Hello all!

I wanted to apologize since I sort of disappeared for a bit.  I've truly wanted to finish my current sewing project, but I have been quite busy ever since school started up again.  Now I don't go to school myself, but I have to help out at home with driving people places, so that takes up a lot of my time.  I can't bring the sewing machine with me when I have to sit in the car and wait for a few hours.

None the less, I have been working on things slowly.  I finished the brooches for each Sailor Scout, and I didn't take pictures yet because I've been busy.

The other reason I haven't really been working on my project, is the fact that my doll is in desperate need of a trip to the doll hospital.  Her limbs are very loose and I really don't want them to fall off, so I've barely been touching her.  And since most of this project is guess and check, I worry about putting the outfits on and off.  And since I am not working because of acting like a taxi, I don't really have the money to send her.  I hope to soon though.

That is my story for right now.  I truly would love to have time to work, but it's just been crazy.  I hope to have a new update soon.

Have a wonderday!

Sailor Scout Fuku: Update #3

Here I am, because I promised you a post on my finds and I wanted to share!  Okay, so I basically had to walk around JoAnns for an hour waiting for my mother to be done with her shift.  I suppose it was the perfect opportunity for me to just look at what they had left and think.  And I got quite the haul.  I did also make some purchases from Meijer because as I mentioned before our JoAnns is moving locations and they sell everything before they move so they don't have to move it.  If only moving for us would have been that easy over the summer...

Anywhos, here is what I found!  Basically I looked back at Sailor Moon and Chibi Moon's outfits and realized they do indeed have stars somewhere, so I found these!  It has hundreds of stars in different colors (mostly the tiny gold ones are what I need).  I had a different pack of stars that were metal, but too big and I found some awesome mirrored stars you can glue to things, but they didn't have enough of the tiny ones.  I went with these and figured let's go!

For the jewels on Sailor Moon's compact, and in their tiaras I needed some rhinestones.  I wasn't sure where I would find them, I suppose I could have gone to Michaels, but eh.  I found these and couldn't be more happy.  I bought the colored pack and then I suppose it's crystal or silver.  They are perfect though!

Now, I completely forgot about their hair accessories until I was looking at people's cosplays online.  And I realized they have the wing clips in their hair.  I smacked myself on the forehead in frustration, but then I either watched a video on YouTube or found a tutorial on DeviantArt I can't remember, where the costume maker used big beads and cardboard.  I found these beads and decided to maybe use foam, I can glue some cheap hair clips on them with hot glue and presto!

So for a bit I wondered what I would do with the striping on the collars.  I knew the white fabric I had would fray and bias tape isn't that small (at least from the research I did), my mom mentioned how they had some ribbon left at the store and I might find some.  And I did!  It's 1/8 inch wide ribbon.  It's so tiny and perfect!  I can't wait to add it on!

Next I thought I about how I would need gold paint for the tiara and brooch.  I knew I would be using foam for the base of each.  I found some pretty gold point to use and after some research I learned paint takes a long time to dry on foam, so yep.  Although I knew I was in the long run with this project.

This is a find while I was walking around JoAnns wasting time, and literally my mind started turning.  I found 3mm and 6mm thick foam.  Most regular foam packs come with 2mm thick, so I was excited they had these two pieces left and in white.  My mom said it was that it was quick the find since most of their aisles are half or completely empty now.

As for the sewing parts of the project, I made the collars!  I don't know if I showed them to you at all yet, but here they are!  On the right is Sailor Moon's and on the left is Sailor Chibi Moon's (it is pink, but lighting).  I used someone else's pattern and scaled it way down and altered it a bit.  But I like how they turned out, and once I get some more white thread (need more white thread!) I can add on the stripes.

So yep, other than that today we took down our Christmas decorations so our house is kind of bare now.  I think my dog likes it when we put the tree away because one year it fell on him and I think he has flashbacks.

Now for some reason I am feeling inspired so I will either start working on the brooch or make a shelf with some cardboard MyFroggyStuff style!

Have a wonderday!

Sailor Scout Fuku: Update #2

Whew...this project really has me beat.  I picked up a few more things I needed for the outfits and I hope to share those with you soon, but right now I am just trying to get the major piece of the outfits done.

Yesterday I finished making the bows.  I am quite proud of them.

