Wearables Sewing Project: Designer’s Choice! [ Round 100 ]

And, naturally, this is one of the upcoming rounds I haven't come up with an idea for - some thinking is in order....

Teddy

 

I should be finishing the mori outfits from last round since I never did, but…

…this screams ‘mermaid tails’. How, for who and why I don’t know yet.

 

Hello! I'd like to join this month.
I was just about to start working on an outfit anyway, it may as well become the July project.
The model, as usual, will be Ayleen (Fairyland LittleFee Chloe).
I got the inspiration for a fantasy Japanese-style work/travel outfit including:
- yukata-style top;
- hakama-style trousers;
- corsage + belt + probably bag or tool harness;
- haori-style overcoat.
It's all "-style" because the aim is the general image, not authentic or historically accurate design.
I've been going through my fabric stores till 1AM last night, the creative impulse is strong with this one. The final color choices are close to my March project: beige and blue, I plan to use the same blue leather for the belt. And the closest reference images for this type of outfit go under "steampunk kimono" on Google. So I guess it will be ...-punk 2.0: from Japan with love

First off is the yukata. It will be in thin blue cotton/synthetic blend fabric sourced from an old blouse, knee-length. I've sewn yukata-, hakama- and haori-type garments in the past, with mixed results, this will be a chance to improve the patterns. I hope the sewing machine cooperates, it has been chewing thread recently, but would be a great help with all the long straight seams.

No photos for now: Flickr still doesn't work in Russia, and the Opera VPN service I've been using to get around it has also been blocked. (...argh ) I will probably have to move to another image hosting site. Any suggestions? I have a GooglePhotos account but am not sure how to post images from it on DOA.

 

I’m not quite sure yet what I’ll be doing yet. I think I’ll see what everyone else comes up with and then figure out my final choice. Right now, my ideas are one of the costumes from Six (Boleyn or Parr), a continuation of the fairy thing I’m already messing around with, some sort of costume, or a ball gown with a massive skirt.

@helgie I use Imgbb. It’s free and I don’t think it has any limits on image quantity. I have had issues in the past with trying to get the right code for an image I had uploaded previously, but that was also on a tablet.

 

I'm going to try this month! I've got some important round tuits tuited and by golly, I can see the floor in the craftroom! My model will be Morgaine and the outfit will be the one I designed for her for the graphic novel.




Tee hee...that's from the slideshow I did way back when. She didn't REALLY get preggers.

it will be black leather with (hopefully) a mail shirt underneath, and silver edging/fittings. There's also a fur cloak and fancy over robe involved that she might insist on. This is a long overdue project....

Hmmm...OTOH...I see we have a monochrome month coming up...and she is all black. I might just do Vanye's if I can find all the stuff for it. He's in brown's and reds...

 

I was going to get started on a fall outfit for Auriel, since I've had it in the queue forever, but I see next month is "seasonal", so I'll save it for then.

As for this month, hmm... I'm not sure there's anything I've been dying to make that I didn't just go for. I've made a lot of weird stuff for one of my other dolls. I'm thinking I'll either make a bit of a wardrobe for my newest doll, Luts MDF Terra, or I'll work on some more of the bizarre celtic-inspired stuff for my Studio Naiko Chovi. Hmm decisions decisions...

 

I have bits and pieces of several outfits for my mature tiny guys so I'm going to work on making them complete outfits.
Photos later.

 

Last month I ended up not being able to sew for the theme, so imma hold off for now until I know for sure I can sew something. I just got some nice fabrics, so I'm tempted to make an east-asian inspired jacket for my Doll Leave's Zheng. We'll see though! Good luck everyone~

 

I'm so excited for this round and definitely want to join in!

 

My sister doesn't like sewing for dolls but loves buying all sorts of small amounts of fabric that catches her eye. So I'm the lucky recipient of her purchases! She gave me some lovely cream satin and several pieces of sheer embellished fabrics and laces. I'm going to do something with those. I'll post the fabrics with a pic of my doll Eleanor a bit later. Here is my sketch. I think I will bead the bodice, not embroider.

This sounds great! I love the outfits in the graphic novel pic.

