Graduation, life lately, and a funny corset experience

First and foremost... I graduated from highschool! Oh my goodness 13 years of schooling. It was so strange to think that this is the longest amount of time I have ever worked on something and it's done. I really don't feel old enough to have to move on and become an adult. Really I'm still just a kid! But life doesn't really care how young I feel, I have to get a job, and continue my schooling in January. This time I get to pick my school and what I learn! I chose to take a fashion design program. I can't wait!

Over the summer this far I've spent most of my time going out with my friends during the day and staying out until the early hours of the morning and I'll tell you what- I was not made to stay up and go to parties as often as I have been. I'm naturally a homebody. I like staying at home, sewing, watching old movies and documentaries, and bathing multiple times a day to relax. And lots of Pinterest. Holy cow I love Pinterest. 

I've also been continuing my waist training! I absolutely love corsets with vintage dresses and pencil skirts. I've felt quite inspired lately by the combination which has resulted in some pretty spectacular outfits. Sorry I haven't posted any!!!

There's one recent night in specific I'd like to talk about in regards to wearing a corset. I went out a few days ago to a carnival with a few friends and I felt like one of the attractions! A couple of us had never gone anywhere together and they were just as entertained to walk behind me and watch the people's reactions as they were to do things at the carnival. So many people would stop mid sentence and gawk. Others would elbow their friends and point. All with me completely aware! So many people tried to sneak pictures of me but a lot of the time I caught them soon enough to smile at the camera or pose. Whoever took the picture would look up super panicked and turn around because they knew they got caught. We all loved hearing the whispered conversations about the girl with the tiny waist that must be in so much pain from wearing a corset. It's amazing from all of the stares I attract and conversations about me I'm not supposed to hear that it's rare I'm asked about it in person. Maybe it's intimidating or they think it's impolite to ask but I'm always excited to explain it. Corsetry is something that I'm happy to share with others because of the love I have for it myself! One of these days I'm going to have a friend behind me record or take pictures of the reactions so that I can really share them with you!

Reactions To Corsetry

I have explained briefly in a prior post that I've been waist training and what exactly that means. I've also told you how much I am in love with it. This time I wanted to focus on the reactions I have gotten from some pretty surprised people. 

I bought my first authentic corset in late January and have been wearing it off and on ever since. When I wore it I'd get a few stares and notice some people whispering and staring. Especially at school. Especially at school in the girls locker room when I put it on after p.e. It has never bothered me , I found it pretty amusing actually because I knew it's a rare sight and sometimes we as people don't know how to react to things. 

Last week I got a smaller corset (Seen above). When I close it my waist will measure 18"! I'm so excited, I can't even begin to express how much! But the thing is- the more extreme my waist measurement, the more extreme reactions, and not all are kind or even polite. 

(My belt is about 2" too big in the picture above) 

Now I have gotten to the point in corsetry where walking to class or during lunch at school I have become a circus side show act. It's rare now that I don't draw gawking stares. I've seen people talk about it on Facebook saying that I have gone too far and it's unattractive, or that I look like I should be in constant pain, that I scare people, and (get this one) I give someone never ending nightmares. Whoa. Okay pal. In person I am constantly asked how I can breathe and how much does it hurt. I am always polite and try my best to make people understand corsetry even just a little bit. I always catch people elbowing a friend so they can turn around and look at me or take the occasional attempted secret photo. The best/worst of these was when a girl walking past me shouted, "Oh I just can't! I can't even look it's so wrong!" It makes me feel like, um, hello! Person here! I can hear you! Not a robot! Just someone with a small waist! 

Let's focus on the good reactions for a while though. Because I really am proud of what I am accomplishing. And I understand that people won't always understand or accept it. I always have people smiling and exclaiming how incredible my proportions are and when I explain it's from corsetry they get really excited. Anyone can do this! I get asked often where to get one and how to get started. I am always ecstatic to answer questions and possibly convert someone to this lifestyle. People always ask if they can try to put their hands around my waist, and I say yes of course! No one has been able to close their hands around my waist but it has gotten close a few times! I get told that it is beautiful to have such a feminine hour glass silhouette and I personally will always agree! 

I'm very sorry if this turned into a complaining post, I really didn't intend it to come across that way. It was more of a journal to share the reactions that come with such a hobby, both positive and negative. I don't do it for attention or reactions. Certainly the extreme negative comments from people aren't encouraging, but that's to be expected now. I'm never hurt by them. I'll continue to get smaller and share occasional updates. If you want to see more of a  daily update follow my Instagram (My username is Shorty_high_pockets)!

My Watermelon Dress

On my last post I mentioned that I made 1 1/2 dresses in one day.  I started and finished the pink dress, and finished this one.  When I look at this dress the first word that comes to my mind is watermelon, thus the name of this post.  Although this dress has daisies on it, the green and melon color draws my attention first.

 This pattern is a Simplicity 7629 from 1968.  There isn't one distinct view I followed.  I did not use a bow or neck ruffle but I did add a lace trim around the skirt.  For a 32 1/2'' bust the final dress ended up pretty big on me.  I'm starting to think I'm giving my petite frame too much credit.

