Rainbow Joule

Things have been quiet, but this time, things have been done!

On the 24th I finally finished my stockings and garters. It took me a few tries with the garters, but in the end everything came out perfectly.

I absolutely love how they turned out. I'm a bit nervous about the red of the garters bleeding onto the stockings, as my weaving cards are stained pink now, but oh well. Not much I can do there.

And on top of finishing the stockings and garters, last night I finished the skirt. Which means dear readers, Corly is, after well over a year in the works, finally wearable.

Yes, I was too lazy to get the stockings, garters and shoes on, but you get the idea. 

There are still a few things left to do, such as the bracers, lacing holes on the skirt, hook and bars to hold the skirt and bodice together (maybe) and sleeves, but for all intents and purposes she is finished. I am really excited about her being done. And I am happy that all the redos and last minute unplanned changes (re: top row of diamonds) worked out really well in the end. You can't even tell I extended the skirt!

I am hoping to tackle the bracers and lacing holes this weekend, as well as making the neck opening on the chemise smaller. I probably won't post fully finished pictures until she makes her debut at MNRF in August, but I will post pictures of the other items as they are finished.

The state of things:

(PS. I love my new camera)

Things have been hit and miss lately. This is the current state of my craft room. Ugh.

I still haven't done the tabs on my bodice, but thats all for the better now. Instead I decided to work on my skirt. I had everything cut, bottom diamonds ironed and sewn into place, and outer and inner pieces sewn together when I noticed something. My new skirt was 5 inches shorter then my old one.

When I made the mock up for my original skirt (the patchwork diamond one) I had cut off some length from the bottom. But then I decided it was too short and time was running out to make the skirt. So I changed the design to the mostly red one and added length, which was easiest to accomplish by adding to the top.

Thing is I didn't add that length to the mock up, just the pieces I cut. So when I went to cut the out the new skirt, I just did it with the mock up as is.

A mistake which led to this:

Skirt design #3! Same as #2, but I had to figure out how to add 5" and not have it visible. My decision was to add the extra fabric on top of the skirt, then cut more diamonds to fit around the skirt and cover the seam. (Shown by the dotted line) This also means no waist tabs. (See why it was a good idea i skipped them?)

I have the extendo-pieces sewn on, now I just need to figure out how big to make the diamonds. And what did I do today seeing as I got off of work at 2 instead of 4? Nothing. Haven't even touched the skirt. Looked at some trim online to see if I could find something for it so i don't have to hand stitch the diamonds on, but that was it. At least pertaining to this costume.

However, I don't *really* have a lot of things on my list, just a lot of tedious stuff. If I don't get the sleeves done, no biggie. The bracers aren't going to be difficult to make. The most difficult thing is finishing the right stocking and weaving garters for them. And if need be, I can wear different stockings.

So as of now, here is my to do list:

Skirt
Cut out diamonds and sew on Add trim to diamonds Do waist
Sew to bodice

Sleeves
Pattern
Sew
Finish buttons

Bracers
Pattern
Sew

Stockings
Finish right
Weave garters

Accessories
Figure out belt
Finish knitting bag and felt
Crown?

I have a few things I'm going to have to throw into my sewing queue for other people/trips, but hopefully those won't take long.

Everything is pointing towards me moving next month (just need to sign the lease) which means, I can work on Corly again! I have been steadily adding new things I want to knit for her thanks to Ravelry (you can find me as EvilCB if you're there!) so I hope I can keep her going so I can actually make them all! Lately I have been obsessed with socks and stockings. I've only knit the left stocking for Corly, but I keep finding new patterns that would work great for Corly or faire socks in general. I've also started buying knee and thigh high socks that I've found in stores. I'm becoming obsessed!

But anyways, since I will be moving soon and be able to sew as soon as I get everything set up in my sewing room, I figured I should figure out just what I need to finish. I really want to have her done for the opening of MNRF.

So, here's my list:

     ››  Tighten left shoulder strap on bodice
     ››  Attach shoulder and waist treatments and trim
     ››  Gauntlets
     ››  Sleeves (sketch new color pattern)
     ››  Skirt (sketch new pattern)
     ››  Figure out how skirt is going to be attached (hook and bar or sewn)
     ››  Redo bloomers in larger size
     ››  Fix toe on left stocking and knit right stocking
     ››  Knit and felt jester bag
     ››  Do more to crown/hat?
     ››  Figure out any other extras
     ››  Alter patens

I believe opening is August 18th, so I should have time to do all of these. I also have a few things to do for Ricki so I can wear her at some point this season.

The last few weeks have been extremely busy. I did get my jester dress done in time to wear for RenDezvous, but it was not comfortable. My plan worked as to how to do the skirt waist, but I have gained weight recently (about 20 lbs. Ew) and I don't think it will fit properly until I get closer to the weight I was at when I first started making the dress. So, the dress is wearable, but I don't know if I will wear it this season. Sadness. Still need to do the shoulder and waist treatments, and the gauntlets. And finish the crown.

