Costume Sewing Bee

My renaissance festival performer friends and I recently got together for a sewing bee of sorts. We all have slightly different costuming, prop making, and sewing skill sets which is a fantastic resource when you aren’t quite sure how to make the item you’ve drafted on paper or, like me, its been awhile since you’ve built a particular garment and a second pair of eyes would be massively helpful before you cut fabric incorrectly and hope the store has more.

Or is that just me?

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For one glorious afternoon we turned a condo clubhouse into a dressmaking workshop just like in the movie Cinderella but without the birds and mice helping with construction.

But let me tell you I totally would have taken Fairy Godmother’s help with her wand. Just sayin’.

Most of the items we worked on were fabric sewing and machine embroidery projects, I was really excited to see this leather bodice come together. I might have to find an excuse to try leather working...

Leather crafting!

There were fittings and finishings.

 Elizabethan noble costume! So Fancy!

And a lot of make from scratch beginnings.

Not to mention a lot of sharing sewing tips, tricks, ideas, and supplies. I used real pattern drafting paper to make this jester hat pattern while I was there instead of newspaper for the first time ever! It is lovely to work with!

The bottle caps are my DIY magnetic bottle cap pattern weights you can read the tutorial here

I was there more to help other folks if they needed it and camaraderie. After spending months learning how to quilt to make the fabric for my new jester bodice I hit a stopping point waiting for a delivery of coresetry supplies. I needed to step away from the sewing studio a bit after a nerve wrecking evening finally cutting the bodice pieces from the fabric panels I spent months making.

This is before I pressed it. My focus is the diamonds over the banding being off in places. I don't think it will as noticeable once I sew it into a garment. Most of the oops parts are going to fall under my arm pit.  

What road trip wouldn't be complete without a junk food treat? On the way home, I swung by The Dorothy Lane Market to buy their magical and dedicate Killer Brownies for my husband because I couldn't believe he never tasted one. I can deal with not being able to eat most dairy filled treats with the exception of Killer Brownies. I miss you KBs I truly do.

Photographic evidence that I am the best wife ever.

Looking for more sewing ideas? Check out my favorite picks - and more!- below!


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