All posts filed under: Felicity

On my sewing table this week

I’m doing tons of sewing at the moment, and actually have photoshoots scheduled this weekend and next weekend, so I’m sewing like mad, and you’ll get to see the finished projects soon! So what am I working on? A shirt, with amazing chevroned sleeves that I am quite pleased with. And a skirt to go with it, in delicious navy wool from a recent Fabric Warehouse pop-up shop sale (aka cheapskate fabric lovers nirvana). And a petticoat to go under the skirt (made from old sheets and tablecloths – of course!) And not one, but TWO corsets! One in white, one in cream, because I’ve decided I don’t have enough neutral corsets. Felicity has, of course, been helping with everything, from overseeing the pattern matching: To taking baths while I make burritos: Because the most important thing on any sewing table is always the sewing cat!

Felicity has a new trick…

Published by The Dreamstress

It’s called ‘how to disappear and throw your people into an absolute panic.’ And she’s REALLY good at it. It started last week Friday. I headed off to teach my evening class, and had just finished setting up and was just about to welcome my students when my phone started getting text messages. Mr D & I have a rule that he is only to call me when I’m teaching if it’s an emergency. So I ignored the texts, assuming that he was just asking me to pick up bread on the way home, or something else. But the texts kept coming, every few minutes. And I started to get worried. Finally I stole a moment to check my phone while all the students were on their machines, happily sewing away. The first text message said “Did you see Felicity today? Can’t find her anywhere” The next one: “Are you sure you didn’t lock her outside? She is NOT in the house” Then: “Not coming when I call” “Really starting to panic” “When did you …

A loose ends lucet cord

Published by The Dreamstress

While working on my medieval gown, I struggled with a lacing cord for it. There isn’t much that is suitable in Wellington, and I didn’t really have time to order something in. I used a simple linen cord to hold it the dress together while I was working on it, but it started fraying pretty quickly, and also made the dress look a little too Friar Tuck robe-ish. I researched cord options and came across lucet cords. I read a couple of tutorials (I’m all about reading tutorials, youtube is not my thing) and realised that lucet cord is basically a two-finger yarn lei – and I know how to make yarn leis! Unfortunately along with a dearth of period-appropriate cording in Wellington, I haven’t been able to source a lucet fork in NZ. I started out really make do: with a plastic fork with the middle tines broken out, and linen thread. The resulting cord was beautiful, but the making process was rather unsatisfactory. I was only able to make rate at about 2cm …