8YLPbXRejdAyVghJpPwBiZZYSnESzH6BiP240_eOJHyXy84YM7xcQkfB5pKXe2Stv61naaSpFHKRniL01RnHZo0612GUFA97Ur1dFVycvGmln7dLSjmI7vplBrPyEgktFQz94/s320/20150704_151441.jpg" width="123" /></a>Sew What?! was originally what I wanted to name this blog, but the name was already taken on Blogspot. Harrumph.<br />
<br />
Shortly after I so thoroughly broke myself, I had a weekend alone so I wanted to see how well I could sew. My left wrist is the broken one, and I'm right-handed, so I thought I could probably do most things. But my right ankle, the one that operates the machine, is the one that is injured. Still, I wanted to try.<br />
<br />
I picked a simple pattern, one I've done multiple times before: <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6071-products-10882.php?page_id=522" target="_blank">McCall's 6071</a>. It showed up as View B in the <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2013/06/grim-grinning-ghosts.html" target="_blank">Haunted mansion dress</a> and View B/C in the <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-piece-of-pi.html" target="_blank">pie dress</a>. This is a shortened version of B. Yeah, there is already a shorter version (A), but that was too short for me. I wanted a long dress here (I was wearing the air cast on my ankle at the time, and long dresses were preferable to cover that up; sleeveless dresses were absolutely necessary because I couldn't get anything with sleeves over the fiberglass cast on my arm), but I had less fabric than I thought I did. This ended up being just past my knees.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEg2Rkoaof9uSp222myybNYbzptFbSqLyjwWvgoLL0KMUCiXxlZOrlMUWnJcUu4_FACzaiBkUnzjCFm94Q2YlSKTwsWHbYXWlJl9ZDcdpvWCtV4cTEK11XN6efBHrYLZfgxVuruJndHk/s1600/20150704_151522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEg2Rkoaof9uSp222myybNYbzptFbSqLyjwWvgoLL0KMUCiXxlZOrlMUWnJcUu4_FACzaiBkUnzjCFm94Q2YlSKTwsWHbYXWlJl9ZDcdpvWCtV4cTEK11XN6efBHrYLZfgxVuruJndHk/s320/20150704_151522.jpg" width="107" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-QGyGL_CDeB5Hsc5T-DXFv9SNSY8_ub3fTgfxTlYZtV1Qgqej8Gb7EpbA225j8EnVpKMKidzqC13tKM5iws8kseof-h-RSiItECXAMp0EL7_NQGa8m3HDsvD0MQU4Iaj_V195pdpxGQ/s1600/20150704_151506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-QGyGL_CDeB5Hsc5T-DXFv9SNSY8_ub3fTgfxTlYZtV1Qgqej8Gb7EpbA225j8EnVpKMKidzqC13tKM5iws8kseof-h-RSiItECXAMp0EL7_NQGa8m3HDsvD0MQU4Iaj_V195pdpxGQ/s320/20150704_151506.jpg" width="180" /></a>The fabric here is called Purrfect Notions Pin Cushion by RJR Fabrics. The little tea cups have kitties on them. I'm sure no one is surprised that I would have fabric with sewing items and cats on it. I really am turning into a crazy cat lady.<br />
<br />
Although I was able to cut pretty well with my functional hand, using fabric weights in place of the nonfunctional hand, pinning was hard. I managed to pin and sew the seams of the skirt, and hem it, but I couldn't get much of the bodice done. The turning of the straps and gathering on the front was just too much for my broken self.<br />
<br />
So with the dress half-done, I abandoned it until last Saturday morning. Another weekend to myself, and I decided it was time to start cracking. I need to start working on my dirndl, but I didn't want to leave this sitting until that was completed. My arm is in a brace and my ankle is still swollen, but I managed to finish, though it took longer than it should have. The gathering was still really hard.<br />
<br />
In other news, as I said, my left arm is in a brace right now. I'm going through physical therapy, but it's pretty stiff. I finally got back to running last week after a two month hiatus. I can't tell you how much I missed it. I can tell you, but I won't, about how much weight I've gained from two months of not running.<br />
<br />
<br />Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-1379710664481425762015-06-20T09:33:00.001-04:002015-06-20T09:42:36.213-04:00Deutschland Bound!<p dir="ltr">The Boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Germany in the fall, which will include a day or two at Oktoberfest.  (Yes, the non-drinking vegetarian is going to Oktoberfest.)  Never one to miss an opportunity to make and wear a costume, I decided I need to make a dirndl.</p>
