(no subject)

[clarice.livejournal.com]

I finished my first skirt made from the Homemade EGL pattern book today ^^ It's a very basic item, but I like how it came out. I modified the pattern a little bit, but it's otherwise the same one that's on the cover of the book. I put the eyelet lace on the underskirt/slip, but I'm going to take it off and put it on the skirt itself (I want it to show a bit, but I don't like the way it shows unevenly as it is now.) The shirt that's meant to go with this isn't quite done yet (must modify rufflage -- it makes me look even fatter >.>;) but as pictured it's more like something I'd wear on an everyday basis (befitting my "everything matches everything else" philosophy ^^ That's my Björk Euro tour shirt...) ^^





(oops, didn't notice until just now that those are my off-white, not white, knee socks ^^;




...The skirt itself...




...and a detail of the trim and print. I *love* the flower-patterned lace -- so it was, naturally, deathly expensive. I'd like to use my little bit of leftover on something where I can thread a thin ribbon through the loops. (perhaps a matching headpiece or handbag.)

Comments

[totodedum.livejournal.com]

oh, that's pretty! i like the fabric you used and deffinitely that cute lace. ain't it always like that? the lace that goes best with the fabric just has to cost more than an arm and a leg! ^__^; very nice!

p.s. you are not FAT!! =P

Re:

[clarice.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks ^^ I like fruit; more people should make clothes with fruit on them ^_^ I would have trimmed it more, but not at those lace prices (and I'm still ambivalent on how much froof I actually feel comfortable wearing to public events that don't involve tea.)

(...and, yeah, I wouldn't call myself fat fat, it's just all relative -- I've gained like 15 lbs in less than a year, and my old petticoat didn't fit when I tried this on for hemming >.< I had a ruffle on the bottom of the shirt, too, that was just *not* flattering (I am, unfortunately, built like a troll doll, and all those extra 15 lbs are right below my waist >.>;). ...But, enough about that... it's winter, I'm hibernating, and I can turn into a marshmallow if I want ^^ Besides -- just an excuse to make more outfits, as the ones I made this summer are now too small -_-;)

[virtual-waltz.livejournal.com]

I love that skirt~~ it makes me think of the types of things you see from Angelic Pretty~ (And I love Pretty's clothes bunches~ ^_^) The fabric is so cute. Where did you find it?

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[clarice.livejournal.com]

Aaah, thanks ^___^* Eventually I *will* do an all-out, uber-lacey pinafore dress or skirt, but at the moment it wasn't in the budget (nor particularly practical, whereas I could probably convince myself it's okay to wear this one to work ^^;;)

The fabric is actually from Wal-Mart, of all places. It was super-cheap ($2 a yard, makinging it notably cheaper than the venise). It doesn't have enough body to hold up a full dress, but it works fine for a pinafore or skirt. I like the apples a lot; cherries show up in loli-wear, but apples and citrus fruits are pretty much unilaterally ignored (and they have so much potential!) ^^;

[bloodysakura.livejournal.com]

That's really cute!!!!! Gotta love the lace and it's expensiveness. >.< But it is pretty lace, so I guess it doesn't matter ya? ^_^

Re:

[clarice.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks! I need to wear it somewhere... Maybe work on Friday ^^

And nice lace is pricey!! >.< Someday I'll order the spools from cheaptrims and make a whole bunch of skirts to sell on ebay ^^; In the meantime, though, I'm stuck paying icky, off-the-spool retail. Thankfully I only had to pay for have this lace (I didn't buy enough, so when I went back I just sort of tossed it into my mom's cart and she paid for it ^^;;)

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[bloodysakura.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a good idea! HAHA, you got to love those carts that you can get a whole bunch of stuff and hide it in there and your mom doesnt know so she ends up paying for it and you don't get to. I do that quite a bit myself. ^_^

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[clarice.livejournal.com]

Ee! Thanks!! ^__^* When I fix up my blouse and finish my accessories, I'll be able to wear it as an all-out loli outfit, too ^^ (I'm hoping that as it is, it can go either casual or really floofy, depending on what I wear it with ^^;)

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[clarice.livejournal.com]

Yeay! Thanks! I love apples, they're such an underappreciated Lolita fruit!

[colbyucb.livejournal.com]

God, I love that skirt. Great job!

