Red Velvet Gown

Bodice = complete!  Eyelets are the bane of my existence, and I putz’d around the sewing room, putting off eyelets at every given opportunity.  But, they’re done, and next up is skirts!  I’m going to be felt padding the pleats and the hemline.  I haven’t quite decided if I’m going to do the tuck or not…..hmmm.  Also to be decided – I may or may not do a strip of cutwork ‘trim’ over the felt.  This will only be a possibility if my die cutter comes through the way I want it to.

I spent an inordinate amount of time working up a pattern for a kneeler – my software was wigging out, but it finally came through in the end.

I did the embroidery up once in gold and silver, and I was having a really hard time with it – the thread kept snapping, and the bobbins were putting on their horns and somehow my fleur-de-lys got off-center.  I re-did the design in regular non-metallic thread, and a different fleur design, and I think it came out quite nice.  I’ll need to stain the wood of the stool, and figure out if I want anything else on it.

 

And this is why I had a hard time getting out of bed this morning!  Aaaaw!

Maroon Hoodie & Acanthus

One of my friends recently asked if I would do some acanthus on her hoodie…..this is how it turned out!

Recent Embroidery Projects

I've had some embroidery projects recently that I've been really excited about!

My little nephew is completely obsessed with dinosaurs, and his mom asked if I would do some embroidery on his pants - how fun! Of course I did, and had a lot of fun doing it, too!

One of my friends asked if I would help with a project for her sorority, and we made 9 fleece scarves with embroidery on the ends:

And my dad had a convention he was going to for work, and wanted some custom shirts. Unfortunately, I was feverish and sick and not feeling well, and completely forgot to take pictures of the finished product, but here's one of the tester pieces!

Commission the First (of hopefully very many!)

 

A lady that goes to a fabric store I frequent struck up a conversation last week.  She had mentioned that she needed a logo digitized, and my eyes lit up......I practically begged her to allow me to take the commission - and she said yes!  After a couple of back-and-forth emails, we've nailed down the design (I think).  I've sent her the files and I'm going to send her the picture below of the final digitized design for her approval - here's to hoping!  ;)

Picture update from yesterdays post - plus moar

 

Yep, here it is!  PPOD is coming together!  :)

On a slightly related note, I've been messing around with my machine embroidery software and eating up the classes I've been taking, and have 6 embroidery pattern slips to be stitched in cross stitch.  (Actually 5 right now.  The 6th is giving me fits for some reason, and I'm about to tear my hair out)  I think I'm going to make myself some pillows or something. 

I would never have the time to embroider the slips by hand, so I'm going to try it out, see what it looks like, and if it's anywhere near 'passable', I'll apply the slips to a velvet ground and make pillows somewhat similar to the one found at Hardwick Hall:

I'm hoping to get around to stitching out an example of each design this week.  I found the original designs here.

Also related to the embroidery software goodness.......I found out the other day that I can MAKE MY OWN LACE.  *dies*  Hah!  The end product is no different than the lace one would buy at JoAnns, BUT, it can be customized to be ANYTHING.  :D  I have fantasies of drawing out lace from portraits and getting my machine to do all the 'dirty work'.  I haven't experimented with the lace yet, but I'll let y'all know how it goes.

Here are some pics of the jewelry that Hollyness made for me......I am so full of squee it's not even funny!  Now I HAVE to finish that god-forsaken dress!

Random stuff

 

Because bodice_goddess is an evil, evil woman, she sent me this link.  (Ribbons GALORE)

I've been messing around with embroidery editing software to learn how it works, and came up with these:

In extreme happiness for my new machine and embroidery software, I am moved to host a giveaway!  (Hurrah?)  So - the first two people who send me a message with 1.  Which fictional guild did I get the inspiration from, and 2.  Your mailing address, will be the recipients.

(If I don't get anyone who knows what they are, I'll explain and then see if there are any takers.....)

Also, I have to show off Matt the Minor and his new outfit, made by the lovely Strid.  I think he's hooked on the SCA!  (Seriously, I'd adopt this kid, if he were of an adoptable age!)

(See?!  The sullen teenager smiles!  OMG!)

Couple of things before bedtime!

 

I decided to break in the new machine by making a little 'something' for Precious (Who is now, btw, Princess.  To be more exact, Xena, Warrior Princess.  Yeah, everyone in this household has many, many names.)

I tested out the buttonhole function (AMAZING), the embroidery edit functions (I made all that embroidery from scratch!), and the decorative edging function (would work far better on something other than velvet!)

It's black velvet, embroidered with lavender, lined with purple fleece, and buttons with a snazzy satin button - all from my stash.  (Viva la stash!)

It looks a bit like a bib in the picture, but it's WAI cuter on Precious/Princess/Xena!  (It helps that she's an adorable gal!)  She was hanging out with Hubby in the Man Cave all snuggly-like, and she wasn't too thrilled to be woken up only to play dress-up, hence the nonplussed expression.  ;)

She'll be wearing her new duds to PetCo, PetSmart, and on walks and such (weather permitting).  Aint she adorabz?!
Long story short, I totally <3 my new machine. 

Like.......SO MUCH.  It was a huge purchase, but worth it in the end.  Totes.  I'm a super happy girl.  I just need to use it *all the time* to justify it.  *hint, hint*  ;)

Oh, also......Other Noelle.........I dug out my old Derby helmet and took pictures for ya!

Makes me want to dig out the skates too, before the weather gets too bad!  Hm - I wonder how PPX would do with me on skates?