New Project Alert!!!! Simplicity 1250

I have decided to make my X-mas dress this year. I wasn't going to until I stumbled on accident across a 1950s pattern reprint from simplicity and instantly fell in love. but I walked away from purchasing it immediately because I wanted to make sure that it was what I wanted. After 2 weeks away from it I knew that it was the perfect pattern from the way I couldn't stop talking about it.

In those 2 weeks I spent a lot of time discussing colors with my manager in the costume shop as well as one of my co-workers because for once in my life I was not a fan of the red and black look that they had on the packaging. I went into Joanns with so many different ideas, but in my mind I was set in getting some sort of emerald green fabric. so i searched and searched with my friend emily and did not come across one bolt of darker toned fabric. The initial plan was no longer an option and I was a little sad, but then we found the perfect fabric. A deep red iridescent taffeta. it is STUNNING. as the jacket we search for a while and found a beautiful silvery gray lace. Then with my luck I managed to get a great price on the fabric and i am thrilled to make this.

HOWEVER, just looking at the pattern I am mildly timid. I'm very much a pattern girl, I've worked with some harder patterns but it's something about this one that I just feel like I'm really going to need to take my time with. Though it could be that I'm just intimidated my the fact that Taffeta is a pricey fabric than I normally work with.

It is finals week so I will have quite a bit of free time on my hands so between packing all of my stuff up and my last 2 days at work i should be able to get it done.

The End of an Era

So today marks the beginning of the end, Many of you are going to read this post and say "oh it's just another soon to be college graduate reaching the end of her college career telling a sob story" but for me it isn't. It is something completely different whether you believe me or not. today begins the end, the end of all ends (to put some drama into the words).

I understand that no one want to read this post so for those of you who aren't interested feel free to move along, I just needed to make note. But today is the point where everyone begins to get ready to say goodbye. I'm in a theatre fraternity, Theta Alpha Phi, it's a dying/dead theatre fraternity...but it's my home. about a week ago (give or take) we switched to Alpha Psi Omega, new beginnings, ya know? Well traditions stick with a group. Fall masque is hard. fall masque is a time of celebration of beginnings. It's a time to bring new and old and make our family stronger in the theatre world. But while we celebrate these beginnings we always take a step to say goodbye.

our tradition is 80s music. We have special dances to these songs, we pass them on from generation to generation. They've made they're way through. At the end of the night, the last song, American Pie. We're a very sentimental group. the graduating seniors are along in the middle of the circle. tonight...it was just me. it was strange at first, i mean i knew it was going to happen, but it still felt foreign. up until now it all seemed so far away, it felt like i had time. geez, I'm writing this like my life is ending. but a section of it feels like it is.

So like tradition, I said some goodbyes. but it's still really surreal. especially because in this community if i need someone i can drive less than 2 miles down the road and I'm able to talk it out with someone. in two weeks I'll be home...I don't have friends there. I don't know where to go when it's 2 AM and I'm unable to sleep. I don't know who I can call up and tell them I need someone to get lunch with. in 2 weeks everything i have known for 4.5 years will be gone. everything. they always tell you that college is the best time of your life. they never tell you how badly it hurts to leave.

Advanced Pattern 7012: COMPLETE!

ALAS! the dress I worked so hard on for a week. I am unbelievably proud of this dress and bolero. It's comfortable, cute, versatile, and my favorite, from a vintage pattern. So like I mentioned in my last post the pattern is a 14 1/2 which is listed for a 29 inch waist. WELL, good news the pattern fit me perfectly! The waist and bust is a perfect fit which means I can continue using vintage patterns...as long as i can find them in a 14 1/2 size, either that or I can just resize them. so the fun thing about this dress, the Advance Pattern 7012, was that this was the first time I had gotten to work with a perforated pattern. that was an experience in itself but I didn't run into any problems so I can't be too upset with that. so here is a look at the (nearly) finished product.

I apologize for the lack of ironing in the photo, this was before I set the hem and did any finishing touches. so the best part about working in the costume shop is access to fun tools. my manger let me use the hem chalk puffer thing to set the hem so it is beautiful and straight (unlike this photo). but now it has a beautiful hand sewn hem that is firmly present place. Also there is a lack of belt because I have yet to get the supplies for it. but it will be made out of the navy fabric.

so the next step is another project. what is it? ya know I'm not quite sure. I have a yard of this beautiful gray wool fabric that I've been dying to use. maybe I'll make another Bolero? or maybe I'll pattern hunt? who knows but I've been eyeing it for weeks.

