Fabric Haul - Cotton blue and white yabane bolt

Something down to earth.  

A cotton white and blue yabane bolt.

I think it is cotton as it does not have the same feel as the wool bolts that I have in my collection.

Plus the colouring has a feel of a yukata and these are normally made from cotton fabric.

From a distance, you can make out the yabana pattern but when you look at it close up it is not so clear.

I would love to make a lolita dress from this as metamorphose every so often release a wa-lolita dress  with yabane pattern.  However as much as I love them, they are just too fussy for my liking which is more toward the classics side of the fashion.  I will probably get some matching navy blue cotton fabric and trimmings when I make the dress.

Making a dress - Simple white underskirt

Inspiration

Like a petticoat is a staple in the lolita wardrobe so is a underskirt it seems for me.

I have sewn a few dresses now which sometime I feel would benefit from an underskirt either to provide a little volume or just to provide modesty.

Design

This one is going to be a simple rectangle skirt as I really want to show off the border design.

Shame I can't get more of this fabric.

Construction

Okay, fabric all ready to be cut up.

Oh my scallop edge.  They may look pretty but so much work has to be done to get them to sit nicely.

As I have limited fabric, I opted to only put one pocket.  Can not risk wasting 3 cms, the skirt is already borderline not poffy enough.

Putting in the waistband which will be a half elastic waistband.

Finished

Edit:  Okay I can't put it on Miffy 2 because of a stupid error so I'm afraid I can only give you photos of it lying flat.

Here you can see how I dealt with the lining and hem.

Conclusion

Well this was the first time I make scalloped edge and I think it would be easier if the fabric was thinner.

Oh one fundamental error was made on this skirt.  I did not make the band big enough to fit over my bum.  Yep I was kicking myself when I found out however I discovered that I can still wear it if I put it over my head.  So there we have it, I did not waste half a day making a skirt and wasting this precious fabric.

Also it doesn't quite go with the qi-lolita dress that I originally made it for. Which is a shame but it will go nicely with my blue apron dress.

Epic Regency Sewing Project - Red and White Striped Spencer Jacket and matching bonnet

The outfit for the ball is finished.  I suppose I should now make my spencer jacket.

But what sort....I could make the standard looking ones which end at the bust but how about something unusual like the pointed ones.

Well why not!  I am going to make it out of red and white stripes so I am going to stand out so why stop at the design being unusual.

Yes as you guess, I had to draft this one as well from my basic sense and sensibility pattern.  Getting my money's worth from this pattern but it does show how versatile it is.

Didn't put on the sleeves as they will just be ordinary sleeves.

Now I had a slight delay in that the fabric, in that I was delivered the wrong fabric.  However I contacted the seller and they said they would send me the correct fabric that day and that I could keep the other one.  Woo hoo.

I always order too much of a fabric just in case and yep far too much but never fear the rest will be made into a lolita dress most likely.

Snip here and there.

I will need to cut another set of bodice pieces to act as a lining but first lets put these together.

Not looking bad.  I suppose it is time to cut the other pieces and these together.

Opps slight accident in poking the tails through so I will have to make this the underside.

Now to put on the sleeves.  Now this can either go well or become my nightmare.  

One sleeve on, well that wasn't too bad.  Maybe the fabric is behaving itself.

Second sleeve on!  And it is done.

I have to admit the jacket reminds me of a circus ringmaster but it is cute.  Now to get a matching bonnet sorted.

My original plan is to make a bonnet similar to this one.

However the sun visor I brought is a little big.

So instead I will opt for a capote.

Yep something like my turban but with a brim and not so poffy.  It will look more like a bonnet.

I will be following instructions from Koshka the Cat http://www.koshka-the-cat.com/capote.html to make my one expect I will have a straw brim.

So first thing first.  Take apart the sun visor.

Hehehe this was actually more fun then it should be and I managed to salvage the straw bow.

Next I cut a huge circle for the head and then gathered it.  Sorry no pictures of this as I forgot and I also forgot to take pictures of me making the pleated trim.

However I simply followed the steps from Kleidung um 1800.

http://kleidungum1800.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/zuckergu-ist-ein-mu.html?showComment=1342221544121

OMG it took forever......I was seriously tired after making this small piece but it does look cute.

Here is the basic bonnet put together with the trim.

I thought it was best to also stitch the visor at the back together as I didn't not want to put too much strain on the fabric and trim.

Yes when I said I made a small piece, I really did mean I made a small piece as I had a gap.  However this is not a problem as I will cover the gap with the salvage straw bow.

Me just trying it out for size.  Is it me or does it look huge?

I seem to have mis-filed my photos for the completed bonnet because I only finished the bonnet a couple of days before the event.  They are hopefully on my camera.

