More Felting

I purchased some more wool offline only to find it is short stable and definitely not ideal for felting, but alas I am a broke student and have to make do.

I tried a new way of felting by which you lay the fibres in different directions in layers, sandwich between two pieces of fabric and tack. The you use the boiling water, soap and scrubbing method again.

   




  

 Laying felt, final felt and the tacking process before washing.



Stitched felt and plain felt

Ideas for application

Light through felts.

I was very please that the felting worked out but because it was done with such short fibres it caused it to be a little itchy and not as strong as it would have been with long fibres. I applied stitching to add a visual effect and link back to my previous fabric and also add strength. 

Finished Garter Corset and Stockings

Please excuse the ass and slight nudity thing going on but its hard to avoid when making lingerie/intimates.
Unfortunately I have not yet made knickers that would be appropriate for this combo. I do love the way these two go together and am really happy how my first boned corset turned out! with the detachable tights it means that different tights can be chosen to coordinate with the corset.
The yarn ties add a femine 
I think the corset is a perfect additionial piece for my collection as it adds a bit of structure to the comfortable and loose collection, plus a bit of sex appeal while still retaining a casual and practical use. The socks/stockings are quite plain and not feminie and serve a pratical purpose of warmth.


Front.



Back.

More Fabric Shopping

After alot of procrastinating I finally went and brought silk, as I cant exactly not buy it because its key in the layering in my collection. $50something dollars later I have brought the same creme silk that I had in my previous collection, a light purple georgette silk to play around with, a lighter purple/grey cotton and some double layered white cotton which I thought would be perfect for hats.

Its back to broke bank mountain for me -_-

Thigh High socks

Last night (Saturday) I decided to try and make some socks! I wanted them to be able to be attached to the corset so added I added loops at the top, attaching them also stopped the socks slipping down as they are not very stretchy.

I would have liked to sew them with a rolled edge over lock as this is a quick, cheap and efficient way of sewing them but the university doesn't have one :( Instead I finished them with a french seam which is usually more for sheer delicate fabrics but worked just as well (although there was a little bulk created).The cotton fabric is very warm and feels good on the skin.

pinning on me cause I got no other way!

Unfolded pattern unusual shape! ha

Cleaned up pattern and doubled.

French seams but would use rolled over lock for mass production.

Upturned and tacked sock ends.

Final socks/tights

Also tested out putting hole into this knit, It didn't cause the fabric to warp dramatically which is great. Also tried stitching edge. If I make more stockings I think I would like to explore putting holes into them like I did in my original sketches.

Multiple design variations

Experimenting with multiple versions of one garment (keeping key theme). I think for the body suit I stayed to much to the same design and with the knickers I varied so far that there was little connection. But I do think It opened my eyes up to the many possibilities with knickers.

Body suits 1 & 2

Body suits 3 & 4

Body suits 5 & 6

Knickers 1-6

Knickers 7-12

Making a Corset

From Thursday last week I have been making a waist corset/garter belt. I had never worked with boning before and did not have a pattern! I was really happy with the end result but there were many mistakes and alterations that needed to be made on the way which isn't surprising!

Stage 1. Pattern making

measuring body and plotting panel measurements

Panels, front and back are symmetrical and side panels also.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Stage 2. Sewing up

After adding boning I could tell that there was still a lot of excess fabric at the top on either side.

The peak at the front would not stay up so I added two more boning panels which also helped to add structure at the front, thus having a flattering affect.

   Cutting down boning to sizes and covering ends.

 Final fit. I then made some fabric using method and materials like in past assignment (De-solvable fabric, cotton thread, wool) and made a frill trim.

After these photos the elastic garter straps were added with wool yarn for tying on to stockings at the ends. I was very please at how it turned out! I think the web fabric and raw calico edges added a whimsical old aspect to it. Will post picture on form soon.