And away we go

Last week was fantastic.

The class went wonderfully, thanks to the amazing teaching ability of my wonderful husband, Chris. I swear, people who think that being a teacher is an easy job, or even that it is something anyone can learn... you have a surprise coming! It is hard!

But, it all came together as a success.

Before the camp, however, I had been working on a commission for a Namine outfit that was nearly completed. Finish up the wig, put the trim on the bottom and straps on, and ship it out - that was all I thought I had to do with it.

Until I looked at it again this weekend. And panicked.

Those of you who know me know that I'm really, very anal about the stuffs I send out to customers. I utterly refuse to send something out that isn't the very best I can produce, and this outfit was... bad, to say the least. That's what I get, I guess, for trusting a commercial pattern company to scale patterns up to a size 18 successfully - my bad for thinking that would work.

The commissioner is almost exactly my size (I'm shorter ;P) and this dress would have fit, assuming that I didn't have boobs or hips. Ya know, like a runway model scaled up, or something. So... I trashed it. I just couldn't - I'm sure I could have tweaked it, added a gusset or two and be done with it, but it just feels so wrong to do things like that. I know a lot of people wouldn't even notice if I did, but... but...

Now you see why I get paid on the average of $4 an hour for the work I do ^^;

But, the only reason I do what I do (well, the main reason, at least) is because I love it when people receive something so amazing that they cannot believe that someone made this, and made it specially for them. So, I can't just patch it up (like, honestly, I would do for a theatre job...) and send it on it's merry way.

I throw it out, and start again.

And, I'm so thankful a year or so ago I purchased a dressform in my size. Like, a real dressform, not an adjustable POS. Greatest money ever spent. And saved my butt on this.

So, the exceptionally long story capped, I threw it out, and remade it. And it looks fantastic. But, she wanted it delivered by today. So I'm waiting to hear if it needs to be Express Mailed out, or if there is some leeway in the delivery date, or if I need to refund them entirely...

Lesson learned - do everything to the best of your ability, but expect things to go wrong. Even on simple outfits. And, admit when you've screwed up, and take whatever comes of it.

Tomorrow, I'm taking pictures, and working on Utility Skirts or Kimona, whichever peeks my interest. I have orders for both, so it's more of a matter of feelings. Plus, answering emails... oh gawd, the emails...

I think I need to go to sleep, or I'll keep rambling away at you all...

A busy day in the shop

Well, technically my basement is a shop. Sweat shop. Costume shop. Whatev's ;P

It was a long one, but a great one, too. You ever just get on one of those rolls where you just get things done a lot faster (and easier) than you anticipated? That's how today was.

Three Kimona Wraps done from scratch (okay, two and two-thirds, because I need to find teal thread to finish off the other one), two Steampunk Utility Skirts nearing completion (they were cut, but after today, they're together, with a waistband put on and hem pressed up waiting on my digging out the blind hem to put it in) and a whole lot of cleaning done, too.

It has been a good day. I'll have pictures of the kimona up here shortly, too, just because that's what I like this blog for :D

Edit: 06/15/2010

There, see? I pooped out of energy last night and didn't get the images linked up here, but I am this morning - forgive my tiredness, please!

Heartless Wa-Loli in Blue *pictures*

Well, there we go! I have the pictures up and everything for the Heartless Wa-Loli in blue outfit.

Consider this a sneak preview, since I'm not going to be able to stay awake long enough to put these together and submit them to DeviantArt tonight...




See more, and read more about this outfit here (the wa-lolita entry) and here (the corset entry)

So, whatchoo all think? Like this color, or the black and red better? And, who thinks that she is going to be the awesomest person at prom, ever? I know I wish I had worn something like this (instead of just feather and/or fairy wings...)

Heartless Wa-Loli (day 3) *finished*

I... I am in shock!

I think I'm done. Way ahead of schedule, too... hooray!!

I guess I never did quantify just how much time is saved by using uber fast industrial equipment, or something. I don't know what the cause, but I'm extremely happy to be done with this outfit so expediently! It'll be shipped out this afternoon (after I get better pictures, obviously) and it should be there tomorrow afternoon/evening, in time to be worn for Prom on Saturday!

I'm so excited! Actual good pictures will be taken after I have lunch, though ;P For now, you're stuck with me looking like a dork via my webcam :B

I don't think I have made an entire outfit this quick since that one costume for Seven Guitars, where I had to plan, drape, pattern, mock up, fit, alter, cut, sew, fit, and finish one dress in two 6-hour blocks of time!

Heartless Wa-Loli (day 2)

Well, that is officially the fastest I've ever put together a corset, start to finish. I am getting really damned good at it, if I do say so myself.

I started on the corset at 12:45, and finished it and it was on the dressform at 3:00. Hot damn.

Otherwise, I just need to wait for Chris to get home from work to be able to get to the fabric store and get the final bits for the skirt (which still needs to be hemmed, but that is probably the easiest thing left to do). After a brief lunch, I'm going to finish all of the sashes and the bow in the back, and all shall be good!

The petticoat was shipped out via Priority Mail this afternoon, and is being shipped directly to the customer. Man, I am psyched at how fast this has been to come together (even if I did almost die last night from shoulder and back pain...)

Pictures! Yes, I know, I need to get them off of the camera, but that'll have to wait until after lunch ;P

Edit: Well, here are the pictures! They've been added to both of the entries (or will very shortly) to give you an idea of how this outfit is coming together! None of the skirt, yet, though, since I forgot to put it on the form ^^

Heartless Wa-Loli

Oh boy! Today I was rocking and rolling (and, tried out Livestream, too, which was pretty cool!) and sewing my behind off!

9 hours of work later, and I have the black and blue Heartless Wa-Loli outfit over half done - I consider the hard part to be completed, which is the main kimono top and the majority of the skirt! Now, I just need to hem the skirt and it's good to go :D

Tomorrow, I will be making the corset, which is not something I'm concerned about - to me, the hard part is done with. The embroidery is done on the corset already, too, which makes it even better.

And I'm rambling, so I think that means it's time to go to sleep! Pictures tomorrow, as well as (hopefully!) the new video "Tips & Tricks" I filmed today~

Edit: Pictures are added to the posts, but I apologize about the quality - that's what I get for just snapping, well, snapshots with my regular camera (and the flash *gah*)