Mortem's Tricks or Treats: A Brief Interlude

I'm afraid this isn't a post about one of the patterns I hoped to deliver unto you, my readers...

But, it is something I promised at one point in my blog.

I had went to a thrift shop once upon a time in this little town of mine-- obviously I didn't come out with much of note, otherwise I would've posted about it earlier.

I guess I should revise that statement, considering I'm about to let you all know about a top I did catch for 25 cents.

Anyway, in its original state it was/is nothing to write about; just a plain, baggy lace top. It was made for a larger woman, but lace for 25 cents? I couldn't pass it up.

And here it is... you can see that Frankie Stein-- meaning myself-- drown in the shirt. It was mainly used as a lounge-about shirt.

I should say that since my last posts, I haven't even thought about crafting, much less did anything; I was gaming all this time; playing SWTOR.

So yesterday, after struggling to find a nice outfit to post something so my blog didn't go dormant, I suddenly got the itch to sew. I didn't feel like doing anything as elaborate as crating something from scratch, so the next best (and quickest) was to revamp something. This top made it onto the cutting table...

Then onto Frankie Stein for some tweaking...

Slightly fuzzy action shot!

Then finally onto me for some modeling. All in the same day.

I don't know how long I had the white lace collar appliques... all I know is that it'd been in my sewing supplies almost as long as I've had my overlock. My mother sent them along in one of my care-packages, and they remained collecting dust until yesterday. Now I feel it was like destiny-- the two went together so well!

So, I turned a very baggy lace top into a peplum top. Not too shabby for 20 mins worth of crafting. I took in the upper bodice portion, and inserted an elastic onto the bottom half that remained otherwise unaltered, since it was big enough to create the poof I needed for the peplum.

Styled it with a belt, a pencil skirt, and some jewelry, then bam! Done.

Speaking of old treasures, my mother also sent me one of the first pieces of jewelry I ever made; they were a little tarnished, but with a bit of polish they're almost as good as new! They required me to reopen my only piercings... which was surprisingly easy considering the length of time it has been since I last wore earrings.

Not a particularly original design these days, but it was once upon a time; I used to get compliments left and right; now they're like everything else on Etsy lol... ah well, they're still pretty!

Mortem's Tricks or Treats: Peplum Confessions

Well dear readers,

I'm happy to say that today I'm feeling in an exceptionally good mood, despite an extremely sudden cold spell that has aggravated my joints. Things haven't changed much, no, but certainly something in my form of thinking has since committing myself to being Lighter-- I must really thank Ms. Misantropia, lists seem to really work for me... especially if they're short baby step ones heh.

I feel inspiration trickling in my brain, and it all started with a design feature.

Source

I usually try to acquaint myself with what's in style, not that I really follow it in my own wardrobe; I love fashion, what can I say? Last years fashion trends have went right up one of my alleys with 40's vintage inspiration, while this year is offering questionable 70's and 80's comebacks of some really atrocious stuff.

Regardless, one key design feature I have been absolutely obsessing over is the peplum, which appears to be going strong this year for spring too. Oh beautiful, wondrous  peplum.

There's a very tiny difference between a peplum and a fishtail hem-- the peplum is a circle flair that begins at the waist and ends around the hips of either a fitted bodice or pencil skirt, whereas a fishtail hem is just a circle flair on the bottom of a long fitted skirt.
As far as I know (and I could be really off target), the peplum was making the most headway into fashion around the 40's when a waspy waist was making a comeback... the corset being replaced by girdles of all kinds, however.

Since I am an absolute thrifty gal I am pleased by people who choose to keep up with trends, because this means that my beloved thrift stores receive surges of last years trends around spring; lots of people's favorite time of year for many other reasons than the weather. Alas, since purse strings are tight I have abstained from visits to places that might tempt my inner fashionista.

But! I have plans!

Since being lighter means making the best of my situation (no new crafty supply), and since my craft room is officially organized, I was able to really get to know my current stash. I'll be honest, it's as grim as I first thought it was... but I have enough material to make one, maybe two projects. I've decided that a peplum blouse is what I'll make.

I've opted to go with a much more modern take on the peplum however, taking huge inspiration from Asian trends, which in my opinion are almost always so chock full of the most exquisite lace details-- here are just a couple examples:

I have some left over stretch velvet and a yard of stretch lace that my mother sent me in one of my care packages-- I can't wait to show you all what I have in store!