I have finished the underskirt for my Renaissance dress. Here's a look at how it went.
I used the brocade for the underskirt. You have to be careful with brocades because they fray very easily, I serged every seam after it was finished sewing. I used satin pins, close together, to keep it from sliding. I also used a universal needle in size 90/14, and a 2.5 stitch length.
I was surprised because I had more fabric left over than the extra 1/8th that I bought. Also I didn't even use one spool of the thread I bought, (which was 100% cotton, sew all, thread).
Also I tried to use a disappearing ink fabric marker, and it worked, but it faded within 20 minutes. That was a lot quicker than the week it took on the cotton I tested before. Not a bad thing I didn't have to worry about the ink showing.
Now on to the more difficult project. The dress part.
Sometimes when you start on a pattern it's hard to make sense of all the information on the back. Today I take a closer look at Butterick 4827 and weed through all the information to get to the stuff that applies to me.....And then I went shopping.
Aside from a pillow case, pajama pants have to be one of the best beginner projects and the best introduction to pattern reading. Simplicity 9871 is a very easy pajama pants pattern. It's one I've used multiple times. My husband saw this cool, colorful space fabric and had to have a pair of pants.
If you're looking at this pattern and confused or terrified of the daunting task in front of you don't fear I'll walk you through it.
I used: Simplicity Pattern 9871
Size XL
3yds of Fabric -Large Planets (It only calls for 2 7/8 but I always get that extra save it for quilting and stuff)
Black thread
1 inch elastic
A dress form, it's a lovely tool to help you get an idea about how your garment is going to look. How fabrics are going to drape and also a really good tool for hemming skirts.
They were 50% off at Jo Ann's this weekend, so I decided to get me one.
I got the Dritz simple fit, it's a basic model. Easy to assemble and adjust, I have nothing to put on it yet but I'm ready to use it for my Renaissance dress.
Whether your just a beginner or so good you can do it with you eyes closed, every crafter goes through these phases when they craft something.
Design Phase
This is where you start with any craft. It can be a simple as looking as picking out a patter, or as complex as making a detailed drawing of what you want to make, with colors and materials listed.
-For Jewelry again you can look at instruction book, or make a drawing.
-Picking out blueprints
-Grabbing as many reference pictures as you can and putting them together is always a good place to start
Planning Phase
This is how you figure out what you are going to do to actually make the design a reality. Again it can be simple or complex.
-Make a task list of things that need to get done.
-Are you going to follow the instructions or pattern exactly or are you going to deviate.
-Are you going to make a pattern from scratch or are you going to work off other patterns.
-Gather the pattern you plan to use and then list which parts you are going to use from what
-List how you are going to use the patterns
-List the materials you plan to use, satin or crepe, rondelles or bicones, acrylic or wool.
-Figure out how much of each material you are going to need
-Choose your colors, even if this means buying swatches and taking them home for a week you need to pick exact colors before it's time to make the item.
Test Phase
This is the time to test to see if your plan works.
-If you drafted your own pattern, this is a good time to make a mock up
-line up beads to see if you like the combinations
-make a quilt block to see if the plan works, or the colors work, or whatever
-if it doesn't work here go back to design of plan phase to see what needs to be changed.
Make Phase
This is easy, make your item. Sew the dress, build the table, make the necklace, knit the scarf. You know what I mean.
and finally
Show it Off
You know what I mean. Take picture, show people, wear it, be proud you made something.
Every crafter from beginner to expert goes through these phases and you will see yourself doing it. Want to start a complex project this is where you start, you have to design and plan before you make.
Since Hoshicon is over the next even on my list is the Carolina Renaissance Festival, and I want to make a dress for it. I decided that I don't want to do anything overly complicated, so instead of designing my own I'm going straight from a pattern. Let me take you on the journey while I narrow down my choices.
Honorable Mentions
At this time the fall previews (2015) for both McCall's and Simplicity are available. Since I do not own any of the patterns from the fall preview yet, I did not include them in my selections. There are two that are worth mentioning though.