Post NYC and a new project

So it's been a few weeks since my trip to NYC, it was THE best time of my life. I was out and about from 10am to 10pm every night just exploring and enjoying the city. My audition went well, by my standards, so I'm proud of that! I can't believe I had my first New York audition! far from scary which was such a relief. I explored Central park like no bodies business, so much beauty. I also visited the garment district, but it was so overwhelming, I didn't end up buying any fabric :-/.

Now that i'm back and getting into the swing of things I'm working on a new project. Unfortunately my Singer Athena 2000 is out of order so no sewing at home. Luckily I work in a costume shop on campus and am allowed to go in and sew when ever I have free time....between 8-5. so I spent Tuesday cutting out the fabric pieces and yesterday I got to work with sewing the dress. I'm VERY excited about this project because it's the oldest pattern I've ever worked with. The pattern I'm working with is Advance Pattern 7012, from 1955.

A few weeks ago, before I went to NYC I went to an antique mall near Findlay, Ohio. Got a Dress, a hat and a pattern. the pattern was only $3 so I couldn't pass it up. what I worried about is sizing which is obviously always going to be an issue when it comes to vintage patterns because they don't have multi-sized packaging. So the dress that i got is a 14 1/2 which is a 29in waist, unfortunately I'm a 30.5in waist. however, after constructing the bodice I tried it on and I am having no problems with the size. not too snug, which is a really nice find.

so since starting the dress yesterday I have gotten the bodice sewn together complete with lace accents. the skirt is about 75% sew together and the other parts are at least pinned. one thing that I'm finding very interesting about this pattern is the sewn in 1/8 inch pleats in the skirts. It's gives it just a unique look and I like that the seams and the pleats are not easy to tell apart. once I get back to work on the project I desperately need to Iron the skirt. that will come once I finish the skirt of course. just 2 more panels to sew on. I also need to finish all the raw edges...I have a love hate relationship with edges, I don't like the look of serging, especially on a dress like this i don't want to turn it inside out and see woven thread holding the inside together. however, seam binding and bias tape is such an extensive process. such a conundrum...but today I shall decide. maybe I'll just roll the edges under to prevent any fraying...Who knows! maybe I'll post a picture of a finished dress later or maybe I'll even get to start working on the Bolero jacket later! very excited.

Trip to NYC

So here I am, sitting in an airport, of course early for my flight. I'm taking a trip to NYC for an audition and I have never been so excited in my life. I have so much that i want to do when i'm there and who knows how much I'll actually be able to do. This is the first time i've been to New York since I was a Freshman in High School and i can't believe it's finally happening. While I'm in NY, aside from auditioning,  I have a few other things I want to tackle. Visiting the Garment district, seeing a Broadway show (on the town?), visit a friend from my summer at the Huron Playhouse, get dinner at a restaurant where my sisters friend works, enjoy the city for everything it is and walk away feeling satisfied. no matter how i do on this audition I am gonna be proud of my self for going for my first big audition in the real world and have a blast doing it. so Tuesday - Saturday, who thinks i can accomplish everything?

On a separate note, I've been a vegetarian for 2 weeks, and while that isn't the worlds biggest and most exciting news it is a big deal because I feel great and I love everything about it. I've found very good recipes that are fun and healthy, I feel like I'm not weighted down, and on top of that i just feel great (aside from the ice cream and brownies i had the other day(oops)) but Being a Vegetarian is something that i really think i can stick with. Of course with it only being 2 weeks in I still have a craving now and again from a burger or some chicken strips but I've been able to work through it. very excited to keep moving forward in my journey, updates soon :)

Life Changes

So it has been a while since my last post so here are a few updates.
- in less then a month I will be in NYC auditioning for a touring show
- my sewing machine currently is out of order (saddest day)
- I've begun testing the waters of new eating habits (Vegetarian here I come!!)
- I've been crazy busy with work (3 jobs is hard work!)
- I have put off cleaning my room for about 4 weeks
- My old roommate bought me a vintage hat for my birthday (Pictures to follow)

and Last but not Least:

- It is a good time to be alive (why specifically, I don't know)

on a side note for lunch today I made Minimalist Bakers Black Bean Beet Burger (say that 5 times fast) and I'm obsessed with it beyond anything else. What's great about this is that the recipe is Vegan and gluten free so it is very healthy and amazing. heres the link for the Black Bean Beet Burger :)

