fanbloomingtastic

Quickie Route 66 Roadtrip Circle Skirt for Melchett

2013-06-11T14:29:30-07:00

Melchett has a thing for circle skirts. She recently added to her list of things for me to make her a Doctor Who's K-9 'poodle' skirt like the fabulous one PJ made on Crafty Lil' Thing. But in the meantime, she's been bugging me to make her a circle skirt from fabric left over from my Route 66 shirt:

So provided I don't wear my shirt on the same day she wears her skirt, this is what she'll look like:

My daughter the poser.

I was really happy with this. I made it in an afternoon and it made me happy making it.

I used the circle skirt calculator here, popping in her waist measurement etc and following the numbers calculated. I added a straight waistband (which unfortunately you can't see under her pulled down camisole) 2 inches shorter than her waist measurement (knowing that the weight of the skirt and the give of the cotton would make it wearable but not overly loose.

And yes....the HOA still haven't told me to paint my door back brown.....yet.

The skirt was a little shorter than she asked for, she wanted it under the knee...but this was all the fabric I had left, and I actually I think the length looks cute on her. I like the shape.

An 'action'/'stealth' shot whilst we were out this morning.

The Facts
Fabric: about a yard Route 66 soft cotton from stash $0 (£0)
Pattern: tutorial by http://circleskirtpattern.com/
Notions: Purple 7" zip $2.49 (£1.60), thread.
Year: Contemporary
Time to complete: 3.5 hours.
First worn: 4th June 2013.
Wear again? Yes, especially on future road trips but not when I'm wearing the matching shirt.

Total Cost: $2.49 (£1.60)

And another 'stealth' photo.

And now I've sewn a costume for Goth Child and a skirt for Melchett (and knitted a scarf for Mr D....more about that soon for the Doctor Who fans), NOW I can sew for me again.

I've currently got a sundress for the 4th July on the cutting table (I'm trying to ingratiate myself with the colonials so they don't call me an evil redcoat....again) and I'm trying to build up the courage to put needle to fabric on two swimming costumes I'm making (again, more about these soon).

OK I'm coming back now....made Goth Child a Homestuck Jane Maid of Life costume for starters

2013-06-04T14:58:58-07:00

I'm still struggling but trying to tell my head I'm fed up with being depressed and I keep seeing wonderful creations people are sewing around the world and I WANT SOME! So let's see if I actually make it out of the pit this time. Fingers crossed, though that makes climbing more difficult....

Aaaaanyway, as a reward for finishing her end of year exams and AP Biology, Goth Child got to go to all three days of Phoenix Comicon. In the past we've made her a steampunk costume and 2 John Egbert outfits (from Homestuck....no, I don't really know either, but the teenscene (will get shouted at for saying that) are obsessed by it, and GC and her friends keep wanting to convert me, but I've got enough geeky obsessions already):

But obviously she's a girl so can't be seen without a new costume for each comicon or anime fest she goes to....so I made her this latest addition to her cosplaying cupboard:

It's a Jane Maid of Life from the Homestuck God Tier (?) I can guarantee I got that wrong and will get shouted at for being so uncool. Actually, I'll get shouted for using the phrase "so uncool"....I can't win.

But this all she gave me to work from:

And this is what I made, by adapting McCalls 6658 and 6614 and using a couple of flat sheets bought from our local Goodwill. She seemed very happy with it......especially as I surprised her by spray painting a wooden spoon red too that her character carries.....you see, sometimes I do listen to her ranting on about Homestuck.

The facts

Fabric: One chocolate brown flat sheet and one beige flat sheet from Goodwill $5.98 (£3.91). Scrap of green cotton t-shirt from stash.
Haberdashery/Notions: Reclaimed elastic from stash (think it was reclaimed from a fitted sheet I used on another project), thread.
Time to complete: 14 hours of winging it.
First worn: 26th May 2013.
Wear again? Yep, Goth Child loved it.

Total price: $5.98 (£3.91).

I mainly used the long-sleeved top from McCall's 6658 and extended the front and back into the tails and pointy bits to match the drawing GC gave me. As the pattern is meant for a slightly stretchy knit I made it one size larger and made the scoop neckline slightly deeper to ensure she could get it on without struggling (I also knew I'd made the cowl bit of the hood long enough to cover any gape).

I used the same pattern for the elasticated trousers....meant to have a drawstring waist but I used elastic, and then I got her to try them on to work out where under her knee was to cut them off and loosely add elastic to give the pantaloons some shape.

The hood is based loosely on the hood from McCall's 6614 which I drafted a cowl (am I calling it the right thing?) two pieced egg shape to sew the hood into and seal with the second piece. This also gave it a little extra weight, as it was pretty lightweight being just a sheet.

