Sweet Summertime…

The summer is my favorite for many reasons, one of which is that it used to mean time for new sewing projects. This summer has been a little different since I’ve been continuing to work my regular job, and thus haven’t had the ample amounts of free-time I used to have for starting projects. Hence, why I’ve been pretty absent.

However, some quick projects did get accomplished and I’m finally settling into starting another! So, an update for you!

strutting down Surf Ave

close up by the beach

I attended the mermaid parade in late June, an annual art parade and celebration on Coney Island. Of course, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to glitter something! The bra top is made from a plain, nude bra I had lying around, which I glittered to death. I then used stringed sequins to create the starfish “pasties” and sewed on some fishing net. The rest of the costume consisted of glittery items I had in the wardrobe and all the pearls I could find in the house. Plus a pink wig to emphasize the ethereal.

Other costuming/sewing/eventful things that occurred for which I don’t have photos include:

– dressing as a prophet and having liquid gold poured over my body for a circus performance

– attending a Dances of Vice 1950’s prom to which I wore a fabulous circle skirt dress I made last year (complete with pettiskirt underneath)

– making a hammock from a drop-cloth ala Martha Stewart Living with my boyfriend

But onto the project I’m about to start today! Or rather, a project that I’m going to continue today, since I actually bought the fabric and attempted to draft the pattern a year ago but then was distracted by corsets/gowns/performance costumes.

terrible webcam quality! yay!

Meet my ice-cream fabric. Obviously it is the most adorable. Also, at the time of purchase (and probably still) it was on sale as a novelty fabric at Joann’s. These things all contribute to why I bought like 3 yards of it. At the time I had grand plans to make a skirt for myself and a dress for my 6yr old sister. The dress has been put on the back-burner because I’m trying to be realistic about my ability to finish projects. And also I’m not in the same house as my sister currently, which makes sizing a bit difficult. So skirt now, dress later, maybe a corset in between (but that’s for another post).

I’m thinking a mini circle skirt, something vaguely retro that can twirl, but cool enough for the hot weather the pattern brings to mind. I’m going to ignore the fact that Joann’s novelty cotton blends are not the best fabric for clothing, because I like this too much.

So stayed tuned and hopefully the summertime won’t lead to too many distractions!

– Sammie