Outlander Costume - Planning and Preparing Stages

While I have a million costume ideas in mind, I decided to try something simple first that would easily be recognizable for what it was without having to add too much detail.  Lately I have been fawning over the show Outlander - which, for those of you not in the know, is a show based on the epic series by Diana Gabaldon about a woman from the 1940s who goes back in time to Scotland in the 1700s.  So while I would love to make (some day!) one of the main character's gorgeous 18th century gowns, I thought I'd try first the simple white dress she's wearing when she's transported back in time.

Here are some screenshots from the show.

Claire Randall, pre-time travel 

Very first costume attempt - inspired by the show Vikings

Let me first backtrack and explain my history with sewing costumes or clothes.

Last Halloween was really my first attempt at sewing anything that wasn't a lopsided curtain or pillowcase.  I understand the general idea of using the sewing machine for making seams, so I figured I was ready to take my skills to the next level and attempt to make a costume.

Definitely a logical conclusion, right?

So I was pretty obsessed with the show Vikings at the time, particularly with the show's leading female character Lagertha, a shield maiden who proves that being feminine and being a complete badass are not mutually exclusive, and everything looks better when you do it in eyeliner and chainmail.

Halloween was around the corner, and I thought it would be fun if I could cobble together a costume that though it maybe didn't look exactly like one of Lagertha's costumes, it would at least suggest the general idea of being a Viking.  Here is what I came up with - you be the judge of how "period accurate" it really is.

Viking-inspired Costume, Halloween 2015

Why am I starting this blog?

Sort of an existential question, but sometimes the universe sends you an undeniable sign.

Hancock Fabrics was set to close all of its stores nationwide, and as a result my local store was putting everything on FIRE SALE at 50%-80% off.

It.  was.  BONKERS.

So I innocently went in, thinking I'd pick up some costume patterns for next year's Halloween or maybe even Dragon*Con, to which we'd already bought tickets.  I was floored by the prices - patterns that normally cost $17 were on sale for $2.50.  I couldn't help myself and I bought six patterns of costumes I *might* consider making over the next couple of years.

Two days later, I'd taken a look at the patterns and plotted out what kind of fabric requirements they would each require.  Would I really be able to afford all that fabric?  Would the store even have any left?  So I went back to the store that evening with some "preferred" fabric types and the amounts needed.  I also had in the back of my mind this DIY Woven Wall Hanging project I'd seen online a few weeks ago and thought I might pick some yarn for it as well.

TWO HOURS LATER.

My haul

I now had a total of TWELVE patterns, five skeins of fancy yarn, and enough fabric to get me started on 4-5 costumes.  All in all it cost me about $150, which is definitely more than I walked in trying to spend, however I saved almost $300.  The most expensive fabric I bought was discounted to $4.50 a yard, which puts even my favorite bargain table finds to shame!

So my plan is to really make the most of this fortuitous event and actually, you know, learn to sew properly.  Since my first costume experiment, described in the next post, I have taken a sewing machine basics class that explained to me exactly why my needle kept bending or my thread kept getting tangled - hooray!  I have also been watching some excellent sewing tutorials online and planning out the notions, interfacing, and other supplies I will need before I actually get started.  My hope is to document my sewing (and other crafting) projects on this blog to keep me motivated!  

The goal for this year is modest:  complete one costume to wear at Dragon*Con this year that will not embarrass me.

Let the crafting begin :)