score! pt 3

(really, almost finished...!)

I'm smitten with this waistcoat. I had to make a deal with the shop as it was missing one of the brass buttons at the waist. I received a discount but it is non-returnable; to which, I have no problem with as I finally have a waistcoat that has enough room in the armholes. The armholes being a frequent issue for me with store-bought garments. A size up was too big in the chest, a size down was too small in the waist for the waistcoat to button.

Somewhat masculine while cut for a female form, excellent. Cotton fabric with grosgrain ribbon and brass button trim and fastenings. The lining is a synthetic fabric. The pockets are just large enough for a pocketwatch. Superb.



Some of the details of the lower front:



Details of the upper half:



Waistcoat back:



Some of the nice little finds from the men's section of H&M:

Bracelets - in reclaimed leather and pewter hardware.



Stud-belt - in deep red-brown leather with brass hardware.



Black knitted armwarmers of mostly synthetic with about 20% wool.



Black viscose scarf that is about two metres long and close to a metre wide.

score! pt 2

Continuing on the finds and acquisitions from H&M...

Several cotton voile blouses, each one under £10, not bad considering that a) cotton clothing is usually hideously expensive here in Britain; b) finding cotton voile blouses in something other than white or cream or beige.

I did purchase two in white slightly different in cut to these shown below. The white blouses' necklines actually button at the collar rather than the plunging necklines of the coloured blouses. Otherwise, they're essentially the same. Also I acquired one in black that is in the same cut as the blue and olive blouses. All of the blouses allow the sleeves to be rolled up and secured with the button and tab at the bicep.







The black linen trousers:



Some waistband details:




The black linen trousers are quite long and did come with a belt, I forgot to show it with said belt and I also forgot to take a photo of the details in the back. The trousers do have side pockets and two rear pockets with button closures.

The blouses and trousers could be used for the steampunk/gaslight fantasy costume. However, they were purchased with the intention of me using them for Topping at Parties.

One might say these clothes are a little masculine, and yet, they're still feminine without the girlie-nonsense. As a genderqueer, I like the mixing of female and male elements; I especially favour clothes that have elements that do not heavily fall in either gender.

score!

About two weeks ago, I went to H&M, it's starting to become something of a favourite of mine. Partly because of some of the clothes they carry. I do look in both the men's and women's sections, as the men's section often has more interesting items for costuming than the women's section.

Fashion must be dictating a quasi-military style this spring because I found two jackets that will do quite nicely for steampunk/gaslight fantasy... or when I'm Topping at the Party.

The black jacket's 'brass' buttons are actually plastic. If I can find suitable brass buttons to replace these with, I will. The zip does appear to be brass. The jacket is mostly cotton (95%+) and some elastane, it does have a little bit of stretch. It has tiny front-side pockets and padded shoulders... one of which came a bit loose when I laundered it. Seems I'll be doing a lot of little sewings in the near future.



The back view:



The second is a gray jacket with actual metal buttons (already slightly corroded for the 'distressed' look that appears to have taken over fashion for the past few years) and instead of button holes, has fabric strip loops. 100% cotton, the fabric is not as thick as the jacket above and has a softer handle to it. I folded the sleeves up as they're just a tiny bit too long.



Closer detail of the frogs:





One of the positives about this particular jacket is that the epaulettes can be unbuttoned and perhaps little 'rank insignia' could be installed.


Some of the bottom front detail.



The back view:

costume, the clamshell purse

For my costuming, I always need a belt pouch, because pockets... just never seem to do... or the garment is one that does not lend itself to pockets larger than a £2 coin.

I have had this little leather clamshell purse for probably a decade now. I bought it when we were in Austria, either in Tyrol or Innsbruck. Can't remember how much I paid for it, but it was before the Euro currency launched.

Thankfully, I picked a teal green rather than black. Go me.

The pewter flower on the strap is an edelweiss.

The front:



The back:



Inner views and size reference:





I know these last two are somewhat blurry, but trying to get things in good light while holding it open just didn't go quite as well as I'd perceived. Still, they give one an idea of the size and how it looks inside.

It's pretty much just large enough to act as a coin purse, holding cash notes and perhaps a traditional house key. Car keys won't fit, neither will credit cards.

a steampunk - gaslight fantasy costume

The test run...








