Hello I'm back and down to earth after Expo/comi-con london oct 2011.

After a very very busy few weeks I am finally back. Firstly I would like to welcome all my new followers. Thanks for joining my little blog and I hope you enjoy your time here.

So what have I been up to. Well in my last 2 posts I was shouting out for help on my Steampunk outfit.

I managed to finish the skirt but I knew I would not have enough time to make the jacket as so many modifications would be required and I also had the finishing touches to the Nepeta oufit and make the Coat for Mr S.

I wore my skirt with a black embroiered corset and a vintage red velvet cloak/coat I already owned.

No expo/comi-con would be complete without Stormtroopers.

My daughter was happy with her Nepeta oufit.

She got a lot of compliments and asked for photos.

Mr S also wanted to join the Steampunk vibe so for him I made a victorian coat.

Again I didn't have time to complete it but he still wore it (just needs buttonholes and buttons.) He was also complimented on his attire with much gentleman handshaking.

And of course a loud physadelic lining is also required for any punk, steam or otherwise.

We had a fanstic time and already chosing our outfits for the next event in May 2012. This should give me plenty of time to make finished outfits, I hope.
Love Sew Vala. x

Good morning, Taffeta Help please,

Morning everyone, How's your projects going this week?

For me exciting and unsure, Is there anyone out there who could help I am taking a bit of a leap in my abilities I know. But I figure if I dont stretch myself I am not going to learn new techniques. So this is where I am stuck.

I am making Simplicity 2172 just the skirt and coat. I have not made a skirt before so all is new and never worked with taffeta ether. I didn't realise when I bought the fabric it is exactly like the picture on the front.

So to my problem the pleated bottom section, they reaaly stand out and will not hang flat.

I basted and basted.
will they hang flat if the skirt is left to 'hang'?
Should I keep ironing them? Will heat from the iron spoil the fabric?
Should I sew small tucks to keep them in place? or will that just make them billow out in the middle?

I also could not iron the creases out of the fabric. I can iron them in when I first did the pleated section they were fine.

But after much handling around the sewing table they seem to gone gone wild.

Any and all help will be much appreachated , I now have 7 days left to make the coat and also a steam punk cape caot for Mr S as well as the final touched to the Nepeta outfit. So that we can attend expo in style, on Sat 29 Oct. Ok off to the cutting table am I.

Good days do happen

Its been over a week since my post, it's been rather a roller coster time for me here. I could feel the beginnings of a downer start to hit, so I tried to get as much done as possible. Which in retrospect I think that may have contributed to my bad past couple of days. But hopefully (well no, lets think possitively here) things are on the up.

So here's to the good things that have gone on recently.

I was offered offered a hugh amount of 'stuff''. 

So glad I accepted the offer, it turns out I now have the most amaizing selection of vintage lace, ribbons, binding, metal zips, buttons and metal press-studs.  I dont think I will need to buy any of these ever again.

Also I have finished the Nepeta coat for my daughters cos-play outfit.

A few of the details I learnt while making the coat.

Overlock the edges before adding the pockets. doh!

the pockets, ( something i have not done before)

a new colar detail, also not done before,

And this was also the first time I have set in sleeves. (I think that's what this method is called. any way it is the first time I have done a sleeve that is not sewn as part of the body.)

Thats a lot of firsts' also this was the first time I have adapted a pattern to such an extent. Here is the orignal

Butterick 5468, And finally here is the finished article,

It's very long and big all over 'thats what it should be' says my daughter. I am happy with how it has turned out and the new techniques I learnt. But most importantly the little lady who it is for loves it. And thats what it is all about. So thats the hat made, and the coat, now we can start the tail, shoes bought, trousers bought and t-shirt waiting to be printed. cos-play expo here we come.

And so on to new projects

And so on to new projects.

Currently on the sewing table are

• Nepeta - cos play outfit for youngest daughter
• Captain Jack Harkness cos play outfit for eldest daughter
• and Loud shirt number 4

here's a sneek peak at progression so far

Nepeta- You may remember I have been asked to re-create this but with cat ears not horns.

I used this simplicity pattern, the cat woman hat for the pattern. I didn't know if it would work as its for synthectic leather and I was using fleace.

She was very pleased with the result, but similing for the camera is not 'cool'

The Captain Jack Harkness is still to be started

Thats it for the moment except to show off another shoe obsession, well botts actually they have everything, buckles, laces and zips.

My winter footwear is sorted, How about you.

Happy sewing you lovely people Sew Vala x

Debi's giveaway and my current projects.

In case you didn't know, the lovely Debi from over at my happy sewing place is having a fantasic giveaway for this gorgeous dress

hop on over to see her fanstic blog about the Gatsby picnic, which looks like a very cool day.

I have been a bit quiet on the blogging front this week, as my daughters laptop is poorly so she has been using mine. which has given me time to work on my current projects.

I have finally finished the

Dress one . Although I haven't taken any finished pictures yet. I want to do some 'proper posing' pics outside in a suitable place. They would be much better than taking them on Betsy which is my usual thing.

The other item under my sewing machine this week is finally started the cos play out fit for my daughter. 

No Problem i said. eek.

Luckly she wants the blue hat with cat ears and not horns.

So I'm back off to carry on with that and hopefully tonight I can 'remove' my laptop from her 'Nepeta' fingers (thats the charater above) and let you all know how I am getting on.

Sew Vala. x