I do have a few pictures I took with my computer Sunday morning. I like how it looks, but the waist is just too tight right now.

I could redo the skirt waist to make it larger (which I still might do) but seeing as how I took the waist measurement from the bodice itself, I don't know if adjusting the skirt waist will really make a difference.

While sitting on the floor in our basement lacing up my bodice so Sam could help me with markings on my skirt, I had a centipede fall on the back of my neck. To say I freaked out would be an understatement. Gross gross gross gross gross!!!

Got my skirt mock up made, placements of the lacing openings marked, and the levels of the points on the bottom. Tomorrow I will cut to the bottom most level all around and start marking the diamond marks. I think 20 diamonds on the bottom will work. Then I will put 20 on the top and connect them. Cut the mock up along the lines (after cutting the lining) and ta-da. Diamond template that will give me the sizes I need to complete each stripe. Work one at a time and skirt done.

Still haven't gotten my shoulder treatments done. I was going to hand sew the binding on on Saturday, but I didn't like how it was looking. So then I started taking out the stitching I had put into the binding from my bodice, which too forever because the kids were over and Miley wanted constant attention. Sunday Sam and I went to faire (pictures here for now) and I was too tired to work on it then. I was all set to do it today when I got back from work, but I can't find my bias tape. I have the feeling someone threw it away. So shoulder treatments are done, but missing binding and attachment to my bodice. Then I was going to set the ribbon on my mask, but I wanted to use my leather punch to at least get the holes started. Of course, I can't find it. So I still have to do that.

Things definitely aren't going as well as I need them too right now. I ended up getting a hotel for this weekend, since it's looking like I might need to bring my sewing machine and I didn't want to bother anyone if I had to be up late sewing. Ryan might not be able to make it either, so if he doesn't I'll have the entire room to myself.

So much left to do, 5 more days to do it.

I did a bit of work on my mask today to finish it, but I think I may have wreaked it. I sprayed a sealer on it and the glue has turned a milky white and the trim looks grummy now. I'll just have to wait for it to set completely then see if I can salvage it. If I can't, I'll have to start all over.

I splurged today and ordered some new garb. I decided to do that instead of making "normal" garb for my jester, just to ease my work load a bit. Due to the nature of the company I ordered it from, I don't know for sure if I will be able to get the exact colors I want (a lot of their stuff ends up being fairly one of a kind) and I don't know when I will get it since they are at faires around now and everything. I would love to get it before I'm done with faire this season.

This skirt...

In this color way... (the green will be where the tan is in the above picture)

With this bodice...

And this top in 'natural'

I really wanted the bodice in the last picture, but it was $60 more then the one I did order, and I was trying to be good and not spend an extraordinary amount of money. Thinking of making a coat out of a tapestry like they show here. Trying to decide if I want to spend the money or not. (more then likely I will. I'm weak) If I had the money, I would go for the one shown here in a heartbeat. But that coat costs more then the three things I already ordered put together.

Guess I should get back to working on my bodice. Only 3 more grommets to sew and the back is done.

Haven't posted lately, but there hasn't been anything to post. I fell behind on my self set schedule and I'm trying to catch up.

I believe I'm about to the point where my bodice is ready to get put together (after cut out the fashion fabric and lining, sew on the trim, etc) but of course, I just realized I am short of grommets which means I can do everything put sew it together. (I'm putting the grommets on the inside interlining, then when I get the other pieces put together I'll sew over where the grommets are) Hopefully the new grommets will come soon.

Tomorrow I have to resize a shirt for Sam, and this weekend we're seeing Spamalot with my parents and Sam's mom and brother, which means I'll be taking her brother fabric shopping for his frock coat. And according to my schedule that is my project for next week.

2 and a half weeks til Faire, 4 and a half until RenDezvous. So much to do, I hope I can get it all done in time.

My hands are killing me! At least tomorrow I'll get my leather pouch finished. Just need to stitch the the lid to the rest of the bag and put on a button. Completely hand stitched with artificial sinew. Damn leather punch.

I have given myself a new schedule to get everything done. I started the leather pouch because I decided to wash the fabric I was going to make my bodice mock up with (since I'll probably just use it for the lining) and I needed something to do while that was getting done.

So as of now, this is my schedule:

July 15-21: Accessories (Leather pouch, basket lining/pockets and bangles. Gauntlets either this week or the final week.)

July 22-28: Bodice (Mock up and make, possibly leaving bottom unsewn to attach the skirt)

July 29-Aug 4: Skirt (Mock up and make, attaching to bodice)

Aug 5-11: Make Ryan's frock coat (Hopefully we'll get to SR Harris on the 4th or 5th to find fabric)

Aug 12-18: Stockings (Make right stocking and garters, add on to left foot if I have time)

Aug 19-25: Crown and belt (Finish crown, figure out what I want for a belt)

Aug 26-31: Any remaining items

I'm going to debut Corly on Sept 1 so I would like to have everything done before the 31st, as I will be leaving for Shakopee right after work. Doubt I'll be up to doing any finishing work up at the cities.

