Blue Renaissance Dress Wednesday, Mar 4 2009

I made this dress for a friend for her 18th birthday so that if she goes to the Renaissance faire with us, she can go in something other than mundanes without having to borrow anything from me (and because it was fun and I just wanted to). Princess seams aren’t historically accurate, but I worked with what I had, and they look pretty regardless. They’re better than neon striped tights, a miniskirt, and fairy wings, like some people wear (no offense to those people – I just prefer a look closer to historical accuracy).

I used McCall’s 5499. I left the sleeve open below the elbow, added eyelets, and laced it closed. I also added a decorative stitch at the neckline, which hemmed with bias tape. You can’t see either of these details in the pictures, though. I barely finished making the dress on time (I had to put some of the eyelets and the cord in at the place she had her party).

Here’s the trim I put on the sleeves:

And the dress:

I’m glad it fits.

God bless!
- Manwariel

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The Sewing Machine Saga Wednesday, Mar 4 2009

I got a new sewing machine last month. Here’s the story behind it.

I have a simple Brother machine (this one). I knew I wanted to upgrade at some point. I heard that Bernina sewing machines are some of the best there are, and that Bernina Bernettes are a less expensive version. I found one on the Hancock Fabrics website, here, for $350, so I decided I’d save up for it. I don’t remember what inspired me to research it, but a couple of days ago, I looked it up.

I discovered “it isn’t a Bernina. Well it is and it isn’t the Bernina name is used as the lowest end machine, However it isn’t a True Bernina. The Cheapest machine Bernina makes is 600+ this one is the lowest end, just like some of the Janome’s that Hancock sells they also are not true janome’s. The are made in China usually and are of very poor quality. You will not find a Bernina dealer with this machine since the Bernina company doesn’t make it,” to quote the source. I found this information several places. I started researching other brands so I could find another and know what to save up for.

I decided that I wanted a Kenmore. Kenmores and Janomes are the same and I heard they’re one of the better brands (aside from the really expensive ones – Bernina, Viking, Pfaff). I researched various models and was considering either the 19110 or the 19233. I found them on Sears.com for $299 and $380 (on sale, down from $450), respectively. I wasn’t sure if the extra stitches and functions on the 19233 were worth the extra $80. After a little more browsing, I came across it on another site, Ken’s Sewing Center, for $300, the same price as the model below it. It had been factory-serviced (meaning someone returned it from reason and the place they returned it to couldn’t sell it as new because the box had been opened, but it was still in perfect condition). I asked the people on patternreview.com if Ken’s was a reputable dealer, and they are, and someone said it looked like a fantastic deal.

But someone else pointed me to a topic on the Kenmore 19606. This is originally a $700 machine. It’s being discontinued and Sears was selling it for $225. But there are very few left for sale in the country. Someone said they had called all of the Sears in the Atlanta area and was told they didn’t have any. You could have one ordered from out-of-state Sears, but you have to have a Sears card. I asked if that was the only way you could get one if there weren’t any at nearby Sears stores, just to make sure.

Someone said that a certain Sears in the Atlanta area still had their floor model. They had thrown out the box and accessories, so the manager said they could take another 20% off to help whoever bought it afford the accessories. I called to ask if they still had it and they did, so the next day (Saturday), Mom drove me there and we picked it up – a $700 machine for $180 + tax. I was (and am) very happy.

Of course, I had to buy the power cord ($8) and the foot control ($59!). They’re available at the Sears parts store. I also bought a few presser feet, bringing the cost of the accessories to around $100, but that’s still /a lot/ better than $700 total. I downloaded the manual for free from managemyhome.com and saved it to a disk.

I think it must have been God who directed my steps to finding that machine, because of the timing and the fact that I really didn’t have a reason to research the Bernette I had my eye on at the time, due to the fact I wouldn’t be able to afford it for a long while (for the Kenmore, I borrowed money from my savings account, since it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I don’t like doing that. At least I have a regular babysitting job).

