Patterning and Props

I just reached the end of Winter Quarter and I'm now on Spring Break. I'm kind of sad because I really enjoyed my classes, but I get to share with you some of the things I did last quarter! YAY!

First off, I took a Apparel Patterning class. The goal of this class is to eventually be able to look at a picture and come up with accurate and sew-able patterns for any outfit. We learned how to drape and flat pattern. I'm so thankful to have formal instruction on these techniques. Our final project was to choose 2 of 4 dresses to pattern out and mock up in half scale. I chose these two:

Using a mix of draping and flat patterning, I was able to create these half-scale (think big doll sizes) dresses which are really cute:

I was pretty proud of myself since I managed to make these just by looking at the pictures. Unfortunately I had forgotten to put pockets on the 1952 dress :( I think it would have been much cuter with the pockets.

The other class is Theatre Props Techniques. Earlier I had made a Leather Mask, it was a really cool experience. The 2nd project was to be either Millinery, Felt Armor or a Fiber-Glass Helmet. The Millinery spots were taken within a few minutes :'(   so I decided to do a Star Wars Project, naturally. Now I'm working on a Boba Fett/Mandalorian Helmet (if you don't know what that is, click this link). Our instructor wasn't in for the first week, which spurred us all into lateness getting our helmets done. But because of this he told me to take an Incomplete so that I may finish it nicely. He didn't want me to rush and compromise the quality, as I was "doing very well" so far. So here is my progress:

 The helmet is made from Fiber-Glass and Aqua-Resin. I still have to cut out the rest of the T, paint and add some finishing trinkets to make it look it's best. I have 6 more weeks to finish it, so I'm excited to get it done!

SPRING AT LAST!

I cannot tell you how wonderful it is now that the cold has finally subsided. It's currently in the high 60's, which feels like a heat wave compared to the below-freezing temperatures we had not two weeks ago. At the moment you can wear whatever you want to and you'll be fine (unless you're naked of course). Because of the fabulous weather, my mom and I went into town for a few things, and came back with.....

CHICKIES!!!!

My mom's chickens are getting older, so they're aren't as productive in their egg laying. We purchased 8 chickies, 3 Silver Laced Wyandots, 2 Road Island Reds, and 3 Black Sex-Link Chickens. We're pretty excited. My mom wants to get some Bantams soon, but we have to wait until the farm stores get them in. I also took some pictures of our other animals today, since it was so nice. I hope you enjoy the pics! 

 Chickens!

Princess and Joel

Joel sniffin my camera

Emma being the sweet and adorable goat she is

Finished Leather Mask

I finally got some pictures of my leather mask I made for a prop's class I'm taking. The spirally thingies are millinery wire painted gold. If you want to see some of the process CLICK HERE

Cabled Scarfelette Pattern

This is a pattern I came up with while making my mom and her friends Christmas presents. A Scarfellette is a small scarf that is buttoned. It requires less yarn than a long scarf and is relatively quick to make up. Estimate about 4-5 hours.

KEY:
Chain= ch
Half-Double Crochet= hdc
Treble Crochet= tc
Front-Post Treble Crochet= ftc 

 Hook used: G (4.25)

NOTES BEFORE STARTING
~ftc's will always be connected to previous ftc (2 rows down, previously made) except in row 5
~the term over-cable is the set of 2 ftc's that are most visible/forward; while under-cable means the set of 2 ftc's that you cannot see (they are under the over-cables)
~Row 3 is basically an area for button holes, test your buttons to ensure fit.
~Row 5 and 7 will not equal 18 stitches, this is okay. Simply skip 2 stitches (in the middle of Row 6 and 4 stitches in Row 8 to equal 18. {{Some have commented that they did not run into this problem}}
~This pattern can be repeated to create a full length scarf; repeat Rows 5-8 then end with Rows 4, 3, 2, 1.

 Cabled Scarfelette:
Row 1: ch 19
Row 2: hdc 18, ch 2
Row 3: tc (in back) 18, ch 1
Row 4: hdc (in front) 18, ch 1
Row 5: hdc 2, ftc 1, hdc 2,( SKIP 2 STITCHES and ftc 2, then ftc 2 in SKIPPED STITCHES underneath previous ftc)*2, hdc 2, ftc 1, hdc 2, ch 1
Row 6: hdc 18, ch 1
Row 7: hdc 2, ftc 1, hdc 3, ftc 2 in over-cable, hdc 1, ftc in next over-cable, ftc 2 in previous under-cable, hdc 1, ftc 2 in last under-cable, hdc 3, ftc 2, hdc 2, ch 1
Row 8: hdc 18, ch 1
REPEAT ROWS 5-8 until scarfelette is 2 feet long

Sew in buttons on 1 side of the tail end 2 1/2 inches apart 

 

If you have ANY problems with this pattern working out, let me know! I would like to make it as user friendly as possible :) 

** Please feel free to make this project for gifts, but  

PLEASE DO NOT SELL

the finished item or pattern. If you choose to pass along this pattern, link my blog!**

General Grievous

I recently finished my General Grievous. His body is completely crocheted, with a sewn cape. He is very large, about 3 feet tall. I couldn't get all of him in the pictures, so just know he's much bigger than what the pics show. His arms and legs have wire in them, so he is fully pose-able. Enjoy!  :)

 

The original: 

My version^^ 

  

  

De-caped...

