October Plans and September Updates!

This is just a "little" update post with more details on my ideas for October, and some stuff I did in September! It contains bonus content regarding things mentioned in this video - so if you haven't seen that yet, watch it first!

Let's start with the project ideas (I can't call them plans, because I don't expect/plan on getting all of them done. But if I did, that would be awesome.)

The 1880's Blue Dress: 

As I said in the video, I actually started on this dress already. It was going to be my main project for September. But I hated it. So much so that I don't have any progress photos.

 I felt so stuck and unenthusiastic about it - and I could have forced myself to work on it, but I knew I wouldn't be happy with the end result.

 So I've redesigned it, and I feel like this is a much better direction to go in! I'm actually excited about this project once again! 

But I think the blue tones would actually look quite nice in winter - so I may save this project and focus on using my orangey fabrics instead.

The Orange Bustle Dress: 

 I'm pretty sure this is going to be my pumpkin patch project this year. 

I thought a lot about this design last night, and the more I look at it, the more I like the idea of a glittery lace trimmed 1880's dress. I don't think it will be historically accurate, but it will be fun! 

I also found some really cool lace fabrics on etsy that I'm considering getting since I don't have a lot of the one pictured. 

My other idea for the pumpkin patch is a Worth inspired dress, based on the design of this gown. I have a bright orange taffeta with black floral flocking that would work so nicely!

 And it could serve as a test run for a dress based on this figurine, since it is a very similar shape. 

But I'm not sure it suits that backdrop. And I have a love hate relationship with that fabric. So it depends how I feel later in the month!

Outlander Project: (based on this dress) 

I've had a surge of enthusiasm for this, I think it's the cool weather and still green leaves. 

So I actually got started on this project - and have been filming the process. I altered a bodice pattern in my stash and got the lining/top layer cut out...so we'll see what happens with that!

Other Sponsored Thing: 

This wasn't mentioned in the video, but I might be making a 1920's ensemble this month, and filming the making/drafting of a vibrantly colored coat. 

The project also involves pants - which gives me an excuse to follow this butterick pattern, which I've wanted to make for ages! 

Edwardian Suit: 

I think this project will get pushed back until winter. Partially because I have so many other ideas, but also because I want to draft it over the corset I mentioned. And I won't get that corset back until...December, at the earliest.

But it's perfect for fall. So this falls (heh) into the category of "Probably not this month unless inspiration strikes me" 

1918 Suit: 

This will probably get pushed back too - I love the idea, but I don't think it's a must make this month.

Plus I'd like to make this as part of a two or three part series on building a mini 1918 wardrobe. (Maybe six pieces? 4 made, 2 purchased?). 

As I said in the video, it's a weirdly appropriate style for modern day and I want to focus on it more! But I definitely do not have time for that right now.

1930's Suit: 

Surprisingly, this one I have made progress on! I have the bodice mostly done, but don't know what direction to go in with the skirt. So its on hold right now, and will probably be treated as a weekend project sometime late October.

There is a progress photo here.

18th Century Ensemble: 

This was very briefly mentioned - I thought the video got too long for me to go into more detail. But I really want to make an 18th century maids ensemble. Complete with two skirts, an apron, cap, and jacket. 

I've been saving the red floral for a while with this piece in mind. And three recent garment district acquisitions would make the best matching skirts. 

I'm intimidated by this because it is a lot of pieces. But individually these are easy pieces. So maybe I can squeeze it in between other things - at least that is my hope! 

I have some casual things in mind too - some orangey toned 50's dresses would be nice. I don't have any specific design in mind, but I know one of these dresses will have applique squirrels on it. I've recently decided I need a dress with appliqued squirrels in my life.

(Fabric squirrel silhouettes, not literal squirrels. I know it can be hard to tell with me sometimes) 

And the 30's themed Halloween project. I think this is likely to be a weekend project too, and I'm really excited about it! This Tula Pink fabric just gets better the more I look at it. And I think a blouse made from it would be surprisingly wearable and versatile. 

And with all of those ideas in mind, do you know what I'm going to make first? A dinosaur blouse. That is my exciting plan for tonight. 

...I'm actually really excited. From a distance the print sort of looks like someone threw up on a hotel carpet. But up close it is a distinguished dinosaur print.

Ok. Now for the update part of this post! I had grand plans for this month, and not very many of them happened. 

I wanted to finish all the 1940's and 50's Sewing through the Decades videos. I wanted to make three historical costumes. I wanted to start my stashbusting challenge and use up 30 yards of material. I wanted to weekly vlog. 

What I actually got done was: 

I made the two 1950's skirts. 

I also finished the 1940's pants. So now I have lots to edit! 

Unfortunately, I  wasted a ton of time on the 1880's blue dress that I don't like. But I did make a new 1880's corset and petticoat which is good! 

I also made an 1840's corset which is super comfortable and wonderful. It went with my sunflower project - my favorite make of the month!

And I spent a good chunk of time working on this shirtwaist and skirt set based on the 1890's. I got very very nauseous when trying to photograph this so I don't have many photos, but hopefully I can try again soon.

These photos don't show it, but I'm really happy with the silhouette of this skirt and all the detailing on the bodice. It's my most successful attempt at this style so far, at least in my opinion. 

But it has some issues regarding puckering. The green portion of the shirtwaist is too big, and the hem is really messy. There is also some poofy-ness at the back of the shirtwaist which I don't like.

So I'm honestly kind of glad this photoshoot attempt failed - it gives me time to fix little problems and make a better petticoat to really show off the shape! 

Then I made a fruit dress, which I really don't like.

And a floral dress, which I love! It's ridiculously wonderful, at least in my opinion.

So that is September. And hopefully October. 

I'd love to hear your bets on how many of these things I'll actually accomplish. I'm thinking three, if I'm lucky!

And tell me about your October plans! I want to hear them! 

Thanks for reading!