Sewing – Patterns

So since I make my own patterns generally, I don’t usually look at these free pattern sites, but I came across this: http://yourstylerocks.com/patterns/archive.php?pattern_id=1 and if it wasn’t for the fact that you have to log in and create a profile and all of that silliness, I would totally download this one….  (I don’t care for the centre front seam, or their seam treatments, but that’s neither here nor there…)

First post

I’ve been trying to think of a way to compile some of the costume research, ideas, and inspiration in a way that I could get feedback from other costumers, be able to add ideas either at home, or away, and look back at my progress.  I hope this is it!

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but some “spare” time and this blog: http://www.ittybittyevilkitty.com is what sort of pushed me over the edge. 

Right now, my costume interest has been largely focused around Steampunk.  I’ve long loved the neo-Victorian look, however it hasn’t been very popular, and I like the idea of having people “get” what it is I’m doing, vs. just thinking “why would you wear a bustle?”  Steampunk seems to be underground enough to make me happy, but well-known enough that it shouldn’t be as hard to summarize. 

Plus… there are Steampunk meet ups here in Calgary!  I’ve been feeling somewhat unsatisfied with a lack of social diversity, and I’m vaguely hoping that when I find the time to get out to things, that this might bring a new option for socializing and meeting new people.

So, onward and upward!

Steampunk – Accessories – Iconography

Some iconography that seems fairly common throughout the Steampunk genre include:

• Cogs and gears
• Watch hands
• Keys and locks (and those beautiful escutcheons that go with them…)  http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/index.aspx
• Jailer’s keys on large keyrings
• Airships, zepplins, flying machines… similarly anything with wings
• Propellers
• Tea! (hurrah!)
• Corset lacing
• Rivets, grommets, buckles, suspender clips (both above and below the waist styles)
• Trains – steam engines of course!
• Goggles
• Octopus and squid
• Compass, maps, other things for exploring the world
• Bees and flies, dragonflies
• Diving helmets
• Ray-guns
• Test tubes
• Robotics (but with lots of rivets and exposed wiring, mad scientist vs. star wars)
• Submarines (all Jules-Verne inspired on that one)
• Cameos and silhouettes

I think that ravens would be relevant as well, though I haven’t yet seen much of that in my web-browsing.  I think tying the keys and things back in with the EGL movement, crowns and those sort of icons would work as well, in moderation.

What else?

I wanted to record some of this here, as reference, when I come back and am thinking about it…

Updated Jan 1 2011, Jan 7th, 2011