<p dir="ltr">My first thought was linen, in black and a deep royal purple.  I figured linen would be the right weight that I'd be comfortable anywhere in temperatures from 60 to 80.  And then I'd do subtle bat embroidery along the hems.  So it'd be mostly traditional, with just a touch of my insanity. </p>
<p dir="ltr">And then I went to the fabric store with a friend and saw both bright orange and hot pink linen, but no deep purple.  Of course, my mind started racing.  Pumpkins on orange!  Spiders on pink!  Lace!  Ribbons!  Buttons and trim and embroidery!  Mwah ha ha!  Which then led me to thinking I should just out and out make the dirndl in Halloween fabric.  Which is completely the opposite of "mostly traditional, with just a touch of my insanity."</p>
<p dir="ltr">So, what do you think?  Traditional?  Completely off the wall?  Somewhere in between?</p>
<p dir="ltr">Of course, I still have two broken bones, so sewing anything right now is difficult to impossible.</p>
Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-52178609370568427032015-05-05T00:00:00.000-04:002015-05-05T00:00:09.702-04:00Secret Pumpkin 2015<div dir="ltr">
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8jWTNkMWlhGLbdUQMmmcEeSElPUo_43rD6ngh0mIH7hrBk7YK7qnraSl-M4iLQIQD7zFKil99ZfqbgpNfls0b-Chqg9O2YLCsBdee7mpt5faKQ2pLT3sK0XUwT7tW_7f1RnAeYeBky8/s1600/20150501_201721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8jWTNkMWlhGLbdUQMmmcEeSElPUo_43rD6ngh0mIH7hrBk7YK7qnraSl-M4iLQIQD7zFKil99ZfqbgpNfls0b-Chqg9O2YLCsBdee7mpt5faKQ2pLT3sK0XUwT7tW_7f1RnAeYeBky8/s320/20150501_201721.jpg" width="293" /></a>As part of the <a href="http://secretpumpkin.com/">Secret Pumpkin</a> 2015 gift exchange, I decided to make an Edgar Allan Poe rag doll. I actually started It last year, for the 2014 exchange, but if you recall, Lydia the Wonder Brat went missing and I spent every waking moment searching for her. (She hasn't learned her lesson at all and still tries to make a run for the door.)<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
The pattern is <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-2602-raggedy-ann-andy-dolls.aspx" target="_blank">Simplicity 9447</a>. I had purchased this to make matching Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for my (ex) niece and nephew. When I decided to make the Poe doll last year, I figured this was the perfect way to use a pattern that would probably not get used otherwise.<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
All the items came from my stash. The muslin I had around for obvious reasons, the black was from last year's <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2014/05/elf-esteem.html" target="_blank">elf dress</a>, the red was from the <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-leader-of-pac.html" target="_blank">Ms Pac-Man dress</a>, and the green buttons were from my ex-husband's grandmother's button collection. Before I took up sewing, I was really into cross-stitch, so the face is embroidery floss leftover from those days. I can't remember what I had the black fleece for, but the green was from the lining of a purse.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOTUrbLyKDc4HOUS6kOcHr3yB4qDuT7Edfi2ygRvd48FxrMa8jY2zH1hfnSMotdkGZOlHRqaYBR4Pfw_1JL8kFTKV-bYV7beCMl6d8ToAlpUQbHVkHXydmG9mCGYWvOwgwmYbzzdzLQA/s1600/20150501_201734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOTUrbLyKDc4HOUS6kOcHr3yB4qDuT7Edfi2ygRvd48FxrMa8jY2zH1hfnSMotdkGZOlHRqaYBR4Pfw_1JL8kFTKV-bYV7beCMl6d8ToAlpUQbHVkHXydmG9mCGYWvOwgwmYbzzdzLQA/s320/20150501_201734.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More chibi than I intended</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since this is a rag doll, I intentionally left it a little rough. The exposed seems are finished with zig zags to stop the fraying.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
The vest and coat were modified from the pattern's shirt. The bottle of absinthe and the raven were freehanded. I intended to do the hair as black yarn, but opted for fleece since I needed such thick coverage.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