I use an app on my tablet called Imgur Photo Uploader. It's a very basic app but works well.

 

Sounds cute.

Cool

Oh that's so pretty

Teddy

 

I’d like to take part again, I need to get to my computer to post the doll, I have nothing in mind to sew for her because I sew from scratch. She has nothing to wear so it’s going to be nice to come up with an outfit for her. I just start grabbing materials, start cutting and that’s about it. I’ll post her soon, it’s a new doll to me, Peak's Wood Red FOC. I really like seeing everyone’s outfits coming together so this will be fun.


UPDATE - here is the doll I'm sewing I don't know what, for.

 

I think I'm goign to have to treat this round as a "Long Forgotten" edition of "Unfinished Business" as I really can't allow myself to start something new when I have unfinished BJD sewing projects that date back over a dozen years still waiting to get finished.

I just went and dug out my oldest crate of unfinished doll sewing and pulled a few of the older BJD projects out of there:


The ones up the middle and across the top are the oldest among them One of them for my very fist BJD (over 16 years, I know I hadn't finished it in time for WorldCon in Glasgow in 2005 which I took my first BJD to), and some for my second and third who arrived pretty close to one another (around 15 years ago). I think the most recent of this batch is more than five years old.

Soo, I intend to work on whihc ever of these needs the least work and I can still find materials for and see ghow far I get.

More details (and pictures) when I have time to go through them and assess the state of each project.

Teddy

 

Decided to join this month's party. My victim would be the 42cm Nocturne from Dearmine. According to the company he will be shipped in the middle of this month. Attached is a photo from the company's twitter.
My rough design would be a set of fantasy outfit suitable for both battlefield and formal occasions. Kimono styled top with ribbons on the side. A pair of shorts to show the furry details on his leg. The outer layer might be a robe similar to that of Dearmine Sahara Dune, however I might change it to a haori jacket if the robe doesn't go well with the elaborate sleeves of kimono.
As for my working plan, I am pretty sure I won't be able to finish it. I'm aiming for a detailed design sketch before Nocturne's arrival. I do have the fabrics at hand, but I prefer to work with some inexpensive satins first to get the pattern right. Plus I need to suede and restring the doll after its arrival. So I would call myself lucky if I have a finished satin prototype at the end of the month.

 

Oh my, I bet most all sewers have a stash like this lol, yours looking fun to dig up and complete, me, I usually just chop up with scissors. It will be nice to see that pile of unfinished clothing, transform.

 

Nice

AAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!

Especially for me (if i manage to get it done)

Teddy

 

I am choosing wings! I want to get the hang of sewing wire into pieces to add form... as in Dollzone's Little Rain...

next sewing project - wings by mare joy smith, on Flickr

There are a bundle of new folk with me right now, but my first choice is Doll Chateau Gail.

beach visit by mare joy smith, on Flickr

As always this looks like a fun inspiring place to spend sewing along...

 

Looking forward to these! So many fun ideas.

@Enitnerolf: Oh, we've never been there. None of us have half-finished outfits just sitting around waiting to be finished because we had an "oh look! A butterfly" moment. I await your mermaid tail...

Speaking of which...

@Teddy: Such discipline! I'll be curious your reaction to that first one that never got finished. That's a long time and a lot of experience ago!

@helgie : Sympathies on the sewing machine. Mine's been sitting in the basement during a lot of renovation. Hoping it still lives! I love innovative "takes" on the traditional patterns. Usually they go all floaty and fancy. Like the sounds of yours a lot.

@BlackSheep: I had the same realization of the "upcoming topics". Saving Morgaine for Vanye's slightly more colorful outfit. Problem is, VANYE got the last outfit...one for Project Runway, so not his "real" clothes...and M's still awaiting pants that aren't just a pattern. I...might not survive the month. My only hope is that I haven't actually found her a Changeling sword yet.

@SteamWitch: Looking forward to your little guys' outfits! The pending arrival of my little crew is part of what's gigging me into finally doing M&V's outfits!

@Rubytinker: OMG, we should all have such enablers! The fun thing about sewing for these guys is that you don't have to take out a second mortgage in order to buy cool materials. The dress looks lovely. The combo of blue and cream can be utterly gorgeous.