Next post will be about the event itself.

Floral Kusudama Kanzashi - Pastel Pink and White

A wonderful floral kusudama kanzashi which is perfect for the summer days. 

*** Kanzashi Description ***

* Colour - pastel pink and white.
* Size - 7cm (diameter) by 3cm (height).
* Mount - alligator clip.
* Suitable for all hairtypes and hairstyles.
* Suitable for Vegan.
* Customisable.

Kusudama kanzashi are just a delight to make and this one is no exception. Do not be fool by this elaborate floral kanzashi, this kanzashi is as light as a feather so you do not have to worry about it pulling on your hair or slipping out while you are wearing it. In fact you can wear this kanzashi all day without any incident.

If you are interested a customising your kanzashi colour then please send me a convo and I am sure I can help you.

You can buy this kanzashi here https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/153705479/floral-kusudama-kanzashi-pastel-pink-and?ref=shop_home_active

Kanzashi experiments turn in reality.

Remember back in February I was experimenting with the tsumami technique to create regency style flowers?

Well one flower I played with was this one.

which the tsumami version of a lilac.

Pretty close in petal shape would you not say and you can read all about the design of this flower in the following link.

http://kittykanzashi.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/what-does-kanzashi-maker-do-on-rainy.html

Well it was about time I actually make them properly and give them to my partner in crime for this project.

I was so eager to send them to her that I completely forgot to take pictures for myself to these are her photos that she took when she received them.  I only made two of them to make sure that she liked them and lucky for me she absolutely loved them!

Now to make a few more for her to enjoy and maybe I will supersize the flower to make a bouquet out of them.

Wedding dress Erika from Pronovias

Since my wedding back in October, I still have this craving for wedding dresses so to fulfil this desire I have decided that every week I am going to find a wedding dress that I like.

Therefore the first dress of the week for me has to be this one from Pronovias called Erika.

Wedding dress Erika from Pronovias

Why I love it!

Wow I love the lace on this dress!  If the lace on the dress isn't enough for you, this comes with a lace poncho which I think gives a lovely ethereal feel to the ensemble.

It also has a timeless classic feel because of the figure hugging design.

With that much lace, you can forget the veil!  A charming headdress will be enough to complete your outfit because you would not want a veil to cover all of the detail.

Hmmm so why wouldn't I buy it?

I have a nasty feeling that this style of dress is not very forgiving in the body department.  For example, being  only 5'2'', this dress would swamp me.  Then there is the figure hugging issue, unless you are going to be wearing control underwear on your wedding day, this will require a couple of months in the gym to tone your legs and arms.  

So what do you think of the dress?

Custom kanzashi order.

There is nothing better then creating a kanzashi for a bride and last week a bride contacted me to ask me to create a kanzashi for her special day!

Cherry Blossom was her chosen kanzashi however she wanted it completely white!

I couldn't disappoint her so here is the same kanzashi in white.

I have to say it is lovely but I'm bias ;)

Lily Love Kanzashi Haircomb

New kanzashi design with a new flower design!

This delicately constructed kanzashi is made from 3 lilies and 2 ume flower using white polyester habutae and is perfect for a vegan bride who wants an accessory that does not compromise her beliefs.

Lily Love measuries 11cms wide by 7cm high and is attached to a plastic haircomb.

This is a vegan friendly kanzashi and I can make in the following colours:

• Ivory
• Baby Pink
• Pale Blue
• Lilac
• Pale Yellow
• Red
• Royal Blue
• Green
• Orange

If there is another colour you would like me to make the flowers from then let me know!

And for those of you who are interested, this kanzashi can also be made using vintage kimono silk. Again just drop me a convo to discuss details as this option will be more expensive.

Golden Ume-Japanese Bridal Tiara Kanzashi

A bride should always be the centre of attention and this kanzashi certainly make it so.

Made from ivory colour habutae, these delicate ume (plum) blossom have been hand-folded and then decorated with gold bead cap and silver pearl beads. Enhancing the flowers arrangement are 2 decorative strands made from silver wire, gold bead caps and more pearls.

Golden Ume measures 13.5 cm(wide) by 5.5 cm(height) by 4cm (depth) with the metal comb being 4cm (wide) by 3.5cm (height).

This tiara will be truly unique as it is made to order for you and therefore if you have any special request to make regarding this tiara such as colour or fitting then do not hesitate to contact me. Once I have received your order, it will take me 5 working days to be ship your order.

If this one doesn’t quite tickle your fancy then why not browses though my etsy shop or my flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/kittykanzashi_designs. All of my designs can be customisable to your wishes and needs so do not hesitate to contact me and I will do my best to fulfil your expectations.