Easy trim

My favorite way to make trim from persnickety fabrics.

1) cut a strip!
2) sew it in half!
3) turn it right side out, and iron with seam centered!
4) apply!

Venetian drawers! A bloomer diary.

So, as a layer for the italian renaissance costuming challenge, I decided to make a pair of drawers.

I started with a pair of jammy pants (they were ripped beyond repair) that had the general shape I was going for, and traced a new waist line directly on the fabric. I cut off the leg right around my knee.

I then cut the pants into two pieces (instead of 4), and layed them on some paper and started trying the pattern up.

Pants after cutting to desired shape

I then trued up my pattern on paper, and transferred it to my fabric - a reclaimed linen table cloth.

I made a mistake, and got my back angle reversed, so the drawers had an upward point on the back side. I cut it off this time, and will have to correct that on my pattern.

Since my pattern is only 3 pieces (two legs and a waist band), the order of operation is sew the crotch, and then the outside leg seams. Finish seams, and then sew on waist band. 

The butt area is completely on the bias, while the front ends up being on straight grain. 

I left the legs partially opened, so I can trim that area and tie it in a bow when I'm wearing them.. the main inspiration looks like it has slightly open legs that close with buttons, perhaps. 

As you can see from the picture.. things went a bit sideways: I realized that my leg pattern wouldnt work with a tie, so I decided to just trim the legs in some reclaimed charmuse.. as you can see, it looked rather unpleasing (rennaissance basket ball shorts, anyone?) I took off the trimming going up the leg, unpicked the trim from the V.. sewed up the leg spit, and evened up the leg. I then just bound the bottom raw edge of the leg. 

Story time about the binding! 

 I had this beautiful rhasberry charmuse that I reclaimed from some second hand clothing. I loved the color, and thought it would be lovely trim....

....it was some of the most frustrating fabric I have ever used. It doesn't like to iron - I had to get it wet, and iron dry into the shape I needed. I also realized I had to bast it into place at the start and finish areas that were being sewn. I'll be hard pressed to use this fabric again for trim. 

For my waist band, I drafted a semi fitted wide band - 2.5 inches in the front, and 3.5 in the back (trying to cover more butt area, without the waist band being crazily high in front). I just sewed this on like a binding, and gathered the drawers into the waist band. 

All that is left is drawing in a draw string! 

Over all... this project cost me, I think, $8. All things considered, i think this project came out pretty decent :D 

I ended up adding a quick silk draw string, made out of the silk, too, for that added cuteness factor <3

Zibellino

Today starts off the official start of the 10th IRCC! Although my Design is 1480’s, I decided to make a zibellino, which is a smidge later period. I love their cute little faces! I bought a blonde mink last year for my birthday, and have been collecting knick knacks for embellishment.

I’ll be using an air drying clay, some semi precious cabochons, and a silver bracelet to adorn my little dead friend.

I took my mink and wrapped him in plastic wrap, so I can sculpt my clay right on top of it. I started by placing one layer of clay over the mink to get a base shape for his face. I then placed the bracelet bar where the mouth would be, and placed more clay to build up the snout. I did the same for the cheek bones/eye sockets. I made some rounded triangles for the ears, and pinned them in place, behind the eye, and hugging the cheek bone. Since Antonino (isnt that a cute name?!) is a cheeky rogue, I decided to give him a pierced ear and earring.

I let him dry for a few weeks (its been so humid!), and painted him silver. I found this unpleasing, and painted over that with a copper/bronzey color. Much better!

I need to touch the paint up a little, seal it, add his earring, and permantly attach the pelt.. I'm very pleased with the progress!