HSF Challenge #7: Tops & Toes

I have to admit I haven't been able to keep up with these challenges. I'm gonna do my best to keep up and "get back into it".
This challenge for me is a fascinator I made earlier this year. It is "inspired by" rather than completely accurate, but here goes:
In Edwardian times fascinators were very decorative. Fashionable ladies sometimes had stuffed birds - male hummingbirds for those who could afford it, mounted on their hats. They used feathers, artificial flowers, waxed satin ribbons and tulle as embellishments.
My fascinator doesn't have a real stuffed hummingbird of course, but it is a hummingbird figurine. It is also decorated with feathers and tulle so it does tick a few boxes. I made the base from black felt and millinery wire sewn between the two layers to keep the round shape and I have sewn a comb onto the bottom. I had to glue the "hummingbird" on there was nothing to anchor on to sew it, but I did sew the feathers on.
This was another handmade project:

So, onto the nuts and bolts:

The Challenge: #7 Tops & Toes

Fabric: Felt and Tulle

Pattern: My own

Year: Edwardian Era

Notions: Thread, millinery wire, feathers, hummingbird figurine, comb, glue

Historical Accuracy: Hummingbird, tulle and feathers were all used on hats and fascinators during this period. My design is a lot more understated than many Edwardian designs, but I've tried to create an Edwardian feel

Hours to complete: Once again, not sure. I do much of my hand sewing in front of the telly and forget to take note of how long I spend

First worn: This was originally made for Etsy but I decided to keep it. I haven't worn it in public yet but I have a feeling that it will end up as part of a dance costume before too long!

Total cost: The little hummingbird cost around $5.00, but everything else I already had.

That's all for now, 

Till next time

Robyn x

Current Hand Sewing Project: Ex-Hire Dress Refashion.

Through the week on one of our frequent charity shop expeditions while keeping an eye out for a petticoat for me and a lacy top (also for me) Mum had an excellent find - a dress which had obviously been a hire bridesmaid's dress. Going by the style it looks to be late 70s/early 80s. It's magnolia colour satin and lace, and it was destined to become a petticoat and lacy top (admittedly it will need much alteration to fit me :/). I didn't think to take a picture of it before I cut it in half I'm afraid, but:

The top part of the dress which, when made bigger will be my new Cruisin' Down The River dance top.

The lace of the dress was in excellent condition, but the satin is a bit crinkly and misshapen I guess due to many cleanings and alterations, but it has a kind of fragile charm. I have chosen to hand sew mainly because of this.
So far, I have made the petticoat:

The casing for the petticoat. I tried to make my stitching as neat and even as I could.

The finished petticoat. I'm not really game enough to iron this. It's going to be worn next week under this:

I made these to wear too.

Rhiannon and I have made matching skirts for this Rock 'n' Roll & Alternative Market (6th April), except  her liquorice allsorts panels have a pink background. She has also had made black t shirts with "Sukielektro - Hand Made Makeup" on the front in hot pink. Yay us!!!

We have a couple new products to take along. Here's the labels for our new Stardust Body Powder:

There are two fragrances, Wahini and Lorelei, and contain cosmetic grade glitter to give a lovely "starglow".

Anyway I am off now to do some research on how to make the lacy top substantially bigger than it currently is. Wish me luck!

Till next time,
Robyn x

Sew For Victory 2.0 and Update

This is just a quick one to let you know I haven't fallen off the planet even though it's been a couple weeks (I think) since I posted here.
I haven't been idle though - I have been sewing dance costumes for 23rd March concert with Rhythm Revue. My Mum will be filming so I will hopefully have something that comes up YouTube-able. The costumes are done now, I'm just adding some extra sparkles here and there.
Tomorrow we are doing a St Patrick's Day show. I'm just in the singalong bit and handclapping, but it should be fun, except my dress is a bit of a squeeeeze :/ The lbs just keep creeping on I'm afraid...
I made my circle skirt and headscarf to wear at the next Rock 'n' Roll and Alternative Market on 7th April, and next week I will be working on some new Sukielektro products to take there. I've also cut out a couple more bits and pieces - another circle skirt in a lime-y green and some cigarette pants in purple to take to Sydney too. I will get photos up soon.
In the meantime, I will be doing this challenge. Not sure what I'm gonna make yet, but I want to make something that looks really authentic.


I also need to get back into this:

I've missed a few challenges by now, but I will get back into it soon.
Well that's about it for now.
Take care,
Robyn x