Spent some time reorganizing my fabric drawers. And I've spent some time on my gleeman's cloak too. Gonna take me quite a few years to finish that one. :) My rough calculations tell me I need about a thousand fluttery bits. So far I'm at 150, going to 200... I'm going to need lots more scraps. (Seeing how I make ten fluttery bits of every kind of fabric I have.)

Cutting rectangles and zigzagging them. I'm cutting them freehand now, so no more fixed size. (No more perfectly straight lines either.)

Well I do like the idea of being able to wash the cloak. :) And seeing how it's going to take me quite a few more years to even acquire all the different kinds of fabric I need...

But right now I'm working on a patchwork cover for my bicycle crate. It's a pixel-art rendering of a wizard fighting a dragon. Here's a tiny rendition of what it will look like. Blow up each pixel to about 1x1 cm and you get the idea. :)

Well, HOW LAME AM I to have missed these last two comments on my very own thread???  *facepalm*

Yes, there is a new costume project afoot.  Yes, I'm hopping the pond in a couple of months or so.  Yes, I'll be at Castlefest, and that's what the new costume project is for.  Yes, there are pictures that I've not yet put up on the Picasa-thing. 

Yes, I've neglected this thread and S'march in general.  But, I still love you all and that's NO lie.

[Incidentally, I talked with my mother earlier this evening; the surgery went well and she's all good - she sounded downright chipper but I suspect that's the painkillers talking.]

[Oh, some of you don't know that my mom had a cancerous tumor removed from her large intestines last year and the surgery I referred to earlier was to remove the colostomy bag.]

[*whew*]

Libra-in-a-roundabout-way wrote:

Big news: Libra is actually going to make part of a costume... *shreeks*....

Got almost all the tools and feeling really up for it... but then again, haven't started yet. Thankfully I have a Cyan to help me along the way *grin*...

I'm making bracers and greaves in leather.... and I will not be using a needle (thankfully as I'd be looking like a pincushion afterwards if I did...)....

To be clear, Libra is not simply making part of the costume, she is providing a crucial element of the design concept.  Which happens to be a part of the making of the bracers and greaves.  That's how we roll.

Now, if you have your own story about how you sent tanned sides of cow (that just happened to be  languishing in your closet for years) to someone across the Atlantic ocean so that someone can create some awesome-looking armor to be worn at a regional festival, this is the place for you!  Welcome and please share!

*giggles*

[cross-post]
A picture of my mostly completed costume is now up on my Picasa album (click on 'Photos of My Works' below, then choose the Castlefest 2010 album).
[/cross-post]

Just realized that I don't have a pic of the finished cloak up yet, maybe I'll manage that later tonight.

Libra's been working very hard on the bracers and greaves, and doing a heroic job, I might add, considering the heat-wave on her side of the pond.  Hopefully, there'll be pic of her efforts to share prior to the event.  It is Libra's artistic skills that will make make this set of costumes truly unique, and I can't wait to see the finished product up close and personal!  And Sahi is lending her skills to create lovely bags for all of us, once again providing that special finishing touch to complete the ensemble.  I am beside myself with anticipation!

Also: Em, belated thanks for the thoughts and JBs.  Mom's pretty much back to her old self, once again terrorizing all of her friends on the mah jong table.  :-D

Libra-in-a-roundabout-way wrote:

Update on the bracers and greaves:

So four of the bracers are finished.... this weekend I will purchase some latex paint (please cross your fingers for me that it will not be too expensive, as my recent adventures on the highway - see the mint for full story - have made a considerable dent in my finances)...And then it will be time to try it out and make pictures to post....

Oh... can you believe that several people in my neighbourhood have told me I'm crazy for doing this myself and why didn't I just buy fully made bracers and greaves.... the nerve!!!

Libra, are you sure it wasn't a subtle way of complaining about the noise of you banging away to punch all of the holes?  ;-)

And Sahi is right - store-bought is nice and easy and all, but where could we possibly find tri-layered skirts in all the right colors or hand painted bracers in matching leather or embroidered bags with the appropriate adornment???  I say those people in your neighborhood are lacking in imagination and where-with-all.  The nerve, indeed!

ETA:  *crosses fingers*

Last edited by cyan (2010-07-20 21:07:51)

I've finished the second pouch. I only need to find a nice drawstring for it.

I'd prefer a bit of color for the drawstrings. (Seeing how the pouches are all black except for the embroidery.) I'll just go to the market today to see if they have anything. (What I have in mind isn't that expensive anyway.)

Sahi wrote:

Just found this: http://www.instructables.com/id/Steampu … set-Dress/

Soooo pretty! And there was also a steampunk light sabre. Time to start plotting for next year?

Want!!!!!!!

That is defintely doable for next year!!!!

Can't wait to see it!

I'm actually thinking of trying a neck-tie-skirt first. (Seeing how a skirt is a lot easier than a corset.)