Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

You must go check out these incredible costumes! (and she's giving them away!)
Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Pattern Review - McCalls 3609

Pattern Description:
Civil War (?) Undergarments.
Pattern Sizing:
I made this in my standard clothing pattern size 16.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Other than the fact that I used fancy fabric, yes!
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
This pattern was easy to use, and the instructions were good.
Fabric Used:
Various, see posts on "making of a corset"
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
none for the first one, then I decided to make the top smaller and add an inch to the total length.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
This is a great pattern! I may sew it again if I find that I need more of these, but I totally recommend this pattern to others!
Conclusion:
I think this is a great pattern, I don't honestly know how "Historically Correct" it is, but most of the Big 4 patterns aren't. I think that this is an easy pattern and can be very modern with the correct fabric choices (or very historic). It makes a very comfortable corset.
The first one turned out alright, but the second one was a failure! (I am sure it was human error of some kind!)

Corset Muslin #2

Having finished the first muslin, I knew what alterations I wanted to make to the basic pattern. I needed to lengthen it by at least an inch (I think I have a long torso, and wanted more support for the tummy area) and I needed to shave off a bit on the top for more "squish".
I choose to make muslin number 2 in a peach brocade remnant and an ivory bridal satin? lining.
Decided to use smaller grommets this time. Didn't really like them as they are only one piece, I find the two piece grommets work better and the fabric stays in them better.

Total Cost

Fabric - $1.25 Remnant bin at walmart
Grommets - 2 pkgs @ $2.00 = $4.00
Cable ties - lots! I couldn't find the size I had used before in the hardware stores, just the flimsy kind, and not long enough. (I now have a whole variety of cable ties!) I eventually found some in a supply store but they only had packages of 100, so now I have a whole lot of the size I wanted too! $67.00 total!
Lacing Ties - Stash

Labour - 10 hours







It looks beautiful in the photos above, but something terrible has gone wrong!




I don't know if one of the fabrics stretched funny while I was sewing or what, but this corset is way too small and has funny bubbling of the outer shell.



From this side, everything looks great, and it is doing wonders for the cleavage.


But.....













The other side has bubbled! I really think that I may have to put this pattern aside, and try another one! I am feeling a little discouraged!

Pattern Review - New Look 6857

Pattern Description:
Misses and Men's Scrub top and pants
Pattern Sizing:
I made this one in an XL (Just a guess for a man's sizing)
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Pretty Much.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
There are very few men's Scrubs patterns avaliable (not that there is much to them), and I happened to own this one, so it is the one I chose. Now I have to find a lab coat pattern, which is even harder as it seems all the Scrub patterns are geared towards women and the coat styles reflect that.
Fabric Used:
Cotton Broadcloth ($1.97 Rack at walmart)
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
None.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
This was a very easy pattern and would be easy for a beginner to put together. The ladies scrubs look very cute as well.
Conclusion:
This pattern worked for the Doctor Costume that I had in mind. Still need that Lab Coat though! It was a quick and easy pattern to put together, and the instructions seemed very straightforwards. It could be easily made many times in different fabric if you were sewing this for a work environment.

This costume goes with the nurse costume made a few years ago!

Finished Corset Muslin

Finally! Here are the finished corset muslin photos!

You can see the dart I had to put in the side to get the proper compression
It actually closes on me (I squish better, I guess!)

The Making of a Corset - The First Muslin

I have finished the first muslin of my corset project. Surprisingly it went well and fit almost perfect right out of the envelope! I have decided that I want to lengthen the next version and make the top part of the corset a tad bit smaller (I had to put some darts in this version to make it fit properly on the top).

Now for the tally!

Total cost of materials:

Shell fabric and lining - scraps from stash $0
Boning - size 14 Heavy Duty cable ties (had on hand) $?
Thread - stash $0
Grommets - 22 large two piece grommets $4.20
Bias tape - extra yellow broadcloth that I made into bias strips - stash $0
Lacing Cord - Had in stash, but I remember buying at the dollar store - $1.05

Total hours put in: 17! (Yes, I really counted)

Tools Purchased:

Tin snips - $16.97 + tax

So if we are counting the tools in this total, the price comes in under $25.00 !!!
(Now it would be a really different story if I was counting labour costs!)

I have already altered the pattern for the changes that I want to make, and have picked out my fabric, so on to muslin #2!



(I have added the binding, and will take some photos tomorrow to show you!)

Pattern Review - Vogue 8305

Pattern Description:
MISSES’ JACKET, TOP, DRESS AND PANTS: Loose-fitting, unlined jacket has shaped front hems and long sleeves which may be worn open, or lower edges of front can be tied at waist or draped over shoulder. Fitted top or below mid-knee dress has raised back neckline, back zipper and long sleeves. Tapered pants have self-lined yoke, back zipper and side slits at ankles.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
I had to read them a few times to figure out what was going on, but once you had the pieces in your hands, it was easy.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
This was a very easy pattern to put together, but I knew it needed some alterations just from the design photo. (See below). After wearing it a few times, I have noticed that the back neck tends to pull because of the drape, but that may only bother me because I don't particularly like things touching my neck! (and sometimes have trouble wearing necklaces)
Fabric Used:
Cotton Jersey found at an Edmonton Fabric store! (Marshall's fabrics)
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I cut about 10 inches off the front drape, because when I measured the pattern I found that it would have touched the floor when I wore it, and I am 5'5"! (I think this was drafted for a giant!)
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I think I might sew this again when I get some more time. I would totally recommend it, just remember to make some pattern measurements before you cut out all that fabric (the envelope says it should take about 3 m, but after I was done, I had about 1m left because of my alterations)
Conclusion:
I love this pattern, and it is really well fitted (not like some other Big 4 patterns), other than the excessively long drape. Try it out!







Ps. Please don't mind the hems! (I haven't decided how I want to finish this one, so I just serged the edges for now!) I may go back and make some alterations to the back to make it a little higher, and see if I can fix the neck to my liking, but I really don't know yet!