History Repeats, with new ending!

I have finished it! Finally! Our little short film. I apologise to my flists everywhere...well actually. I don't apologise! We worked on this and we enjoy it! It's the best we can do in the time frame. So have a squiz and let me know what you think. Bearing in mind its for a short film comp for australia post, themed parcel and had to go for no more than 3.2 minutes!

Enjoy, History Repeats!

New *gasp* Modern dress

Thats right, I have picked up my dress that I started working on back in December 08. Its a vogue pattern, a bit 'breakfast at tiffany's. For those playing at home, its V8020.

So this is what we have so far, it looks lumpy because it is presently, a lot of pins and yes, they hurt.

I'm using satin left over from my sisters formal dress, red sides and black front. When I first put it together it was a bit of a sack, needed some fitting, and I think I've lost more weight so that would be one answer. Can't wait to finish it!

Our Film = Complete save music

My friends and I made a little film for Australia Post's 200 years/2oo Seconds film competition. It falls *just* under the time limit at 3:15. Lucky I think. But it's lacking music now. My friend in NC is/was playing the flute for me, a little ditty called 'Morgan Magan'. The music needs to have no copyright attached to it, thats why I chose that song, its very old and only has to be credited to the person playing it. Anyone who wants to volunteer to play anything that would suit, just contact me....please!

To sew one must have a sewing machine!

As I have been out of home now for some 4 weeks, any sewing has been by hand. Of which I have done well. I have stiched bodices, darts, sleeves, gathers. But a sewing machine was in want! I lost out on a gorgeous 1938 singer, but won instead this:

Not too bad. I know I'll get mums later one day. But I need one of my own and I simply could not work the ones my nan gave me. The rotten peices of plastic that they are. So I have my own for 1/3 of the price the original I wanted went for. Its down in Nowra, so I'll drive down tomorrow, providing the seller is ok with that and pick it up. Can't wait. I simply can't work the new modern ones. They are too confusing.

My friend from school is borrowing the 1860's purple ballgown for a party, and I'm wearing the green stripe regency dress to Belgenny Farm for mothers day.
Next to do I think is a yellow anime dress for a friend, she is going as a Howls moving castle character Sophie. So will help her with that.

Stripes and Rain

As promised, pictures of the green stripe dress. I hand sewed the sleeves entirely, the bodice pleats and hand sewed them to the skirt by hand. I wanted the sleeves to be cut unlike how they are, but meh, it's all good.

It's raining as it has been all day. I visited the wollongong museum and got some more ideas for the australia post film. Got some more angles to film from and ideas on how to do it. Lovely little place in there. Small but nice. Lovely ladies in there too. I think I may hae been the only one to visit today. So I had the whole place to myself. Am still on the lookout for the big old victorian post boxes, one that works or at least has been looked after over the years. I might go down to Kiama next weekend, if not I have a feeling Bowral or the highlands will have what I'm after. Sydney will, but thats a little too far.

I have started to pull apart the grey robe to make into the cloak. It is going to have a few seams in it, but as its wool, you don't notice it as much.

The cast list so far stands at:

1860's girl - Me
Post office Lady - As you don't see this lady's face, I can change costume and be this lady as well.
Postman Modern post office lady - Caz
Modern girl - Cookie
Modern post man

Hopefully if Cookie says yes to helping us out I can get the ball rolling!

But enjoy the pretty pictures. This goes with a new set of stays as posted a month ago.

Another film in the works. A CHM Production this time!

Here I am, moved into my new home, flown the nest and its 11pm and I'm looking at cape patterns.

My friend, whom I made the rather questionable quality film with recently has told me of a new film competition brought to us by Australia Post. It's their 200th birthday this year and to celebrate they are opening a 200 second film comp, which must include credits and must have a parcel in it. Well. My little mind went on overdrive and I came up with the following:

My first thoughts were of a girl in 1860 who sends a parcel. It's brown paper wrapped. You see her addressing it to eg: ‘mary smith’. You see her rushing out to post it. It's raining and the ink has started to run. She posts it. The post man gets it out of the box and puts it on his cart or in his bag. The rain has ruined the address. By the time it gets to the post office the address is ruined. They put it on a shelf to dry and it’s forgotten about. Time goes by. And its moved further down the shelf until we transition to modern day. Someone is cleaning the shelves and finds the parcel. They pick it up and examine it, they can just make out an address. You see them typing on a computer and make a phone call. A bit of head nodding and what not. A bit of realisation. A thankyou and both hang up. The lady with the parcel re-addresses it and sends it.

See a postie knocking on the door with the parcel. A girl answers it, is asked for identification, and shows her license, you see her name is the same as the girl who it was originally addressed too. The postie is surprised. The girl points to a photo on the wall and explains that she is named after her great great grandmother. ie: ‘mary smith’. Both smile and laugh a little. The girl takes it inside and unwraps it to find a photo of the girl who sent it with some ribbon and a letter in it and a fabric swatch.

I thought to maybe start it in sepia and then when we transition to modern day we fade it to colour. I can’t wait to start on it!

I've asked my old girls, Caz and Harding to help. It's been years since we've done a film together and I have a good feeling about this one!

I plan to be the 1860's girl. Like you didn't see that one coming! And I have the dress picked out, my Caroline Chisholm dress. But I needed something more. I'll use my old Harry Potter teachers robe and cut it up to make something like this. It's going to look smashing. The robe was grey wool. And if I start in sepia, it won't matter if the colours clash a little! Huzzah for me! I'm hoping that my dear Katherine can help with the music. It would be awesome if she can. And hey she can ask others if they have ideas too! Imagine that! The prize is some NIDA classes and some other things. Honestly, I could care less, if it gets recognition and a mention that would rock! But its no use getting your hopes out. We know how badly it can go. Best go in for fun. Thats all! But its so much fun just making it! Me and the girls together again, CHM productions live again!