I really enjoy doing Secret Pumpkin. If you'd like to participate next year, be sure to visit the web site and sign up.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
And not like I was producing a lot for the blog, but I broke my wrist over the weekend (celebrating my birthday!), so I'll be out of commission for a while.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-16792780465235000382015-03-14T00:00:00.000-04:002015-03-14T00:00:01.584-04:00A Piece of the Pi<div dir="ltr">
Happy Pi Day of the Century! Today is 3/14/15, which is a close approximation of the number pi. While Pi Day is celebrated every year, it's only once a century that the approximation comes this close. As a giant nerd, I have a party planned for tonight, with pies, quiche, and pizzas on the menu, along with pi-shaped cookies. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8H4fe6ce8m8a4JMthzU5mD0sYAnhzSCfEYDbnMH6cCKIi3tnB7YLK2LXuZJ3PLL82IHu_4NTlX5RJWVQ0pSXdaD1unU8moz0yBM8cUSfOpJdI514OxNL7uTJmieRjxauYOqaVcUhtOo/s1600/20150309_175111-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8H4fe6ce8m8a4JMthzU5mD0sYAnhzSCfEYDbnMH6cCKIi3tnB7YLK2LXuZJ3PLL82IHu_4NTlX5RJWVQ0pSXdaD1unU8moz0yBM8cUSfOpJdI514OxNL7uTJmieRjxauYOqaVcUhtOo/s1600/20150309_175111-1.jpg" height="320" width="114" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1l96lsFDiYVeFcXaTjjqvK_yDMvNUCjee45b1V0nd3XqGlBVWJHCqaR0ZuLq4Wu9N1K9PYRiHPnj9zDKW4R5QDqAnMtauZmvK28ZiG8R7aEdTGToL0wu2pUaQQ8z4KQMlGdgcxOLt2Iw/s1600/20150309_175057-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1l96lsFDiYVeFcXaTjjqvK_yDMvNUCjee45b1V0nd3XqGlBVWJHCqaR0ZuLq4Wu9N1K9PYRiHPnj9zDKW4R5QDqAnMtauZmvK28ZiG8R7aEdTGToL0wu2pUaQQ8z4KQMlGdgcxOLt2Iw/s1600/20150309_175057-1.jpg" height="320" width="115" /></a>Regular readers might remember that I seem to have a thing for making dresses with food on them (I guess I'm the Weird Al of the sewing world?). It makes me feel a bit juvenile, but obviously not enough to stop me. So it's no surprise I had <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0371346/kiss-the-cook-pies-black" target="_blank">this fabric</a> in my stash. I had purchased it with the intention of making a dress for Pi Day, but with my sewing mojo being what it is these days (or rather, what it isn't these days), it just sat in the stash until Friday of last week. I decided I must pull out all the stops and see if I could make a dress in a week.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
I went with a dress I had already made (<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6071-products-10882.php?page_id=522" target="_blank">McCall's 6071</a>, in the <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2013/06/grim-grinning-ghosts.html" target="_blank">Haunted Mansion fabric</a>), since I could save a bit of time by having the pattern already cut, and I would know anything tricky that went along with it. I did the bodice of view C and the long skirt of view A. I spent maybe 90 minutes on Friday night cutting the dress and sewing the bodice. I did the skirt sides and the hem on Saturday, finishing up the rest on Sunday afternoon. All in all, I probably only spent four or five hours on this in total. It's a very easy dress, but I am still quite surprised at how fast this came together.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j6EeSYOfRxXEr2avGrT9Dbuhy9G85nw_BdhVQmyizbvRbTV78BJjUPw7uVt8L6pr-JLGKG5EuI3KwUzSlduWPcXdseZpFS7byXe1JutAX0yw2wcEsvtNPULTQQZY4x6GLQy1Aajd_2g/s1600/20150309_175138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j6EeSYOfRxXEr2avGrT9Dbuhy9G85nw_BdhVQmyizbvRbTV78BJjUPw7uVt8L6pr-JLGKG5EuI3KwUzSlduWPcXdseZpFS7byXe1JutAX0yw2wcEsvtNPULTQQZY4x6GLQy1Aajd_2g/s1600/20150309_175138.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>The only modification I made was my usual shortening of the straps. The dress could have stood to be lengthened a bit, but it would have been tough in the fabric allotment I had (the pattern calls for 3 1/8 yards and I had only 3). (Side note: I moved my sewing room to the larger spare bedroom - now that it's empty of my ex-husband's stuff - and must have screwed up Azzurra's measurements in the move. Her bust was a bit too small and she seems to be several inches shorter than she was. So when I say the dress could have stood to be lengthened, it wouldn't end up dragging on the floor like it is in these pictures.)</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
