Steampunk Project 3: A Pair of Knitted Waistcoats

So while my striped fabric is nicely swooshing around in the washer I started poking at another project. Inspired by a lovely double breasted sweater vest from the early 1900's and taking ideas from a lovely sweater recycling project I went shopping last weekend and picked up a couple of sweaters at the Salvation Army store. I'm gonna see what I can do with these...

Oooo! Another GREAT collection of Appliquéd Tent Pictures!

http://www.rugtracker.com/2013/05/khyamiya.html

Go look!

Teslacon wardrobe project 2, Striped underskirt love!

When I first started looking at the late bustle period for ideas for outfits for Teslacon 3 I fell in love with this outfit from the Brooklyn Museum collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art:

Or at least that wonderful draped overskirt and the overall effect of the striped underskirt with matching striped accents in the balance of the dress.

I recently found the most wonderful striped fabric (on e-bay, of course. I think that's that place to shop when you live in the fabric-less wilds of middle America) and am now embarking on my own outfit with a striped underskirt, asymmetrically draped over-skirt, and bodice with matching accents. I've collected several related outfits from the mid 1880's on a Pinterest board and after consideration I have decided to go with seperates--partly to make a more flexible wardrobe, and partly because I have yet to purchase a coordinating solid fabric--so I'll be making a skirt and waistcoat from the stripe, for starters. I'm basting hems into the yardage tonight and prewashing. such a good girl I am!

Valentine's Day's Secret Plan revealed!

So, what indispensable item of gentlemanly flash can be cobbled together from a few cool bits and bobs bought on e-bay? Well it all started with a necklace ...

With the perfect steamy links...



 And ended up a pocket watch and chain!

We are now on the hunt for the perfect fob, or three, to subtlety hint at the interior life of his steampunk self. Kids, we're going to Teslacon 5! And this year I've sworn not to bring anything that still needs sewing.

These...Are Not Potatoes

I've been starting to make my own recipes based on Medieval and Renaisssance period cook books which sometimes leads to interesting dilemmas like "what could I do with these baked turnips I have left over from *way* overestimating how many turnips I would need to make turnip tart?"

Todays answer? Fried Turnips!

Yes, they are as yummy as they look. :)

The Secret Project of Secretness

I am indebted to Graverobbergirl and her blog "Just Another Crafting Blog" for the title of this post! I read with interest her posts on her own secret project of secretness in 2012 and the phrase captured my mind and has since invested all my sneaky little gift projects with a mysterious allure befitting such a grandious name!

My current project is a valentines gift for my Clarence and, while I won't go into any details at present, I must say that shopping has been successful, assembly has begun, and the whole thing is shaping up marvelously. I'm also *really* enjoying teasing him about it every night!

:)