If any of you can make sense of this, then this is sort of what I did.....this is why I will always be a winger of patterns and never a creator of one:

I know, rubbish. I'm sure you'll find some highly competant descriptions of how to make detached hoods on the internet and youtube. If I was my best self I'd have taken photos throughout the process to explain it better. But you get what you get with me at the moment.

The fake glasses and blue slip on shoes she stole from Melchett, we bough the cheapest longest white bandages we could find in Walgreens (think Boots dear Brits)....yes, I could have made some but they were $3.99 and sometimes buying things beats the time and effort making them. And the wig she bought at a previous anime convention and we had some fun hacking it into shape. How she wore all this in Phoenix's summer heat I have no idea, probably a good idea we made it from a couple of sheets instead of the knits she originally wanted.

Anyway, Goth Child loved it. And the thing she loved best....the flappy tails at the back, I wish I'd filmed it but she kept dancing around doing the flappy tail dance:

There. I posted something. It's taken me a stupid amount of time to edit those photos and write stuff. Need to get back into the swing of blogging again. Hopefully, I'll be back soon with something else. Wish me luck.

Me Made May '13 Week One update (and me waffling on about mental health and the Living Life to the Full website)

2013-05-09T11:34:16-07:00

This is a bit of a weird one. I apologise for the stream-of-consciousness of it, if you just want to look at Me Made May pics, please scroll down.

...........................................................

If you saw my last post (or follow me on Twitter), you'll know I'm fighting the depression end of my cyclothymia at the moment. But I decided the regularity and keeping-goingness of Me Made May as I'd pledged to do it (including the spring cleaning of closet and sewing lair) would do me good.

So here's the first week's pics though you'll understand why I look pretty 'not usual Tempest' in them. I always think it's good to keep a record of what I'm going through. Actually that's a lie. I've only just realised, perhaps in the last 5 years, with a lot of help from psychotherapists/analysts/CBT counsellors and my lovely NHS mental health care support team, that keeping a record of the ups and downs and plateauing is a good thing. Often when I'm in deep I think it's the end of the world and it's always been like this and I'll never climb out. But keeping a record of the times when I did feel better and started functioning OK again helps me realise the sun will come out again. Similarly, it's useful to see the times I'm hitting the hypers because they're the best indication that a low will be coming some time and I can start buying in food and stopping saying yes to things in readiness to weather the storm. I'm blabbering. Anyway, these pics might help me record the passage through in a new way than just words in a diary. If I suddenly stop and things go quiet don't worry though....the sun DOES always come back eventually.

By the way, if you're reading this and need help....there's an excellent FREE website called Living Life to the Full that has little videos and cognitive behavioural therapy exercises you can work through for ANYONE experiencing some sort of mental health issues, even if it's just not being able to get the energy to tackle anything, or feeling down....don't ever belittle your mental health, if you don't feel right the BEST way to tackle it is to take some form of ACTION, if you feel able, it's also ok to have duvet days when you need them, but try to set a limit on how long you're going to give in to feeling depressed before trying to take a step forward. Anyway.....sorry, I really am all over the place and we haven't even got to the photos yet haha.......if you need some help PLEASE TALK TO SOMEONE. SO MANY OF US are going through EXACTLY what you are now and there is help out there. I'll pop some links and numbers at the bottom of this post if you need immediate help, but check out the Living Life to the Full website too......I've found it incredibly useful and it's free, you can pick the exercises when and where you want, you don't have to do all the exercises/watch the videos - just what you need....I know the name of it sounds a bit new-agey, but it was created by a psychiatrist expert in CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) with the Scottish NHS and some mental health charities, and honestly it's a good place to start. Click on the pic for the link:

OK, enough about mental health, here's the Me Mades I wore last week:

Day One:

My lobster dress, the make details including me smiling in pics can be found here.

I love the print and generally like the dress, but seeing as I'm using Me Made May '13 to examine my wardrobe for repairs/alterations needed and points I can learn from stuff I've made, here's my thoughts:

the dress didn't have pockets - it NEEDS pockets (since last week, I've so far added one pocket, but improvements are taking time as the dress is full-lined),
I need to stop making dresses with bateau necklines....they look fine but the high necklines make me feel constricted and put me off wearing these dresses on a more regular basis.
the bodice fit isn't fantastic, but hey, I made a fully-lined dress in a week for the Sew Weekly challenge so that's cool. If I can be bothered some time I need to take the bodice and lining apart and take it all in by about an inch from the bottom of the armsyche to the waist. I probably won't be bothered though and will continue to wear the dress to evenings out or at Thanksgiving.
I need to wear the dress to Red Lobster sometime. It's had fab responses at Chilis and Applebees....it will totally rock at Red Lobster.

