Working with needles and thread

Now, it has been a while and I was going to have a talk about shoes but I think I need to try more companies on that front before I dive into that subject.

So they say that part of the lifestyle Lolita you need to be handy with a needle and thread. Well I think in any fashion or group being handy with needle and thread is always good. Lets face it, if a button comes loose you want to get that bad boy back on before you loose it.

Now since this is blog is about being a Lolita with many trials and errors of not using brand clothing to make it there. You can tell this is about making outfit pieces, bits and bobs and not sewing a button back on.

So here is the plan. There is a meet in August and it is one of the loli's birthday. Now, I really don't want to stand out weird in the pictures again and I've been loosing more weight again... after putting some back on. Ouch, it hurts more to admit than I thought it would.
I'm going to make an outfit that is suited to my body and doesn't make me looking really weird. Let's face it, I looked great at the small loli meet a few years back but I've made many misses since then.


So I'm going to try and aim for something that may be out of the park here. I don't know how to do button holes but I really want to do button holes that are use able on a Jumper skirt. I first feel for Meta full button down the front pieces. They were versatile in my books and would help create many looks. It is the one dress I would risk to get on e-bay from one of the many shops for.

Sadly I won't be trying for that one straight away even though I do adore it a lot. I am going to be trying to one close to the R-sires jumper skirt but with the key difference, I want working buttons because I could wear this in a few different ways then. One would include a causal unbutton open with shorts underneath which is great for summer. Now that would be part 1 to this outfit because I want a tiered underskirt to go with it. Now that seems understandable but I still need a good petticoat and I really need to make a better one. Compared to the one I've made already.

So the next step after deciding what I would like to do and when it needs done by will be fabric and pattern stage. But that is for next time, hopefully Tuesday at the earliest.

Princess?

Ok, I get the feeling this month has secretly been marked as the month of princesses. There does seem to be talk about it kicking about in loli blogs and journals.


poupeegirl

Yes, I know Pupe isn't the best example of princess style of Lolita but it is fun in the sense. It's different compared to we all want to be or not to be princess.
We dress up in many styles in Lolita, nothing is certain. We have different choices in the fashion itself. From memory Princess style is called Hime. It is probably the laciest and frilliest of the styles out there.

Now all honesty I feel that Hime, to me remember, is a style for special occasions. Something were I would go and track down one of Baby's old white princess one-piece to wear for my wedding dress. Yes I would so do it. Heck, if I was go down the red carpet. I so would and before you know it I would be posted across fashion and gossip magazines with the title what not to wear. Lets face it, would most westerners get the fashion or see it as a joke especially with a frilly Hime dress. Then again I would wear Mary Madeline on the red carpet, so I would be trying to give Lolita bad name because I so wanted to wear something that appears to be too much over the top costume.(yes, bad word)

I guess that is the great thing about Lolita, everything can be overly cute, very elegant, gothic, punk and Princesses. Yet it all one fashion. I know it has been said that you should pick one style and go with it but I really can't do that plus I find it boring. I need variety and the fact the fashion has it makes it more fun and more suited to me over all for that reason. I understand if some don't agree with me. That's good you may choose to Hime full time and all I can say is good luck because the hair would kill me trying to keep the volume and making it perfect for a princess style to wear the tiaras with. Mind you I never understood open toed heels with tights look, I find it a bit hit and miss depending on the shoe.
I know this is one of the more expensive styles to follow and probley requires a lot of love, attention and money to follow. I salute you Hime Lolitas, wear your outfits with pride.

Some pictures of dresses, I love the last two and yes the second last one is a JSK but it can be used for the style. Just add frilly arm sleeved blouse.

One
Two
Three
Four
Five

HAHA! I finally posted working links. I'm so happy

Does art and Loli mix?

Well for the past two weeks I've been going to University to study art and each time I'm there I'm wearing full Lolita.

Now I've been doing art fully for several years now and only every got paint on myself once. I just happen to be wearing brand new trousers from Next at the time and the paint was Acrylic which most of you artist out there know is a right pain to get out of clothes.
Mind you, I have had careless class mates who had thought it was smart to leave globs of paint on the floor which me and others have stepped in. Mind you they were younger than me and still in their teens. So more self centered on how they viewed the world. Before someone rips me a new one, they would agree with this view.

I'm in a more adult filled class 23+ more of them are between 30-40 so you understand that the atmosphere is considerably different. I do feel slightly out of place as there is only 2 of us that dress more, how do you say not dressed to do the dirty work. Now don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy to walk in their with jeans and games T-shirt on any time but I feel more withdrawn with that look and not wanting to interact with others. While Lolita makes me feel as if I more complete and more willing to get to know people.

Now I should probably not wear my bodyline replica Fruit Parlor skirt, as they don't make it with the lovely lace trim any more. Oh yeah, I love that trim. Then again a simple frilly apron would probably suit and protect the clothes much more easily for those just in case moments.

Now paint is easily sorted with the apron but what about those hand on materials that are more dusty: Chalk, Pastel, Charcoal. Now these are washable but that doesn't mean they aren't the most messiest.
They get every where, before you know it they are on your face and you have no knowledge about how they got there in the first place.
Now lets face it the only way to keep your hands clean is to wear gloves, this way you would take them off before pushing back that loose stray of hair or nudge it back with the back of the wrist. Since you are more aware of the gloves on your hand.

These are simple things but then again, it is dependant on each person and how they handle a brush and such.
I know I will risk my non-brand with my art class. I have no idea what the future will hold when it comes to brand. Knowing me I'll try wearing it with art.

Lolita meme

COLOURS

What colours can be found in your Lolita closet?
White, black, pink, red, blue

What is your favourite colour with Lolita?
Black is my main love for colour but I do love others.


