12th August 2010: Finished! All the bias binding is done! I hate doing inward corners, they're so much hassle, but when I was checking the internet for better methods I found a foolproof way of doing outward corners. I could get them neat before, but it took twice as long and was really fiddly, this is perfect!

See bottom of page, works like a charm:
http://www.isew.co.uk/sewing_techniques/bias_binding-c-00027.htm

Put the zip into the skirt, added the waistband and quickly made some socks with the black line drawn in pen near the top. I glued them to some hold up stockings on the day which worked really well.

7th August 2010: Sleeve Stays Wonderful sleeve stays!
The picture is a before and after; I sewed a length of elastic between the shoulder seam at the top and the gathered seam at the bottom of the puff sleeve to stop it drooping. You can use fabric strips or a whole sleeve lining too, but I had the white elastic lying around so it was quicker to put in and wouldn't show though.

4th August 2010: Sleeves Managed to get hold of more fabric, so full speed ahead! I have so much slightly different white fabric now...

I added the black stripes as applique before joining them to the gathered upper sleeve.
I made the hair tie, even though you probably won't ever see it, but I know it's there :3 I was trying to save time, so it's two layers rather than a real folded tie with lining.

1st August 2010: Coming Together Applique, poofy sleeves and collar are now done, but I didn't buy enough of the white suiting! I'm going to get it as close to finished as possible so I can just add on the lower sleeves last. There's a lose thread stitched round the bottom of the poof sleeves ready to gather up.

25th July 2010: Pleaty Progress Spent today ironing the skirt fabric into pleats. Way faster to do than Arashi's skirt; being short makes it so much easier to handle on the ironing board and meant I could have a cardboard strip template to keep them all the same. Once I've made the waistband I'll sew them flat.

First jacket applique is done, took a while to decide where I wanted the triangles to end, but then it was just a matter of really careful pinning. Side stripes next!

24th July 2010: Simple Beginnings For £15 I've got all the red, white and black cotton drill, Kat lent me a suitable wig and I have the red shoes I bought for Lady Harken! If I didn't shop in London it would be even less, I love cheap costumes :D

I have an old faithful jacket pattern which I've used to quickly run up the body section and the black applique is basted in place, but I need to decide where to stop it at the front. This is the second set of puffy sleeves I'll be making for this con, just can't get enough of them.