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Showing posts from April, 2012

I Chopped My Hair Off- Don't Look!

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Because I felt like I needed a change..... I have cut off my 1940s Middy Haircut . I was inspired by the beautiful Clara Bow to go for a 1920s/30s Bob.... Not "rockabilly" I have the hypothesis that if I don't have victory rolls and Betty Bangs people will stop calling me pinup or rockabilly... Not that there's anything wrong with it. heaven knows I've been called worse. But is seriously pisses me off because I would rather be called "vintage inspired" or something like "retro." It's all just words anyway =-) But there is the motivation for the style I chose. My head was bleached so much that you could see through the hair. This was needed anyway. Bobs have always worked for me. I have thin hair. I had a razored bob in college. It was actually a Shi ngle Cut . I am kind obsessed with hair. I would fancy myself a HAIR JUNKY. I wake up every day and have a new 'do planned. I stare like a big fat nerd at vintage hairdos. It's from my m

This Is Embarrassing.....But True

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Sorry, husband, you do not get a matching shirt for my trailer park dress. I know you are so sad that you want to cry.....NOT! 

Finished Project: Something New! 1930s Plus Size!

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 I found a late 30s wrap dress pattern in an antique store. It was a 38 Bust. The process I used to adjust to my size was overlaying the 30s wrap bodice onto my personal pattern (sloper), and drawing the wrap front opening on the sloper. I used the vintage collar pattern, but had to add 2 inches onto the ends because my waist was longer. The 30s pattern was designed with these two front pockets as well.  The skirt is a princess cut- 6 panel skirt. I opted to not make this tight on my hips (like most 30s designs) because I get a more balanced overall look with a slightly fitted hip.  Belt is handmade. I used my grandmothers fastener stash for the buckle. I like it because it's very light weight.  I wore this the first time to go see the re-release of Casablanca in the theaters last month. I had a great time!  Both the pockets and the sleeves are trimmed in (free!) lace!  The collar is the one thing I was unsure if I was going to like. I feared it being such a focal point because of

If I May Show the Court Exhibit A?

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And Just what are you looking at here? It's my latest "work"...What's the big deal? Well you might have noticed the dumbass seamstress has sewed the front panel of the dress on whilst the shoulder was twisted up. Now the dumb seamstress cannot undo the carnage and had to rip up the entire right side seam, untwist the shoulder, and then re-sew! Let this be a lesson boys and girls! Never sew after a Thurs and Friday double-header band-show and at the pupae stage of a massive head cold. You should see what I did to the pockets *head desk* On a good note, before I crashed into the depths of headcold hell I posed by this 40s Studebaker pickup truck (owned by my friend)

DIY Plus Size Dress for Sale: The Classic Polka Dot

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This is second-hand clothing, hand made by me. The pattern (my own design) is a classic sleeveless V neck dress. The material is a satin. The bodice is fully lined. The skirt is not lined, you should wear a slip with it. (Belt not included) This is a "pull over" dress; no zip or button closure. In case it is hard to see, the base color is white with red and black polka dots. Bottom hem is finished with black cotton bias tape. Length is ankle length: I am 5'7". If you like shorter, you can always cut and hem! Size is comparable to US size 28 52 Bust 47-48 Waist 62 Hip Cost is $20.00 plus shipping If interested contact me at mlcloset@yahoo.com

DIY Plus Size Rockabilly Halter and Pencil Skirt for Sale!

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UPDATE SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! Separates! This is a handmade, second-hand outfit directly from my wardrobe. A sexy pencil Skirt and matching corset top! The top is stretch poplin and the skirt is cotton. Corset top is lightly boned ( there are plastic strips in it to keep the shape) Top Size: 52-54 Bust 47-49 Waist Skirt Size: 49 Waist and 62 Hip Top has light pink topstitched seams. The straps (not adjustable- unless you can alter) have matching print to the skirt. The top also has a matching print faux collar, very rockabilly. Skirt has zipper closure. The corset is "pull over" because it is made from stretch material. Skirt pattern is a girly skull and crossbones with hearts, cherries, and cute valentine-like messages! Cost: $20.00 plus shipping! email mlcloset@yahoo.com

You KNOW this happens to you.....there's not a damn thing you can do about it!

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Yup....and I freekin left it that way because I could only afford 8 yards of the damn print. ahhhh such is the life of a seamstress

My Sewing Memes!

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It occurred to me that lots of stupid things happen to me as a result of my sewing. So I will be sharing some of these things in the form of sewing memes! (kind of like Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy they used to have on Saturday Night Live) PRESENTING THE "SEWING PSYCHO SAYS...." MEME

Ever Wonder How To Make Your Own Personal Fitting Pattern? Watch My Video Guide

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HEY KIDDIES! I talk alot about my sloper. I thought I would make a video about how I made it. I used a Butterick Fitting shell pattern, available in some stores and on their website: BUTTERICK 5628 Vogue has one like this too The pattern walks you through making a fitting shell. They call it a shell because it fits you so tight it's actually like a shell. The point of this is so you end up with a paper pattern of your body.. How can you use this? Once you know how your body curves translate to paper, you can add the right amount of ease in that you feel comfortable with.  Maybe you like looser sleeves, so you can add some extra there. Want more on the hips because you have a round booty? You can add 4 inches! Once you have made a "wearable dress" pattern that has the ease you like, then you can make an EXCELLENT fitting dress in a million zillion different ways, and every time it FITS! The process is outlined as this: measure yourself and record these measurements (patter

Finished Project: The Kitschy Dames Dress!

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 Can I hold a fabric stash or what? I bought these dames about 2 years ago and finally made them into a dress. I only had 2 yards, so I had to choose a design carefully! This is the same exact bodice as my last "Liz Taylor goes to Japan" dress. In fact, it was my test. You may remember it from the sewing videos I posted.  See the darling patching purse! The clasp is magnetic. The design is one of those cheapo purse patterns they sell at Joanne Fabrics.  From the back I appear like your regular sexi mujer  The black material is Kona Cotton. The buttons are little pear flowers. The earrings are my Grandmothers  Now, this is differente, I didn't make these pockets on the Liz version. The pattern has an weird extra flap thingie on the pocket top that I omitted. They are diagonal! The one end is actually part of the center front panel seam. I really like that design! Come to think of it, this skirt is a princess seam skirt. I had to draft it because my regular skirt pattern is