@mydaffer: I think that's probably the most fun way to sew...just pull out the fabrics, scatter them around and see what the resin kids demand you make.

@sylfr: OMG...He's gorgeous. You're braver than I to start something, even a pattern, for a doll that's not in front of you! How wonderful he'll have something to slip on the moment he emerges. (Mine have to settle for REALLY simple robes...the ones I was supposed to make during basics month and for which I finally excavated the fabric for!)

@dailymare: I think a lot of us will be looking on with interest on this one. And your little green girl is adorable!

 

I got my idea a little more figured out. Still need to hammer down details but the main idea is ready to go.

I think I’m going to try to do a Edwardian lingerie gown for Bella (Resinsoul Xun). But that will be a massive project, so it’s going to be split over two months. Due to being fairly complicated and needing a very specific set of undergarments to make it hang right, the dress itself won’t be until next month. It’s a summery style, so it can fit in the seasonal month. This month will be getting all the underpinnings done. Combination, corset, petticoat or two, a corset cover and matching petticoat (or princess petticoat if I make a good pattern) in a contrasting color to show under the gown, and some garters/socks. While I probably cannot cram all of that under such a lacey, frilly gown, I’ll make what I can and then reevaluate if needed before the actual dress.

First priority is probably the corset and the combination. Edwardians had no issues padding out the bust and hips, so that solves my resin versus corset pattern. Because the default Xun body has a pretty big bust, all I should have to do is add some padding on her hips and around the back to get the pigeon Edwardian s-shaped silhouette. I’ve got a decent lace collection, but the vast majority is synthetic, even if it should be small enough. I think I’ll hunt up some edging patterns and see if I can find some tiny enough to make myself so I can have cotton instead. No promises on that, but I can at least give it a shot. The other issue will be the busk. They were straight, so that should be easier, but I still need to figure out how to make one. Maybe thin wire and some sort of very stiff backing material?

 

I love that tiny purple print dress

What an awesome idea! I can't wait to see progress pics.

Oh my goodness this is a wonderful and ambitious project. I am excited to see your progress throughout!

 

Oh wow, I'm impressed! I usually toss out sewing projects that get too old, or turn them into something else. It's really cool that you kept them around this long, and are still dedicated to finishing. I look forward to seeing the results!

 

I'm feeling really inspired by the fabrics I picked out for that fall outfit, and I'm going to just plop them in since they fit the aesthetic of the doll I've chosen for this month's guinea pig. The lucky winner is my newest boy, a Luts MDF Terra. He doesn't have an official name, since I'm still deciding between a few. Anyway, here he is testing out the patterns I've already made for a sweater:



I'm going to make him a bit of a wardrobe since he's new and doesn't have much. I'm going for a couple casual pieces, but mostly he'll have a sort of dark academia vibe. (Just with more colors than brown lol.) Here's the giant pile of fabrics I've picked out for the project:

 

{laugh!} That's very kind of you but if I had any discipline ot speak of I wouldn't have left these projects unfinished for so long.

What a delightful idea - Are you following Bernadette Banner's videos on YouTiube where she's working on all that beautiful lace insertion...?

It was the tryout for a pattern I was drawing up... but I've lost track of what happened to it.

These are nothing - I have full sized costumes that have been unfinished since the early 90's I've only got rid of the ones that woould no longer fit me - most off them being passed on to friends who they woould fit, some of them kept for cutting smaller projects from and reusing the fabrics. I might even have one 18th Century gown I started making for my cousin at the end of the 80s.

Oh, I like all those yellows

Teddy

 

@Teddy Yes, she’s one of my main references. Her videos are the place where I first heard of this type of dress. I’m not going to do everything like her, but I’ve been rewatching some of her videos to get a good idea on what I’ll need to do. I’ve found some other methods on a historical sewing blog I’d love to try, particularly the Bermuda fagoting. If it can be done small enough, it might make a good small scale “lace” imitation on its own.

 

Beautiful. I shall look forward to seeing what you do.