So, as I said previously, this is a very easy dress. This would be a good project for an absolute beginner. The only challenges in this version are the darts in the bodice and inserting the zipper.</div>
<br />
So go have a piece (or several pieces) of pie, contemplate transcendental numbers, and happy Pi Day!Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-11846772344663597702015-02-04T00:00:00.000-05:002015-02-04T00:00:04.498-05:00Halloween 2014: WW Accessories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71jDr4c2iqk0kxlngwRx38gIdeu7ukul3g-lFC6S8aN4j9y-Ke8-Znnx7jecIf0GVq0C1gfVyp4Dnvdcul271h3NmtAb7qL2uT08OyXrlkAZsvWzvJmqZ9BMQkDZddGmKN03VfAL6CgU/s1600/IMG_8099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71jDr4c2iqk0kxlngwRx38gIdeu7ukul3g-lFC6S8aN4j9y-Ke8-Znnx7jecIf0GVq0C1gfVyp4Dnvdcul271h3NmtAb7qL2uT08OyXrlkAZsvWzvJmqZ9BMQkDZddGmKN03VfAL6CgU/s1600/IMG_8099.JPG" height="320" width="131" /></a></div>
Lasso: Many yards of metallic gold trim from Joann's; I simply Fray-Checked the ends and then used <a href="http://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/honda-knot/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> to learn how to tie a Honda knot (I also tied a stopper knot in it so it wouldn't slide around too much). Knowing that I wouldn't want to carry it around all night, I did a loop of skirt fabric at my waist, and used one of the star buttons (the same at the straps) to close it. It was rather fun to sneak up (or boldly approach) The Boyfriend, throw the lasso around him, and pull him in for a kiss.<br />
<br />
Earrings: Dangly stars from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/199298205/dangling-trio-of-stars-earrings-night?ref=shop_home_active_2&ga_search_query=star" target="_blank">ClassicallyRomantic</a> and two pairs of metallic star studs from Claire's (which no longer seem to be on the site).<br />
<br />
Tiara and cuffs: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/164179760/new-wonder-woman-costume-accessories-set?ref=shop_home_active_13" target="_blank">CapeandCloak</a><br />
<br />
Boots: Super sexy PVC vinyl boots by Funtasma, purchased from <a href="http://www.superherostuff.com/wonder-woman/boots/wonder-sexy-woman-boots-5-inch-heel.html?itemcd=bootswwsexy" target="_blank">SuperHeroStuff</a>. Surprisingly comfortable.<br />
<br />
Tights: layered red and blue fishnets from <a href="http://www.welovecolors.com/Shop/NylonLycraFishnets.htm" target="_blank">WeLoveColors</a>.<br />
<br />
Hair: long hair and sequins DO NOT MIX, so I wore it up in a bun. You can't see it in this picture, but I'm wear a hair flower over it, made with scraps from my costume, but my friend Reeb from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/REEBelliouslyCrafty" target="_blank">REEBelliously Crafty</a>.Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1404513230073818801.post-87829056226651462632015-01-21T00:00:00.000-05:002015-01-21T00:00:00.435-05:00Halloween 2014: WW Pattern ReviewI've been a bad blogger, bad seamstress, and other bad things as well. Since Halloween passed, I've barely touched my machine, except for basic mending and a quickie fifteen minute hat (more on that at a later date). No reason, other than the usual lethargy and SAD. So yeah, I'm late with the review again. Sorry. Don't hate me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHih0dIL8jWvx3FKjozwZn2BJ8a38ejCJjGtVmcIUhXMv4mabAY8iDpYAEe6IlKOmIewPe3rIVS6es4nH6s5lGHe8YnWNSOx3bFk4lzFt0CxuPGBo4b2BhfDFkzqN3qr5GwooVJAKMLI0/s1600/20141030_173427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHih0dIL8jWvx3FKjozwZn2BJ8a38ejCJjGtVmcIUhXMv4mabAY8iDpYAEe6IlKOmIewPe3rIVS6es4nH6s5lGHe8YnWNSOx3bFk4lzFt0CxuPGBo4b2BhfDFkzqN3qr5GwooVJAKMLI0/s1600/20141030_173427.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
First up is the bodice of the Wonder Woman costume: <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b5797-products-22969.php?page_id=385" target="_blank">Butterick 5797</a>, view D. Skipped the trim (since I was doing the logo on the front), skipped the boning (don't need the support), and didn't use a separating zipper since I was adding a skirt anyway, and for that reason, also let the bottom seams hang out. I used bridal satin for the outside and red cotton for the inside.<br />
