Purple Woven Wall Hanging

A few months ago, I started a new job and got my own office for the first time in my life.  I wasted no time decorating the space behind my desk so that when people walked in I would be framed by colorful clutter artfully eclectic decorations.  However the space directly across from my desk, which no one sees but me, is completely blank but for a retro wall clock I found in the supply room.  The cinderblock wall even has a screw installed in it, just waiting for something to hang on it.

I already had some posters and picture frames in my office and I was craving something a little different to put there.  Something 3-dimensional with a bit of texture.  Then I remembered a girl on my Facebook list who made these textile wall hangings (Shout out to Rachel, not even sure if you read my page, but if you do, thanks for the inspiration!).  I always wondered exactly how she made these things or where she even got the ideas for them.  I decided I wanted to learn about it and try to make one on my own.

It's supposed to look like that, I promise.

Rainbow Crochet Baby Blanket for New Nephew

My brand new nephew is here!  And I couldn't wait to practice my newly-learned crochet pattern, the V-Stitch, on a new blanket for him.

The art of "Procraftinating"

Update:  My Latin-speaking husband has recommended I use the term "Procraftinating" as opposed to "Craftcrastinating" because it actually makes sense.  Suggestion taken under advisement.

OK, I'm not totally to blame for not working on my Outlander costume anymore this week.  I did have to wait for the jersey needle to come in (though I could have just driven to the store to purchase it instead...).  However, mostly I'm nervous to start the costume because I'm afraid it will be too difficult and I will mess up and then I will be sad.

But that's OK - I'm apparently at my most productive when I'm procrastinating.  Or in this case, "Procraftinating".

First up, I spent an entire evening assembling this gorgeous beast.

Note the multiple stacks of as-yet unused fabric

The dimensions are slightly smaller than I thought they would be, but I am able to store most of my crafting supplies in here.  I have a section for sewing, crochet, coloring/drawing, and even my old scrapbooking stuff from back before I figured out that making digital photobooks and then printing them was way, way easier.  Hopefully now that I can see all my stuff I'll be more likely to use it!

Crochet Cowl - Another Outlander Inspiration

While I'm waiting on the special sewing machine needle to come in the mail so I can finish my Outlander dress, I decided to occupy my time with some other crafts!

Outlander has apparently caused quite a stir in the crochet and knitting community because of its plethora of fabulous cowls, wraps, etc.  As such, there has been an explosion of copy-cat patterns emerging online.  Learning to properly crochet has been on my crafting to-do list ever since a few friends and I decided to pick it up together a few months ago.  I understand how to do the various stitches, but following patterns has been the bane of my existence.  I have been trying and failing at a shell pattern scarf over the past month, and so decided to take myself back to Crochet 101 and follow an Outlander pattern I found online.

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 :)