SO i mentioned before that I am testing the waters of the vegetarian diet. I made this decision after reading some books one of them is Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr and the other is Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. Both of these books opened my eyes to what I've been feeding my body and recently I have been keeping pretty good tabs on my diet. however, I was beginning to learn that counting calories was not helping me, It didn't stop me from Jumping over board when i went to taco bell with friends. I knew the calories were there but it didn't stop me from ordering something hefty. so after reading these two books it became my come to light moment of making a change. with the support of my sister and my friends I'm making the change, I'm testing it out, and I'm going to see what happens in one month. My goal is to be completely Vegetarian, no meat anything (obviously). a part of that goal is to make the majority of what I eat from scratch, I don't want to be a vegetarian that relies on grilled cheese and french fries, cause what is that gonna do to help my body? thats right, nothing. which bring me to the next section of my goal. I'm going to do my best to stay away from dairy products, after reading skinny bitch i am now aware of the hormones and antibiotics I come in contact with when I eat it, though thats not to say i won't indulge in some ice cream or chocolate now and again. I just know that it's something that I could possibly do.

Wish Me Luck!! :)

Vintage Shopping Trip

Yesterday my mother and I went on a shopping trip to this wonderful vintage store in Pittsburgh, PA called Eons. This store is remarkable, from it's meticulously organized racks to its wide collection of hats. I've been meaning to make my way to the store for about a year now, ever since I met the owner at a fundraising event for a local dance company, but I didn't get the chance before going to school. So this trip was very long over do.

After looking through every rack in the store, which is sized by waist measurement, I walked away with 2 lovely pieces that I am THRILLED to add to my collection.

2 piece 1960s nightgown set

The nightgown; red with white lace

The Robe; red with white lace

1950's Cotton Print Dress (unworn)

Back View of 1950s dress

The neckline of the dress

This was such a fun trip to Eons and I hope to return soon!

Back to Summer: My Time at The Huron Playhouse

I've returned home to Pittsburgh from my stay at The Playhouse and wow has it been a long 2 months. things got so crazy that I haven't been able to post about my experience at all. I got to help costume the 5 shows and in 4 days me and a friend completely organized a costume storage unit by time period. That was probably one of the most interesting things, testing my knowledge of decades as I went through both men and women's fashions. but now that I'm back home it's hopefully time to get back to my favorite thing of exploring the world of vintage and DIY.  I'm very excited to get back to work but here are a couple shots from my time at the playhouse.

Morgan Le Fey in Camelot

Showgirl in The Producers

Shirley Markowitz in The Producers

Old Lady in The Producers

Sausage Follies Girl in The Producers

A group of friends before the parade <3

A performance experience that I will always cherish!

Krysta Rehearses

SO day 5 of Huron playhouse, we're well into The Producers. we have 4 numbers blocked, all of the ensemble music learned and on top of that the majority of us can't stand up anymore. We learned how to dance with walkers while also pretending to be old women, as soon as that was over we went right into tapping our feet off as show girls. It's an awesome experience but I am beyond tired, I can't believe we're only at day 5. The people I'm around have instantly become a family and it's something that is so hard to expelling but is so wonderful. summer stock is a killer experience so far and I'm loving it so hard.

The Huron Playhouse

SO today was my second day at the Huron playhouse, it's a summer stock theatre in Huron Ohio. we are finally all moved in and when we aren't in rehearsal for a show we're working around the theatre in many different jobs. today I was told that I am going to be working most of my down time in the costume shop...cause where else would you put me? so I'll be giving updates from time to time of my experience as well as running a lot of the social media during some of the rehearsals. So if you're in the Huron/Toledo/Sandusky area come and see some of the shows!!!

Costume Update: Mulan

So in the midst of my hectic panic mode packing I have managed to accomplish some work with the mulan costumes that I have to finish by Tuesday night, since I move off to summer stock for 2 months. I'm making the 3 costumes for the women who get Mulan ready for her meeting with the matchmaker completely from scratch.

