It Seamed Like a Good Idea at the Time

Twenty-four black cocktailers sewn at the same time, I would use up a bunch of fabric and save a lot of time by sewing them assembly-line style. It was all going well until I started doing the hand sewing. Whatever was I thinking?

My Place to Create

WARNING! I didn't clean up my new sewing room before I took these pictures. What you see is what you get.

A month or so ago I talked my wonderful husband out of his "Man Cave". I was surprised how easy it was. I had been sewing in the corner of our family room for over 6 years. I didn't mind it for the most part, there were a couple of advantages: No one could see my space unless I invited them downstairs (I don't always feel like explaining my hobby to people) and I was still with my family. The disadvantages outnumbered the advantages though: My sewing area was always messy, I worried about other people's kids getting into my stuff, I couldn't sew and scrapbook at the same time, my fabric stash was stored in the garage, and my older boys were embarrassed about all the doll nudity when their friends came over.

My former sewing corner in the family room

My oldest son, Nathan, is 15 now. He likes having his friends over a lot and I like knowing where he is. I decided it was time to make the family room more "man cavey" and contain all my stuff in one area.

It took me a few weeks to get the old stuff out, and the new stuff in. I still have some things to organize, I can't believe how much stuff I have! The only challenge now is remembering not to isolate myself in my sewing room too much while my family is home.

My sewing area

Dolls and scrapbook supplies

Cutting/Scrapbooking/Thanksgiving table

More dolls, I need to make risers for the dolls in the back and hang up my clock.

My fabric whoared, now I can sit at my sewing table and look at all my fabric and tell myself I don't need more fabric, even though I could still fit one more plastic bin in there and the bin with the red fabric isn't very full.

My current project: 24 black cocktailers in 3 different styles.

My First Pattern

I have thought about making patterns of my designs for a long time, but like everything else, it took me a while to get around to actually doing it. I have decided to make patterns of outfits that were popular, but I never want to make again. When I make a new outfit I usually try to cut out as many outfits as I can out of my fabric, or up to about 8 outfits. Whatever comes first. That is usually all my patience can stand.



I realized after I started, that there is a lot to think about when making a pattern. Writing out the instructions was hard. I can't draw, so I decided to MAKE THE OUTFIT AGAIN, even though I really didn't want to. I must say though, that making only one instead of ten wasn't too bad. I tested the fit of the pattern, wrote down all my steps, and even took pictures as I sewed. I think from now on when I am making a new design, I will take notes and photograph my steps in case I decide to sell the pattern later.



This pattern is now for sale on my For Sale Blog.

"Imitation of Life" White and Blue Gown

This gown has been on my to-do list for years. When another Gene collector asked me if I was planning on making this costume from the Lana Turner film "Imitation of Life" I decided to move it up the list and take a break from making "Rear Window" costumes. It is made of silk chiffon, which wasn't too hard to work with.





This gown was relatively easy to make compared to my latest projects. The hardest thing was finding the right shade of blue for the sash.

The sash can be worn in several different ways.

The jewelry was a gift from Jennifer and Katherine O' Hare, that I received at the "Hollywood Ahoy" convention in 2009. It is perfect.



I watched the gown scene many times in the movie. In the first shots, the sash is a dark teal color, but then later it looks blue, like in the above photo. I found this blue silk chiffon in Seattle this past Summer. Almost every time I leave Whidbey Island, I try to hit a fabric store or two. My three sons love fabric stores, and by love I mean I have to bribe them with candy, toys, and gum.

Distant Venus is my beautiful model.

Obsessing At Its Finest

Since this blog is about my many obsessions, I have a new one to share. Last night I was watching "Project Runway" and I started freaking out. One of the finalists, Andy South, was making a beautiful green outfit out of silk. The top had pleated ruffles all over it. They showed him making perfect mini pleats with a pleater board.

"Oh my Gosh! I NEEEEED one of those! I swooned. I backed up the DVR several times to see the pleater board. My boys thought I had lost another marble.

This morning I googled "pleater boards" and one is on its way, along with many other "must haves" for my sewing room that I didn't even know I needed until I was on the Clotilde website .

The reason I am so excited about this is I have been looking online and all over the countryside for pleated fabrics. I have a small collection, that I have been hoarding for years, but I want more of course.

If this works out, imagine the possibilities!

Dior's "New Look Bar" Suit

The "7 Year Itch" dress

This gorgeous cocktailer

The possibilities are endless!

What do you like the best?



P.S. I guess I should mention that after I ordered my pleater board, I may have remembered that I already own a pleater board. I bought it during my doll house obsession phase. I just found it in the shed, it will make very small pleats. Now I will have two! Awe. Some.

New Things

Even though I have only blogged about one of the many, many things I bought at the last Gene convention, I have decided to write about the last batch of goodies that have made their way up to Whidbey Island.

A couple of months ago Integrity Toys had a Gene sale, I couldn't resist indulging in some more dolls and outfits, the prices were incredible, and they were selling Tawny.



Isn't she gorgeous? I need to figure out how to photograph the darker skin better.



Like many of my Gene dolls, she wasn't on my list as a "Must Have" until I saw Jurrie's website. When I finally decided I needed her, she was sold out, and selling on eBay for a high price. I was thrilled to buy her for a great price.

I also bought "Pearls and Pink" Ivy. She is a beauty too.

I initially passed up "Pool Pose" Madra during the 2008 Gene convention. Her sale price was too good to pass up. She is beautiful, and the perfect hat doll. I don't have pictures of her in her original outfit, because when Tonner's "Captivatingly Coy" arrived, Madra demanded to be the first one to wear it. She is still wearing it.



I have succumbed to the urge to buy more of the "Anne Harper" line by Tonner. I love the vintage styles.

"Bright Days" is lovely.

Sambuca will fit in perfectly with the black cocktailers I am planning on making very soon.

I am very happy with my new loot.