What Next

Estrella War has come and gone so all my sewing projects got as close to done as possible for the war. Now I have a few other SCA events to sew for and Phoenix Comic Con as well.  Then there are the plans For next years war and at least one Sci-fi convention that I missed due to the war that I plan on going to next year.

I also am going to reconsider my Etsy Shop to kind of a craft of all trades or Cat of all Trades.  Sometimes you just make stuff to make because you like it or want to try something new. So it will sell a trove of stuff. Planning to take pictures this week and Post during the weekend. If I don't get to many distractions. 

So what can you expect. Well really the unexpected. I have a lifetime of sewing skills, making everything from Cloth baby wipes to costumes, Accessories to felt toys. Who knows what I may pull out of the depths of my memory to sell?  Maybe I'll even take some of that new hat making skill and design something.

I think I've reached the point were I just want to create to create.

sewing to selling

So as from my last post I realized I could sew and not everyone else knew how. The next step was to think of what I could do with this realization.
I also stopped to think what I like to make. I mean just because I know how to make Curtains doesn't mean I want to spend all day making them.
As one of my favorite quote goes "See a need, Fill a Need". I looked around for a need and actually found one in the SCA sewing I was doing. That gave me the option of having fun with my kids too.
Childrens play clothes seemed to be missing. Oh there are plenty of nice court stuff but what about just everyday wear. Like Tunics, warm Hats, or even coats. Things that can get dirty and are fully wash and go.
So I've decide I will sew and sell these items. I've opened an Etsy shop.
www.craftygypsycat.etsy.com go check it out.

I plan on adding things over time. Got the hats there now fully fur lined. So they are nice and warm.
Look for new things to be added over time.

Sewing History

So after Halloween I had a ton of friends saying how great the kids Halloween Costumes were. The number one question I kept getting was why don't I sew for a living?  To be honest I had never thought of that.

I grew up watching my mother sew everything from regular clothes to costumes, pillows to bags. I was shown how to cut patterns and sew basic things together.  Then there were several years there was  no sewing done in the house. I moved out on my own. Sewing was not something I was doing.
Then a bunch of friend and I were going to Windycon in Chicago and I needed to make my own costume. No problem I thought I grew up doing this.  You can guess the disaster of my first attempt.
I cut my pieces easy enough but I could not figure out why the sewing machine was not working. Needless to say if your ever sewing for the first time on a new machine remember to put the sewing foot down.

I slowly drew out the memories of watching my mother sew to actually design and make really good costumes.  I started to reteach myself and learn new techniques from anyone that would teach me.

A few years later I joined the SCA, Society for Creative Anachronism, and learned a whole new set of skills. One side effect of the SCA is that everyone sews or has someone that sews for them. Same with the Convention crowds.
The thought that I could sell my sewing never crossed my mind because everyone sews so who would want to buy what they can make.

I have recently had it explained to me that this not the truth. I have also recently realized that I do have a talent for sewing. So I have decided to give selling a chance. But what to make and sell. That will be on my next blog.

Halloween

Ok so I got them all done. Everyone was ready for Halloween.

First my friend's niece as Strawberry Shortcake. I learned how to make a hat.

For my son's Godzilla outfit I learned how to add special effects to a costume. All the spikes on his back have LED lights.

He really didn't need a flashlight he was bright enough in the dark.

Unfortunately the flash doesn't give it justice so I'll have to take a shot with out the flash to show it off.

With my daughter Cleopatra I learned to work with craft glue and gems.

Of course she was more excited about the makeup than the outfit.

And Our friend Dave went as Shaggy. A simple green shirt but it made the costume.

In the end everyone got the outfit they wanted and it was a great Halloween.
Now back to work on my steampunk.

I did take advantage of the skirt I had been working on for my costume.

Happy Halloween everyone.

Halloween projects

Ok so I was already working on my Steampunk but with Halloween coming I knew I would be sewing for the kids. What I din't expect was what I would be getting myself  into. My Daughter wanted to be Cleopatra, my Son Godzilla and then a friend at work was trying to find a Strawberry Shortcake outfit  for her niece. She was looking for the original outfit not the new design. So of course I offered to sew it. I mean how hard could a red dress and apron be compared to Elizabethan dresses. What I forgot was the accessories. Cleo's jewels and crown. Godzilla's pointy scales and big tail that had to glow.   And for Strawberry Shortcake let's not forget the Hat. Sudden panic attack.  I'm a seamstress not a Hatter.
I have now had to add Hatter( in very basic terms) , jeweler and special effects to my new crafting skills.

Insert long agonizing scream here.

I  have 3 days left to complete these projects.  Humm yep. Right now I have 3 PHD's ( projects half done).
I just finishes the Hat.  All I can say is thank goodness for my Singer Heavy duty machine that I bought.

I will Post images and let everyone know how it went by Halloween. I know by doing these projects my skills will get better but just like with anything new it's frustrating geting it done.

I so need a spa visit after Halloween.

Sewing and firearm number 2

So with Halloween only 10 days away and a Halloween party only 3 days away I have been trying to get my skirt done. It still is not. However I have finally reach the point were it is starting to look like it should.

The pattern's description is missing steps that anyone trying to sew this for the first time will have massive frustration. I have not taken any pictures yet but once I have I will post and give a full description of how this goes together.

I have also found a second firearm to paint. This one won't be done for Haloween but I found it at a thrift store and it just screamed Steampunk to me.

I can't wait to start work on it. I think I have a painting bug now.

Oh and I also have to finish my daughter's Cleopatra costume. And if I'm lucky my son's Godzilla costume. I can only hope the Sewing Goddesses will be with me.

Step one done

So I have completed my firearm. (for now). I designed it so I could add items to it later but first I will go in design order. I  found some decoratve pieces that I added to the firearm.

I finished my painting, sealed the paint and added my accent pieces with tacky glue.

and here we are:

True I kept it simple for now  but thats me. I will add charms to the chain as my character develops. Next post wil be on the outfit I'm making.