Something about this dress makes me feel like a kid.  I'm not sure if I should give credit to the silhouette, the ruffled hem, the fact that it's a bit loose, or the bright colors.  No matter what the reason is, I love the outcome and the way I feel when wearing it.  It is really exciting to recognize that I love each project more than the last, and that I am wearing them more than I ever have!  (I've worn this dress 3 times in the last 2 weeks or so!)

My Pink Dream Dress (And Pattern)

Whenever I picture myself wearing dresses I've made, for some reason they are always pink, floral print, or covered in lace, bows or ribbon.  Rarely thus far has this dream been a reality.  I made this dress with the mind to put all the things I have dreamed of into it. I am in love with this dress, my friends.  It even matches my favorite pair of shoes.

My dream dress was made from a vintage Simplicity 7955 sewing pattern from the 1960s.  I used view 3, but decorated the final product quite a bit.  The dress was so simple to construct. No, really.  I made this and half of another dress (post coming soon) in one day!

I am in love with how basic this pattern is.  It makes a great fitting dress and leaves room to the imagination on how to dress it up be it with ribbon, lace, bows, fringe, fake flowers, rhinestones, or anything else you can think up! 

Please forgive the creases, but I took these pictures after a day's wear.  Ignoring that it needs to be pressed, lets move our attention to the lace details!  They are, in my opinion, what really makes this dress so cute.  I weaved a peach colored ribbon in and out of the lace then sewed two stripes down the front.  But you probably didn't even notice the best part because I haven't shown a close up:

I added cute tiny bows at the top of both strips of lace!  When I look at clothes, I first notice the shape and color, but I fall in love with the details.  I wanted to put all of my favorite details (bows, lace, ribbon, floral, and pink) into one fantastic dress.  May I say mission accomplished? 

Because I have worn this dress so many times, I am planning many variations but I keep going back to the idea of a white lace version with  a turquoise lining peeking through. Possibly a giant turquoise bow on the bust?  Thoughts?

A Small Paint Job Makes A Huge Difference

Here is yet another small glimpse into my room post-makeover!  It is this close to being finished.  But it's not so I don't think I will show it off yet.  Hang in there, friends.  I want it done too!

Last weekend I went to an estate sale and bought this organizer for $1.50.  It's cute as is, but I saw more potential in it.  When I first saw it I pictured it on my vanity full of vintage stationery.  The only thing I needed to do was paint it a color that matched my room.  Any guesses as to what color that could be..?

Pink!

Now all I need are cute sparkly pens to go in the front spaces with my sparkly earbuds.

A High Collar And Upcoming Plans

Now would be a magnificent time to mention how I have thrown myself into quite the sewing frenzy.  Today was the start of spring break, and I have big plans.  What are these plans, you ask?  To sew one garment a day.  I have always been a speedy seamstress in my year and a half career and want to take complete advantage of this by pushing my abilities.  I need to because I really want to participate in a Me-Made-May,  meaning I only wear articles of clothing that I have made for the entire month.  I definitely do not have enough pieces to do that. 

If I want a month's wardrobe I will need separates to optimize the amount of outfits I will be able to wear.  I figure this challenge will not only push my sewing capabilities, but also my style.  I might be forced to mix patterns and colors I wouldn't dare before just for the sake of not repeating outfits!  This is a golden opportunity that should not be wasted.

Anyhoo, back to this project.  It is a shirt from Simplicity 5563 (view 3).  

I would have never used this pattern if it weren't for Mad Men.  It would have been one I bought simply because I am a vintage pattern hoarder.  This style of collar is one I shy away from because it is so stinkin' tall!  It scared me a bit. But the women rock these collars in Mad Men.  They look amazing!  So, I simply had to have one too.  Fortunately that didn't come at a big price at all.  I paid $0.50 for the pattern and this fabric was given to me.  

The collar for this pattern actually was quite the beast.  I have no comprehension why but it was inches larger than it was meant to be.  As in 6 inches larger. The dumb thing overlapped itself in the back when the pattern and instructions show the ends not even touching!  It was an easy enough fix, but it was time consuming.  

Have I mentioned that it buttons up the back?

I adore shirts that button from behind. They look classy and are a fun way to mix things up. (anyone out there as obsessed with reverse buttons as I am? No?)

 I am really excited about my project going through this week and I already have two more pieces ready for posting!  

My One Day Project

My most recent project (I started this afternoon and finished an hour ago) was a vintage Simplicity 4213, view 2.  I made my shirt in a vintage floral rayon which was a bit of a problem being that this particular fabric was very thin, and it was exceptionally stretchy.  It is a bit shorter than most modern styles but that is just fine with me since I plan on almost always wearing it with high waisted skirts.  The darts that make the waist fitted will definitely come in handy so I wont have a lot of extra fabric hanging over the bands of my skirts!  If I were to remake this pattern I would probably use one long zipper in the back of the shirt rather than have a smaller one on the side seam underneath my left arm.  Because the waist is so fitted even with the zipper undone, I have to be careful when pulling the shirt over my shoulders.  Overall, I really like this pattern and I love that it is such a fast project. The fact that the pattern was $1 and the fabric was free doesn't hurt either! I do plan on revisiting this soon, but I might try view 4 next.