My name is Kelly and I’m the owner of the Silver Lining Sewing Lab, which is a fancy name for my home studio where I create a variety of costumes and cosplays. I believe that every project, especially the ones you are so frustrated with you want to light them on fire, has a lesson to teach you.
I’ve been sewing for over 20 years and tend to use a lot of patterns. When you use patterns, it’s nice to find finished pictures of other peoples projects to get a sense of what they could look like. It’s nicer still to find reviews and even further instruction for complicated patterns. I don’t tend to find a lot of details around the types of patterns I like to use and thought others might be in a similar situation. I started this blog as a way to help other costumers get information on patterns.
My favorite types of sewing projects include medieval fantasy garb for men and women for larping, historic reenactment pieces, and cosplay. I live on a farm in New Jersey with my husband and we like to adventure.
My main take-away from 2022 is I didn’t take nearly enough pictures of my work. A few of my project will end up being finished in 2023, but such is the way of life when you can only sew a few hours a week. Regardless, I’m feeling pretty accomplished.
I went to Costume College for the first time this year. To prep for the event, the focus of the first half of the year was primarily Edwardian fashion. I started with a series of undergarments and discovered a deep love for a new-to-me pattern company called Past Patterns. I used #107 for the Ladies’ Edwardian Combinations and #109 for the 4-gored Edwardian Petticoat. The patterns were really easy to use and I loved the fit.
These items didn’t end up coming to CoCo2022 with me so I need to find a good reason to wear them out of the house one of these days.
I made an Edwardian long-line corset and petticoat that did end up under one of my CoCo2022 outfits. I used Truly Victorian patterns for these pieces. The patterns were easy to follow and the pieces themselves didn’t take too long to put together. I didn’t add any fancy embellishments to these and that helped shorten the time it took to make them. The long-line corset was one of the easiest projects I’ve worked on in a long time and was made with a single layer of fabric and synthetic boning.
Costume College was a blast and I’m planning on attending again in 2023. One facet of this event that I loved was the classes that are offered each day. There are free classes and classes you can pay for. I attended many of the free sessions and took a class on making an Edwardian corset cover that was taught by Kristen of Black Orchid Atelier. The convention offers rental sewing machines so I didn’t have to sew by hand (though it was an option for those so inclined). The pattern Kristen drafted up is based off extant pieces and it took about 2 hours to put together a basic piece. I forgot to bring fabric and notions for this class but the dealers room had everything I needed and I ended up adding the ruffles on the front when I came home from the trip.
I was invited to an Oktoberfest party and had the perfect fabric for a dirndl. I used Folkwear 123 for the dress and used a chemise I had made for a larp character. I found every excuse I could to wear this dress and will continue to do so, it’s so comfortable! When I make this dress again, I’ll be adding pockets.
One of my favorite projects I finished but haven’t had a chance to get photographs wearing yet is this Edwardian Calico Day Dress/Wrapper using Folkwear #208. I found the pattern at an antique show and it was sewn within a week. It’s a really comfortable dress but my husband pointed out the fabric looks like a hospital gown, which is all I can see now.
As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t get through all the projects I started this year. I plan on attending Costume-con 39 in April 2023 and Costume College in July of 2023, so there’s time to finish them and have a great place to show off my work. I’m almost done with a late-Victorian silk corset, a chemise a la reine, and a late-Victorian Seaside Dress.
That’s it for my 2022 project recap. Can’t wait to see what I’m able to accomplish next year, I have lofty goals for the upcoming conventions. I’m also thinking about starting a sewing circle at my local library and joining the local historical societies so I can find some friends I can sew with on a regular basis.
