An old love rekindled.

While I have been writing these posts on old projects, I remembered how much I love embroidery. It seems to have sparked a new desire to do more again.

So on came a new internet search while I was supposed to be writing my first assignment on Medusa. I am studying Myth in the Greek and Roman worlds, this year. I would like to share with you what I found.

Here is a site that has some lovely free patterns and a FAQ section.
http://embroidery.about.com/  it is heavy on advertising but definitely worth checking out.

http://www.royal-needlework.org.uk/  the Royal School of Needlework, lots of information. I would like to do a couple of their courses next year if  funds allow. In the meantime I stocked up on books from their on-line shop to learn some new techniques.

I have rotated that picture several times however it wanted to appear sideways each time. sorry.

http://www.embroiderersguild.com/
who have two magazines -
stitch and embroidery , which are both worth looking at.

For those of you who are interested the exhibition below is taking place at the ashmolean museum in Oxford.
On the Saturday 1 December there is a  big stitch event. I also hope to attend.

Threads of Silk and Gold: Ornamental Textiles From Meiji Japan Exhibition | 9 November 2012 – 27 January 2013 | Galleries 57, 59 & 60 | £6 /£4 Concessions Many of us are aware of the beauty of the traditional Japanese kimono: Threads of Silk and Gold introduces the less familiar but equally spectacular ornamental textiles that were made in Japan for the foreign market in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Intricate embroideries and tapestries, dyed silks and velvets entranced Western audiences with their sophisticated designs and brilliant craftsmanship. The exhibition highlights Meiji textiles from the newly-acquired collection of the Sannenzaka Museum in Kyoto, one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of its type in existence.


Wow so many events to do, we also have comi-con/expo (just found out Matt Smith, Doctor Who will be there) and hyperjapan that we want to attend.

How do you decide what to do when there are so many good things going on, On what to visit / do and what not to do. Perhaps we should play Diceman.

Sew Vala. x

Expo May 2012 part two

Hello friends,

I hope you like yesterdays pictures from our day at Expo, today I will share some more.

Firstly here is what my daughter wore

She is a character from an internet comic 'HomeStuck' , I must apologize she did inform me of the name but it escapes me.

 She let me take a few pictures when we got there, then off she went to the HomeStuck meet-up. Apart from coming across them during one of their photo-shoots (she is far right) we didn't see her all day.
Wow was she hot when we met up at the end of the day. A hot day and a black morph suit makes for one very tired and black dye stained very very happy teenager.

As for me

 Any guesses, nope thought not. No-body seemed to know who I was. It seems you cross two genres and people get confused. Here was my inspirational picture

Can you see it yet,

How about this

Still no. Steampunk Princess Leia.

I am sorry to say only two pieces of this outfit we made the rest was bought.

Using this pattern I made the chemise Simpicity 2163

I decided not to add the sleeves, I satin bound the edge instead. And I also did not do the large colar and used lace and beading to add extra detail.

The other make, was the Leia buns, using a hair do-nut sponge and false hair headbands,

 Even S.H. had a go at sewing the plaits onto the sponge.

 And with plenty of bobby pins they actually stayed in place all day, they were not heavy in fact I forgot I was wearing them.

We were expecting a cold may so the coat only got worn for this shot, such a shame it is lovely. But I am sure I will get lots of use of of it. As for the corset that is definitely going to be worn alot. How gorgeous is this,

As promised tomorrow I will let you about our day.
Now there are at least five more conventions we would love to go to this year if the buget allows, so best get started on thinking up new costumes for everyone.

Have a good weekend. Sew Vala x

Ex-Po so far...

I have been away from blogging but reading all your lovely blogs.

I am currently working on 4 projects,
another Loud shirt,
a vintage pattern twin set hand knitting
my ex-po outfit
and S.H, ex-po out.

So far all I can share with you are the work I have done so far
on my outfit,

 Here is the neckline of my chemise, using frill and pearls handsewn.

And the satin bound sleeve. I have also satin bound the hem, which is a little wonky but works under the skirt.

The rest of the outfit I have bought because my skills and time are not up standard I would like.

For S.H. we have bought the trousers and I will be dying a shirt but I am able to make the waitcoat and the jacket.

I will share those pictures and others when all is ready.

Happy sewing lovely readers,

Sew Vala. x 
 

I'm excited.....

Evening everyone.

Today's post is not really sewing related but I hope you don't mind. It's just that I am so excited.
As most of you may know I am a huge sci-fan, and I can quite easily turn into geek mode at any moment. Well today I have been in a very happy place, because I discovered this and promtly whipped out the old credit card.

A signed Nathan Fillion picture as Malcolm Reynolds from Firefly/Serenity. Big Yeah.

I am not going to go on about Firefly (as this is really a sewing blog) but if anyone is interested, it was written by Joss Weadon, who also wrote wrote Buffy, incase you wish to google it.

Now this has me thinking. This weekend we are off to another memmobilla/expo event, and will ether be dressing in the same costumes as the London event last month or it will be the Star Trek uniforms.

But for next years London event I would love it, if my skills were up it (alot more practiced needed then) to create the Malcolm and Kaylee shindig outfits for me and S.H.

  Wow how cool would that be. 'Just shiney capt'in.' 
Ahh I can always dream.