Day Two:

One of my favourite muck-about dresses, one I can just fling on in a morning without thinking.

Here are the make details and pics of me not particularly smiling in it as it was for a Sew Weekly challenge in the week of the Newtown school shootings.

There's not much wrong with this dress. It does. The black linen does pick up EVERY SINGLE cat hair and fabric thread when I'm sewing, but that's ok. And the black and white Alexander Henry (I think) print does pull sideways, slipping off the shoulders after a little wear because I cut it from a tiny off-cut so neither piece is cut correctly on the grain but both slightly on the bias, so they stretch slightly. But that's ok. It's a muck-about dress. It's good on a bad day. And it possibly looks even better in winter with a colourful long-sleeved top under it....see the original post about the make for pics.

Day Three:

Another absolute go-to 'throw-it-on-in-the-morning-and-don't-have-to-worry-about-dressing' dress. You can tell I'm down, I've got my 'security' cowboy boots on too....they're like a security blanket but muckier.

I'm trying though, I've thrown a little jewellery.

Though there's not much wrong with this dress....hence why I wear it so much....I should have probably stabilised the neckline a little better....it drifts off my shoulders, and I keep thinking about sewing some velcro bra-strap clinger-ontos (there's probably a proper name for those, little straps you can velcro closed underneath your bra strap to keep the shoulder in place), but haven't yet gotten around to it.

Here's details of the original make and some pics of me being silly and posing in the dress on a good day.

Day Four:

Should have ironed it, but didn't have the energy. Though this shirt/dress unfortunately gets me attention when out and about....I can't hide in it, it's still a comfort outfit. I made it after my LBD (little balck dress) debacle and it's comfy and quirky and can almost raise a smile in me if I'm not too far down. I think I was too far down this morning.

I'm pretty happy with it as it is. No improvements needed.

Here are the details of the make and pics of me dancing to Talking Head's Stop Making Sense in it, as you do.

Day Five - Cinco de Mayo:

Just the red skirt as a Me Made this time. It's one of my Bowie Sew Along/1940's Sew for Victory contributions....see make details and more very silly photos of me in it as David Bowie and/or a Farm Girl here.

The skirt is too big at the waist, which is fine when I wear it with braces (suspenders for you Americans)....but as it's an incredibly useful staple garment in my wardrobe, it could do with fixing. AND IT NEEDS POCKETS!!!!!

Day Six:

OK, it's quiz time.....try and work out if I was feeling happy or sad on this day? Blimey, how ON EARTH did you guess that one correctly?! I'm stunned. (Does sarcasm come across in print?)

My Wenlock Onesie, made (no surprises here either) for the 2012 Olympics last year. And regularly wheeled out when I need a slob day.....or want to do impressions of the Emperor from Star Wars....should have worn this on May (the) 4th (be with you) really shouldn't I?

Nothing on this needs altering, it does exactly what it promises when you climb inside it and snuggle down.

Here's the original post about it's make, photos of me being very silly in it and why I loved Wenlock the London 2012 mascot....we're connected you know.

Day Seven:

If ever there was a 'throw-it-on-in-the-morning-and-all-will-be-OK' dress, my Spider Man dress is it.

This is probably my Me Made that gets the most wearings out, and it is actually wearing it out.

Here's lots more pics of me pretending to be Spider Man on a kids' climbing 'web' and details of the make.

I made the mistake because of the hectic speed of being part of the Sew Weekly challenges last year and making each garment in a week of using cheap red shirting cotton for the contrast sections. These are beginning to look washed out. The Spider Man fabric looks fine, but the red blocks let it down a little in real life. I won't make that mistake again. I'm gradually trying to buy better quality fabrics for makes (unless I can grab some absolute bargains in Goodwill and my other favourite thrift stores (charity shops)).

Otherwise this dress is just perfect, I adore the pockets and the fit and the zip. Yep, the eagle-eyed of you will realise this is made with the same pattern (McCalls 6324) as the Day Two dress above. It's a very cool pattern.

Btw, if you want to see all of the things I've sewn at once, and gets links to the original posts, then I've almost completed the 'Things I've Sewn' archive page....there are now links to 50 of the posts and will soon have all my makes on there.

OK, that's your lot....move along now.

If you've scrolled down for the additional mental health links and numbers, here you are:

Need immediate help?

In the USA, call 1-800-273-8255 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

In the UK, call 08457 90 90 90 for the Samaritans, you're not alone.

Find a helpline for your country through Befrienders Worldwide.

Get help - Mental Health America

Get help - Mind, the mental health charity

All the very best my friend, big big hugs. It will get better, but you might just need some help from people who know what they're doing.

Crawling back towards the light.... (to the tunes of a Mariachi band)

2013-05-07T13:38:45-07:00

Bear with me, I'm in the pit with my cyclothymia.

