Moving to Tumblr......

This blog has fallen by the wayside as I don't have the time to tend to it properly.  I may return one day but for now I have moved over to Tumblr http://stitchophrenic.tumblr.com/

Thinking about a blog makeover.....

So I have been toying with the idea of revamping the look of this blog.  I've had this look since it began and feel it's time for a change.  Although not too much of change, the thought of trying to get my head around HTML is enough to send me running and screaming in the other direction!

What I'm thinking of is a simplified colour scheme like this...

And a personalised header like this....

Ho hum, decisions, decisions......

Friday Eye Candy: Ribbon Corset

One thing I have yet to explore whilst on my sewing adventures is the ribbon corset.  I can't help but look at them with a sense of slight mystery as I need to get my head around what makes them tick.  I must add it to my increasingly long to-do list!

Anyway....this has got to be the prettiest ribbon corset I have ever seen.  It's constructed from silk floral ribbon, dated to 1900-5 and it lives in the Bath Fashion Museum.

Friday Eye Candy: V&A Museum - Ballgowns Exhibition

The Victoria and Albert Museum's latest fashion exhibition running until 6th January 2013 sets out to showcase the story of the ballgown in fashion and society since the 1950s.

Erdem A/W 2008

The V&A have gone all out - with the opening of the renovated Fashion Galleries inorder to set a spectacular stage.

The exhibition will feature designs by McQueen, Zhandra Rhodes, Gareth Pugh, Vivienne Westwood to name but a few.  This is definately one to catch if you're in London.  Full details on the V&A Website.

Finished Project: Pre-Raphaelite Inspired Choker

I hate throwing out fabric - even the scrappiest of scraps, it just seems so wasteful.  That's how this project came about, it's a fusion of my desire to find a use for leftover strips of fabric and a corset I made a little while ago which I covered in some of the Pre-Raphaelite's paintings -  Pre-Raph Underbust.

This item is available in my Etsy Shop

Friday Eye Candy: Corset Laced Mannequins

I stumbled across these beauties the other day and I would love to own one.  Here is just one from their gorgous range.

*swoons*

If you like pretty dressforms I highly recommend you check out the other scrumptious designs at Corset Laced Mannequins

Finished Project: Discordia Underbust Corset

As I continue on my corsetry journey, which has basically been trial and error with a bit of help from books and helpful tidbits from the internet, I think I am now finally getting a really good grip on the pattern cutting aspect of it all.  This corset was another step on the ladder.

It's a long underbust cut to be very flat across the centre front but with lots of defintion on the waist.

 I made this one out of recycled gold furnishing fabric with a pale blue lining, binding and ribbon.  Then I added an extra bow to sit on the front for added prettiness.