<br />
This pattern is rated average, though I found it to be pretty easy, except for the amount of trimming I had to do in the seam allowance to get the tailor's tacks to line up.<br />
<br />
The only thing that was hard about this was the damn logo. My first thought was to use my embroidery machine, but I thought that would be difficult since the sewn pieces aren't flat. I could embroider them individually, but getting them to line up when sewn could be damn near impossible. Next idea was fabric paint, but I thought that might have a problem sticking to satin and might look too matte. Also, again, curved area, so a stencil would be tough. Following that was some sort of ribbon, but blah. Nothing was flexible enough.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHobPwolsV41I6_faWt_6Bis6pFaQ3TXiyO-IAzgcZNNVcmigK8Bj3oAkY_bVrWI8VSwqzHl5kXaNcXPh8bSzJnc876QhJC0YA7EOIewE-HFAeti-76Q7IrB7UGKW_6TATwF79Jg5y20/s1600/IMG_8100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHobPwolsV41I6_faWt_6Bis6pFaQ3TXiyO-IAzgcZNNVcmigK8Bj3oAkY_bVrWI8VSwqzHl5kXaNcXPh8bSzJnc876QhJC0YA7EOIewE-HFAeti-76Q7IrB7UGKW_6TATwF79Jg5y20/s1600/IMG_8100.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a>I ended up using some wide sequin trim. I vowed after <a href="http://cuzisaidsew.blogspot.com/2012/11/jareth-ii-coat.html" target="_blank">Jareth</a> that there would be no more sequins EVAR. The little voice in the back of my head told me that it was trim, so it would be different, and I didn't real have any other options, so I might as well.<br />
<br />
I absent-mindedly pinned it on and hurriedly hand-sewed it... and then realized I had done an M instead of a W. That was a couple of wasted nights and I felt pretty stupid. I spent the rest of the weekend pinning it on and CAREFULLY sewing it. The extra curves of the W put the trim under more stress, which required more stitches. You can see in the picture on the side that I used some narrow red sequins to separate the Ws in the logo.<br />
<br />
The belt is just gold lame. I picked how high I wanted the belt at the highest and lowest and just drew a gentle curve between them. I am not a fan of sewing lame because it frays like crazy, but I think it was probably the best choice for this costume.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71jDr4c2iqk0kxlngwRx38gIdeu7ukul3g-lFC6S8aN4j9y-Ke8-Znnx7jecIf0GVq0C1gfVyp4Dnvdcul271h3NmtAb7qL2uT08OyXrlkAZsvWzvJmqZ9BMQkDZddGmKN03VfAL6CgU/s1600/IMG_8099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71jDr4c2iqk0kxlngwRx38gIdeu7ukul3g-lFC6S8aN4j9y-Ke8-Znnx7jecIf0GVq0C1gfVyp4Dnvdcul271h3NmtAb7qL2uT08OyXrlkAZsvWzvJmqZ9BMQkDZddGmKN03VfAL6CgU/s1600/IMG_8099.JPG" height="320" width="131" /></a>The skirt is a simple circle skirt. I made it a couple inches above the knee, which is short for me. I was going to put pockets on it, and went so far as to cut them out, and then decided I didn't want to.<br />
<br />
You'll notice some tiny gold stars on the straps. Those were intended to be attachment points for the cape, but I ran out of time, making it in an hour before the first party I went to. I had intended for the outer cape to be the blue satin with white stars, with a fleece layer, lined with white satin. I could have sworn I had the fleece and white satin in my stash, but they were nowhere to be found when I went to look for them, hence this travesty.<br />
<br />
While I used <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7001-products-48716.php?page_id=915" target="_blank">McCall's 7001</a>, I didn't really. I kind of traced the general shape of it and adjusted the length. I actually went with the largest size, since this was intended to keep me warm. Since it was just a thin layer of satin, it wasn't all that great (but better than nothing). The white ribbon is from my stash, and had been stored in a cigar box, so it smells strongly of cedar, which was actually kind of cool.<br />
<br />
Accessories in the next post.Pixel Pixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17464601854437518024noreply@blogger.com6