I'm OK, I've been dealing with this **** for over 30 years now (though only diagnosed in last decade) I have strategies and support and I SHALL RETURN!

But I just need to climb out of the hole slowly otherwise I'll fall over again (you know when you stand up too quickly after sitting/lying down too long....well it's mental illness equivalent of that....just. need. to. take. it. slowly).

If you're new to the blog, here's a bit of an explanation about my mental health and the world's most fabulous support: Team Devyne.

But whilst we're all waiting for me to be back of 'normalish' form, here's some pics of how we annoy the neighbours in Arizona by whole-heartedly celebrating Cinco de Mayo every 5th May, with mariachi band music blaring, silly dancing, Mexican food and of course, much whacking of the piñata (I hope no one finds our wearing of sombreros offensive, it's our equalivent of wearing party hats).

And here's a soundtrack for viewing the pics:

(if the Grooveshark Player isn't appearing in your reader, you might need to click through to the post on Fanbloomingtastic)

It's one of our favourite songs from our Cinco de Mayo playlist, though unfortunately, not by our favourite band.....I beg you, if you like to laugh, you NEED to go to iTunes and check out El Zopilote Mojado by Mariachi Aguila Real....it's seriously worth the 99c or even just listening to the 1 min 22 secs of the preview. At least one of the violins is out of tune, and it is so beautifully bad....it's my favourite piece of Mexican music of all time, I'm in stitches every time I hear it.

Btw...I know we're not Mexicans or Americans but we do like to adopt as many of the USA's holidays as possible, and as it's a celebration of the Mexicans beating the French in Puebla in 1862, as Brits it's nice not to be the 'evil foe' for once....yep, 4th of July is coming, the time when I try to pretend I'm Canadian for a couple of weeks to avoid the cone of shame and taunts about Evil King George.

But I think I'm covering all national bases here:

OK then....off to take things easy (actually, I'm painting the TARDIS stash cupboard, the mathematics of panel sizes occupies the voices in my head and stops them dissing me), I WILL be back soon with lots more colourful silliness I promise.

MAY! Me Mades, Mermaids (ok, swimsuits) and Messes Unmade

2013-04-30T22:01:35-07:00

Now, you're all going to think this coming the day before the start of May is a result of my 'lastminuteitis'...

...but you're wrong.

I PLANNED to leave announcing my Me Made May pledge until today.

Honest, guv'nor. Look, how could you doubt this face?

No, really....ahh whatever. I believe me.

So May starts tomorrow. And these are my plans for May....

I'm in! I joined in Me Made May '12 but dropped out because I was doing the Sew Weekly challenges as well....it all got too much. Plus I'd only been sewing for a short while and didn't have enough garments....well, after a year of sewing at least one garment each week, I do now (possibly too many) and some are sitting unworn because they need a little work/love (and quite a few need pockets adding) so....

'I, Tempest Devyne of fanbloomingtastic.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear a minimum of one handmade garment each day for the duration of May 2013 and during the month mend or alter me-made garments hiding in my closet so I can wear them more often after May 2013'

I'll be posting pics of whatever I wear each day as part of the Me Made May '13 Flickr group and have a round-up once a week here on Fanbloomingtastic.

I'll also be joining in with the Me Made May Flickr group's themed Friday photos....check out the discussion boards to find out more. I think the theme for this Friday is water.

Zoe, the host of Me Made May each year reports this year is going to be a record-breaker.

But if I'm spring-cleaning and make do and mending my me mades, I think it's about time I also had a good old spring clean of my Sewing Lair. Which is where this comes in:

I'll be joining in Hannah at Hugs & Kisses' Spring Clean Your Sewing Space. She's going to be giving out tips each Monday throughout May.

This also means finally finishing the TARDIS....more about that tomorrow.

AND as someone at school today mentioned there are only 20 schooldays left of the Arizona school year (we break up for summer hols....translation: summer vacation....on May 29th), it means the days being a lifeguard to Melchett and Goth Child and all the assorted friends who appear each holidays (vacations/breaks) to use our pool is fast approaching. I have one swimsuit that is suffering pilling and chlorine damage...

...I need another, or two, if I am to fulfill my Baywatch fantasies (you should see me jogging around the patio, actually, you shouldn't, not unless you wish to lose your lunch). So I'm also joining in with Katie of Kadiddlehopper and Leila of Three Dress Project's Swimalong Sew Along.

I think I might even need a superhero styled swimsuit...don't you think?

Much more about this in the next few days, weeks.

An hopefully that should keep me occupied. And stop me from overstretching myself as per usual.....though Miss Crayola Creepy's Great Gatsby Sew Along is calling me.....please keep me from it's seductive sirenly calls......please.....