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Messages - datcat23

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166
The Show Must Go On / Re: Medieval Dress and mens outfit
« on: March 19, 2019, 20:52:45 PM »
So I have made a start.  Here is my inspiration shot,  (I actually find this guy quite attractive so bodes well for hubby)



And I have purchased a base pattern to use.  I will be using the long, split tunic part from this pattern.



Obviously I need to make a few alterations.  The pattern has a (hold your breath) ZIP!!!   :|  That will go.  I will put in a neck keyhole, and a laced opening at the back.  I will decide closer to the date, if I will be applying a decorative trim, or embroidering the hemline.  We shall see. 

167
The Show Must Go On / Re: Medieval Dress and mens outfit
« on: March 19, 2019, 06:12:51 AM »
Have you thought about hiring costumes ?  I guess it would be more expensive but it would save you a lot of work.

There is no doubt that hiring would save me time, and who knows, the in-laws may decide to do that.  However I have gone down the hiring route once before, and it can be a depressing exercise.  I am short, and wide, and big busted.  Very few costumes cater to my size or body shape, and I would prefer to not go to something dressed as a monk again.  I was heartbroken when that happened.  So regardless of how much I grumble, I would much prefer to make my own. 

168
The Show Must Go On / Re: Medieval Dress and mens outfit
« on: March 18, 2019, 20:45:28 PM »
Well it just keeps getting better and better. 

Hubby has hinted (inferred, alluded to, and just generally said) that its possible we may need to help his parents sort out a costume as well.

So, I will be making TWO mens outfits (hubby's dad is probably one or two sizes smaller than him) and TWO womens outfits (the MIL is a size or two smaller than me).  This could possibly be an expensive exercise. 

169
The Show Must Go On / Medieval Dress and mens outfit
« on: March 12, 2019, 11:15:41 AM »
Hey guys, I need some help. 

Hubby and I have been invited to a themed wedding.  quote from the bride:  We r basing our dress on 12th century Saxon. My son is coming 12th century viking. We r having a handfast ceremony. Reception is a mead hall 12th century feast

So I am looking for patterns for a medieval dress (plus sized) for myself, and medieval mens outfit (regular) for hubby).

Any suggestions would be great.

170
The Show Must Go On / Re: Alice in Wonderland Pattern
« on: March 10, 2019, 20:38:11 PM »
Its quite a simple design, I shouldn't think you would need a pattern.  Have a look through your current patterns.  Basically all you need is a crew neck bodice, with sleeves (easy enough to make them puffy), and then a rectangle gathered for the skirt.  Top that with a simple bib apron (another gathered rectangle), and you are done.  Consider making an underskirt to puff out the skirt, to really add to the costume. 

171
Hi, I'm new... / Re: Just another newbie.
« on: March 02, 2019, 10:33:34 AM »
Another welcome from me, on the other side of the planet.  Welcome to the swirling maelstrom that is sewing.  Its addictive, frustrating, satisfying and .... frustrating ..... all at the same time.  But, it leads to the best community.

As others have said .... don't be afraid to ask questions.  "The only stupid question, is the one you are afraid to ask."  If there isn't someone that knows, there will be a host of helpers, who will try to help you figure it out, and who will cheer your success when you do. 

BTW ...... in a couple of months, I will probably post a topic about preparing for xmas.  For some reason that surprises this bunch every year.    :devil:

172
In the wardrobe / Re: Teal Fitted Bodice Dress
« on: February 28, 2019, 07:18:48 AM »
That's a lovely dress and the fabric is gorgeous! Is it cotton?

Its quilting cotton, which I picked up from an online quilt fabric site here in Aus.  I am sure the quilt police will get me.  :P

173
In the wardrobe / Teal Fitted Bodice Dress
« on: February 28, 2019, 03:54:05 AM »
Well despite being unwell, I finished this dress. There has been a fair number of changes since the muslin.

