You may be wondering, much like my friend Trent, "what movie requires a homemade dress?"
That movie is Star Trek. I prefer Next Gen as a series but for movies, nothing beats the originals. My personal favorite is Star Trek IV where they go back in time because my family once made a trip to see the whale in the movie.
I've been looking forward to this movie for at least a year. It was originally going to be released in December 2008 and they pushed it back in order to avoid the competitive holiday season. If you ask me they should have released it because it would have whomped on every other movie but I'm a biased.
Since I was sooo excited for the movie, I wanted to do something to show that I wasn't just another movie-goer on opening night. Also, I know this movie is going to be HUGE and I need to set myself apart from all the new Star Trek fans (I would like to point out that I am not nor at any time have been a Trekkie). Obv I would be going to the earliest possible showing but I wasn't going to fly to Europe to watch it at an earlier time like we did for Star Wars. I decided to dress up as Uhura, the main (and only) female in Star Trek. I found the costume online at a number of sites but none were available. I assumed they were sold out so I started calling around to put in a back order.
Turns out the costume wasn't available yet! I began calling on a daily basis because no one knew when they would be getting it in. I rotated the retailers I called so I didn't seem super crazy. I built a relationship with one of them who gave me the phone number of the manufacturer. Yes! I called to see when it would come in and they said they had no idea. They didn't think it would be ready in time for the movie due to some issues with the factory. Super bummer. At that time, I made the decision to make the costume. I didn't have much time so I ordered my sewing machine that day and that's where the magic began.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Frankendress
After I cut the tube off of myself I started working on the sleeves. I used my MTV bar crawl t-shirt to get an idea for sleeve size. I was using the trial and error method for fitting the sleeve but I didn't want to start by pinning it because it was so tight and difficult to get on and off. I was working on this sleeve all day! Sewing it on, putting on the dress, taking it off and re-adjusting. I lengthened the stitch so that I could rip it out easier.
While telling my roommate Kaite about my plan of attack, I realized it would be immensely easier to use a pattern. Duh. If I don't have a good template by tomorrow, I'm going to buy a pattern. I was hoping to be a lot further a long by T-3 but I have to pull a costume related all nighter then that is what I shall do.
I feel as if today was unproductive even though I worked on it all day. The only thing I accomplished was watching many hours of Hannah Montana.
While telling my roommate Kaite about my plan of attack, I realized it would be immensely easier to use a pattern. Duh. If I don't have a good template by tomorrow, I'm going to buy a pattern. I was hoping to be a lot further a long by T-3 but I have to pull a costume related all nighter then that is what I shall do.
I feel as if today was unproductive even though I worked on it all day. The only thing I accomplished was watching many hours of Hannah Montana.
Rainy Day is Good for Sewing
Agenda today: make a dress prototype. I need to run up to midtown to exchange the purple shoes so I will try to do a little fabric shopping if anything is open. I also need sewing scissors.
I started by tracing this grey dress I have because it has a similar cut to what I need to make. I skipped a bunch of steps and just cut out the muslin in the shape of the dress. I'm going to make the sleeves as separate pieces so now I'm working on the main piece.
After quickly sewing it together I put it on... I wish someone was here to see it because I was completely stuck and it was probably funny. I'm pretty surprised it didn't rip. I finally got it over my stupid right shoulder. Looking good! It's not quite easy to breathe while wearing but I will be using a stretchier fabric for the real thing. Here is a pic! I should have used a longer timer on the camera so I had time to pose but whatever.
So here I am, still wearing the tube. I'm pretty sure I have to cut it off of myself. I also think I need to add a zipper.
I started by tracing this grey dress I have because it has a similar cut to what I need to make. I skipped a bunch of steps and just cut out the muslin in the shape of the dress. I'm going to make the sleeves as separate pieces so now I'm working on the main piece.
After quickly sewing it together I put it on... I wish someone was here to see it because I was completely stuck and it was probably funny. I'm pretty surprised it didn't rip. I finally got it over my stupid right shoulder. Looking good! It's not quite easy to breathe while wearing but I will be using a stretchier fabric for the real thing. Here is a pic! I should have used a longer timer on the camera so I had time to pose but whatever.
So here I am, still wearing the tube. I'm pretty sure I have to cut it off of myself. I also think I need to add a zipper.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
I Made Something
The other day, I packed my straightener in my gym bag in case I decided to go out from the gym. Later, I noticed that it was co-mingling with my keys. What if it got scratched!?! It may not have the same environmental impact of scratching a non-stick pan but it could have an impact on my hair. I needed to get one of those little pouches for it.