Teddy

 

UPDATE AGAIN: I've been sewing all day The last photo is W.I.P. and then I added more. I sew from scratch, so this is conjured from, mistakes and imagination. Have fun ya'll. I may add a few things throughout the month but like most or all of you, I stay busy with life too.

 

I'm assuming the OP is meant to say 7/16 until the end of July-- though it'd be pretty impressive if someone could finish their project a month before it started, too.

At any rate, I haven't decided which doll to try this for, but I'd like to try a modernized hanbok or jacket in the vein of Leesle. I'll have to do some thinking about what scale I want to try this on, since they all have their pros and cons. Currently leaning most towards my DV wolfgirl since I'm still on that new doll excitement train, so we'll see!

 

That was quick off the mark - well done!

I've been sewing all day too... But I got disteracted by a bag of tiny scraps from previous doll sewing projects and have been piecing them together crumb-quilt style instead of getting on with an outfit.

Teddy

 

I got my first mock-up of my first piece done yesterday. It came out almost perfect, despite not looking like much, and now it feels like a trap. No hemming or decoration on it since I didn’t want to put too much time into it. And there’s supposed to be ruffles on the bottom of the legs, but time/materials got in the way again. The final one will be a bit looser, with straps, but that can’t be checked before using my real materials. I am deviating slightly from the original combinations (this type of garment) of the time by not doing the split crotch.

 

Looks like they're coming along nicely

OK, despite spending more sewing time distracted by piceing crumbs together into something that might eventually be big enough for a doll's quilt:

I did take soem time to go through the individual UFO's I pulled tyo get an idea of what stage they were at and what still needs doing to finish them

All of them are SD sized, which is a pretty good indicator that they're my favourite size to sew for.

1) White dress with purple print pattern needs:
- Waistband neatening on inside
- Bodice lining hand sewn down around armholes and waist.
- Hem
- Fastenings
- Possibly some trim

2) Sparkly print dress needs
- Bodice and sleeves tried on for size and fit adjustments made
- Bodice lining constructing
- Two skirt panels sewn together and oening hemmed
- Hem ruffle (already peleated) sewn to hem and trim added at join.
- Bodice lining sewn in and hand finished at armholes and waist
- Neck binding sewn on and hand finished
- Fastenings

3) Burgundy and pale sage Victorian suit needs
- Bodice removed from skirt, bust darts afdded for better fit, skirt re-peated to bodice**
** Possibly, contrast waistband added to lengthen bodice a little
- Tacked trim sewn down on jacket body and front fastenings added
- Waist fastening and shaping tapes added to overskirt (bustle drape and apron)
- Possibly bow, rosette or sother detail at back waist of jacket to add visual interst to top of bustle

4) Dark blue and red striped late Victorian suit needs:
- Waistband added to otherwise finished skirt
- Jacket collar made up and sewn to jacket body
- Sleeves sewn and set in
- Jacket lining sewn in
- Fastenings to jacket and skirt.
- Possibly bustle drape and apron overskirt (already cut out) to be sewn
OR Cut matching waistcoat form bustle fabric as jacket stle might be a bit late to go with draped-bustle style skirt.

5) Two pairs of white cotton combinations with broderie anglaise trim need;
- Remaining fastenings sewn on
NOTE TO SELF: Don't make this design again - it functions OK and only the botton of the legs are glimpsed when worn anyway, but as a garment it just doesn't look right.

6) Wine and gold silk taffeta Victorian dress needs
(second oldest outstanding BJD sewing project from around 2006)
- Sleeves finushed and set in
- Hem ruffle made up and pleated on
- Linging hand sewn aroudn armholes and hem
- Fastenings down back and at cuffs.

7) Blue cotton pinafore dress needs
- Sewing together

8) Remake of bought embroidered red silk dress needs
- Contrast undersleeves, waistband, and underskirt sewn.
- Skirt seamed up back and hemmed.
- Underskirt hemmed longer than skirt and tacked inside skirt
- Wastband sewn to bodice to lengthen it
- Undersleeves set into armholes
- Skirt/underskirt gathered to waistband as one layer.
- Hand finishing inside
- Fastenings

9) Red ginham dress with bright green trim needs
- Skirt trim unpicked and resewn more neatly in a couple of places
- Fastenings at wrists and sdown back.