 

  

There ya have it! My next project shall be Boba Fett. I'm uber excited!!!!!

SNOW!!!!

If you haven't heard, The eastern coast of the US got pummeled with snow. We got a little more than 8 inches. O.O   We've not had a now like this in a long-o time.

 

Isn't this a pretty picture? The sky was nice to me.

 

  

An 18th Century Wig perhaps?

 

Mom's goats not-really-enjoying the snow

 

The Deer in the snow...

 Virgil in the snow...

 

More snow....

And we're getting more snow as I type. UGH. I'm about sick of it now!  At least it's pretty right?

Living History

I've decided to post an old, but relevant video. This is of some fellow reenactors and I at our local junior high school, teaching about the Civil War. The boys and I have been participating in this for over 5 years and enjoy every moment of it.   Also in this video is my most favorite teacher, Mrs. Redefer. Without her I would have never found my passion for history. Enjoy!

Leather Working, Props class

I have been avidly working on my newest project, which needs to be fully finished by Monday for a grade. I am working on a leather mask for my Theatre Props class. I'm actually baffled by how easy it is, it's just VERY time consuming. Here's what I hope my mask will end up looking like:

The inspiration for this was from a Venetian Mask website I really, really, really, really love this mask.

I decided to make it a half mask as it uses less materials and is easier to wear.... As for the process, the leather has to be soaked and wrung it out many times. When it finally feels like a slimy tongue it's ready to go. After the soaking you have to drape it over the form and lace it tight so it won't move for further shaping:

 

  

After you have pressed and smashed the leather to the desired shape all you can for 1-3 hours (and by this time your hands and forearms are begging to stop) the leather can then dry overnight. After the drying there are even more lovely, time consuming things that need to be done, which shall be in the next post. When it's all dry and shined it looks like this:

I find this to be a very, very creepy mask at the moment. It looks like a lobbed off a mummy face!

In other, less scary pictures, I'm going to show off the 2 hats I made over the winter break. They are both crochet and are basically the same and I want to make more of them!

 

 

Well, that's all I have for now! Have A Wonderfully Blessed Day!!!!

2010

Ahhh, 2010. I honestly didn't think the world would last this long! But it has. This New Year has also brought some really great changes for me.

For one, I changed my major. Originally I was in the Piano Pedagogy program at OU. I started fine, but after a while I realized that there had to be another path for me because I was simply MISERABLE. I love piano, but not enough to make it my profession. I turned to the "Bachelors in Specialized Studies" Program at OU. This is a great way to tailor a degree to your needs/wants. In short, I chose to make my own major :)  The major I created is Historical Costume Construction and American History with a Minor in Piano.

So far I AM LOVING this quarter/major. All of my classes are great. I'm taking Patterning Techniques, Theatre Props and Accessories (in this class I'm learning to make leather masks and millinery!), Costume History A (ancient times to 1900), American History 1600-1865 (my favorite times!), and Piano Lessons. I enjoy the classes and the homework. Which is a good thing, because I have a lot of homework this quarter.

I feel more grown up all the sudden. It's weird. I will be turning 20 in February. 20!?!?!?? I don't know if I can handle that....

My next post will most likely be Leather Mask-related. STAY TUNED! WOO

Bonnet Trouble

I have decided, on a whim, to make a bonnet. Crazy? yes. I have no pattern whatsoever.

To start with, I've had this a straw bonnet for some time, bought from a sutler. It originally had a ribbon and flower on it, but both were not very good quality so I took them off. So Yesterday, I decided to tear my bonnet apart, because it is NOT the right shape. I need one with some sort of spoon shape.

I managed to get the brim and crown apart. I also cut a section of the crown off to enable my hair to get through.

 Now I don't know where to go. :{

So, I don't have any appropriate fabric. haha. That's what I get for tearing something up on a whim. I think I'm going to buy some crushed taffeta (there's some on sale at Joanns). I believe I want some in Ivory or Bone, as it would go with more outfits. I'm not sure if I want to go with blue, black, or another color?

I have no clue what I'll do next, but we'll see where I get. :)  If you have any suggestions or fabric you want to get rid of, let me know!!!!!!!