Hi everybody. I guess a little explanation of what's been going on is due... I can't believe it has been this long since I last posted anything before the fabric haul post- but a lot of tough things have happened, with a grave injury and illness in my family, so in between of that and my own ongoing health troubles and schoolwork overload there was no space for blogging or creating anything much. I hope it will improve somewhat now that the exams are done and summer is here...

Anyway, for now at least a couple of teasers - stuff that I started working on before all this madness happened, but didn't get around posting them.

1. Bonnet for Ellie's dollies - started working on it seriously ages ago, still not done, but getting there. I hope she'll like it when it's finished...


2. An 1876 dolman - this began as the project for the red HSF challenge from last year, but I didn't make it... Red satin, white flannel interlining, lining will probably be black given the black lace trimming I'm gonna sew on. It seriously needs ironing. And I'm wavering whether to add a black net overlay...


3. The silver 1876 gown that was meant to be finished by the time of Ellie's visit to Prague last year - well, might be it will be finished in time for her next visitXD I need to find silver grey tulle somewhere...and more of this awesome lace. Has anybody seen it for sale anywhere?

4. A turquoise 1876 winter jacket - finally found the fabric which is the right colour! I'm planning to add a white net lace overlay over it; fingers crossed the jacket will look good with the silver dress.
This is the pattern I'll be using, I think:


5. An 1876 petticoat to go with the gown - I started a bit strangely, with the detachable train, because it's the fun bit:-) I ran out of lace and it's only the second row...

Hope you ladies and gentlemen are doing good,
with love,

Rosa

Hi all:-) As I was waiting for fabric to arrive for a bonnet commission, I started randomly playing around with the prepared base, throwing this and that together - and this bonnet we're working on with mum is the result. I snapped only few progress pics because it was somehow always dark when I remembered to take them, but I hope they'll give you at least some idea of the process.
I had this design on mind actually for some time, though initially I thought it would be all about lace - but I like the emphasis on the flowers, leaves and the tulle a lot. One of these days I'll make something airy and simple where the accent is entirely on the frail tulle... but this called for a touch of opulence.
I was torn for a long time whether to keep it or sell it, to be honest, but in the end I think I'll sell it. I'm thinking I'll call it the Rose Garden Bonnet... what do you think?
My inspiration for this actually were various pictures of Victorian wedding bonnets - I kinda wonder what it would look like with a breath-light veil...oh be still my bleeding heart. Stop tempting me.

Progress pics:

I still need to sew the flowers and the leaves on, so it's still all pins, threads and needles, plus I have the commission to finish, so I don't know when I get to it. But I like it so far, how about you?

PS: Thanks for all your sweet comments on the jacket. It means so much to us! *hugs*

      I've come to call this bonnet The Vinnetou Bonnet in secret because I keep watching the Vinnetou and Old Shatterhand movies as I work on it (RIP Pierre Brice:-(  ) - but when my sister learnt that, she said it's very cool and so it's its official name now:-D
      I'm trying out the stiff fabric/netting and wire method of making a base frame here and so far I'm very happy about it - opens up so many possibilities! This bonnet is a belated Christmas present for my sis and it is from some 70% her design - I initially meant to make something rather simple like the last velvet bonnet (as this started as a commission that was eventually put on hold and simplicity was the customer's wish), so when my sis brought me her sketch of what she'd like, my knees wobbled a bit. The crown and the tip are going to be complicated... but it's gonna be an interesting challenge.

The journey of one bonnet

The first steps:

Transferring the pattern - I made a mockup for the last bonnet using toilet paper, but as it was frail, I had to trace it onto something sturdier The brim cut out and the binding pinned on

The crown cut out and the binding sewn on

Mockup - but I actually like it this way and so does sis - so she asked me to make one for her like that for summer, haha:-)

The outer brim covered in black cotton velvet - in real life it's beautifully matte and intense black

      I'm covering the inner side of the brim with ruched velvet at the moment, but it goes slowly because I'm busy and sick - still I hope to start on the crown soon. Pintucks. On velvet. Gulp.

      On another note: I wish you all just the best to the new year 2016 - and cliche as it is, health and luck most of all.

Back in October I mentioned a black bonnet is in the plans - and here it is, finished at last:-) I'm trying to sell it actually, because I'm in need of cash *cough cough, dentist, Christmas, rainy days, cough*, but it's with a bit bleeding heart, because I've grown fond of it during the process of making it... oh well, wish me luck with the sale, I hope it will make someone happy:-) If it doesn't work out with either of the girls who've shown interest, onto the Lacemarket and Egl Comm Sales it goes. It's 16 USD + shipping, if anybody is interested.

14. 12. 2015 Edit: Sold and on its way to its new owner:-)  Thanks a lot and Merry Christmas to Finland!

No progress pics this time, but I'll work on it when I start with the next project. I have a sort of taupe/pinkish fabric that could be turned into a dress... or I could make another bonnet with the black and white striped fabric I have in my stash... or I could start with the brown and white striped Regency dress. Now there is a thought!:-) I'll see what energy allows.

It's mostly handsewn and partially lined, made of polyester velvet, decorated with a velvety rose and a bit asymmetrical leaves + with black cotton lace, with which it also ties. I'll try to take a picture of the inside and lining later *waves sleepily*
Edit: Added!

 My bonnet just won the 'April Flowers' Contest at EGL! I'm so happy! It's a great incentive to make more of themXD


You can check out the other entries here: http://egl.livejournal.com/18532661.html#t417762869

So, to pass on some happiness, I made more mini wallpapers than I originally intended - enjoy! I hope you'll find one to your liking!
This is the first time I'm uploading something like this, so should something not work, please let me know.






























                                                          Love,
RosaJ

Back in mid May 2011 I discovered this tutorial and decided I have to give it a try, despite I've never made a bonnet before - considering in the end the Opera Bonnet won the April Flowers Contest on egl, I suppose the result is not that bad:-)

A small funny fact: the bonnet actually got its name due to the fact I had several Russian and Czech operas on repeat non-stop when I worked on it, particularly Eugeny Onegin and an older version of Rusalka. I think without Dvořák and Tchaikovsky I'd never ever have finished this.
The moral of the story? Opera is good for willpower!XD

The initial state:




The 1st mock-up:


Progress:



Halfway done:


Pretty much finished:

I may add a bit of lace here and there, but I think it's very close to being finished.

The tutorial I followed to make this: http://www.darlinganddash.com/strawbonnet.html 
Materials used: Habotai silk, cotton for backing the silk, voile for the ruching, vintage net lace, cluny lace, 
                        synthetic ribbon, fabric roses
Start date: 15. 5. 2011
Finish date: 4. 1. 2012

Oh, and perhaps a little sample from the playlist:-)