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[clarice.livejournal.com]

thanks ^^ When I finish my huge stack of cosplay commissions, I'll probably be making a few to toss on ebay. Those kind of skirts are really fun to make ^^*

[jenna-hex.livejournal.com]

so awesome! i am inspired to start sewing again. xo.

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[clarice.livejournal.com]

oh, goodness -- I'm so rarely inspired to sew, and I take commissions ^^;; I have a big stack of uncut fabrics just looming in my closet, whispering "these con dates are getting ever closer! eeeever cloooooser!" at me all night >.>;

...This was also the first time I used the blind-hem stitch on my fancy-schmacy machine! Before I always had to do it by hand (or, more often, just run a straight running stitch through the hem ^^; I didn't want the black thread to show up over the apples on this one, though). Yeay for fancy doodads on my sewing machine that I never use! (Next up I might even -- gasp! -- use it to make buttonholes!)

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[jenna-hex.livejournal.com]

hey you did a terrific job on this one! i started sewing the summer before last. my first project was a black with white lace trim maid skirt. it was crazy! everyone was like 'you're first time sewing ever cannot be with satin!' and i was like 'oh yeah? watch me!'. it turned out okay. next was an all white with white lace and ribbon lolita skirt. i messed up a whole bunch but it looked so cool! i sewed all summer and it was really, really hot. i made an awesome halloween skirt with orange felt pumpkins on black mesh. but then i stopped. i should start some new projects!

xo. jenna

[pejabunnie.livejournal.com]

It's just so country-lolirific! A vision to behold! You know I love it!!! *Stands up and applauds like a big dork*

WOW

[rasp.livejournal.com]

Wow that is soo cute, I love girls who wear EGL styles, I wish girls at my school did, I just think it is soo sexy, and your socks and shoes look so cool too, (ok yes I am a freak lol) Well keep sewing and have fun.

Re: WOW

[clarice.livejournal.com]

Well, I probably never would have worn that to high school ^^; As it is I'm not going to wear it to class, just to work and around town on the weekends. But, yeah, I love dressing up like that, it's so fun and I feel all swooshy and girly. This morning I finally found my old black shirred and trimmed lolita top, so I can wear it out as full EGL now ^^ (although I'll probably continue to pair it with non-EGL tops unless I'm going somewhere special... or to the alternative section of downtown, where I wouldn't feel like I stuck out so much ^^;)

Re: WOW

[rasp.livejournal.com]

there's an alternative section of town there? Cool, an alternative section sounds cool, starting to wish this place had ppl exciting enuff to make an alternative section. oh well

[avant-gauche.livejournal.com]

OMG that is soo beautiful its so nice to see properly shaped lolita skirts they look so much nicer than circle skirts.

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[clarice.livejournal.com]

I know -- I don't quite get the circle-skirt fixation; they don't look right *and* they're awful to hem. This one was delightfully easy to finish, after making so many dresses with circle skirts (for cosplay, not egl ^^;)

[radikal-girl.livejournal.com]

nyaaaaa, kawaiii!!!

[czol.livejournal.com]

Wow! It's lovely! The fabric is cool.

[jasminetoad.livejournal.com]

I LOVE that apple fabric!!!

[jolie-laide.livejournal.com]

The skirt is adorable and I love the apple print!

There was some great apple print denim/broadcloth that I planned to make something inspired by Emily Temple Cute but Joann's sold out. ^_^

[horsey5588.livejournal.com]

I really love the skirt pattern! It's so creative, and the design stays true to egl! Yaay. *hug*

I looks so nice, and I commend you on your ribbon work with that lace! I'm currently looking for a trimming lace for a dress I'm altering, but I haven't found any yet. My problem is that the dress has layers of skirts, and I don't know weather to use eyelet only on the bottom layer or all, or raschel on all, or ribbon trimmed beading lace...Oi, you see what I mean. But, I have a while, because I still haven't had time to dye it. <3

I just love that skirt!!! Ie! *glomp*

[zenya-sama.livejournal.com]

Very cute, I especially like the lace and trim on it. ^^

[marle777.livejournal.com]

Absolutely adorable! I'm wondering if your cosplay commission business has a website or gallery? I'd be very interested to see what other work you've done. I do hope you plan to expand into selling your G&L creations~

