The Singing Costumer

My last post, I wrote that I bought a yard of each of two diferent Beauty and the Beast stained glass fabric. You've seen what I made with first one, (see the previous blog here https://thesingingcostumer.blogspot.com/2018/08/beauty-and-beast-set.html . ) And this is what I made with the second. I loved both prints equally, so I had to buy both. The two were similar, but were different enough that I could find a use for them both. Joann Fabrics has really stepped up their game in the licensed character prints. They are all so beautiful. They've also added some ch aracter knit fabrics, so check it out if you would like. There's some fun Harry Potter prints, which are very popular, I'm sure. Star Wars is well represented also, as well as Star Trek. Basically any fandom or theme you could want. Please observe the beauty of this fabric. I bought purple 1/4" cord from "Paracord Planet" on Amazon. This shade wasn't an exact match to the fabric w...

I have written about my time at Joann Fabrics multiple times. This travel set was made from a double-sided quilted fabric that I found there while working. Sadly, I didn't buy it in time and there wasn't enough for all the projects I wanted to do. Oh well. You win some, you lose some. It is actually two cotton fabrics quilted together. Joann Fabrics carried quite a few different prints in this line. It has one side with a leopard print. And the other side has stripes of Leopard print, Zebra Stripes, and Giraffe spots.  I used Simplicity 2551 for the handbag. I matched the pattern of the fabrics across the front of the purse and the pockets. It is lined in simple black cotton. The duffle bag was made from Simplicity 2274. I used the solid Leopard print side of the fabric. My favorite feature is the gold-tone metal zipper. For some reason, a metal zipper elevates the whole look of the project to the next level. It has a large pocket on the end for s...

It is no secret that I am in love with Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Always has been, probably always will be. The aesthetic of the stained glass windows and the jewel tones of deep blues, purples, and greens are just beautiful.   The purse is the FREE(!!!) Ramona mini hipster from https://swoonpatterns.com/ If I ever make it again, I'll enlarge it just a little bit. But it is a good size for travel. Small, light, compact and hands-free because of the cross-body strap. Perfect for going to Walt Disney World. And that's exactly what I did. I took this set on a quick 4-day trip and it worked out very well.  I just discovered the Swoon Patterns site recently and I love it. There are tons of free purse patterns and even more that are pretty cheap. I already have plans for a couple more. The makeup bag is from the book Making Vintage Bags by Emma Brennan, which I've mentioned before. And the small coin purse is the same, just with smaller rectangles. I am obs...

Mrs. Incredible/Elasticgirl/Helen Parr. She goes by many names. (Does she mention her maiden name in the first movie? I can't remember) But for this costume, we'll go with Mrs. Incredible. I have always liked The Incredibles. I thought now was a perfect time to do a cosplay from this Disney/Pixar movie, with the sequel in theatres now. I won't spoil anything in the new movie, but I really love how Mrs. Incredible gets her day in the spotlight. Girl Power! lol. The base red suit was bought on Amazon. Also the black dance bloomers and the gloves. There were just a few small details that needed to be changed. As seen in this reference photo, the suit needed a black high collar instead of the red collar. So, I just took my seam ripper and took it off.  I then used that fabric for a simple pattern. The red was replaced by a black collar made from a simple knit I had on hand. Next came the bloomers. I couldn't find any orange fabric in local stores, s...

I found this gorgeous fabric at (where else) Joann Fabrics. One side looks like a navy with a lace layered on top, and the back side is just navy. At first, I thought I might make a skirt, but I thought I might get more use of a purse. I found McCall's 4400 in my stash and gave it a try. I love the way the handle comes down the front and tucks into the little loop. Very cutesy. But it's Laura Ashley, so of course it is.  I used view D. It's a fairly easy pattern. There was nothing that surprised me in the construction. I also found a fabulous lace zipper at Hobby Lobby. It's so pretty and lacy! Here's a close up, but it's a little hard to see. I haven’t used it much, though. Like, at all. Not once. It didn't turn out like I imagined. Or maybe it's too floppy and not structured enough for this style. (It does have interfacing in it, but I should have used a thicker interfacing). Maybe I should have used a prettier white fabric instea...

Hello, my name is Sarah, and I have an addiction to buying random things at thrift stores. (“Hello, Sarah”) I have at least 5 items in my thrift store “cut up and repurpose” pile and I just bought a dress for $2 the other day for a new summer purse. Whoops. This purse began life as a beautiful gray 100% wool dress about 8 sizes too big for me. And no, I’m not exaggerating. But I couldn't leave so much nice fabric for such a good price. Usually, I don't favor gray, but this fabric called to me and told me that it wanted to be a purse. And who am I to deny?  :-) The pattern is McCalls 6977, view A. It came together well with no problems that I recall. The bow on the front took quite a lot of the fabric, more than I expected. But with some clever placing of the pattern pieces, I made it all fit. All the layers of wool and interfacing in the bow is so heavy however, that the purse is very front-heavy and it likes to flop forward. But that's a minor issue. ...

I love this set. They were finished probably 5 years ago, but I'm not sure. I found a pattern book in the library years ago called Making Vintage Bags: 20 Original Sewing Patterns for Vintage Bags and Purses by Emma Brennan and I loved all the patterns included. Only a month or two ago did I finally get around to buying my own copy. The purses are inspired from different eras ranging from the 1920s to the 1960s. This model is called Nancy and is 1940’s inspired. It is a little small for me personally, but oh so adorable. The main fabric is a light blue corduroy gifted from a friend, I think, and the lining is a quilting fabric from Joann Fabrics, years ago. Blue, I decided, was a pretty color while being neutral enough to coordinate with many outfits. As the pattern suggests, I appliqued felt flowers and leaves with a zig-zag stich on the front of the bag, and on the matching coin purse (this was also a pattern from the book). After some hemming and hawing, I dec...

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 Slave for sale! She looks like a witch with that hat on her head. A hopeful princess kisses the frog. The First Medieval Fair Dress or The almost-Buttercup-from-Princess-Bride dress Once upon a time, there was a girl who liked to go to the Medieval Fair at OU in Norman, Oklahoma. She loved seeing the sights, eating the fair food, and watching the shows. But she had a secret; she desperately wanted to be the fair princess. Many years later, she went to college. She auditioned for a production of Romeo and Juliet, and got a part. She met the King of the Medieval Fair, who happened to be playing Father Laurence. He asked if she wanted to be part of the cast, and of course she said yes! I have had such a good time in my past 6 years of being in the cast of Med Fair. Wonderful memories were made and best friends were met. Now, as to construction. Our Queen graciously cut and sewed most of it. So, I don't know where she got the pattern. I do need ...