Prairie Skirts and Steam Punk
I often struggle for inspiration. I sometimes hear people say, "Think outside the box!" Honestly, I have no idea how to do that. My world is so totally ordered by the status quo that anything that requires me to reach out of my "box" is not even on my radar screen.
However, I had a moment of inspiration a while back, although honestly I had heard of this idea a long time ago and it just came back to me at an opportune moment. Turns out that so far it has proven to be an excellent idea.
As you know, we belong to Cowboy Fast Draw which celebrates the "era of the Colt", or in other words the late 1800's. A lot of people wear costumes for shooting or at least for the evening social events associated with the shoots. So far I just haven't gotten into it seeings as how I do well to keep myself clothed in my normal attire, let alone something I will only wear occasionally.
In June we are helping to host the National CFDA competition at Deadwood, SD with the City of Deadwood financing most of the event. One of the few things they have asked of us is to wear period costumes around Deadwood during this time. It seems little enough to do for all they are doing to support the shoot.
So.....now I have to come up with some costumes, at least two and preferably three. The ladies at our local Fast Draw club put our minds together one night and Googled ideas for costumes. Some of the ladies really like the "steam punk" look. (Google it if you don't know what it is.) And some of us are thinking "little house on the prairie". I fall into the second category.
Plan A: When we were in Mitchell a month ago, I decided to check out fabrics at Walmart and maybe get something inexpensive, since I was putting together my own prairie skirt idea without a pattern, so that I wouldn't feel bad about just dumping it in the trash if it didn't work out. I know that fabrics for sewing have become more expensive in recent years, but even Walmart didn't have anything for less than $5 a yard! And the fabric designs didn't really lend themselves to the era I was working in.
Plan B: This is the idea that came back to me in a moment of inspiration, check out the sheets. By my calculations, a queen-sized sheet contains approximately 8 square yards of fabric, sweet!!! Lots of room for mistakes and start-overs. However none of the sheets at Walmart really had patterns that lent themselves to a prairie skirt. What to do?
Plan C: On my way to Walmart I had passed by a Goodwill store, so I went to Goodwill and checked out their sheets...and I hit pay dirt! I purchased a matching top and fitted sheet for $6, an ivory-colored fitted sheet for $3, and an ivory lace curtain for $3. All in all, I have enough fabric to make two skirts, an ivory top to match that skirt, and enough fabric to cover an umbrella, plus fabric to spare. In fact, I could make a lot of skirts from what I will have left.
It's amazing how a little bit of creative success can spur even more creativity. I am now eyeing a blouse pattern that will go with the skirts and create the look I am after. This morning I put the finishing touches on the first skirt...and I love it! I am stoked and ready to tie into the second skirt, plus I have some ideas for making it a bit different and unique. I am estimating that the two skirts plus blouses and the umbrella will all cost less than $20. If I can be creative on a shoestring I am almost in a state of euphoria!
I know June is a few months off, but I also know myself and know that time gets past me faster than I realize it will. I used to do my best work under pressure, now it just exhausts me and creates poor results. So the leaf has been put in the dining room table so I can sew on one end while we eat on the other. This will likely be the state of our house for the next couple of months.
So here are the take-aways from this post:
1. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and think outside your box. It takes practice but it can be learned. Where would our world be if we all refused to do something we have never done before?
2. A sheet is a wonderful piece of fabric. I have to say it almost pained me to cut up a sheet that was almost like new but, darn it, I needed that fabric! Sheets tend to be of good quality, and there are lots of colors and designs to choose from.
3. Never overlook thrift and second-hand stores as a source. They may have exactly what you are looking for. They also have many items that can be repurposed, like using a lace curtain to embellish my outfit.
When my projects are complete I will post pictures. Until then, have a great day!
However, I had a moment of inspiration a while back, although honestly I had heard of this idea a long time ago and it just came back to me at an opportune moment. Turns out that so far it has proven to be an excellent idea.
As you know, we belong to Cowboy Fast Draw which celebrates the "era of the Colt", or in other words the late 1800's. A lot of people wear costumes for shooting or at least for the evening social events associated with the shoots. So far I just haven't gotten into it seeings as how I do well to keep myself clothed in my normal attire, let alone something I will only wear occasionally.
 |
| Example of "steam punk" couture |
In June we are helping to host the National CFDA competition at Deadwood, SD with the City of Deadwood financing most of the event. One of the few things they have asked of us is to wear period costumes around Deadwood during this time. It seems little enough to do for all they are doing to support the shoot.
So.....now I have to come up with some costumes, at least two and preferably three. The ladies at our local Fast Draw club put our minds together one night and Googled ideas for costumes. Some of the ladies really like the "steam punk" look. (Google it if you don't know what it is.) And some of us are thinking "little house on the prairie". I fall into the second category.
Plan A: When we were in Mitchell a month ago, I decided to check out fabrics at Walmart and maybe get something inexpensive, since I was putting together my own prairie skirt idea without a pattern, so that I wouldn't feel bad about just dumping it in the trash if it didn't work out. I know that fabrics for sewing have become more expensive in recent years, but even Walmart didn't have anything for less than $5 a yard! And the fabric designs didn't really lend themselves to the era I was working in.
Plan B: This is the idea that came back to me in a moment of inspiration, check out the sheets. By my calculations, a queen-sized sheet contains approximately 8 square yards of fabric, sweet!!! Lots of room for mistakes and start-overs. However none of the sheets at Walmart really had patterns that lent themselves to a prairie skirt. What to do?
Plan C: On my way to Walmart I had passed by a Goodwill store, so I went to Goodwill and checked out their sheets...and I hit pay dirt! I purchased a matching top and fitted sheet for $6, an ivory-colored fitted sheet for $3, and an ivory lace curtain for $3. All in all, I have enough fabric to make two skirts, an ivory top to match that skirt, and enough fabric to cover an umbrella, plus fabric to spare. In fact, I could make a lot of skirts from what I will have left.
It's amazing how a little bit of creative success can spur even more creativity. I am now eyeing a blouse pattern that will go with the skirts and create the look I am after. This morning I put the finishing touches on the first skirt...and I love it! I am stoked and ready to tie into the second skirt, plus I have some ideas for making it a bit different and unique. I am estimating that the two skirts plus blouses and the umbrella will all cost less than $20. If I can be creative on a shoestring I am almost in a state of euphoria!
I know June is a few months off, but I also know myself and know that time gets past me faster than I realize it will. I used to do my best work under pressure, now it just exhausts me and creates poor results. So the leaf has been put in the dining room table so I can sew on one end while we eat on the other. This will likely be the state of our house for the next couple of months.
So here are the take-aways from this post:
1. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and think outside your box. It takes practice but it can be learned. Where would our world be if we all refused to do something we have never done before?
2. A sheet is a wonderful piece of fabric. I have to say it almost pained me to cut up a sheet that was almost like new but, darn it, I needed that fabric! Sheets tend to be of good quality, and there are lots of colors and designs to choose from.
3. Never overlook thrift and second-hand stores as a source. They may have exactly what you are looking for. They also have many items that can be repurposed, like using a lace curtain to embellish my outfit.
When my projects are complete I will post pictures. Until then, have a great day!
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