No business like Show Business

It's been a big week of creativity & culling.
I spent a lot of last week rearranging my workroom.

In my line of work it's impossible to throw anything out. 
You never know when you will need that piece of fabric, trim, cardigan, button, tool. So you have a ridiculously large stash of everything.

But with the new focus on millinery & accessories I decided a large amount of fabric could move to the garage, freeing up space for millinery supplies to be a hand.

Being a professional hoarder often means your work space can get out of hand, but my semi New Years resolution, to clean up after every project has stuck. I'm finding it liberating to pack everything away & have my work table & sewing space clear every few days or weeks. 

In my creativity this week I designed lots of costumes for the Wizard of Oz, 

made a year 12 formal dress 

& designed a new bridal comb to add to the collection.

The lovely Miz Mimi also joined our little team at Empireroom. You'll see her sporting our upcoming designs.

Don't forget to join our list at Empireroom.

Clean up Day

After yesterday's effort of trying to stiffen all the silk petals for my wedding fascinator on my work room floor & being left with a stiffened back, I am resolved to completely clear my storage, um I mean work table, so I can actually work on it. I'm sure I'll find lots of goodies I have forgotten I have. So that's the plan for today. Also got a call from a friend at church to help alter her daughters costumes for their upcoming production of Oliver. That should be easy, their school borrowed them from my 2010 production.

Busy Bee

I've been a busy bee last few days.
Added loads of Vintage patterns to my Etsy shop & sales started almost immediately. Several yards of lace, 4 patterns & an inquiry for all the lace as a lot all in two days. It would be nice if this continued. Here's a few examples of the 1940's-60's patterns I have for sale.

Yesterday I started on some personal sewing jobs for the Biggish Day.
Got the silk underbodice for my dress constructed, but am still waiting for the lining from Spotlight. It's so frustrating when I ordered it weeks ago & I can't go anyfurther with out it. Also cut out the lace overbodice. I drafted it & tweaked it on Mildura, but the lace is sitting quite different to the toile fabric that was a bit more fluid, so I need to work out how to get the bust sitting less puffy. It's exactly how I wanted though, so that's encouraging.
I also made the lace waistband & cut out 'millions' of silk petals for the waistband & birdcage fascinator. I still can't decide on exactly what I want so there is lots of samples, more things to put in the shop hopefully. I tried a little padded heart to sew the bits on to & a few gathered flowers, but decided I really want more authentic silk flowers. They are just so time consuming.

This silk flower is abut 150 years old from
the Vienna Museum Fashion Collection that I visited in June.
Mine is just going to be ivory & blush.

Love the size of this one, not too big, but still quite bridal.
   I don't quite get the point of the ones with veiling across the eyes,
so this really appeals to me.
Sorry I don't know where I got the pic. 

I've also been making a playlist for the wedding reception. I think we've got a good mix so far. Some romance, some dance music, some jazz, some classics, some silly songs (with Larry).

Prague Quadrennial: Estonian exhibit by Reet Aus

I have also been trawling google for more ideas for S2M. I'm getting more excited about the idea of upcycling, so I need to get down to Savers & other big Op Shops to find the right jackets, pants vests, skirts & tops to get sewing with. I think it's going to look so fun….

Pretty Pieces

I have too many options for the Biggish Day. I have searched so many website, wedding blogs, magazines, that I can't narrow all the ideas down. I guess on the upside I can just try a whole heap & then sell what I don't absolutely love. Good way to get my Etsy shop up & happening again.
Waistbands, fascinators, jewellery, dresses. No, I should really only make one dress.
Tomorrow I get started. Really, the search has to stop & the making has to start.