The pattern is the Bootstrap Fashion Fitted Bodice Dress with Pleats and Pockets (nothing frothy about that name). I made a pretty rookie error with my measurements, and so had to adjust the pattern. A extra dart was inserted in the front, and the back dart widened. I could probably take the back in a bit more at the waist. I lengthened the skirt panels. Firstly, because the muslin was uncomfortably short, at least for me. And I wanted to really showcase the print; the whole point of this dress.

Teal dress by Dani, on Flickr

Despite purchasing a generous amount of fabric, that skirt sucks up fabric, and I had to finickle around to fit the bodice in. It has meant that I have ended up with a blue bird at the centre of my chest, but it could have been two of them in pastie position   :devil:  so I figure work with what you have.

Teal dress by Dani, on Flickr

I am really pleased with this one, and can see myself using it as a pseudo-block, for future dresses.

174
Sewing Professionally / Re: Choosing Beggars, business client crazy edition
« on: February 24, 2019, 21:49:54 PM »
 :angel:   How will it ever recover???    ;)

175
Sewing Professionally / Re: Choosing Beggars, business client crazy edition
« on: February 24, 2019, 21:35:19 PM »
aaahhh thankyou for the clarification @Kwaaked .  I am not part of reddit, so was unaware what you were linking to, but I see you probably had the same thought processes as I did. 

I have witnessesed (and to my shame, been part of) witch hunts in the past, and it never goes well for anyone.  I think there is a focus sometimes, on the wish for not just justice, but visible justice.  A chance for a mob to express righteous outrage, and receive validation. 

I hope she learns a lesson in restraint.  That sometimes yes, you do get things for free, but its up to you to judge when that is likely, and not overstep your reach.  It can be a hard lesson in the digital era, but sometimes it takes a few goes before they get it. 

Again thanks for clarifying, and for your explanation.  I can occasionally get a bit "preachy" sounding, so I appreciate you (and everyone) taking my post so nicely.     

176
Sewing Professionally / Re: Choosing Beggars, business client crazy edition
« on: February 24, 2019, 11:13:36 AM »
I don't normally add to a post, but I considered that the timezones may play a part.

My post may raise the argument "She needs to know that she did the wrong thing", and perhaps she does, but I think we as the practicing adults here, need to consider the environment she will be learning her lesson in.

I was a properly noxious, selfish teenager, and I was not above trying to lie, to get something I wasn't entitled to.  Mostly alcohol.  But, when I did something wrong, the wrong-doing was local, and so were the consequences. 

This girl, in my time, would have been picking a fight with the local bridal boutique.  She would have been told no, showed the door, and if she was lucky, her parents would have heard about it before she got home.  At the least, she would have suffered punishment at their hands.  At the worst, she would have suffered the disapproval of her teachers, sniffy looks from other shop owners, and a good deal of sniggering from her age mates (at her failure).  And it would have passed. 

Yes, its a digital age, and so her attempt reflected that  (claim to be an "influencer") and therefore the audience is wider.  But the consequences for stuffing up, and poorly judging her reach, are a great deal bigger.  Reddit can be a cruel place at times, and often the social expectations change depending on the person, so its a bigger stick that can deliver a consequence.  And so the outcome can have a much bigger, and more savage impact.  But, she is still a silly child, who thought she could big mouth her way in the world, and instead inserted her foot. 

Just my thoughts guys ....... I work with kids, and I know how they can do your head in at times. 

177
Sewing Professionally / Re: Choosing Beggars, business client crazy edition
« on: February 24, 2019, 10:49:24 AM »
I don't think she's done anything so bad, that she warrants being dragged through the streets naked.  Sure, she has shown herself to be an entitled brat, with a potty mouth.  But she hasn't attempted this online.  She has gone local, targetting a seamstress in her community, and attempting to get product locally for free.  Plus, she's a (I assume as you mentions she's a high schooler) a child, so therefore you would need to be carefully about identifying her online.  Finally, despite her poor behaviour, you have no idea how a public takedown might impact on her, both socially and emotionally.  If you could guarantee that your actions would only deliver a (virtual) smack on the hand and a lesson about doing better, then go for it.  But teenagers are capricious, selfish and self centred, and yet can sometimes also manage to be complex, fragile and easily hurt.  It doesn't excuse her behaviour, but it that behaviour doesn't justify our own poor behaviour. 