What is your least favourite colour in Lolita?
No idea, there are a ton of colours out there with many tones. I'm still new with colour in Lolita.

Which uncommon colour do you want to try out?

Yellow ochre but only because I've got the fabric there waiting to be used

DESIGN
Are you more a Onepiece, Jumperskirt or a Skirt person?
I really like all of them but by looking at my wardrobe maybe more skirts so far.

Which cut do you like the best?
Square or sweetheart necklines

Print or no Print?
I get sucked into prints but not to busy prints

How does a dress/skirt have to look like that it will be a "must have" item for you?
Four outlines pink hearts on black fabric with Nevermore written brokenly with purple and pink overlays.

STYLES
What is your favourite style in Lolita?
Gothic

Which style do you wear regularly?
I guess boy style since I need more items to have more outfits, then it would be sweet/classic/gothic

Which style you want to try out?
faery-kai Lolita only because I love MLP so much that I would buy pony hoodie and wearing pink leg warmers.

Which style you never want to try out/wear again?
Don't really know yet to be honest, since I feel I should at least try them once before knocking it.

BRANDS

Brands yes or no and why?
Yes and no, to be honest I own one piece of brand so far and that is a blouse. I can't really make an opinion since I don't have much knowledge on the matter but I do love the velvet piece in brand.

Which brand is your favourite?

Baby and Metamorphose, I love piece from them the most to be honest.

Which is your least favourite brand?

Angelic Pretty, I really don't enjoy their prints as much and call me old fashion but I don't like the skirts getting shorter. I hate my thighs, I want them covered.

Ever had a good/bad experience with brand?

Not really qualified to answer that sorry.

Will this experience encourage/stop you from buying brand?

^As above^

OTHER
Did you ever got surprised by a piece of Lolita?
Baby's Mermaid print, the pearls just blend in to the print and look like they aren't real there.

Did you ever got disappointed by a piece of Lolita?

Not yet

Things that you like about Lolita?

Simple looking pieces that don't over whelm me.

Things that you dislike on Lolita?

Buttons on the back of a dress, I find it stupid.

Do you have a Lolita fashion idol, if 'yes' who is it?

No, not to my knowledge.

Does Lolita affect your every day life?
It should when it comes to this blog and my need for sewing but I need to push my self to do that more so not yet.

Do you buy Lolita related things, like cute looking furniture?

No, I just get things I like. If it Lolita related then it is a bonus.

Do you read/buy the Gothic Lolita Bible?

I own all the English ones but I love Gosu Rori, I should try and buy at least one Japanese GLB so I can see more and get more patterns.

How to you describe your fashion style to others that don´t know about Lolita?

Well it is sort of based on older fashion styles with a bit of a modern twist. It is a fashion about keeping a modest look but still looking cute and not old and granny like.

Is there something you want to say to your fellow Lolitas?

Don't fear the communities, if you are unsure about them watch and learn. They aren't going to rip you a new one they are only wanting to help you get they style right. You can experiment with the fashion but understand if it doesn't have a Lolita look to it, then they will tell you and try and help you tweak it a bit.

So this being the first post what shall I say, Hi.
Ok I’ve followed the Lolita fashion for some time now but that doesn’t mean I have not made any mistakes. We have all done, heck some of us still do. *hand in there* Like most fashion, we aren’t going to get it right just like that.

Now if you are like me, don’t have the money for brand/not fully sure about spending loads of cash. You run the risk of mistakes with buying off-brand and no I’m not talking about F+F, bodyline, Anne House, etc. I’m talking about stuff you buy in store, off e-bay or generally handmade.

So I’m taking a step back here and going for what was my first purchase that I thought was Lolita.
The leg warmer, no I’m not kidding. I thought it was part of the fashion. Through searches I had came to the conclusion this was indeed needed for the fashion. How wrong I was.

So here they are:



Now these could be worked into Lolita but a lot of knowledge is require about the fashion first or you can just wear them on top of ice skates with your outfit. They will look good and will with fit the fashion but no one new who is building up the wardrobe should try it unless it is 100% that it will look amazing.



This pair is slightly fancier but it can still work but not for newbies. I know I sounds a bit a of a meanie but I think I would rather warn you before you go and post an outfit with them and find out that your doing it wrong in the eyes of the community. If you want to do leg warmers. Tip: no socks, old style victorain legwarmers and your heeled shoe. An example of this is in the English Gothic Lolita Bible page 77 at the bottom. There are two outfits with these old styled leg warmers.



Now these are thigh highs with lace trim tops. Now these would be the "OMG what were you thinking" item. To be honest, not much at the time. The three pairs above can be saved and used it Fairy Lolita but do not do this style without getting the basic of Lolita and Fairy Kei.
More information about cross styles with Lolita go to this blogger's post: http://fyeahlolita.blogspot.com/2009/10/lolitas-many-trends.html

Now back to the Thigh highs, this one is very tricky one. It is called Ero-loli and even the best Lolitas have trouble with this one. There are not many attempts of it so yeah, this is the biggest no in Lolita wardrobe. Now I do have an idea for them but I don't have the items of yet. So here goes. I would try a Kuro Ero Lolita style. I would have black bloomers with black suspenders clips attached to them to the thigh highs. I would have black blouse with sheer sleeves with a black pattern full body corset on top. Now that may seem good to some but I think a black petti under black cage skirt would lovely on top. Shoes I would say platform heels with black socks, note the socks wouldn't fully be visible or seen at all depending on shoe style. Hair pulled back with loose curls falling decorated with a black rose corsage.
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=14595416 - visit this to see roughly what I'm trying to say.