10) Burgundy velvet coat dress with check silk lining and underdress needs
- Missing velvet sleeve & silk lining piece, velvet coat bodice pieces, and velvet & silk cuff pieces located (or recut if velvet offcuts can be found in stash)
- Unerdress cut and sewn
- Remainder of coat dress sewn

11) Plum velvet coat dress with matching silk lining and check silk underdress needs
- Underdress pullled from another UFO stash hemmed and fastenings attched
- Remaineder of coat pieces sewn togehter and finished,

12) Purple velvet 18th Century frock coat and gold silk wiastcoat (both lined in green silk) needs
(oldest outstanding BJD sewing project from 2004/5)
- Waistcoat skirt pleats pressed and tacked in place
- Waistcoat pocket flaps finished and attached
- Waistcoat fastenings
- Frock coat and lingin pieces sewn in entirety.
NOTE: Leave for [Round 104] Theatre/Masquerade

Yeeek! The list is longer than I thought!!

But at least I know where I stand with each of them

 

Okay, this is it. This round, come hell or high water, I'm going to finish something and my sewing machine will stop being an expensive paperweight. Plus, I'm can't wait to use this thread conditioner I bought. Maybe I should start simple, like finally finishing the circle dress I got at a con sewing tutorial years ago...

 

first attempt with wings by mare joy smith, on Flickr

My first try came together so easily that my mind didn't have time to wonder about what to do next. This wire doesn't have a label anymore, but it was too thick for the job, but worked all right...

first attempt with wings by mare joy smith, on Flickr

I have some proud bubbles from this. couple more pictures if you'd like

first attempt with wings first attempt with wings

 

I'm so sad about this round-- I'd been looking forward to it, because I've been wanting to try my own doll-scale take on the infamous Lirika Matoshi "strawberry dress" and this one seemed like the perfect time. But that was assuming I was going to have the body for the doll it's meant for by this month...and thanks to a mess-up where Impldoll didn't get my custom color sample that I sent in October '20 and nobody told me until I decided to check in on the order last month, my doll isn't even started, let alone here

I have all the materials for the project, too-- but I really don't want to start it until I have the body. I hate, hate, hate sewing from measurements and not being able to constantly check the fit as I go on the actual doll. And none of my other bodies are close enough to work as stand-ins.

I guess I'm just going to have to take a look at all the many ideas I've had for various things I want to make and pick a different one...I was looking forward to doing this round for long enough that I have to sew SOMETHING, even if it's not the thing I was specifically excited about.

 

Yay!

Well done!

Poop! That is bad luck. I hope you can find another project that will work

Waistband is neatened, bodice lining is finished, the sleeve cuffs are taken in (they were far too loose when I tried it on the doll)

It does need some trim, if only to control the difference in fullness between the gathered bodice and the more fitted lining. Once that's added, i just need to hem it by facing the bottom of the skirt with a bias strip, and add the fastenings on the back of the bodice and the cuffs.

My sewing room is in use as a guest bedroom until next Sunday, so I can't get at my sewing machine until then, This was all that needed doing by hand on this project.

Teddy

 

Well, I managed to get pretty far on the circle dress, only to realize it was much too short for my taste. Oh well. Maybe I'll try the ever elusive fall front pants...

 

Well, I'm just going through my fabrics and supplies looking for things to use up and hoping I get inspired as I work. I've decided I'm starting with this fabric and this doll:

I need to do something with this fabric, it was gifted to me ages ago by an older relative who sent me a few pieces of really heavy quilting cotton "for the dolls". It's a sweet thought but I've had a hard time coming up with designs for it because it's so stiff and doesn't drape well at all. I do like the way this print looks on Vira (Iplehouse Audrey) though.

