Mermaid Tail costume

I was at Joann's fabric the other day buying supplies when a girl came up to me and asked for sewing advice. Turns out she was trying to make a mermaid tail for her costume and needed someone to help her figure out how to make it work. Apparently none of the Joann's employees know how to sew (shouldn't that be a prerequisite to a job there???) and she was just asking various customers for advice.
I told her that I'd be more than happy to help her and if she wanted, do it for her. I had her buy the materials and pay for my time (about $12 an hour...WAY undercharged, but she's in college, so it's good for us both!) and that I'd finish it for her.
She came for a fitting and two days later the skirt was finished. It was a huge learning project for me as I'd never sewn the sequined material before. It has officially been dubbed "Satan's Fabric" in my household as it was by far the hardest, most obnoxious fabric I have ever worked with! The sequins are glued on which means as you sew, it gums up the needle. NEVER AGAIN! Complaints aside, looks pretty sweet ass to me and fits her like a glove! Rather than using a traditional bustle random tuck, I used a vertical tuck for the stitches to give it a fishy tail type effect. We left the skirt short in the front to show off her fabulous legs (damn her.) as well as to help keep the skirt from becoming a trip hazard as she walks...we kept thee tail long in the back.
I've asked her if she'd be okay sending me photos of it on her this Halloween, so expect some even better pics later.

:)

Halloween and going fun-da-mental

I love Halloween...favorite holiday of the year. There's something so exciting about dressing up and pretending to be someone else for a day...and getting CANDY for it! Holy crap that's awesome.
So, on top of dressing up, I love making costumes...and making them for friends is even more fun!!! I've finished up a full Victorian/Edwardian bustle skirt, a gorgeous sari wrap for an Inara (firefly, serenity) costume, a couple more Tig cuffs and Bella bracelets, and a really fun and funky new ring (photos of THAT later...still drying...)
I know I promised more how to photos but I confess I've been so caught up in creating that I've forgotten to take more photos. I have a few here, so I'm sharing them now.
See anything you like? Just ask, we can talk about custom work any time!!!

What happens when you take 3 yards of black satin and set me loose? Bustle skirt for a proper Victorian lady! Want tips on how to do this? Just ask!

For Inara from Firefly my friend just needed a sash to tie the whole look together. This one is gorgeous and I'm glad I'm only loaning it to her! It's not photographing as well as I'd like but it's fully pleated and has a hidden snap as well as Velcro to keep it in place while she moves.

And of course...best costume goes to:

LUCI the WONDERDOG!!!

Ha ha! Happy Almost Halloween!!!

Change is...good?

So, as reported earlier, the regular supplier I had for the Gothic cross zipper pulls we were using for our Gemma Jackets were officially discontinued. I contacted the company, beg, plead, cried, threatened and screamed, but they have absolutely refused to change their minds.
I have been looking for suitable, durable replacements that will not only provide the look I want but also be tough enough to stand up to every day use...and I think we might have a winner!
Drum roll....
These are (as of right now) the new Gothic Cross zipper pulls for the Gemma jacket! They're not as big as the originals but they are striking in their simplicity and a whole lot shinier!
Post a comment. Leave your opinion. Let us know how you honestly feel!

Sponsor Claire

I don't get on my soap box very often but every once in a while a great cause comes along and I just have to say something!
Claire is a tiny chihuahua owned by my friend Ellen. Claire was diagnosed 6/21/11 with a herniated disc in her spine at the TL junction caused by Canine IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease). The neurosurgeon recommended an immediate surgery called hemilaminectomy estimated at $6,000.00. Claire has potentially ten years left of life and needs to be freed from pain. Her vet insurance is capped and will not cover even a sixth of the cost of surgery, let alone physical therapy to follow.
Ellen works incredibly hard but in this tough economy every penny counts and a surgery like this is a big expense.
I have a company I've started called Tiny Dog Power. I custom design all the logos for the products and then donate 10% of all our profits to deserving animal rescues and charities. When Ellen told me about Claire I knew we'd found our new charity!




Because we're really honestly dedicated to helping Claire and this great cause, we're raising our donation from 10% to 20%.

Please help Claire and Ellen as they fight this horrible disease!

Learn more about Claire at: http://www.facebook.com/SponsorClaire#wall
Check out Tiny Dog Power at: http://www.cafepress.com/tinydogpower
You can also find accessories for your furry friends at: www.tinydogpower.etsy.com

STEAMPUNK COMES TO LOS ANGELES

Are you sad that Steampunk has thrived both in Seattle and back east but seems to be a little slower invading the LA area? Want to wear your favorite flight cap and goggles but aren't sure if you'll be laughed at?
Fear no more! Steampunk will be at this year's Comikaze Expo!
Rumor has it that the amazing Dina Kampmeyer has single handedly ensured that there will be Steampunk festivities at the Comikaze Expo, including panels on both Saturday and Sunday...and who can say no to fun Steampunk goodies from vendors?
Come out and show your support. I'm going...hard part is figuring out what to wear! So many choices...
Oh, and if you need a little incentive, they have STAN LEE (omg), and I've heard a rumor about Daniel Radcliff (aka Harry Potter) coming!
Want more steampunk news for LA? Check out these guys on Facebook!

League of STEAM: http://www.facebook.com/pages/League-of-STEAM/137642656257588
Steampunk on FB: Steampunksteampunksteampunk@groups.facebook.com

Change sucks....

Wow, just heard from a supplier of mine that the company that makes the Gothic cross zipper pulls that I use on my Gemma Jackets have officially been discontinued! What's a girl to do??? We're in the process of trying to find a suitable replacement but I am sad to say that the last batch going out this week are...well, it.
So...if you got a jacket with one of these crosses...consider yourself lucky, and consider your jacket officially un-copyable (is that a word?) Nobody else will ever have a jacket like yours with that zipper pull.
Sad days.
:(