Because I don't have a sewing machine here in England, and I was bored to death, I decided to make a costume and completly hand sew it. ( yeah, I know, I'm crazy.)
It will be a costume for my sister to wear for Carnaval, as I won't be able to finish my Emerald City costume for her on time.
I started of with the Simplicity 2851 pattern (dress C) and then I would find a way to make it a little bit warmer as my sister will be wearing it in Februari, outside, all day long. I decided to do this by taking the sleeves of dress A and the top part and colar of Simplicity pattern 3689 (top A).
This is how far I got before something bad happenend:

It didn't fit anymore. :(

After a lot of frustration and trowing the bodice aside I found out what I did wrong. I simply made my seams to big. So after taking everything out again and putting everything back again it did fit. :)

This bodice was for me the first time to work with boning, as I was scared as hell to use it, but now that I did I found out it actually quite easy to do (as long as the instructions on the pattern are clear).

Right now I got the whole bodice sew to getter. The only thing that is still missing are some hooks for the back and two bows that will go on top of the ruffels.
the front:

The back:


I got now most part of the skirt done, I only need to do the waistband, but I fist need to know the size of my sister's waist before I can do that. After that is getting ribbons on the skirt, and making the underskit and petticoat.
For the petticoat I will be needing a sewing machine because sewing a petticoat by hand is really really a hell. (believe me, I tried.)

I will post pics later if I got more done on the skirt.

Alright, I will stop now before this post really gets to long.

~Ira~

you're totally crazy !!! :lol:
but your work is really amazing !! keep it up !!
...and perhaps, if i were in your position, i would do the same - i mean hand sewing *g*

As promised here is the skirt update. I already handsed the skirt parts together, but yesterday I finally brought ribons. My orginal plan was to get four colours, but after pinning all the colours to the skirt I didn't like it and I changed it to two colours: Yellow/Gold and Pink. At the end of each ribbon there will be a small bow, just like I did with one of the yellow ones.
The ribbons and the bow are still pinned as I'm boubting if I want to sew them by hand or wait a few weeks until I'm home.
In the meantime I'm hemming the underskirt. Even though the pattern didn't say I needed a underskirt I did make one, as I find the silver tulle quite ruff, and it adds another layer, which means that the costume is a little warmer.

alright here are some pics:



(the small piece of ribbon sticking out under the bow will be cut away when I sewed the ribon to the skirt)



And that's how the two pieces look together:


I'm still really really pleased with how it's all turning out, and the best part is: my sister likes it too!

~Ira~

i love hand sewing costumes- it so rewarding...no pun intended;) I handsewn my bubble dress which was crazy but gave me something to do in the dorm!

the costume for my sister is now finished.


Shoulder close up

The petticoat

The back


i hope to get some pictues where she will be wearing it, but that won't be until the end of February.

so sweet !! your sister should be proud of you :) !!

She is, she is really happy with it.

Is it from a show or something, or just random fun? It looks like an ice-skating outfir, so she should take that up so she can wear it - it's fab!

no, It's just random. though I don't see my sister iceskate that quickly. On the other hand, that girl is good in everything so why not give it a try. :P

Thanks for all the nice comments guys, really appriciate that! :D

hey everyone,

The Carnaval weekend has passed and my sister wore my costume with pride.







ever since she got back she has been thanking me again and again and agian. So now I can't get this stupit grin of my face. :P I'm so happy that I made her happy.

I also want to thank all of you for your supporting and encouraging (sp?) posts. Thank you!

~Ira~

Hehehe, that looks so awesome!
Nice job.