Harley Quinn Headaches

The pattern for Harley Quinn is fairly simple.  I did a muslin mock-up one afternoon a few months ago to test the fit.  Easy-peasy...

Well, maybe.

You see, there is a very DEFINITE order to the red and black.  Red is on the right and black on the left.  Ok, got it.

Except...

When you do the hooded shrug.  There, the shrug is black on the right, red on the left and then the hood is back to red on the right, black on the left.

So, because I tend to get distracted and am lucky to the the right side facing out (especially if listening to/watching Tour de France coverage), I have to do this.

Lay it out on the table, label the sides and get up and do one thing at a time.

It's a bit more time consuming, but this way (hopefully) I will not be ripping out seams to reverse colors.

Of the five pieces to the costume, the tube top, skirt (complete with the diamond appliqués) and the bustle.  Shrug and corset left to do and two weeks to go.  My plan is to do the shrug after work today and then the corset over the next couple of days.  Then I will have it done about 10 days early!  Which will make Texter very, very happy.

After this?

Lady K is demanding "PANTS, grandma!"  So pants for her and an article of clothing for me or Savvy.  She needs some summerish clothes for work.  And catching up on some quilting.

April Progress

Between the coughing and hacking and general funk, I have managed to start catching up on some of the projects I need to get done.

I finished up the fourth block for the Bee Hive Swap (it's the top left one).  So staying on track there.  Should be interesting once I get all the other blocks done.

I finished the blocks for the RSC16 for April.  Although I did do them slightly backwards, but it's still the same pinwheel effect.

Since I decided to make a wedge based on the monthly colors, I have kept up.  I think this will be a great circle of color which I will appliqué on a white background as a large throw.

But best of all, I have started on Harley.

It's all cut out and I have finished the top.  The really simple part.  I have the bustle, skirt, corset and hooded shrug left to do.  But it will go quickly - maybe.  I am zigzagging the seam edges to make the finish a bit more polished.  So we will see how it goes.  I also have to stitch in black on the black and red on the red where it shows on the outside.  So not really that simple a sew.  AND I have to make sure I have black on the correct side and red on the correct side throughout the costume, as it makes a big difference.

My knit and swirl sweater is going slowly.  Really slowly.  But getting there.  And the Sari scarf just needs fringe added.

So things are getting done....slowly.

100 Day Challenge

Since I find I work better with goals and breaking down projects into steps, I decided to join in with yet another challenge.

Sponsored by Jen at Quilter in the Closet, is a 100 day challenge to get three projects done and off your to-do list.

My three projects are as follows:

• Finish the Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt top.  Right now I am about halfway through and really so close to the end it hurts.  But, knowing me, I will let other projects get in the way.  So I want the top finished so I can start looking for borders and backing. 
• My thick purple socks.  The first sock has been in a state of suspended animation for a couple of years now.  I want them done so I have them to wear around the house this winter.  Texter doesn't like the yarn, says it's too rough, so hopefully they will remain on my feet.
• "Harley Quinn" cosplay outfit for Texter.  I have the pattern and I want to do a muslin rough draft before I cut into the fabric (which I have, but some incidentals I still need to get).  And it's something I need to have finished by the end of May, but I also want to do a cosplay outfit for myself and for Lady K (and probably Savvy).  So I need to get sewing on this one first.

With reference to my sock project, the couple of socks I have started already...well, I have second-sock-syndrome.  So hopefully this challenge will cure me of it.

So 100 days and three projects.  Wish me luck!

Planning and Plotting and Organizing

My list of projects is HUGE!  So what do I do?  I keep adding to it!  Isn't that what you are suppose to do?

I knew I had these projects coming up and now I will have space to sew on them, they have moved up on the 'list'.  Actually, two of them were only just released as patterns for the fall.  Texter saw them and has been haunting Joann's to them to arrive and the patterns to go on sale.  Frankly, paying $20 plus for a pattern is not in my budget.  But 99 cents each or 5/$7 is.  So I make a list and catch them on sale.  This is especially important since I usually buy both the large and small size in case I need to  make different costumes.

It's the same with the materials needed for the costumes.  For example, the blue Tardis outfit requires about 8 yards of fabric just for the dress.  It doesn't include the linings, etc. on the outfit.  The total yardage is about 14 yards.  So if I have to pay $13 a yard for fabric, already I am into triple digits.  But if I wait and watch, I can get a 40% off coupon or catch the fabric on sale and drop it back into something reasonable.  Also, this planning/plotting means I'm not sinking a huge amount at any one time into the outfit.

Now that I can plan and plot, I have my little notebook where I write all my 'requirements' down.  This way I can whip it out and when there is a sale on notions, for example, I can pull out my list and check it twice and buy what I need.  So soon, there will be a bin labeled 'cosplay' with my sewing stuff so I can dump it in there and know where everything is when I get ready to whip out an outfit.  (I also have to update measurements for the girls so I know I am using the correct pattern size.  Pattern size and ready-to-wear size are ssssooooo different.)

So for Texter, and the patterns she has been waiting for...

Bottom, left, Harley

and, of course, Tardis.  Maybe Lady K as a Darlek?

But the real ambitious one is going to be this one...

Yaya Han is like the top of the Who's Who in cosplay.  Savvy is all over this one.  But I am thinking 'black'.  Raven.  Face mask with feathers sweeping up over her head.  And maybe one white feather in the mask.  

But then there is also a more mundane cosplay outfit.  Both of the girls want something 'steampunk' and I have several patterns and ideas, both for them and for me.

The one of the left.  It has chains.  Of course, I have to figure in an outfit for myself.

Then there are the True Grit outfits I may or may not be making for the October Big Read at the library.  Still on hold for those.

But in the meantime, I have plans to make 2-3 of these in either wool or fleece to be able to throw on and go during the colder months coming up.  I can make large, so one-size-fits-all in the house.

It's a McCalls pattern and one of the quick and easy ones.

So lots of sewing coming up after the move!