Another dress and the Brockenhurt Fiesta

So I was asked to make another of my cross over, reversible dresses - this time a fairy pattern for a four year old - so here it is, with matching pants....

 This morning I went to the Brockenhurst Fiesta  (See here) - it is a great experience - lovely exhibitor and great traders.  I go every year and don't usually buy anything but this year I could not resist the Clearance items from Simply Sequins/French Knot Studios - I came home with all this lot for just £24.50!!!

The sari silk was just £8 for this huge pile as many of the bags were buy one get one free and the bottom right is three skeins for £3!!!!

I got a bag of elastic - looks like there is a lot there, and three bags of various lace edgings each between 8 and 10 metres, two tubes of buttons (they were just £3 per tube so much better value than the 30p for each button!!) a small bag of mixed buttons and a pack of mixed fabrics - there are nine pieces - I think most of them are cotton fat quarters. 

Klimt Jacket 1

Once I mentioned that I wanted to work on a Klimt piece to Jane L and that I fancied a jacket in the style of the one I made for the Queen of Hearts - she said I should make one to fit me this time.  So today I started the background work by dyeing 4 metres of 150cm wide cotton in my favourite colours purple and yellow (also Klimt colours) and the mix in between.. Photos below - on the left fresh into the dye, on the right fresh out of the washing machine after rinsing.

On the line drying 

The three photos below show close ups of some of the areas which I think are lovely. In my mind's eye there may not be much of this showing by the time I have finished - hence the photos :-)

UPDATE:  As usual I have changed my mind - this lovely fabric is just too busy for my idea - so its back to the drawing board for a fabric base!

Beautiful photos

I took these pics at my Mum and Dad's on Bank Holiday Monday - aren't they lovely and inspirational:

Mad Hatter Update Jan 2013

I know its been a while since I blogged but life has been in the way as usual,  The Mad Hatter is progressing well if slowly.  I have put the main pieces of the jacket together 

The cuffs started out big and I did try arranging various scissor combinations over them  (see below) but I thought they looked better smaller and may have cotton reels rather than scissors.

 Here is a rough idea of the cotton reel layout.

I also have more work to do on the main establishment for the front of jacket. So its off to make more scissors, needles and cotton reels.

You can see in the top pictures the trousers I will be altering and customising into my Mad Hatter trousers - not sure how yet but if you have any suggestions I am always happy to receive ideas.

Brilliant Saturday, Mustardseed, Oberon and a course

Spend another happy day at Jane Lemon's on Saturday. With her help and advise I have a new plan for the pod underskirt for Mustard seed - here is a very rough pinned plan..... and I decided the flowers should be re-positioned... Thanks too, to Jane L, I have been able to stitch Oberon's breaches - she loaned me one of Val Campbell-Harding's Bernina machines as mine is STILL at the repairers (its been there since before Christmas). So the breaches are now ready for hours and hours of hand stitching the gold cords.

Finally another thank you - this time to both Jane's because with their help I have worked out a three part course!!! The vague plan had been that if I finish the 7 costumes by July 2011 Urchfont Manor College will let me have a room of my own at their open day to display the costumes. Their part of the deal is that I need to come up with a course I could teach leading from my costumes - well the ideas finally came into view on Saturday. Before I tell you about the course (which I hope will stretch over three linked weekends) I will have to check out the plan with the College. Will keep you informed - keep your fingers crossed I am so excited and have sooooooo much work to do - the rest of the costumes and loads of sampling for a possible course.

Another great day!

Yesterday was another great day with the two Jane's - here in Jane Lemon's workroom. See how busy!! And happy!! What did I do - well I had more fantastic advise from the two Jane's about my new york piece but I have no photos to show as I have a list of 'homework' instead! The other thing seems really small - it was this I stitched 14metres of cord - actually stitched it three times - twice the full length and the final run was doubled up. The resulting sample... yes the cord is meant to be broken in parts - the doublet is going to look worn (worn out) and thanks too to Jane L for the idea of the knots. There may be some larger ones yet.Now I may have to take the sleeves out of the doublet (or at least release one seam) to be able to do the slashing on the sleeves.
Lots to do - Peaseblossom is almost covered in leaves - next will be the arrangement of the flowers - should they be spread randomly?

London - A few Pictures

Yesterday I went to London to see my daughter, while she was at work I visited one of my favourite places and took the usual hundreds of photos but I will not bore you with too many - the place I went to does not look very much from the outside - I went to investigate the newly opened Stable Market - there are some awesome sculptures

Even the dustbins are beautiful...... Have you guessed where? Yes Camden Lock - I love Camden Lock Markets - a rabbit warren of little shops and the 'new' part is the old stables - literally - each 'Stall' has been converted into a 'Stall' of the market variety....

Some lovely jewellery stalls that look like they should be overseas.....
Such lovely bright colours.... (and brilliant prices - although I did not actually buy anything!! for once!!)

Then, of course, there are the food stalls - which definitely look like they belong somewhere else!! ----Some interesting seats near another food hall - these over look the lock itselfSome interesting architecture also by the lock....And finally - the kind of shops I love to look in......... (wish I could wear something like this)

Not this one though - just love what they do for shop signs along the high street......