Sewing Diaries

Here you will find the diaries of my sewing adventures. No diary will ever be posted until the project is complete, so you’ll never be left hanging.

 

Another doll-sized Phantom costume checked off my list! This time, it’s one of my favorites: the mint green and pink Romantic-style ballet outfits worn during the mock-opera “Il Muto.” The first half of the diary focuses on the design and perfecting the pattern with mockups.

The doll-sized adventure continues! The second half of this diary shows the construction and embellishment of the “Il Muto” ballet costume.

When I found a gorgeous faux-suede, I decided to make my first hobo purse.

When challenged to decorate a bra, I decided to go with a steampunk theme. The result was quite fun!

One of the vital pieces of furniture you need in your sewing room is a pressing station. It might be as simple as an ironing board . . . or as deluxe as a custom pressing cabinet.

This was a fun and easy tote bag! I changed a few details, just to make it more challenging. . . .

When I found a purple animal-print lace, I knew my sister would love it. So I made her a ruffled pillow. This diary follows the designing and construction of this pillow.

I wanted a new throw pillow for our bed, so I made one that’s crazy-quilted! This diary follows the design process, construction, and embellishment of the pillow.

This diary follows the designing, construction, and embellishing of my second crazy-quilted throw pillow.

The 2014 costume competition at Your Wardrobe Unlock’d had two themes, one of which was: “Early WWI: 1914-1915.” So, I made a set of undergarments (petticoat, drawers, and corset cover) from 1915—in miniature, for a 16″ fashion doll. This diary covers the entire process, from mockup to finished garments!

I found something amazing at a California thrift store. . . . But it needed a little work to make it really shine.

I bought an “easy” pattern to make a cover for my sewing machine, but it turned out far from simple to make.

I needed a new cover for my new sewing machine. This time, I decided to make something special, using my newly acquired crazy-quilting skills.

I couldn’t find a new case for my Kindle Fire HD, so I decided to sew a custom slipcover to fit over my old case. My idea worked better than I’d hoped!

My second attempt at making a wrist pincushion. This one, I love! It features a rectangular pincushion and a wrist strap that fastens with Velcro.

A ballgown with an empire waist and beaded straps, made for Gene Marshall, a 15.5″ fashion doll.

One of a series of doll-sized costumes inspired by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical. This is the red and green ballet costume seen in the first act of the show.

A quick venture into the world of modern lingerie. This tricot half-slip was very easy to make.

The long-awaited 18th century gown, made of a green floral print with a green striped petticoat.

This Natural Form era ballgown was made for the Double Period Project Competition hosted by Your Wardrobe Unlock’d. The gown took a full year from start to finish.

In order to create an eighteenth century gown, I first needed the undergarments. I began with a pair of taffeta stays.

I continue my quest for undergarments from the late 1700s. Here, I make a set of petticoats.

The sewing diary for a late-Victorian corset. My very first corset, it’s made of silk and was designed to be the foundation for my bustle dresses.

Follow along as I make two 19th century combinations, one for daytime and one for evening wear.

This is the story of how I made a replica of Christine’s “Wishing” dress from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical: The Phantom of the Opera. It follows my efforts in finding appropriate fabric, editing and making my own patterns, and creating a gown that embodies the spirit of the original costume.

This continues the story of how I made a replica of Christine’s “Wishing” dress from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical: The Phantom of the Opera. See the finished costume and find out what happened when I wore the gown to see the show. . . .

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