General Progress Reports

Explorer Dreadlocks
I have started making roving dreadlocks for my explorer falls, so far I have about 15 or various lengths. These will be interspersed with dreadlocks made from fallen hair and I shall do multiple plaits underneath to add bulk and texture. For decoration I have wrapped some in wire and leather thing, others have beads and embroidery thread wraps. I still need more roving, but have to wait til the Textile Workshop gets a delivery in.
felting wool is quite fun, but really hurts my hands and you have to be in a good mood or the locks get creases in, or so it seemed! The creases are really annoying, I'm hoping my felting needle is in the drawers that my grandparents are bringing over.

Corset
The boyfriend drafted the pieces to my size and I have started a first draft with cotton drill (£1.50 a metre!), I don't have any steel bones, so I'm just going to stiffen with cable ties. My boyfriend has bought me a busk and lacing bones for my birthday, and as this corset is more supportive than cinching it should be ok.


Promenade Dress
After reading Norah Waugh's 'The Cut of Women's Clothes' I have found a style of 1911 sleeves I like, haven't decided on the rest of the bodice though.

Embroidery
The embroidery for the venusian pricess smock is going well, all the stones and swqins are on, and I've started sewing on the border trim. I need a clever Idea for the sleeve detail though, as I have run out of green Aida.

Sewing Machine
My grandparents are buying me a sewing machine for my birthday! Very exciting. I think they got tired of lugging the iron one around. >>

Venusian Princess

As outlined below I shall be wearing a hand embroidered abaya and a green headdress.

The headdress will be a light material and I shall probably wire the front so that it frames my face aand that it doesn't fall out of shape if I dance. I will probably wear the goggles on top of it as a nod to both the Thelma and Louise style and as a hint of crossing the desert and protecting ones eyes from the sand and dust.

I have talked about the embroidery below.

I shall probably wear high heels under the abaya as it'll make dancing easier.

Because of the rich nature of the costume I shall have dramatic make up with kohled eyes and dark lips. I shall probably have a bright metallic eyeshadow on and henna on my hands. I may also paint my nails.

Experimenting

last night I had a quick go at some filling for the eight pointed stars (see post) and here is what I did.

I've use green 14 count Aida and two strands of copper toned cotton over two holes.

Top left is chips of copper purl round a sequin. As you can see I found this stuff difficult to work with. The left hand side looks ok though. I'm also not happy with the colour, i might use this pale copper to practice with and then buy some brighter off ebay.

Top right is just stitching, a flowerlike fill that i possibly invented. it shows me i need to be careful when doing blackwork with two strands, as some of its got a bit rucked up.

In the middle is a square shisha mirror. I stitched it on fairly roughly, but i think I'll try and keep the stitching symmetrical, and the mirror centered.

Bottom left
a sequin, need to decided a better way to sew it on, but apart from that its fine.

Bottom Right
plastic gemstone. I stitched it correctly, but I might put some decorative stitching behind it.

next challenge, how to attach the copper sequin trim.

Close up of the chips

Venusian Princess

Currently I am working on a 'Venusian Princess' outfit for a Steampunk ball which is inspired by both Middle Eastern and Indian traditions, as well as the pulp SF of the early 20th Century. I imagine a Venusian Princess as a woman who is sensual yet adventurous, who is proud of her country and traditions, and these are reflected in her richly embroidered clothing which incorporates symbols and elements of Venusian Pride.

I am basing the dress on an Abaya, the long black cloak that is popular in the UAE and Oman. These tend to have richly embroidered yokes and sleeves so I am working on an embroidery that i can use on the abaya I bought.
I have chosen Copper and green as the colour theme to give it a steampunk feel, to add to this I have tried to incorporate metal into the embroidery design.

So far I have decided on a copper toned floss over a green aida (14ct) background. This will be stitched with 2 threads over two holes to give a chunkier feel, and so the pattern does't get swamped. I shall do an eight pointed star pattern, and fill the stars with embroidery, sequins, fake gems, shisha mirrors and chips of copper purl.

I have been quite inspired by a wall hanging (see left) we have in our house which incorporates many different styles of embroidery.

The pictures in this post are some of the panels.

The Headress will be more abstract, but I do know it'll have a copper band and green fabric.