Pictures of the finished pouch tomorrow. Going to give my hands a break for the rest of the night.

I have a heel! Just need to finish the gusset then it's just the foot and toe. And the garter. And the second stocking.

I'm hoping to have this one done by this weekend and then I am going to mock up the bodice and work on figuring out my serger.

Update: Gusset is done! I have pictures, but I don't want to drag my camera out again. I have 3 inches to knit plain in pattern and then the toe. I'm hoping tomorrow I'll finish it!

What is it about Craftster.com that makes me suddenly understand my knitting problems? Twice now I have typed up a post asking for help and I always look at the pattern before I actually post it incase I figure it out. Both times I have. Now that I have it figured out I should be able to get things going quickly. I have 7" to knit before I get to the ankle/heel shaping. I slipped it on after I had gotten the motif finished and I really like how it looks. It gets a little wrinkly when my leg is straight, but hopefully once I get the garters made and the stockings with my bloomers it will take care of some of that.

Since I haven't posted any pictures of the stockings here so far, here's where I was yesterday. I'm not much further now since it took me so long to figure it out, but I'm hoping it will go quickly.

It is a very exciting afternoon! I went out to get the mail, saddened because my mail man didn't appear to have a package with him when he was delivering at the houses before mine. (trust me, I was staring and trying to figure out if he was or not) But I have a very sneaky mail man!! I opened my door and what do I see on my step but a shoe box sized package addressed to me!

I was so excited I dropped the package twice before opening it. I was so happy when I did get it open though! The shoes are absolutely gorgeous!!

They are extremely comfortable and look so much better then I was expecting! I've been sitting around with them on and my pants rolled up (see above photo) since I got them on my feet!

I HIGHLY recommend Lady Oren and her shoes! Go check out her website. I already have a few things picked out that I want next. Oh if only I had the money!!!

For now though, I leave you with some more shots of the most amazing shoes I have owned! I hope my costume will do the shoes justice!

Now I wish I could work on my costume more!!

It took me until the middle of the night, but the smock is finished. I had to adjust the cuff length to give me the sleeve look I wanted, but that wasn't hard. Just had to triple the measurement. :D

I was sick with the flu last week, which means I lost some weight and my corset is a tiny bit loose on me right now. Hopefully I'll get the weight back soon so it fits again.

Even in the event campus isn't closed tomorrow due to the snow, I'm not going to class tomorrow. (Showcase isn't really a class, and its the only one I have. Plus, next week is Spring Break) We have a giant snow cloud centered right over us right now though, so seeing as campus closed today there's a chance I'll luck out. Instead, I'm going to work on my bloomers and then lay off the sewing for a while and work on the stockings. I haven't touched them since my last mention of them.

Things are going pretty well with this costume. My shoes are ordered and I should hopefully have them in a week or so. I can't wait to see how those turned out.

Things are slowly coming together with Corly. I am about this close to finishing my corset, then I can hopefully get the other under-things done quickly and get going on the bodice and skirt. I'm hoping to get most of Corly done before the end of May, since I'm moving back home then and I don't know how much room I'll have to sew.

The only things left on the corset are sewing 10 more eyelets (I'm adding a jump ring on the back for extra strength, and it also helps them stay the same size), fiddling with the straps and binding them, stay stitching and some fix ups with the binding. It should be done in one more nights work, but I probably won't have another free night until after the 19th.

I have two things I need to buy yet for this costume: shoes and the crown/hat. I had an discussion with the shoe maker in early January, but it's taken me longer then I thought to get the money so hopefully she still remembers the details. I'm going to be getting the green shoes at the bottom of this page, one in red and one in yellow. The crown/hat I'm getting is this one. Sam is buying it for me for my birthday, but I don't know when she's actually going to order it as my birthday was two days ago. So long as I get it before I debut the costume I'll be fine.

I've been making some progress on the costume, but not as much as I would have liked. Classes and other school related things have gotten in the way. Last night I made a second mock up of the corset using my Blue dress bodice as a guide for size, and I think I just have a few minor size adjustments left and I'll be ready to move on to the real one. I've started working on a character persona as well, so I can be more comfortable in the costume around other people. It just makes things easier in my mind. I still need to get the final "story" figured out, but I have the name and a bit of other stuff.

I haven't been able to do too much work otherwise. The stocking I'm working on is into the calf area, which means 50+ rows of working straight until any decreases. Then I still have to make the second one. I've also been making buttons out of wooden beads and embroidery floss that I'm going to use on the sleeves. I have 8 of the 14 made so far. I have also found someone to make my shoes for me, but due to money issues I haven't been able to order them yet. Hopefully soon though.

Alright, enough talking. Here's some pictures of where I am so far: