The mother of invention

I do not know how this was released without My Notice, but look at this new steampunk pattern from Pixie Faire!

It is the Inventor who uses their talent and imagination to create the marvels of the steampunk world. Ceaseless tinkering, designing and occasionally blowing things up – the Inventor is a quintessential steampunk archetype.

The steampunk movement is built on Victorian science fiction. As such, steampunk fashion uses the Victorian and Edwardian eras as a basis and builds from there. One steampunk blogger advises "dress Victorian and then add". It's the additions – gears and gadgets - that make steampunk so fun. This pattern bundle includes not only the basic clothing pieces – Knickerbockers, Shirt and Utility Bustle – but also some fun goggles!  This PDF sewing pattern is designed to fit 18 inch dolls such as American Girl®.

http://www.pixiefaire.com/products/steampunk-inventor-bundle-18-doll-clothes

Pardon, my slip is showing

Ooh, the excitment is building around here.

Not only did Momma finish my LepreCon outfit (complete with matching petticoat and lobster tail bustle) but she is finishing a second to sell in her Etsy shop, Greta Garb-oh!, this week!

Yes, you too can dress like me! Momma plans to make two of each outfit she makes for me (or my Vinyl American siblings) and sell the second on Etsy.

The Thimbles and Acorns description for both the 1870s Bustle Dress and Lobster Tail Bustle and Petticoat are the same:

Fashion is where expression meets practicality and lures it into the realm of the extreme. Though fashion trends have a tendency to push the limits, practicality always manages to bring them back into balance… at least for a time. Full skirts were the hallmark of the early Victorian era and by the 1860s they had expanded to as wide as six feet in diameter.

However, as railroads began forging paths around the world, women began to travel more and more. Full skirts and crinolines made for poor traveling companions and the boundary for this fashion trend had been reached. Still, it would be a gallant exit.

 The 1870s saw a great boom in the textile industry. Hand looms were replaced by more efficient steam driven power looms which resulted in a larger supply of cloth and fancy trims at greatly reduced prices. The great cage crinolines were shed and the surplus fabric from the full skirts was draped in elaborately decorated layers and pulled toward the back in large bustles that were reminiscent of those worn a century earlier. The fashionable silhouette had become smaller and more mobile, but what was lost in size was more than made up for with the elaborate trimming which would become the hallmark of the later Victorian Era.

Momma used the green Victorian Dream Gears and tea-stained muslin. She deliberalty left the petticoat longer than the shortened bustle skirt so the raw, selvage would show. Momma plans to make me a matching camisole and drawers, too!

I think it's pretty awesome, myself.

 

The wearing of the green

Momma has been looking for fabric to make me an Epic Outfit worthy of a Work of Art for LepreCon, and she found this:
Victorian Dream Gears by Collier-Morales Studio for Quilting Treasures.

The world of Steampunk through the eyes of Roberta Morales. Now the gears are turning. Is it Victorian or is it Science Fiction or maybe a combination of both?

Perfect for both St. Patrick's Day and LepreCon.

St. Patrick's Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on March 17 named after St. Patrick, the most popular patron saint of Ireland.

St. Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th Century and commemorates St. Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as Irish heritage and culture. Celebrations include parades and festivals, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Many Christians also attend church services, and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day.

Green beer? No, thank you. I'll stick to absinthe.

 

Girl Power

I had no idea it could be so dangerous being a seamstress, but Momma slipped today on some some tulle twisting her right knee and wrist.

It's a good thing I prefer cotton, especially Momma's latest find by Camelot Design Studio: Girl Power!

Move over boys, this is a job for Super Addie!

A force to be reckoned with

Momma and I both admire Melody Valerie Couture and were thrilled with her Fall 2013 line, Inventions in Steampunk. 

Sadly, two of the outfits (Ardith and Betsy) sold for way more than we could afford, especially Ardith, so we are thrilled to see those patterns are now available on Pixie Faire.

pixiefaire.com

Ardith Dress 18" Doll Clothes

With such a wistful look on her face, she could have been the Lady of Shalott. But something in her air made one think she was made of sterner stuff than that -- something more industrial, more revolutionary. And you would have been right. Delicately attired in her dramatic evening gown, she floated across the plaza to change the world.

This stunning gown for 18” dolls is designed for ultra-soft habotai (”China silk”), with artificial leather accents at the neckline and waist. Rows upon rows of ruffles cascade down the full-length skirt, or make the short version for your favorite summer garden party. Tiny eyelets and a sturdy silk ribbon lace the dress closed in the back. Between the contrasting yoke, the cold-shoulder sleeves, and the dramatic back, embellishment opportunities abound! Try adding chain, vintage brooches, or beadwork for your own unique touch to this fabulous dress.

pixiefaire.com

Betsy Dress 18" Doll Clothes

Her name on paper was simple enough: Betsy. Not very pretentious. Not very unusual. Downright ordinary, in fact. But when she arrived, her striking gown’s elegant silhouette and shimmering jewels glistening in the late evening sunlight, it was clear we had been wrong about Betsy. She was a force to be reckoned with.

“Betsy” is a luxurious soft gown in both maxi and day lengths. It features a pull-on design, a ruched bodice, optional bodice lining and petticoat, and shoulder straps that cross in the back before becoming part of the pleated skirt. We suggest using a soft knit with some body and rebound, like a jersey knit.

Now for Cadewyn and Dianne....

Hustle and bustle

I am rocking my new Steampunk Star Trek outfit, so I was thrilled to see Thimbles and Acorns has made a bustle to go under it.

I laughed when I read her comment when she posted a photo on Facebook yesterday:

Yes, as a foundation garment, this bustle pattern should have been finished before the bustle dress... better late than never. Hoping to have this pattern out later this week as a supplement to the "Unmentionables" pattern.

 
I have loved Shari Fuller's Thimbles and Acorns designs and patterns ever since she started in 2011. I thoroughly approve of her love of history and its fashions.

I also like her description of how the bustle evolved in Victorian fashion in her 1870s Bustle Dress:

Fashion is where expression meets practicality and lures it into the realm of the extreme. Though fashion trends have a tendency to push the limits, practicality always manages to bring them back into balance… at least for a time. Full skirts were the hallmark of the early Victorian era and by the 1860s they had expanded to as wide as six feet in diameter.

However, as railroads began forging paths around the world, women began to travel more and more. Full skirts and crinolines made for poor traveling companions and the boundary for this fashion trend had been reached. Still, it would be a gallant exit.

The 1870s saw a great boom in the textile industry. Hand looms were replaced by more efficient steam driven power looms which resulted in a larger supply of cloth and fancy trims at greatly reduced prices.

The great cage crinolines were shed and the surplus fabric from the full skirts was draped in elaborately decorated layers and pulled toward the back in large bustles that were reminiscent of those worn a century earlier. The fashionable silhouette had become smaller and more mobile, but what was lost in size was more than made up for with the elaborate trimming which would become the hallmark of the later Victorian Era. 

Since Momma is sewing again, maybe I can persuade her to make the bustle with one of the Unmentionables fabrics?

(Yes, it tickles my funny bone to make Unmentionables with Unmentionables.)

Just dessous

MHD Designs

Now that Momma is back in seamstress mode, she is spending a lot of time looking at patterns and fabrics while letting her imagination run wild.

Her latest brainstorm?

The Unmentionables.

As you might recall, "unmentionables" was a Victorian euphemism for undergarments that weren't to be seen, let alone mentioned.

Elle a osé montrer ses dessous en plein air.

(She dared show her undies out in the open.)

Momma's vision includes MHD Designs 1850s Dessous pattern using all three of the Unmentionables by Peggy Jo Ackley fabrics by Robert Kaufman.

Can't you just picture this 1850s chemise, petticoat, pantaloons, and corset ensemble in these hilarious cotton novelty print fabrics? 

I shall be the envy of all.

Introducing Greta Garb-oh!

Momma has (finally!) decided to do more sewing for me and the rest of my Steam Team, and has even come up with a name for her clothing sales: Greta Garb-Oh! 

When she does, one of the many things she plans to make is the Steam Jacket & Skirt Bundle and Bib Top Pattern by Liberty Jane. (The Bib Top Pattern is available in a separate listing.)

The Liberty Jane Clothing Tokyo Libby: Steam outfit was part of the Fall 2013 International Collection. This original outfit was sold at auction as a One Of A Kind original design. Now you can make this Harajuku inspired outfit for your 18 inch American Girl Doll!

Soo, which Greta Garb-Oh! do you like better: the one with the checked background or without?

 

Make is sew

Mini Me Dolly Divas

As hinted at the other day, here's a sneak peek of my newest outfit being created for me by Mini Me Dolly Divas - as modeled by My Dear Friend, Samantha.

Momma had a vision while looking at Dacia's items, and Dacia agreed to the Special Order.

Special order I am working on for Steampunk Addie. Samantha gets to model it since she is pre-Mattel also. This is going to be a steampunk, Star Trek outfit... doesn't look like it yet I know but it will. I am very excited about this one.

Ok, this so stinking cute it's crazy! Oh, Samantha doesn't want to give this one up....

If Samantha thinks she's going to keep this, she's got another think coming. 

The dress is a modified version of the Thimbles and Acorn's 1870s Bustle Dress pattern.

The t-shirt and the hat are modified Liberty Jane patterns. You can find LJC patterns at http://www.pixiefaire.com.

A bolt from the blue

Momma and I swooned today while browsing in a local fabric store.

We have been longtime fans of Tim Holtz and his steampunk craft items. But what we didn't know until today was his new line of fabrics, Eclectic Elements by Tim Holtz for Coats & Clark Fabrics!

In a world where the moments of our lives can be captured and created in the art of the everyday, it's important it reflects our own unique personality. Finding just the right objects, accents, and tools to use are of the most importance. Whatever your artistic vision is, exploring the imaginative is a chance for our creativity to escape understanding. Remember life isn't about finding yourself - life is about creating yourself.
 

“They say that every possibility begins with the courage to imagine, and seeing my designs come to life as fabric is beyond my imagination. The inspiration for ‘Eclectic Elements’ was to combine the nostalgia of timeless elements with the texture and creative versatility of fabric. This unique combination of salvaged findings and vintage palette creates a collection to inspire your artful imagination. I too believe creativity is not in the finding of a thing, but the making something out of it after it is found…” - Tim Holtz

So far there appears to be 24 patterns in 100 percent cotton fabrics that have been color and pattern matched.

Perfect for creating my ever-expanding wardrobe!

 

 

To boldly sew where no doll has sewn before

Camelot Fabrics

Momma and I are both geeking out right now.

Camelot Fabrics has had a line of licensed Star Trek fabrics for awhile, but it looks like they are expanding that soon.

Camelot Fabrics

Go boldly where no man has gone before with our exclusive line of STAR TREK fabric featuring the original cast including Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy on the USS Enterprise. 

Just in time for Comic Con!

Make it sew.

A stitch in time

It's a good thing Momma's a talented seamstress.

I spotted this Steampunk Dress over the weekend by Gracefaerie Designs. It's a custom dress, overskirt, and crinoline for small, 1/3 scale dolls.

As Momma delicately put it, while I am 1/3 scale, I am not small. (She even had to do some "liposuction" on me once so I could fit into my clothes.)

Sniff.

However, that being said, she thinks she can alter this to fit me.

As for the fabric, thankfully Spoonflower has lots of steampunk fabrics. Spoonflower is an online site that permits people to design, print and sell their own fabric designs.

How cool is that?

Love me (Vert) Tendre

used with permission of M.H.D. Designs

Ma chère amie Cécile is one lucky girl! Check out this gorgeous creation by seamstress artisté, Magalie Houle Dawson of M.H.D. Designs:

• 1850's inspired Dress in a cotton linen blend jacquard and embroidered loose weave organza. The lined bodice has rows of small organza ruffles at the sleeves, peplum, princess line seam, and neck opening. It is decorated with free motion embroidered "greens" and beads on the sleeve tops and bodice. It is also decorated with an organza bow with a beaded center at the waist. Closes in back with a row of fancy buttons and loops.

• The lined Skirt is made of eight alternating panels. Four have three rows of loose weave embroidered organza ruffles, and four with free motion embroidered greenery decorated with hundreds of seed beads. Closes in back with a button and loop.

• The lined Bonnet is sewn with the same cotton linen blend jacquard and loose weave embroidered organza. It has rows of organza ruffles on the outside and is decorated with free motion embroidery and bead work. The inside has three rows of pleated jacquard ruffles. closes with a bow on the side. 

• Matching Hair Ties

used with permission of M.H.D. Designs

However, what I am drooling over are the Unmentionables: 

• The lined Corset is made with the same cotton linen blend jacquard and has some pleated ruffles at the center front top and along the hem. It is decorated with free motion embroidery and beaded all over. Closes in back with laces and loops.

• The Under Dress is made to represent the Chemise and the Petticoat. Sewn in embroidered cotton and decorated with yards of Venice Lace. Closes in back with a row of Mother Of Pearl buttons and loops.

• The Pantaloons are in embroidered cotton. They have five growth tucks and are decorated with Venice Lace at the ruffled cuffs. 

 I wonder how much Unmentionables cost?

 Black, of course.

Sew, Howe does this work?

Momma asked me to pay homage to Elias Howe, who patented the first modern sewing machine on Sept. 10, 1846, earning the gratitude of seamstresses everywhere.

Many other people had designed sewing machines before him (one as early as 1790) and some had even patented their designs. However, Howe made significant improvements to those designs and on Sept. 10, 1846, he was awarded U.S. Patent 4,750 for the first sewing machine using a lockstitch design. ("Lockstitch" because the upper and lower threads "lock"  together when they pass through the fabric hole.)

His machine contained the three essential elements found in most modern machines: a needle with the eye at the point, a shuttle operating beneath the cloth to form the lockstitch, and an automatic feed.

Despite his efforts to sell his machine, other people began making sewing machines. Howe was forced to defend his patent in a court when he discovered Isaac Singer was selling a machine with the same lockstitch that Howe had invented and patented. He won the dispute after a five-year court battle, earning large royalties from Singer and others for the sale of his invention.

Howe contributed much of the money he earned to equip the 17th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, where he served as a private in Company D and as regimental postmaster from Aug. 14, 1862, to July 19, 1865.

After the War, Howe established the Howe Machine Company in 1865 in Bridgeport, Conn. His sewing machine won the gold medal at the Paris Exhibition of 1867, and that same year he was awarded the Légion d'honneur by Napoleon III for his invention.

Sadly, Howe died that same year on Oct. 3, 1867 at age 48.

A warrior's drink

Momma thinks I've lost it.

Prunes. I want prunes. (Said in my best zombie voice, of course.)

Specifically, I want prune juice.

Hey, if it's good enough for Worf (and I suspect Guinan) it's good enough for me.

Prunes ... they're not just for breakfast anymore.

Yesterday's Enterprise
Stardate: 43625.2

(Guinan brings a glass to Worf's table)
Guinan: All right. Try this.
Worf: What is it?
Guinan: Just try it.
(He does, and his face lights up)
Guinan: You see? It's an Earth drink. Prune juice.
Worf: A warrior's drink.
Guinan: You know, you're always drinking alone. It wouldn't hurt you to seek out a little companionship.
Worf: I would require a Klingon woman for companionship. Earth females are too fragile.
Guinan: Not all of them. There are a few on this ship that would find you tame.
Worf: Impossible.
Guinan: You never know till you try.
Worf: Then I will never know.
Guinan: Coward.
Worf: I was merely concerned for the safety of my crewmates
Guinan: Drink your prune juice. 

Drink your prune juice. Or else.

By the way, I really, really want one of Guinan's costumes. This one is a nice plummy color.

Any seamstresses out there who feel up to the challenge?

These boots are made for walking

A couple of people have now Commented upon my Growing Wardrobe.

People, people, people. What else do you expect when Momma is both a Skillful Seamstress (and Shopper) and knows so many Talented Seamstresses, too.

At the moment I have three (Three!) outfits (with Matching Boots, of course), with Another on the way. Is that so Very Many?

I have seen another poor Pleasant African American Girl here in Philadelphia who has more than 13 dresses! That is Not Counting all her Accessories, Boots and Shoes, et cetera.

So cut Me some slack People.

Or we shall Find Out if these Boots can do More than Walk.