The smaller ones are for the front, while the bigger ones will be on her backside.  They were actually all the same big size, but I had to alter them to make them smaller because they were way too big.  So I hope to show you how I made them soon.  I have some extra fabric I could use, but we will have to wait and see.

Now as for the suits, I bought the stuffing and let me tell you making those darn shoulders are going to be the most annoying thing about this outfit.

I don't hate them, but I don't really like how they turned out.  I am honestly thinking of scrapping this one and starting again because I have enough white fabric to make new ones.  The under part of the sleeves is way too pinched.

Course it is my first try at something like this, so it's all about learning as I go.  Plus I know the bottom isn't done which makes it look dorky as well.  Oh wells, I will see.  Now that I ran out of white thread I had to stop, but I did cut out the collars and hope to have them done soon.  And maybe tomorrow I will show you all what I found at Meijers and JoAnns!  I was quite excited about my finds.

Have a wonderday!

Sailor Scout Fuku: Update #1

Alrighty all!  I have been working on these outfits little by little.  Yesterday I started working on the suits themselves until I realized I had to stop because I still don't have stuffing for the sleeve pieces.  But I got the suit pieces cut and the skirts.

Even though it looks red, that is the pink for Sailor Chibi Moon's skirt.  It's a hot pink and looks red in some lightning I realized, but in person it truly is pink.  And the other one is blue.  It's a really pretty blue, but of course bad lightning.

As for today I started working on the bows!  And I had no clue that making bows would be such a task.  I started making all four, but I only finished one and it's going to be one of the back bows.  (Sailor Moon and Chibi Moon both have red bows, so I didn't have to worry about colors too much.)

I realized after I was done making this one that it's a bit to big to go in the front outfit, so I need to take apart two other ones to make smaller.  I hope to make a tutorial for you and to have a pattern pdf too, because these are cool bows even if you aren't using them for Sailor Scout outfits.  And here is my dog modeling the bow to show you just that!

That is what I have been sort of up too the past couple of days.  I have been trying to find some sort of tutorial to help make their weapons and transformation compacts, but I haven't found too much.  There is a lot of clay tutorials, but I don't really want to spend the money on clay because it's really expensive sometimes.  So I will keep looking and see what I find!

Have a wonderday!

Sailor Scout Fuku: The Beginnings! Part 2

As promised here are the pictures of the fabric and things I found yesterday.

For the Sailor Scout Fuku here are the fabrics I found:

I wanted all cotton fabrics, but since the store is moving and liquidating, I had a limited supply of what I wanted, but on the plus side it was all on sale!  I got 1 1/2 yds of Brand Symphony White fabric (I found this in the apparel fabrics), 1 yd Solid Dark Royal Blue fabric (I believe I found this in the cottons), 1 yd of Tango Red Easy Wash (this was the most pricey, but I wanted a nice bright red), and 1/2 yd of Solid Bright Pink (I found this in the quilting cottons, which I picked up immediately and waved around because of how excited I was to find it).  I honestly don't know how much I'll need of any of it.

These were the rhinestones I found.  I believe her brooch has these in them, if they don't oh well they are kinda cool anyway.  But there is blue, red, golden yellow, green, purple, silver, and pink, so I think it will be neat to add on somewhere.

Now as you all know I created a Hogwarts School Uniform and her outfit wouldn't be complete without her trunk!

You can see my lovely Marie pajama pants, but anywhos here is her trunk.  I know it needs to be painted or stained or something.  I found it a few weeks ago at JoAnns, but I couldn't afford it at the time and it was $4 off with the liquidation sale, so I figured why not.

It will probably be a little while until I can work on it, but that's okay.  I am glad I picked it up!  Right now that is all from me today, I hope to eat some lunch and get started on the Sailor Scout Fuku!

Have a wonderday!!  (I did that on accident, but I really like it!)

Sailor Scout Fuku: The Beginnings! Part 1

Hi-de-ho everyone!  Today I went to JoAnns because they are still running their liquidation sale and bought the bulk of the fabric I need for the Sailor Scout uniforms or fuku.

I have decided to re-create the Sailor Moon and Sailor Chibi Moon from the newest series, Sailor Moon Crystal in the Dark Moon Arc.  When I saw the new trailer I was so excited and thought Sailor Chibi Moon is my favorite so I have to make her outfit, but I really wanted Sailor Moon's as well.  I know it's quite the task to create two of them, but I figured it will be good practice.  I added a picture, it isn't the greatest quality because this was literally released the other day, but I am so excited!

