Skirt!

I'm not so sure how often I'll be able to post here once summer comes. Here we are standing on the brink of it, and I'm already having a hard time finding a moment to sit down and write. I'll do my best, though, I can promise you that!

I don't really expect my Etsy business to be roaring, or to make a bunch of sales when I am just starting out, but I did make one sale pretty much off the bat. A very nice girl bought the polka-dotted jumper top. I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw. It was awesome.

I made a skirt that I have listed. It's out of beautiful light blue Lycra fabric, with the most glorious drape and a very pretty pattern. See:

I also made a dress recently with the rest of the fabric (I had quite a bit!) but I don't have pictures yet.

Yesterday when I was in the city I got the chance to see the new Narnia movie, Prince Caspian. As far as faithfulness to the book, it was so-so, but as a movie, it was fantastic. Absolutely incredible, really. And even if you don't enjoy the movie, it's totally worth it for the costumes (and the gorgeous guys!). I was so blown away by quite a few of the costumes. I'd seen some in advance, but there were a couple without pre-released photos, so I got some surprises.

And, being me, I have a list of what I'd like to make. I'm hopefully going to get to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival this September for my golden birthday [insert big grin here], so of course I now have an excuse to spend the summer making the perfect dress. The one I would love to make doesn't even have many released pictures now that the movie is out, but here is one I found, just a side view of the very top.

It's got very poofy sleeves (they balloon out and then come to a cuff at the wrist), and the blue over dress is full length, but open in the center to reveal the white underskirt. It's almost like a corset-dress, closed along the torso probably with hooks and eyes, and then left open along the skirt.

The other costume I'd love to make is this:

But seeing as how I would have to learn to make chainmail, and how to make a leather cuirass, I doubt it'll be happening any time soon. Still, it's fun to think, research, and dream about it.

These aren't the only beautiful costumes. There are pictures and research pages for every costume in both of the movies at The Wardrobe Door, a branch of www.narniaweb.com. Check out the forums, too, to see discussion and research.

I'll keep you updated if I do plan to sew a costume. If I do choose to, I'll probably buy white fabric from Dharma Trading Company (www.dharmatrading.com), and dye it myself-- an adventure unto itself!

One more thing: I've started making a Pop Can Tab dress. I'd seen all these amazing tab dresses over on the Craftster forums, and simply had to give it a try. Yes, I do believe I'm a little crazy. I'm guessing I have about 350 tabs (I've been saving just a few weeks), and I need around 4000 for a dress. This shall be... interesting. I'll post process/progress pictures soon!! ♥♥♥

It's Official!

That's right, folks. Matey Couture is officially an Etsy shop, as of about 5:30 this evening. Excuse me a moment... Thank you Mom!! I love you! (Because she helped me immensly, and besides, mother's day doesn't have to be just a day!)... Alright, in case you didn't catch it a few posts ago, here's the link: http://www.mateycouture.etsy.com/. I don't actually have anything listed yet because I don't have good photographs, but you can read my profile, check out my policies, correct any mistakes and grammatical errors, or if you're good with graphics, you can offer to make me a pretty banner. :)


With that epic news out of the way, let's move on to current projects. I've been busy lately, but unfortunately, I have pictures of only two projects--I'll post the others soon. I plan on taking photos outside if it ever gets nice out again (last time I checked, it was snowing...), so maybe I'll get them photographed then. If it never does, then I guess I'll take pictures inside. ;)

This is a fairly simple "Rock & Roll" tee I made out of green jersey patterned with cheerleaders, football players, random keyboard characters, tvs, stars, and other very, very random things in black, and in yellow it reads, "Peace, love, and rock & roll." I gave it a v-neck with puckers at the base of the v, and princess puff sleeves. This was my first successful attempt at puffy sleeves, and I'm so pleased with how it turned out! I just gathered the top, but the bottom edge has elastic for a good fit on anyone. I also added a brass button I got at an antique shop to the neckline. It was totally unintentional that "Rock & Roll" ended up in the center front, but I love that it worked out that way!





A few weeks ago I made gauntlets out of a bunch of scraps of jersey I had lying around. I themed them black and white, but threw in a little color for the flowers. Basically, I just cut out base fabric, pieced and zigzagged the scraps on, finished the top and bottom edges, and hemmed the thumb hole. They're stretchy so they fit snugly and comfortably, and they're just way too cute. I need to make myself a pair.

These gauntlets will probably be the first item that I list because it's easy enough to take good photos of them. I just can't believe I've finally waded through the sea of figuring out policies and how to set this up! I have my Etsy shop! Heh, I'm a wee bit giddy. My next post will feature a skirt made out of the most amazing fabric, another green shirt, and maybe even a couple t-shirt surgeries. ♥♥♥

Prom!

I'm finally getting prom pictures posted so you can see how my dress turned out. It's almost exactly how I wanted. I ended up leaving the skirt totally down because the petticoat was not so pretty. But other than that, it's pretty much perfect.



With the fishies!! Haha.



I don't know why the top looks twisted in these pictures... it shouldn't normally be like that. In case you were wondering, I did have a fun time, but I decided whoever thought up dancing in heels is a complete moron.

This is a ridiculously short post, but I will be posting my many other projects soon to make up for it. And if you're curious, my Etsy shop is not up yet, but will hopefully be within the week. I've got to take better photos of everything, size it all, price the pieces, and post them. We all know the sort of procrastinator I am, so bear with me!