The costume is warm, very warm, but for walking outdoors in Britain, it's probably not warm enough.

But these photos show a little of the Bald Mountain boots and the Chivalry Sports wool hat. Underneath the purple skirt is a white skirt from Shukr.

I'll be working on the accessories for a while, but it's something.

I can also cheat and use the Hot Topic black fabric fingerless gloves if it's too warm for the leather ones.

a steampunk - gaslight fantasy costume

As promised, some photos... I need to try things on but when laid together, they're looking very promising.



The original idea for the steampunk/gaslight fantasy costume. Black... lots of black. The skirt is from Chivalry Sports in the USA. The brass button jacket a shopping mall find (I just love it when the mundane shops have costume items!)




I was a bit dissatisfied with a completely black outfit. I started to dig, thankfully, my elder, bless him, poked and prodded my brain with questions and such. I recalled I had a long purple skirt. Here we go, let's break up that black!




Call this my 'mood board' for this project. The plaid background is a scarf I found in the mens' department of H&M. The chains are various kinds I found at B&Q (aka 'Home Depot' if you're in the USA) and are mostly brass with a little copper. The purple behind it all is my Fat Face skirt you see more of above.




A slightly cleaner view of the neckerchief... showing the plaid off a little better.




Possible ensemble: the Fat Face skirt, which is not floor length but it does reach down to the calves. The brass button jacket. The brown leather belt with the brass buckle, the black leather cuffs with pewter hardware and the plaid neckerchief were all from the mens' department of H&M. The black leather gloves are from John Lewis Oxford Street in London - I've had these for almost to fifteen years.




The bottles, one of these, perhaps two, of these darlings will become part of the costume. I'll be filling the bottles with goodies once they're chained. I intend to use copper or brass wire to create a cup and then the chains will attach to the cup and to the stopper and on up to the chain belt that I've been working on.




Crow and raven feathers, freely gifted to me as found whilst travelling. I need to find my quartz crystals and make a decision on which one will go into the hat brooch for the costume.

And no, I haven't photographed the boots or the hat yet, but soon!

a steampunk - gaslight fantasy costume

So my elder asked me what character I might build my costume around for conventions and events, one based on Steampunk or Gaslight Fantasy.

(This ties in with the chain belt I'm still working on.)

And this is what I came up with. I'll see about some photos tomorrow of the 'rough beginnings' of a costume for this character.

"travelling companion, holder of packages, little voice of caution or incaution... sometimes damsel in distress, sometimes the one doing the rescuing..."

- I have a black hat that is undecorated, wide-brimmed and lovely wool. I have some crow and raven feathers that the birds have freely gifted me on their own, moulted feathers collected from the ground. I have some quartz crystals and copper wire. I think I will wrap the crystal and the feathers to create a centrepiece for the hat and some black or some suitable colour of grosgrain ribbon for the hatband. -- Need to check on what ribbons I have.

- I have a purple-plum long skirt that is 'distressed' and 'frayed' at the hem, it's long but not floor legth, it ends around the lower calf. Made of cotton.

- I have some black and purple Bald Mountain custom made boots. Leather.

- I have a teal and purple plaid neckerchief. Cotton.

- I have a black jacket with brass buttons. Cotton and brass.

- I have a white voile shirt. Cotton.

- I have black gloves. Leather.

- I have some coptic-style bound books that I can use for a prop. I did build and bind them myself, but they're empty and require some 'filling' to gain more function, perhaps adding a small travelling bottle of in and well.

I can likely get some suitably loud or complimentary coloured tights/leggings for the wintertime.

I think bracers for optional costume changes or seasonal options would be useful.

The copper belt I'm working on. I also have glass bottles and some ready-made chain that I can hook together for the fantasy elements. I think hawk bells and one of the Kwan-Yin bells would add some movement.

I am looking at building a set of prayer beads, I think the end token, instead of a cross will be either one of the St Christopher medals or perhaps my comedy/tragedy charms or perhaps a Goddess charm.

I'm still working on that lucet cord for costuming.

I now have some clock parts and watch pieces, would like to find a suitable locket of brass to go on the chain.