While I was at JoAnns today I ventured through every single other aisle looking for moons.  Any kind of moon: wood, beads, appliques, buttons...  And let me tell you, they had stars galore, but not a single moon.  So I thought I would start venturing online for something later.

I didn't take pictures of the fabric or my other find, but I will try to add those in tomorrow.  My other find was tiny rhinestones that came in a multi-colored pack which is perfect for the locket Sailor Moon has resting on her front bow.

The only real pattern I am going to be using for this project is an ice skating dress pattern from Butterick #3329.  Many cosplayers when they re-create Sailor Scout uniforms if they use patterns, they usually use ice skating dresses like the one I found.  So if you have a very similar ice skating dress pattern, then go ahead and use that.  I personally bought the pattern years ago, but I was ecstatic when I found it.  The only major change I am making to the pattern is the sleeves.  The Sailor Scouts have puffy shoulder/sleeve pads, not sure what to call them, so I need figure out how that is going to work.

I still need stuffing for the padding on most of the pieces, and I am hoping to find moons, or I could make some from foam.  Along with gold paint, which I will use for the tiara.  I hope to make tutorials on most of the things I am making because I've watched videos and read articles about people who made the outfits for cosplay and I will need to size everything down.  It is going to be quite the task and I probably won't finish in 10 days like my Hogwarts Uniform because of everything I still need and my carpal tunnel is acting up a lot lately.  But it won't stop me, I am determined!  My mom just said today how sad it is I have carpal tunnel at my age and that I like to craft things, but oh wells it won't stop me.

So I hope to start constructing the Sailor Fuku, which is what the body suit part is called tomorrow.  Since I am following a pattern, I won't give to much details, but as I continue I hope to keep making different posts.  I do hope to make their weapons as well, but I want to get the outfits down first.  Maybe if I get another doll one day they can both wear the outfits.  I suppose that's all for now!

Have a great day!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  And have a very Happy Holidays!

Hogwarts School Uniform: Bonus - Hogwarts Letter

Hello everyone!  I know it's been a few days since I've finished my Hogwarts Uniform, so I wanted to show you the mini Hogwarts Letter to first years I made!  I looked up a few different ways of doing this, and I found a way that worked best for me.  I wanted to find scrapbook paper that looked close to parchment, but I didn't have any that resembled it so I used some textures I had and put them behind the words as images on Word.  I printed it on a quick draft and it came out pretty perfect to me.

I found the letter contents online with a quick search and added in the Hogwarts logo and words at the bottom.  I did glue two pieces of paper together and it sort of made it look more wrinkled and parchment like.  Here is a back view of the envelope with the letter.

I folded the envelope by using the letter folded in half as the guide.  I did put on my address because I'm a dork and I wanted it as authentic as possible.  If you wish to use the font I did, just do a quick Harry Potter Fonts search and you will find plenty.  I even found some I used to have, but didn't anymore because of a computer meltdown from last year.

I have to say making the seal was fun.  I found a picture of the seal online and made it small enough to fit my American Girl doll.  I glued it onto a thin piece of foam and cut it out.  I figured it would be the closest to feeling like wax.  I think it turned out pretty neato.

I hope to one day make a template for you to use as well, but right now I'm not really that skilled in the PDF making department.  I hope too soon though.  If you have any questions about the process just leave a comment and I will answer as soon as I can.

Have a wonderful day!

Hogwarts School Uniform: Update #5

Well guess what?  I finished it!  I had an incredibly fun time making this and I am quite excited about how it turned out.  I will show you some pictures I took yesterday, but I substituted and then I was too tired to post.  So without further ado is my finished Hogwarts Uniform!

As you may have noticed I added a few things that I haven't posted about.  I finished the tie and after sewing all of those ribbons to the fabric my hand is happy for the break.  

I even made some hair ribbons using the left over ribbon and some stiching adhesive I had already.  I didn't have any shoes that really fit, but when these are the shoes from an American Girl Today outfit from I suppose 12 or 13 years ago.  It was called the Urban Outfit.  The socks are also from this outfit.

I took off the robe so you could see the whole outfit.  The pleated skirt, sweater, tie, shirt

And you may have noticed her wand.  To be honest I thought about making one, but then my mom suggested I just go outside and see what I can find.  Well I found the perfect stick.  The stick even had a small knot at the end for the handle.  It was originally taller than her, but I cut the stick down and sanded the end to make it rounded with a slight point.  I made it to look to be about her size.  I like how real it looks.

