New acquisitions and preparations for picnic

 Chiffon saree with embroided lotus flower from Utsav fashion

Next month is the costuming picnic.I do need to breastfed my baby so I thought a saree will be a good thing.This one is my newest acquisition , green with lotus flower.It's so comfortable so I think it's the best choice.It was sold as aqua but it's really more a light green.

 Royal blue silk -cotton saree from Utsav fashion

At this point , I can say I do have a collection of saree.This one is a silk-cotton and may be for halloween.It was my first choice for the picnic but the color is dark and I don't want to attract the sun specially if it's a very sunny day.There is so many other saree I wish to buy but can't afford it for the moment.

I do found a cute bonnet 4$ at Walmart.It has become an inspiration for my little girl.I do have 2 options for the picnic : a dress or a one piece suit.Both are matching and were not expensive.I do save time.

As I am in the preparations of so many sewing project , just look at this picture.This is a gentle reminder why you need to wash your fabric before using it.I had the same surprise about both skirt for the saree.The dye bleed so much.

I may buy a red saree , there is a white top I wish to dye since last year.I always wash it with red stuff  but it did not become  pink as much as I wish.Even things you didn't like, bleeding dye, can be usefull one day.

Protection for your sewing machine

Some fabric can leave an undesired trace of color on your sewing machine.Specially when like me you don't always wash it before using it.It mostly impossible to remove it .My kenmore sewing machine experiment it when I did a dress inspired by the mists of Avalon.It was at my beginning a few years ago.

I don't like this huge orange spot it left.I highly suggest not only to wash fabric (specially dark and red one) but to use a silicon base product to apply on your machine.It could be found in most sewing shop .I don't know the exact name of the product , anyway every brand have a different one.A little investment you won't regret I'm pretty sure .

I never experiment this problem after this but who knows what the futur can reserve.

The costumer's mystery : the stash

At some point every costumer is going to talk about the stash , this mysterious reserve of fabric you keep for futur project.I'm not going to show you all my reserve and talk about special and deal I get.It's about how to not be overwhelm by it.

For beginner or more skill and advance seamstress , this post is a strong recommendation or advice to follow.Having a reserve of fabric is a good thing but when it become too big and take so much place , surely you will remember this.Some of you may recognize yourself in this.

Two differents Italian brocade found for 8$ per m instead of 35$  because it was in many pieces of  a max of 3 m.

1- Make a list of all the project you wish to do .

Making a list of project you want to do help to keep the focus on what's important.After you make the list , put a mark next to those who seem more important or have the priority .This list will probably always growing , but by knowing which one is more important you know what you want to work on.

2- Know you measurement and how much fabric you need.

If you have a pretty good idea of how much fabric you need and your measurement , it will be easier to buy the right amount of fabric.It's easy to think you need 5m but if reality says 6 , it will stay in the stash for months.On the opposite , buying too much fabric and will shortly have a reserve of leftover which take place and are unused.Buying a little more then you need in case of problem is a good idea but only a little.

3- Buying fabric and trim in sold.

By this way you will pay less to increase the reserve . If you do not buy fabric from the web , some are available only if it's the season like linen.Where I live there is only a small choice of linen during the winter but when spring arrive the choice is so much bigger.In store , if you see something you like and could work with buy it now.If you came back a week later it may not be available.

4- Keep an inventory of your purchase.

If you have a list right under your eyes to know what you  buy , you won't buy again something you don't need.You can add the name of which project it goes for  and by this way you will remember exactly what was your first idea and what is available to it.

5- Make a reserve of baking soda boxes and fabric softner sheet.

That's from my personnal experience.This gorgeous italian brocade have been store in rubbermaid bac  for months.Bad surprise when I open it , it smell like hell.I'm not jocking.It take 2 baking soda boxes and something like 12 fabric softner sheet to have a smell which is ok.If like me you don't wash before storing , a boxe of baking soda is something you should seriously consider.You can find those wonderfull boxes for 1$ at Wal Mart or at any dollar store.

6- Deadlines and realism

To not be overwhelm by fabric , give you some deadlines to make  project  specially if you're not going to specific activity.Be realist and don't try to rush if there is no reason for it.Don't skip step of the creation part when you're making costume.That's why you need to be realist , you're the only one who know how fast you can do things and time you can give to it.

I hope some of you will found this usefull.For my case , I am overwhelm.My honey is complaining about it.I did start an inventory of what I have and this is how I get the idea of this post.It remind me a few project I wish to start and show me all the possibilities I have .

My emergency costumes repair kit

Just a little something I want to share. I  know my skills as a seamstress and when I make a costume for an event , I didn't think it could be damage during the transport or have a little accident during the event.So just in case it happend to me or if someone else may need it , I have a little emergency repair kit.

Like the name says , it's a little kit because I should be able to fit it in my purse and not be heavy.Forget the traditionnal kit you can buy at the fabric store , you know those in a clear pocket with differents colors of thread with tape and all that stuff you don't need.I'm more practical.

A pair of embroidery's cissor : the point is thin and curve , it's easier to cut an undesired thread in some  delicate spot.

Invisible thread : it's a 100% nylon , not really invisible but it will fit to any color of garment .

Needles : I think it don't need to be explain.

Safety pins : it doesn't matter why but if you're on a rush.

Fray off : is a product sold in small bottle which stop the fabric to fray , it only required a few drops.

Wondertape : is a sticky tape on both side which melt in water , it may not work well on some fabric or if there is dust or hair but it's not permanent after all.

Only 6 littles things to carry that may help you or someone else which I'm sure ,  will deeply appreciate it .I think there is nothing worst to be in an event and having problem with my costume. In any case , those are only to make temporary repair but so helpfull.

Taking care of leather

Remember those shoes Gwenyver bring me from Pennsic a few years ago? It was such a good investment because I can wear it with many costumes I have.The point is , being made of leather , they required some care like any  leather accessoiries.

                                              My sweet Midori helping me with my shoes

Expose to water and heat , leather become dry and can possibly crack.To avoid it ,you must apply mink oil.I must admit the first time I was ready to put a black lacquer like those for shoes.Big mistake.Leather need hydratation that's why mink oil is so important.In fact , it's like a jelly and to compare it I will say it does looks like petroleum jelly.If you ask where to buy this , I buy mine at Wal-Mart in the shoes section .It's not a rare product and not expensive.

 A good layer of the oil must be apply and be left for at least 5 min.I personnally wait 15min.It's not complicated to apply it , the fun part is to remove it after that.You remove the excess with a cloth or with paper towels .Be very carefull because sometimes you don't realize you put it on yourself or on the table and on any place you don't want too.Sometimes mink oil can remove a little bit of the color , make a test before you use it.

I know it's hard to see but after this treatment , the leather is more soft , shiny and waterproof(or at least partially waterproof).At left it's before and right is after.The right shoe looks like a little more shiny but I can assure you it does work.I know it does required time to do but it really protect the leather and it will least much longer.I do this every year before going to the medieval festival.I should do it more then one time a year but for now it's enough.