178
Sewing Professionally / Re: Choosing Beggars, business client crazy edition
« on: February 22, 2019, 20:53:12 PM »
What puzzles me, is does this approach actually work?  Has she had other artisans just give her product?  It boggles the brain. 

A page I follow, which has a swear'y name so I won't mention it here; the page/business owner posts the occasional post titled "emails from people who don't like us very much".  Almost always these will be from people who want their product NOW! ignoring the delivery times clearly stated on the website, or who think they can bargain down the price.  These are not mass produced items.  They are either handmade one-off's or small run productions, and she is not a huge corporation.  Top it off, the whole business is to support an orphanage and support programs in a small village in the Phillipines.  And yet the number of people who feel they can be demanding, or abuse her because she won't bow to their unreasonable demands, is laughable. 

Stick to your guns, make the content of her emails public if you want (I wouldn't recommend posting her name) and then move on to your genuine customers. 

179
In the wardrobe / Blue and white floral dress - wearable muslin
« on: February 09, 2019, 02:47:40 AM »
I decided that I wanted a simple, straight bodice dress.  While my self drafted shirt dress is lovely, I feel that something simpler is in order.  Not wanting to go through the whole drafting process again, I decided to give Bootstrap Fashion custom patterns a go.  I have one of their knit patterns, and it is a staple for winter tunics.

I went with the V-Neck Pleated Skirt Dress With Pockets, entering my measurements to get a custom fit pattern.  I am thick through the waist, big busted (and they are a bit low slung), petite, and short waisted.  I have found out the hard way, that while can measure others properly, I obviously don't measure myself the right way.  After deciding to not "leap in" with my good fabric and doing this muslin, I discovered that the waistline on this dress was as least 2 inches too big.  (see the pinned out extra width). 

Adjusted waist by Dani, on Flickr

That being said, I actually quite liked the fit across the shoulders, bust point and the back.  I decided on putting a 1in dart between the main dart and the side seam (pretty much where I pinned out the bulk).  Went back to the sewing room, laid out the dress, and proceeded to draw up and stitch in a basic dart ..... yep, in the back.  So, tried on, decided it could do with a bit more, so also put the darts into the front.  I have transferred these changes to the pattern, putting the extra dart on the front, but just increasing the main dart on the back.  I will have to adjust the skirt panels, but they are a straight rectangle, so shouldn't be a problem.  I used a dress zip, because I didn't have an invisible, but will do it properly next time. 

Finished bodice

Floral - muslin by Dani, on Flickr

Dress
Floral - muslin by Dani, on Flickr

180
A bit of a 'do' / Re: Sewing silk ..... tips and tricks needed
« on: December 24, 2018, 06:19:19 AM »
Well I was planning to finish up on my sewing after the nightgown, but then today I decided I would get myself organised, and make the tunic that I cut out last week.  I have been procrastinating with this, rightly so, as the fabric was so soft it was like sewing fairy floss.  This is loosely based on the Daisy Tunic from StyleArc, but I also used features from other patterns as well.  The tunic is actually double layer, with the under layer being longer, with the sleeves being a single layer.  I used the selvedge for the hems to avoid having to hem such a soft fabric.  Wearing it, feels like you are wearing nothing. 

Thank you to everyone for your hints.  I used a fine needle, and the walking foot  I also used bias tape on the neckline edge, and the shoulder seams, to make it easier to handle those seams. 

sari dress by Dani, on Flickr

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