This is the original design sketch from my friend Sarah:

from this I took a pattern for a wrap dress that I had from a one piece pattern book that I've had lying around for a while collecting dust and I shortened it to a jacket length, took in the back and front, shortened the sleeves and changed the shape of the front. So when it was pieced together with the edges done it looks like this:

Currently I'm waiting on the okay for the skirt set up, to make these costumes as easy for the kids to get on as possible the skirt will be attached directly to the bottom of the jacket creating almost a floor length robe. The potential set up is looking like this (excuse the packing mess):

                                                   

So tomorrow I will get to work on the other 2, which now that I have the pattern completely figured out will go smoother, and then these will be headed to the rehearsal. :)

Fun Finds while cleaning

So today is my big cleaning and packing day before I head off to summer stock theatre for 2 months and I always forget how many interesting things i can find in my room. the find of the day is a pattern that I bought 2 years ago from goodwill on a random trip where i just picked up patterns that i just like the look of. So this pattern is Butterick 4906, it's a perforated pattern size 14 (which means when I get around to making it I'll have to make size adjustments). I spent about a half an hour doing some research trying to find something about this pattern online with no avail, no one had written about it, posted a picture, or sold it on ebay or etsy. From the research I did do though I am dating this pattern around the late 1940s, the dress has a peplum belt option which puts it in the first big peplum area (based on it's style/size) and the style of the patterns envelope fits the period as well. So without further ado here is the Butterick 4906.

Simplicity 5404 Final post

Well it's done! pockets, zipper, hem and all. It's absolutely adorable and so comfortable that I wore it to trivia night at our local bar and people loved it :) the pattern fits perfectly, I shortened and hemmed the skirt enough that I can wear flats and my legs don't look short but the dress is still long enough that it's modest. cute when paired with a belt and sandals or with quirky platform heels. Very fun and I would definitely make this again as well as recommend as many people as possible to get their hands on this pattern and make it.

Krysta Sews: Simplicity 5404 Update

So far this pattern has been a dream to work with. the pattern itself is super easy to follow, the size is spot on and fabric is really nice to work with. so to back track this is the pattern from 1964 that I set out to work on the other day.

 I cut it out and started putting it together last night and I've come pretty far,  I've gotten everything put together except for putting on the pockets and the zipper. But I'm not far from doing that now.

Of course I still have to iron the arm hole facings down as well as iron the dress all together. the i get the fun job of hemming this adorable baby doll 60s dress. 

 

Krysta Sews: Vintage Simplicity 5404

So I've finally gotten around to pulling the 1964 pattern out of its sleeve and I got a very lovely surprise. Not only is the pattern already cut from its previous owner (my least favorite part of patterns) BUT the previous owner also had the same measurements as me around the bust so i don't have to do any alterations to the pattern other then maybe shortening the skirt because the pattern falls a good 4 inches below my knee (before hem of course) and I'd like it to fall just above the knee.

I've decided to use this adorable green and white gingham that I've had sitting in my fabric box for a while. Can't wait to get it started!

Krysta's stitch binder

This year in school I decided to take a costume construction course because I knew it would help be with my career and with my hobby, and you know what, I came out with a whole bunch of techniques and samples that I can use to refer back to. Everything is made using muslin.

These are hand samplers, they are a hem stitch, whip stitch, and invisible stitch with snaps, hooks, and buttons (one with an added shank)

This is the machine sampler, uses a straight stitch at both 5/8 and 7/8 with a zig zag stitch through the middle. The edges are surged together and the middle of the fabric has my initials traced to show machine maneuverability.

This is a very wrinkled arm hole, but you get the idea, a straight piece to a curved.

This is a gathered sample, a piece of muslin 3 times the other piece to fit together, using 2 rows of basted stitched 5/8 and 7/8, gathered evenly then stitched to the smaller piece

The invisible zipper, basted, ironed, sewn and seam ripped. never has an invisible zipper been so easy.

The button hole is pretty self explanatory. 

we had to create a paper hat pattern, mine is a mock up of an edwardian hat

This is a distressing project, we were given a red dress and my partner and I took the dress and added knife woods and blood and dirt stains, creating a believable distressing for a dress.