So far I'm using this pattern by Requiem Art on Etsy as my base. Surprisingly, adapting it to fit the Iple YID body (with the smallest bust, mercifully) has gone pretty smoothly. I've managed to pick a fabric and get the main pattern pieces adjusted to where I'm really happy with the fit in just this afternoon:

I have a really big piece of this stuff, so I've been doing my test muslins in the same fabric as the actual dress will be-- this is just the pattern test though. I guess I'm going to make a fitted sheath dress; that way it won't matter that the fabric has no drape. I have a small, doll-scale shiny gold zipper on black tape that I found while rummaging in my stuff, so I'm thinking I'll do an exposed zipper up the back for some extra detail. I have a couple other possible ideas for embellishments, too-- but I may or may not do them, I'm going to test them on the fabric tomorrow. I'm pretty much making this up as I go along...

 

That's a pain, but can't you add some length by means of a contrast band, or ruffle, around the hem or something? You could make it look intentional by adding some fo the same contrast fabric to the bodice as collar, and ciusffs or somesuch.

Have you tried giving it a really hot wash to get rid of the size (finishing treatment) from the fabric and soften it up? Sometimes that can help, especially if you use a lot of fabric conditioner. It might soften it enough that you can use the remaining fabric for something else. Sometimes it will dull the colours a little but that just gives you a fabric in a slightly ddifferent colour than it was originally, and it's better that it's paler and useable than darker and too stiff.

It's actually looking good enough to use as the finished dress in that picture. The fabric looks gorgeoous on her, I can see why you'd want to use it

Teddy

 

I

I love it already. You’re doing a wonderful job and the doll and the colors are great!

 

It barely covers her goodies, so I would have to add a long length of fabric, or use a new one entirely. I suppose I could rummage through my fabrics and see what I have. I don't have the impressive collection of most here, but I think I might have something that would work...

 

In which case could you call it a top rather than a dress and pair it with leggings or something?

Teddy

 

Just checking in to let everyone know why I've not posted further. My air conditioning broke and it's so hot in the house I just can't work. I've got a replacement ac unit ordered and hopefully it will be here in the next day or so.

 

I love Bernadette Banner!

This is going to be stunning!

 

UGH! Bad luck - I hope it's fixed soon

Teddy

 

UPDATE: I made a few changes, I cut off some of the lace on the ties for the bonnet, added ears, and added a top under the dress. Couldn't resist, lol.

 

Nice

Teddy

 

those were good changes! I love the ears in particular

 

Thank you so much, I'm so uptight, I have new puppies at home, taking care of mamma, and we're in a warning of a tropical storm blowing through Florida, but I kept thinking something was missing and before the 60 miles an hour winds, so they say, blow away my entire life, I had one last dib. I think we'll be fine.

Thank you very much, I am so happy you love them, "not sew perfect" but I love them too.

 

I certainly hope so!!

Teddy

 

The scale of your fabric is spot on, love it.

 

I was down with a migraine for a few days, but my patterns are made and cut. I might have gotten too ambitious and cut out 8-ish pieces, whoops. First up we've got some casual jeans (something for him to wear on the shelf so he isn't stained) and some very 70s pants that'll actually go with most of the other items. The jeans still need a snap sewn in.



I did the pants first because I know they're my least favorite pieces to make. So now it's just fun stuff!

 

Everyone's projects for this month are looking wonderful!

It's a bit of a late start, but I'll join in and do something. As I have no overwhelming inspirations, I'll treat this round as unfinished business, and work on some of my many ufos. There's a lot of them - boxes and drawers full. More details later, when I've better assessed the situation.

 

Looks like the ac unit isn't coming. Just got a refund notice from Amazon so... I'm sewing on my bed. Rather strange to get used to. I've got the bodice started at least.

They look great! I know what you mean, I'm not fond of making pants either.

 

Well done!

That sounds familiar...

Well poop! I hope you can get hold of a unit soon. Meanwhile, well done for soldiering on despite the adverse conditions.

Teddy

 

Thank you so much for the comment. I really love it and am considering making shoes and a necklace or bracelet. So happy you like it! She is a newer doll to me and maker, she really needed to be personalized so this was the perfect sewing thread for that.

Thank you for all you do!

 

Can’t wait to see, love the materials and the theme. Exciting!

 

Those fabrics, the concept, and the doll all look perfect together. I look forward to seeing this develop!