And you can't see in my pictures above, but I made a even made a wand pocket inside of her robe.  I took some of the left over black lining and folded it in half.  I sewed three sides and turned it inside out.  And then I sewed it inside on one of the sides.  It took a bit more time than I thought it would, but now I have somewhere to store the wand when it's not in use.

So yep, that is my Hogwarts School Uniform!  If anyone has any questions about the small details of things I would happily answer them!  Have a wonderful day!

Printable Record Player Fun!

I love music and I have always found records so interesting.  I loved going through my mom's collection even though I didn't know all the names on them.  But then again I heard most of them growing up.

I found this printable online on a blog and while the link didn't work someone made it workable again.  I used a program and outlined the record player and records with black lines to print out a simpler version.  I didn't want to print all the colored ink, so I decided to color them myself.

I honestly didn't think it would look as good as it does.  The only problem I have about it is the needle and I don't mind it doesn't move, but it's quite flimsy.  I tried to use two pieces of thinner cardboard, but it was too think.  I figured I would just go with it.

I made the record covers and records because I wanted too.  I know they aren't the greatest, but I like them.  I figured I could make more later.

I suppose that is all for now.  I finished most of the Hogwarts School Uniform today and I hope to take some pictures of it tomorrow!  I am excited it's pretty much all done!

Hogwarts School Uniform: Update #4

Wow-wee!  I have been making lots of progress.  I haven't had time to post lately because I sat down and watched How To Train Your Dragon 2, Legends of Oz: Dorothy Returns, along with some of my other shows at night time when I usually post.  I finished the shirt the other night and finished up the cardigan today.  Yes I decided to make a cardigan instead of a sweater, but I will talk about that a bit later in the post.

Alright, so firstly I made the shirt yesterday.  I used the collared shirt pattern from McCalls 4066 without using the sleeves and instead used the long sleeve from McCalls 3900 from the one of the outfits.  I figured it would work since they were the same company.

Here is the collared shirt pattern up until you start adding the sleeves (and this is also before I sewed the back neck facing to the front, but I didn't take a picture of it all without the sleeves).

Here I am adding the sleeves on.  If you can see it, I added cuffs to my sleeves to make them look more shirt like.  I suppose it's the little details I add.

Pretty much all done, I hemmed the bottom too!  I just needed to add the buttons.

The collar definitely looks a little funny without the tie on.  I need to iron it flat again after playing with it so much today.  But I think it went well for not having a real pattern.  

On to the cardigan, this one took me a couple of days to complete.  I used a cardigan pattern from McCalls 3900.  I cut out the pattern and sewed the shoulders as always  I sort of went my own way with this because it's sort of the same as other things I have done.

 

Alright, now after added the sleeves and sewed the sides, I put it on my doll and it was too short.  I luckily bought way too much fleece, so I cut out a new one.  I added a whole inch and half to the bottom to make sure it would be long enough.

Now the cardigan pattern I had didn't have the right type of neck line I wanted, so I hemmed it back a little.  It was really easy and I was surprised how nice it looks.  I even added a zig-zag pattern with the thread to give it an edge.

I didn't take too many pictures of the second cardigan because I just wanted to get it done as quick as I could.  So I put it on my doll and it was perfect this time, except for the darn sleeves.

Today I worked on the cardigan and finished it up!  I hemmed up the sleeves a bit instead of just cutting them even.  I didn't hem the bottom since it's fleece and I don't think it will fray.  I was thinking of adding some decorative work later though.

The buttons have snaps underneath them because making button holes is hard (I did it on a pair of pajamas and it was difficult).

Also last night I added the Gryffindor crest to the robe.  I forgot to take a picture of it, but I will definitely do it soon to show you all!

After I finished the cardigan I started working on the tie.  And at first I was going to glue the stripes on, but I didn't like how it looked or felt.  In the end I decided to sew the stripes on, which are of course ribbons.

I honestly like how it looks, but it will take time.  I even added a small strap on the back to keep the back of the tie from moving.  I plan on taking pictures of everything I've done later, so don't worry!

Goodness, quite the post I've made.  Have a wonderful day!

P.S. Plus when I went on a small walk with my dog today we found the perfect stick to work as a wand.  I wanted a stick because it looks the most realistic (you know as close to the Harry Potter universe as possible).  : )