A couple things I didn't picture:

A drafted male bodice pattern using the forms we had available in the shop. in the binder is the paper pattern and also a muslin mock up

A swatch sample page. 12 swatches that I found and labeled type based off of weave pattern and texture

History: May 25, 1950-1959

SO I decided it would be fun to take a look at what happened today but back in the Fifties, a decade in review.
To start off then, May 25:

1950: The Brooklyn Battery Tunnel opened
1951: NY Giant, Willie Mays, 1st Major League Game (for any Baseball fans)
1952: USS Iowa bombards Chongjin, Korea
1953: First atomic cannon electronically fired in Nevada and the first non-commercial educational television station was launched.
1954: no news
1955: A Series of 19 twister destroy areas of Kansas and Oklahoma
1956: Pope Pius XII published encyclical Haurietis aquas
1957:"Shinbone Alley" closed on broadway after 49 performances
1958: no news to report
1959: U.S. Supreme Court rules Louisana Prohibiting Black-White boxing unconstitutional



(Information from Historyorb.com)

Krysta cooks: Rice, Black Beans, and Stewed Tomatoes

So while I'm on my dinner break at work i figured it's about time for another meal post. So this meal is quick and easy and great to make right as you're heading out the door for work. Vegetarian, gluten free, and easy to make vegan :)

Ingredients:

- 1 Cup of intant rice

- 1/2 a can of black beans; drained

- 1/2 a can of stewed tomatoes 

- shredded cheddar cheese

Boil a cup of water

Measure a cup of rice

At the rice to the boiling water

Cover and let sit

Drain black beans and open the cans all the way

Layer 1: rice

Layer 2: Black beans

Layer 3: stewed tomatoes

Layer 4: cheese 

From there pop the meal in the microwave until the cheese is melted an everything is warm. I typically put it infor about 2 minutes. Enjoy!!

Krysta Sews: A New Costume Project - Mulan Jr.

This time I'm not creating a costume for me, my friend Sarah is directing Mulan Jr. with a bunch of kids and we are about to make 3 of the characters dresses today. I volunteered to help out so that my other friend Brigid didn't have to create 20+ characters from scratch. so today we're working on the 3 dresses for the women who get Mulan ready for her meeting with the matchmaker. Working with just a sketch by my friend we'll see how well this goes and I'm sure we'll be able to get these done.

Also, today I'm teaching Sarah how to sew. So this will be an interesting day indeed, updates to come I hope. :)

Everyday Fashions of the Fifties

Everyday Fashions of the Fifties A Pictured in Sears Catalogs  Edited by Joanne Olian
Buy Here

I received this amazing book last year as a present from my big and I spent hours studying the pages. Each page of the book is full of pictures out of Sears Catalogs in the 1950s, with the prices and description of each item. The clothing ranges from young children to adult men and women varying in occasions. there are several outfits that I have a love for that I want to make one day.

My favorite thing about many of the outfits is they picture them as sets. For instance one 4 piece outfit came with a Skirt, Weskit, Shorts and a Visor Cap, while another 4 piece outfit came with a Skirt, Sun Bra, Blouse, and Shorts. I would find it so much easier to pick out an outfit for the day if they came pre made.

Another thing that I just LOVE in this book is the swimsuits because the style is so classic, modest, and gorgeous. The suits show have the traditional skirt look to it but the one that I absolutely love is the one that comes with a matching skirt that just wraps around the waist to go from easy sun bathing to picnic in second.

And lastly there is a page with House Coats/Robes that just look so comfy and classy and it reminded me of this post by Frances over at Polka Polish with her beautiful floral House Coat that she made. when I saw it I fell in love and decided it is officially on my to-do list for this up-coming fall, to track down the pattern and make my own.

Krysta's Next Project: Vintage Simplicity 5404

So while I put off adjusting the hem of my Sultry Sheath for a few more days I've decided to take a look through my collection of patterns. I came across a beauty that I completely forgot that I had. Simplicity 5404 is a pattern from 1964 its an Empire baby doll dress with multiple sleeve styles.

I will have to alter it a little bit based on the bust being 32 and I'm a 36 bust but luckily that should be easy enough to change. My plan is to do number 4, sleeveless and with pockets, what more could I possibly ask for? 

The best part about this is that I got this pattern from a reuse shop for $0.50, if that isn't a win i don't know what is!

Krysta Sews: The Sultry Sheath

Like I said previously, I've had this pattern cut out for a while now (5 months at least). But I finally set out to sew it and I'm almost done!

I spent the last few days sewing it together, I decided to opt of lining it because I found it wasn't my favorite thing to sew or wear.

the only things I have left to do is sew in a zipper and choose where I'm setting the hem.

other than that the dress looks pretty good if I do say so myself!

I've decided I will probably end up hemming it about 4-5 inches because where it falls right now makes me look like my legs are short which is weird when I'm mostly legs. It will most likely be accessorized with a thin black belt and black pumps, keeping it classy. Can't wait till it's done, will hopefully get some pictures in it next week sometime :)