Props to you if you actually read all that. Here’s a picture for your patience (or impatience if you just scrolled down). I like the lavender color on it.

I had a few issues when I first started using it, but with a few adjustments to the settings, it now works beautifully and is much quieter than my other machine.

God bless!
- Manwariel

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Gray Medieval Dress Sunday, Feb 8 2009

I’m so happy to be done with this dress that I made for my younger sister. It was an interesting experience but I don’t think I’ll use that pattern again. I’m fairly pleased with the results, though, and I think she likes it.

I used McCall’s 4492, which is out-of-print now, but you can still order it from their website here. The fabric is 100% polyester, so she won’t be wearing it to the Renaissance festival (not to mention that it has a train), but it looks nice and has a lovely drape.

Here she is wearing it:

God bless!
- Manwariels

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Renaissance Skirt and Bodice Friday, Dec 26 2008

I made a skirt and bodice for my younger sister for Christmas. I used McCall’s 4696 for the bodice and Simplicity 3623 for the skirt. Instead of using a zipper and hook and eye for the skirt closure, I used eyelets and cord (I didn’t know I needed a zipper, but I think I like the eyelets and cord better anyway).

Bodice:

Sister wearing the bodice and the skirt:

Front:

Back:

God bless!
- Manwariel

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Dress Progress Monday, Nov 10 2008

Ha! I finally cut out the fabric for my sister’s dress (well, except for one little piece I still need to cut out). It was rather intimidating so I put if off for a while (my new motto is “just do it”). There are almost nine yards of fabric in this dress. Most of it’s in the skirt (and a lot in the sleeves). Check out the pattern piece for the front of the dress (outlined in a paint program):

I’m using this pattern (see mccallpattern.com for details):

The pattern pieces were folded so poorly that I “had” to iron them. They got very static electricity-y. I was very amused for around half a minute when I stuck a piece to the wall:

I hope to sew it all together this week.

God bless!
- Manwariel

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Cavalier Hat Friday, Nov 7 2008

I haven’t been doing much sewing lately. I’ve been rather busy. But here’s one thing I did make, which only took a few minutes.

I bought a cheap cowboy hat with a flexible brim that has wire in the edge at Garden Ridge. I bent one side up and sewed it to the side of the crown (the portion of a hat covering the top of the head) with some thick thread. I also pushed the crown up from the inside so it wouldn’t have as much of a cowboy shape there.

I bent the opposite side of the brim down. I bought the feathers at Michael’s and hot-glued them on (be careful if you try this; it’s messy! You don’t have much time to position the feathers on the hat after you put glue on them, so figure out exactly where you want them beforehand).

It’s not perfect, but it only cost about $10 to make, as opposed to paying $30 to $150 for a ready-made one. I do have a McCall’s sewing pattern for a handful of period hats including one like this, but I haven’t used it yet.

God bless!

- Manwariel

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Out of the Ordinary Post Wednesday, Oct 1 2008

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Not a way, a truth, or a life. The only one. No one comes to the Father except by Him. (John 14:6) For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, Jesus, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

From that time Jesus began to preach, crying out, Repent ( change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)

Jesus, the son of God who is God, is coming back. We need to prepare our hearts for His return. All we have to do is repent of our sins, ask Jesus to live in our hearts, and surrender our lives to Him. Ask Him for the Holy Spirit to fill you. God’s love for us is incredible. He loves us more than anyone on earth ever could. He wants you to come to Him. He wanted you to return His love, and save you from eternal death.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 34-40)

To love God will all that we are means we must surrender everything – our plans, our desires, our schedules, our entertainment. We must surrender it to His will and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it can be difficult and painful, but the reward is beyond our imaginations. Eternal life, and the fulfillment of God’s plans for us, which are much, much, much better than anything we could imagine for ourselves. We must give up everything on earth and suffer for a little while to save our spirits from eternal death and suffering. Giving it all up is the only way to find true joy and peace that will carry us through every circumstance.

“Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (Luke 17:33)

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44)

Luke 6:17-46

 17He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, 18who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, 19and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

 20Looking at his disciples, he said:
   ”Blessed are you who are poor,
      for yours is the kingdom of God.
 21Blessed are you who hunger now,
      for you will be satisfied.
   Blessed are you who weep now,
      for you will laugh.
 22Blessed are you when men hate you,
      when they exclude you and insult you
      and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

 23“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
 24“But woe to you who are rich,
      for you have already received your comfort.
 25Woe to you who are well fed now,
      for you will go hungry.
   Woe to you who laugh now,
      for you will mourn and weep.
 26Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
      for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

 27“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

 32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ lend to ’sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

 37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

 39He also told them this parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

 41“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

 43“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

 46“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Oh, and I recommend the book “Pagan Christianity” by Frank Viola and Georgia Barna.

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A Changed Mind Friday, Sep 12 2008

My younger sister changed her mind about the costume she wants me to make for her (it was brought on by my slight dislike of the Renaissance skirt pattern, but she said she would rather have this new idea anyway. I hope she’s happy with it). I was going to make her a skirt, chemise, and vest. Now I’m going to make her a dress and a vest. I’m using McCall’s 4492, which is out of print now (but still available for order on their website – mccallpattern.com – in the out of print section). The pattern calls for 8 1/2 yards of 60 inch fabric for the dress. There’s a ridiculous amount of fabric in the skirt part, so this should be fun (and I’m not being sarcastic). I’m going to make the dress out of dark gray polyester (it looks nice) and the vest of this purple jacquard:

The color is closer to that in the second picture, just a little lighter.

I have the outside vest pieces cut out. She hasn’t bought the lining yet. Before I get to work on her dress, I need to finish the other dress I’m making. I’m using that same pattern for the bodice, which I’m making out of this fabric that I saw at Wal-Mart and found irresistible (pretty color, fleur-de-lys…though I discovered it frays horribly):

The skirt part, which I’m going to attach, is gold, crushed panne velvet. I have the outside pieces of the vest cut out and partially sewn together, and I have the lining and skirt pieces cut out. I’ve been working on it here and there between school, but it may be a while before I finish. I plan to take a week off in October to finish this dress and make my younger sister’s.

I’m thinking of someday altering Butterick 4377 to make Eowyn’s white wool dress …in something cheaper than wool.

God bless you!
- Manwariel

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Red Renaissance Skirt Friday, Sep 12 2008

I finished this a while back and kept planning on asking my younger sister to take some pictures of me in it, but it never happened. Here some of the skirt on a hanger. The pattern is McCall’s 4090. I used linen and what I’m guessing is a medium-weight cotton. I now think linen is probably the nicest fabric in the world. It looks slightly off because of the camera flash.

Front:

Back:

The pattern says to use three eyelets on each side, placed vertically. I used two on each side at first, and then added two more for a better fit because the waist was a bit too loose to wear pretty high at my waist, and the skirt’s too long to wear lower even after I turned up the hem again.

I plan to make a chemise and a matching vest or bodice to go with it in the future.

God bless!

- Manwariel

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Medieval Overdress Tuesday, Aug 19 2008

I finally have pictures! I don’t remember when I finished this…last month or this. I used McCall’s 5499.

I also made the belt. I sewed one end of a length of ribbon around a key ring and hemmed the other end to keep it from unraveling.

McCall’s patterns are on sale for 99 cents each at Hobby Lobby this week, so we went today. I bought nine, including a replacement for the Renaissance skirt pattern that I lost a couple of pieces to. Here are the patterns:

Renaissance Skirt
Knight Costume (it has that V-shape of the Ithilien ranger tabards)
Renaissance Dress
Another Dress
Women’s Medieval and Renaissance hats
Medievalish dress
Easter costumes (for the Roman cloak and armor)
Shirt (I like version A)
Dress (to be altered for my inspired-by Susan’s overdress)

God bless!

- Manwariel

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