Steampunk ATC

How embarrassing to be late on a swap you're hosting! That's me. Over on Swap-Bot I devised a steampunk ATC swap, and today I got around to finishing the cards.



I'm especially happy with the one on the left, "The Aeronaut". This morning I came across some ephemera I bought from Manto Fev a few months ago; one item was a playing card, probably from the 1950s or 60s, with a model ship on the back. With the neat telescope prop next to the ship, I knew I wanted to use it for one of my steampunk cards. A Google search uncovered Rosebud's WWI and Early Aviation Image Archive, a treasure of great pictures. It's a must-study for those interested in steampunk. That archive led me to this "Public Warning" poster and the ominous "Zeppelin of Death"...inspiration for the second ATC, yay!

I understand there are some ATC artists who look down on computer-generated art. Maybe they think it's too easy. I try to incorporate other elements beside images I print and/or create via graphics programs; these cards give you an idea of how I do that.

messenger bag - see&sew 4583

Here's a messenger bag I recently made up for a Swap-Bot swap. I have so many tote bag patterns; they all look great, but when it comes time to make one up, the directions all seem confusing. I blame all the reading I've been doing for prelims. This pattern, Butterick 4583 (a See & Sew) was gentle on the ol' noggin. I love love love this fabric - whenever I can, I pick up a few more yards of it, I love it that much. I will make a dress out of this one day, oh yes, I will.

I need to find a better interfacing for heavy-duty jobs like this, lately I haven't been happy with the results of the stuff I've been picking up at JoAnne's. It's not awful, but it's not perfect.

Adventures in the A-Line Zone

I recently completed a dress using my first vintage pattern - Butterick 5681, an A-line dress from the late 60s or early 70s. It's not an exaggerated A-line, that's for sure, it nips in nicely at the waist and the darts are flattering too. It does need a belt though for optimum effect. It went together easily, except for the fact that my serger came unthreaded, which is always a major sewing heartache, though one that really can't be blamed on the pattern. The other snafu concerns the zipper. It's been a while since I've installed one, and forgot that there's a real good reason the directions specify that you sew in one direction only. Yeah - a bit wobbly on the top. But that's fixable.

The fabric is a Tracy Porter design I spotted on clearance at Jo-Anne's. I'm not sure why it called to me, but it did. It was one of fabrics that you see and instantly adore, even though it's nothing like what you usually gravitate toward. (What? I'm the only person who does that? Never mind then.)

I prefer more of a scoop neckline, so I'm not sure if I will use this pattern again. I would give it three out of four thimbles.

Obligatory Introductory Post

I've found it difficult to maintain multiple blogs; I have a nice LiveJournal that does the trick for my general "life and whatnot" posts. I'm going to try a separate blog here to document my crafty endeavors.

I'm a graduate student who just happens to like sewing and other artsy-fartsy activities. Sometimes this is a good thing - creative outlets are a must when you're studying your brains out. Other times, it's a too-fun distraction. For example, I should be studying for my prelims which are less than a month away. What am I doing instead? Making a blog. Priorities!

Lately I have been collecting vintage patterns, and I've signed up over at the Vintage Sewing Patterns Wiki, so I'll try to cross-reference my posts there and here. I will also use this blog to document the progress of whatever I'm sewing or crafting. I should warn you that I quilt, sew clothes, sew costumes, make jewelry, paint, cook, and garden. I'm a regular June Cleaver - except for the kids. I'm going to give birth to a dissertation in a couple of years, does that count?

So wish me luck, I've tried to maintain more than one blog before and it is tricky. Hope to make some new friends here.