Winter coat

So, here are some pictures of the coat that I am sewing. The photos do not do the wool justice at all (and I am not that great of a photographer), but you can get a sense of how it's coming along. It's been a lot of fun so far, but also quite challenging because of the multiple layers of wool that need to be sewn through. 

But, this definitely has been a confidence-builder and has taught me a couple of useful tricks and an understanding of how wool needs to be  worked... 

For anyone that cares

Okay, so you remember how I was working on my Catwoman costume? Well, I found a website that specializes in creating comic-book props and such.. The work looks pretty nice and there is a facebook page to go with it. This site is called http://www.comic-props.com/

If any of you are even tempted to buy something from this website, my recommendation is DON'T!!!

I ordered a pair of the Catwoman goggles back in September (early September, at that...) and I've still yet to recieve them. The man that owns the store hasn't not been very helpful in making sure that I've recieved my item (obviously) and has been almost possible to contact. I've tried calling, texting, emailing, facebook-messaging... the whole nine yards, just short of going to Texas (where he's located) and physically picking up my stuff.

As far as I can tell, this website is a huge scam! I've been on a couple of cosplaying websites (you know, after I'd made the purchase... because I'm an idiot) and have seen that a few people have actually received their stuff, but there is an overwhelming number of people that haven't.

I've been pretty chill with regards to this nonsense... chalked up not recieving the goggles in time for Halloween as being a particularly busy time of the year... it happens, and I adapted... but almost 3 MONTHS from the time I ordered the damn thing? This is ridiculous!! I've also requested a refund (duh) and haven't heard anything from him. How do you deal with this bullshit? because I sure would like to know...

Don't buy things from these people... the odds are that you'll just be losing money and you'll never see the thing that you ordered.

Time to work

Starting construction of my coat today. All the pieces are cut out and ready to go. I've just got to figure out the stitch length that I need to work at. Apparently, if I use too short of a stitch length, I run the risk of cutting through the fabric. Luckily, I've got plenty of extra fabric to use. ^_^

Tonight, I get to go to a special Star Trek thing at the cinema today. I can't wait: "Measure of a Man" and "Q"!

Cutting

Started to cut into the wool yesterday. It is a lot more difficult than I suspected.. perhaps my scissors need to be sharpened (this is definitely a possibility). But, it's coming along nicely. I only cut out three pieces. Tomorrow is going to be a good day to work on stuff.

The wool is so beautiful! It's a peacock blue/ turquoise color that is absolutely stunning.

Happy Turkey Day

Today, of course, is Thanksgiving. I'm still trying to get some of my projects done. No new artwork (unless you count the Green Arrow drawing that I did for work.) I don't remember if I'd written about it or not, but I did end up finishing my sweater... you know, that one made out of the absolutely gorgeous Madelinetosh vintage... I love this sweater. I want to wear it all the time because it is warm and soft and perfect. Maybe not perfect, but pretty close. I'm hoping that I'll get a couple of pictures of it today (as I'm wearing it to my family's house, the odds are good that I'll have at least one picture)...

Other than that, I managed to get a bit of my coat started. That is to say that S. helped me to make adjustments to the pattern so that it would fit my freakishly long body, broad shoulders, and relatively narrow waist. I learned how to lengthen a pattern using waxed paper... and how to change the generic pattern markings to better fit in the places that it should. I can't wait to actually cut into the wool... Don't get me wrong, the very /idea/ of cutting into that exsquisite fabric is exhilirating and frightening. So beautiful and expensive.

I'm sure it will be fine.. I've read on numerous other blogs that wool is a relatively forgiving fabric. I hope that is the case.

Early start for the New Year?

Time to start brainstorming some goals for the upcoming year (and possibly for the end of this one):

-more artwork. I've been told that I have some talent- perhaps I can start actually using it to earn some money.
-finish comic book pages. It's disappointing how little I've done and I'd like to remedy that.
- more sewing. I'd like to be able to make a perfect shirt for myself... perhaps even draft some of my own patterns (probably start simple with some sweaters or something...)
- finish my knitting that's been sitting on my needles for what seems like forever... (Central Park Hoodie Jacket- so close, yet so far away!!!)
-bust through some of my stashed yarn and fabric (that way I can get more... bwahahaa!)

sounds like a good start... hopefully this weekend, I will be able to start work on my winter coat project.. :D

Yule-tide presents

Went for a long walk today and went to Joann's fabric. They had a sale on cotton flannel. I stocked up and bought a total of 5 yards for, like 9 dollars. A pretty sweet deal. I'm going to be making some reusable kitchen towels (essentially to replace paper towels.) I'm pretty excited about doing this and ended up getting some terry cloth as well. I think it will turn out well... and the best part is that it's a useful present that is cheap and easy to make. Win!

Halloween and projects

Halloween was a lot of fun! The costume turned out great! I'll post a picture (yay!) I'm so pleased with how the cowl turned out. I used craft foam to keep the shape of the ears.

Other projects:

I've been making a bunch of scarves out of the remnants of my fabric stash. That's been a lot of fun. I think what I'll be doing next is creating a quilt out of the rest of the scraps.

Yesterday, I made a sloper for my winter coat (I'm so glad that I did because it gives me an /excellent/ idea of what I will need to adjust in the pattern... and I'll be able to use the modified pieces as pattern pieces instead!!) This will be great! The size twelve is comically large on me and this will be a nice way to get better acquainted with pattern modification. I need to make a dress form for myself to make this process easier.

That will be the next project. :)