[clarice.livejournal.com]

yeah, my site is KiwiFlowers Cosplay (http://www.geocities.com/kiwicosplay). I've never run it like a store where you just pick what you want and I make it and send it out; I've only done custom work which involves a lot of individual discussion and planning. I think, though, that I'm going to start offering semi-custom skirts, in particular. That is, I'll make skirts almost entirely (assemble, trim, and hem them) but leave the waistband off until they are ordered so they can be custom-fit to the buyer. I'll hopefully have that option up in the next two months or so; at the beginning of summer I hope to add a couple blouses and possibly a dress or jumper, as well. I don't really like to make a whole bunch of the same thing, though (if it's not a direct replica of a character, I like most of my creations to be at least somewhat unique) so I will probably limit exact copies to about 5 or so, and either vary trims and prints, or change my offered styles frequently.

[clarice.livejournal.com]

yeah, my site is KiwiFlowers Cosplay (http://www.geocities.com/kiwicosplay). I've never run it like a store where you just pick what you want and I make it and send it out; I've only done custom work which involves a lot of individual discussion and planning. I think, though, that I'm going to start offering semi-custom skirts, in particular. That is, I'll make skirts almost entirely (assemble, trim, and hem them) but leave the waistband off until they are ordered so they can be custom-fit to the buyer. I'll hopefully have that option up in the next two months or so; at the beginning of summer I hope to add a couple blouses and possibly a dress or jumper, as well. I don't really like to make a whole bunch of the same thing, though (if it's not a direct replica of a character, I like most of my creations to be at least somewhat unique) so I will probably limit exact copies to about 5 or so, and either vary trims and prints, or change my offered styles frequently.

[missmeganmaude.livejournal.com]

Nice work. ^___^

[clarice.livejournal.com]

Thanks ^^ I just saw your site went up -- looks good! (Nice to see western retailers finally get the look right >.>;) Are you buying lace in bulk (of cheaptrims.com or somesuch?) I keep vascilating on whether or not to expand into real lolita clothing, as if it costs me $60+ to make and trim a dress I usually can't recover enough to stay moderately profitable. Hn. Well, at any rate, nice work to you, as well, and I also really want the white blouse you photographed some of your work with ^^;

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[missmeganmaude.livejournal.com]

Yeah... That's exactly what I do.
I try not to pay over 15 cents a yard for trim.
Sometimes I have to go over that, but I try to keep costs down, because like you said, if you don't, it's just not worth it.
The trouble is trying to find trim that's up to my standards for the price I want to pay... so that takes a little patience in finding the right stuff.
But I shop around at bargain fabric outlets as well as online.
I've not ordered from cheaptrims.com yet, but I'm probably going to have to in the next few days.

I'm glad you like my stuff too! I try very hard to make stuff look just the way I think loli clothes ought to. ^__^ It's nice to hear that other people who's work I like think that my stuff is good too. Your work really does look good.

I'm assuming you mean you liked the high-collared white blouse?
Would you believe I got that at Old-Navy a few years ago?

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[clarice.livejournal.com]

wow, I need to go shopping with you! I think I'm doing great at $1.50/yd... (Although I am, admittedly, a big big fan of the $.33/yd Walmart eyelet. I'm such a hypocrite ^^;;;) And I can't for the life of me find a wholesale retailer of Cluny. What is it with the US, there's no cute lace ANYWHERE! Gah! Guess I have to hit up Jo-ann's again...

I'm assuming you mean you liked the high-collared white blouse?
Would you believe I got that at Old-Navy a few years ago?

Ah, really?! So then it was pretty inexpensive, too! Lucky you! I keep trawling goodwill, but haven't had any luck whatsoever. I'm going to have to just make one myself -_-;

[zebraphenia.livejournal.com]

when you say "the right shape" for a lolita skirt...what sort of skirt IS it?
:) Always wanted to know.
Looking at it ...it looks like an extra flared skirt... but...I don't know :)

[clarice.livejournal.com]

The "right shape" is a flared, semi-curved kinda thing that's either pleated or gathered. The "wrong shape" that pops up a lot in western interpretations is either a plain circle skirt (a la square dance >.<) or an unflared gathered skirt, which doesn't hang or floof right.

So, yeah, it is pretty much just an extra flared, curved-hem skirt ^^;