FF to today and I want to practice my sweet, sweet, sewing skills so I make a little pouch for my straightener out of the extra muslin (I got double what I needed for practicing purposes). It may not be pretty but i did it! I need to remember to make things big enough to fit around the little arm thing of the machine. It's not easy to sew something in a circle if it's not around the sleeve.
P.S. I've made a huge mistake...the email from the costume shop: I didn't actually read it before; I just read the subject line. Just now I read it and they were saying they WEREN'T going to get it in time. problem solved and lesson learned. Super doi. In a way I am relieved because I know I'm still on the right track! But still, how considerate of them. I recommend costumecraze.com for future costume needs.
FF to today and I want to practice my sweet, sweet, sewing skills so I make a little pouch for my straightener out of the extra muslin (I got double what I needed for practicing purposes). It may not be pretty but i did it! I need to remember to make things big enough to fit around the little arm thing of the machine. It's not easy to sew something in a circle if it's not around the sleeve.
P.S. I've made a huge mistake...the email from the costume shop: I didn't actually read it before; I just read the subject line. Just now I read it and they were saying they WEREN'T going to get it in time. problem solved and lesson learned. Super doi. In a way I am relieved because I know I'm still on the right track! But still, how considerate of them. I recommend costumecraze.com for future costume needs.
The Good, the Bad and the Undecided News
The good news: I did it! Piece of cake, I sewed some stuff, made a seam, even a little zig-zag action. I was going to make a little mini dress for me to carry in my purse to how people when my tennis friend Johanna called. Since I'm a sewing pro I figured I could spare a couple hours in order to increase the amortization of my tennis permit.
The bad news: I realized that the movie is the same time as my co-worker's happy hour. Missing the HH for a movie is a bad excuse but I have put a lot into this. I also looked for tickets to the later show on craigslist and no-go. I hope he understands.
The undecided news: Whilst on the bus, I got an email from one of the costume shops I stalked and the dress is in stock!! What is a girl to do? I think making this dress would be a lot of fun but I also know it will probably look less than professional. And it might be a lot of stress the next couple days. But maybe not. Ahhhhh
The bad news: I realized that the movie is the same time as my co-worker's happy hour. Missing the HH for a movie is a bad excuse but I have put a lot into this. I also looked for tickets to the later show on craigslist and no-go. I hope he understands.
The undecided news: Whilst on the bus, I got an email from one of the costume shops I stalked and the dress is in stock!! What is a girl to do? I think making this dress would be a lot of fun but I also know it will probably look less than professional. And it might be a lot of stress the next couple days. But maybe not. Ahhhhh
Lace it Up
Friday was a big night. My plan was to wind a bobbin and thread the machine. I left work early, went to my favorite spin class then came home to get to work. I got out my trusty instruction book that I have been taking EVERYWHERE and reviewed the directions on winding a bobbin. It was so cool! and easy! 2 minutes - done. Then I threaded the machine. The threading was an issue for me when sewing as a youth so I was a little nervous. Luckily Maggie has a picture of how to thread the machine on her and I had the instructions. easy! 2 minutes - done! I did not anticipate this going so well. I pulled up the bobbin thread and I was ready to roll. Since I was so efficient with the threading I wanted to try to sew a little bit but then I had to get ready for Meghan's sushi sake karaoke birthday party so I decided to save it for Saturday.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Supplies and Shoes
Last night I had plans to go to a kick-off/meet and greet party for our summer share so I was hoping to run home and lace up Maggie before going out. I didn't leave work early enough to make it to Panda Thread before they closed so I did a quick run through the garmet district. Turns out the whole place closes shop around 7PM. I decided to see if Kmart at Penn Station had any thread being that they are a home goods discount retailer. I also had the idea to check out the dollar store but that would be a last resort. On the way to Kmart, I walked by the shoe store that had some really cute blue shoes in the window and I've been in the market for just that color. Turns out they were too narrow for my sasquatch feet but I did pick up some really cute pink and purple peep toe shoes with a T-strap.
Kmart had one thread option; exactly what I needed! I got a normal sized spool at the price of $2 but maybe it's better that I don't have a lifetime supply. I got home too late to fire up the machine and I also realized that I already have a pair or purple peep toe shoes. I didn't wear the shoes out like I had originally planned because I am going to exchange them for yellow ones. I also took a wine roadie in a travel coffee mug on the bus. I guess I could have waited until today to get the big thread but I'm over it.
Kmart had one thread option; exactly what I needed! I got a normal sized spool at the price of $2 but maybe it's better that I don't have a lifetime supply. I got home too late to fire up the machine and I also realized that I already have a pair or purple peep toe shoes. I didn't wear the shoes out like I had originally planned because I am going to exchange them for yellow ones. I also took a wine roadie in a travel coffee mug on the bus. I guess I could have waited until today to get the big thread but I'm over it.
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