so all I need is another four or five hours per day... fashion musings

[curgoth]

I've been thinking about clothes, and how frequently, I can't find what I want. Even the local goth shops are phasing our their more interesting men's wear.

Which has got me to thinking about making stuff; I usually end up doing sewing for my Halloween costumes every year anyway. Sadly, though, my sewing skills are still rather primitive for making real, wearable clothes. Which, in turn, got me thinking about taking sewing lessons through Fabricland or something similar. For example; I still have no idea how to make something from a pattern, which is why most of my costumes consist of things that can be made from stitching together rectangular panels. I don't know how to put together linings properly. etc.

After some thought, though, I realised that I probably don't have time to take sewing lessons, on top of everything else I'm up to.

weird clothing ideas I've been thinking about lately; man skirts. I've got two ideas rolling around in my head right now.

The first is similar in cut to the belly dancing skirt lizard made in 2003. Basically, the outer skirt is three rectangular panels that hang straight down. When the wearer is standing straight, the panels meet up and look fairly solid. When moving around, the panels part to show the under skirt - I have a pile of sipderweb lacy stuff for that. The underskirt would be quite broad at the bottom, because it'd be worn by someone who walks "like a man", taking long strides. It'd have to be pleated as well as cut in a kind of A shape. The only part I can't figure out is how to attach the layers at the top in a flexible way; I'd want the waist to be somewhat adjustable, but an elastic waistband wouldn't look right. I could have the panels open at one of the joins, but I wouldn't want a gap in the underskirt there. I've been pondering having the underskirt split in somewhere covered by the panels (say the front) and held together with a drawstring. I could then have a waistband with the panels attached hang over the underskirt so that the gap between the panels could be adjusted depending on waist size. My only problem then is figuring out how to connect the underskirt and the panels in a useful manner.

The second idea is to riff off of a Japanese hakama; basically wide, loose skirt/pants (culottes - a split skirt with a panel connecting the inside) with a few extra hanging bits. I'm not too sure about my ability to manage the pleats properly. I could just buy a real hakama from a martial arts supply store, but that seems kind of... lame, since it would just be wearing a piece of martial arts clothing. I'd rather have something more heavily customised.

I've also been giving some thought to buying a couple wigs, not so much for daily wear, but for incorporating into costumes. And depending on the wig, for days when I want to have long black hair again.

Comments

[djinnthespazz.livejournal.com]

Do they sell hakama patterns?
Sounds to me like that is the project you'd want to start with.

[curgoth]

The problem is that I don't know how to read patterns, so even if I could get one (and I found stuff online to suggest that they can be found), I wouldn't know what to do with it. Hence the formal classes I don't have time to take.

[djinnthespazz.livejournal.com]

Hm. I seem to remember the patterns I have used to have a pretty good outline of instructions. But then, I was forced to take a sewing class as part of my indoctrination process in public school. I refused to try a skirt and the pants looked like ass. I never even put them on. But I did learn the basics of sewing. So. Hm.

Basic in laying out a pattern, watch the tabs - they will line up when you pin the piece and that's about the trickiest part. But then, it's easy to say that when you know how.

I guess I am saying that you might try buying a pattern, and giving it a good look-over before you despair about the class. Might be something that you can pick up.

And I can certainly answer questions as they come up, if not offer hands-on assistance...

There are others out here who can stitch, too...

[curgoth]

Last time I looked at a pattern, I couldn't figure out which set of lines to cut on to get the sie of garment I wanted. I might be better off with something simpler though.

I think what I really need is to sit with someone who's made stuff from patterns before and do it once; then I should be able to muddle through on my own. In a worst case scenario, I suppose I can get Lizard's mum to show me; she's quite capable at sewing, but can be a little... overbearing.

[uniquecrash5.livejournal.com]

and how frequently, I can't find what I want. Even the local goth shops are phasing our their more interesting men's wear.

Damn. I was going to ask for your help in clothes shopping; I have tended out of a combination of laziness and poverty to dress myself in black jeans, boots and black t-shirts for years (this was especially easy working at games companies where black t-shirts were in ready supply) but now that I'm forced to wear something marginally less casual I find I've got very little.

Really I'd like a whole new wardrobe (so would my dear wife for that matter), and I've very much admired your style.

[curgoth]

All is not completely lost; a lot of the stuff I have is still available at Siren. I just can't expand into the clothes that I a) couldn't afford before and then b) couldn't fit into when I could afford them.

We should be able to do a pretty decent decadent shopping day some saturday if you like.

[42dirtygirl.livejournal.com]

came across your website via random. totally dig it. shopping online is a total hag but every once in a while i come across some stuff... a la goth. anyways when you two go out shopping dont forget your fanny packs... i was very amused by the skirts topic, the sewing and now the shopping. good stuff! ps sewing isnt hard at all... if my all american can kill a dog with his bare hands roommate can do it theres no reason you cant... oh and as for a skirt... and the dotted/dashes on the patterns... cut along the largest one to give you a cut out... and then fit both parts around your waist... have someone else... lol... and fit accordingly...

my two... er seventeen cents. =)