I have finished sewing the sleeves on my green stripe cross over gown. I just need to hem it, add some ties to the inside of it and the tassles and I think it's done. I want to have detachable long sleeves too. It's looking good and I'm proud of it. I've done a fair bit of hand sewing on it as I've been too against taking out the machine

Stay Power

After having cut these silly things so so long ago, I finally finished them on the weekend! I put 2 layers of boning in. I only had plastic boning and I find it better than the single layer set I have. They don't tend to warp to my body as much, a tad stronger too. Metal eyelets, will hold up more than my hand sewn set. I sewed the white layers by hand and went over them with the machine. I made the gussets smaller than last time too, a better fit all round. But you get that generally when you make something for the second time. You improve your skills.

This blue riding habit is the one I want to recreate, not a good view, but its a fair colour. I'm sure I can find something suitable.


This is the olive green stripe indian fabric I bought the other day, its being fashioned into a cros over gown with short puff sleeves. Looking good if I say so myself. A few things to do to it before it's finished. But I'm happy!
In other news, I'm moving out in april. Can't wait. A few things to get in order, but all should be well. I can afford it, I've gone through the budgets and I can survive and still go on my trips and what not. Can't wait! True independence.

Of Cross Overs and Drop Fronts

I am just over half way in making my new cross over gown. I've cut the bodice on the bias, as it's striped, it's looking rather good if I say so myself. Best not spoil it until it's finished. It's made from a soft indian cotton, olive green and beige stripes. I have love green tassels to attach at the cross over fastening point and at the sleeves, which are to be short puffed sleeves.

My dear friend has suggested the most awesome idea (it's a wonder I didn't come up with it!), to make a regency dress each when I visit her in August. We have, or rather she suggested, to make drop front gowns. I have to trace the patterns and send them along. Now to scout all available fashion plates to find something to copy if I can!

And I have decided each time I post to rate an album I am currently in love with!

Starting with a classic band and their 'new' album released in 2005 with new frontman JD Fortune. I finally got around to listening to this from way to go:









1. Devil's Party - 5 Stars
2. Pretty Vegas - 5 Stars (It is imperative to play this LOUD)
3. Afterglow - 3.5 Stars
4. Hot Girls - 4 Stars
5. Perfect Stranger - 4.5 Stars
6. Remember Who's Your Man - 3.5 Stars
7. Hungry - 4 Stars
8. Never Let You Go - 4.5 Stars
9. Like It Or Not - 3.5 Stars
10. Us - 3.5 Stars
11. God's Top Ten - 4 Stars

Overall a pretty good damn album. But then again, there is hardly an album I own that I don't LOVE!

Time to update

I have several little sewing projects sitting and waiting to be either, drafted, cut, started and finished! I think after so much sewing and in so little time, I've lost the drive for it for a little while. Summer seems to lack drive for me. That and I need some holiday time to get bored and start it up again. Work and other things on my mind have pushed sewing far far from my mind.

Things wanting to start and finish. Some relating to future filming project:

- White muslin drawstring dress (cut and pinned)
- New set of short stays with blue lining (first 2 layers sewn)
- Riding habit in dark blue (for future project)
- Late 1840's light blue flounced skirt dress (for the heck of it using the material from that dress)
- 1850's day dress in checked indian cotton (again for the heck of it)
- Corded petticoat (for when I have too much time on my hands!)

Our director is planning another film night, this time with the directors cut and the making of. Scary!

And after forking out a rather large amount of money (and sadly digging into my usa spending money) my car is fine. The ignition coils were dying or almost dead, sending my car shuddering and being non responsive, or very slow to respond after short trips. Very irriting and stressful.

I am looking forward to moving out sooner than I anticipated. My sister and my brother in law have purchased an apartment and are waiting to hear on a job for him up north in Newcastle area. I am praying they get it as they really want and need it. And as they can't live in their new apartment due to this job, I will be nest sitting and helping to pay the mortgage. Very exciting. But it's not in concrete until we hear about his job. Cross your fingers!

I think that is all to report for the moment. Photos of sewing escapades to come as I make my projects look identifiable!

Submitted & Declined

The film was completed at 3am on 15th of January and submitted later that day. We received an email saying that it had not got through.

I attended the screening. And although it could have been so good, it was lacking a great deal. But I myself put this down to the lack of time. I wish I could have seen some of it as it was being made, but maybe that is my own directorial needs coming through. Our director is gutted and I haven't seen him since. I'd like to sit and have a talk with him about it and point out things that could have been improved upon, but in a nice way. Constructive criticism is there for a purpose, for us to build upon things to make it kick arse the next time! I think what this lacked was a standard, start, middle and end. The narrator was not matching up with what was being displayed on screen and the camera was not steady.

But this has ignited the spark for me to finally put my little regency comedy onto film. I realised I've had it penned and in my head since 2006, perhaps 2009/2010 will be its time to shine?! The next signature item will be announced in March so I will have to work around that. Should be fun, might call on our leading man, he would make the perfect Henry. I've already been plotting what to do to our leading girls and I think its going to make you laugh and fall off your seat. But I'm biased, this is my baby after all!

And thats a wrap

I travelled to Camden again for final filming. This was Alana's day. I unfortunately couldn't get her into some of the costumes as I wasn't aware of her joining the ranks till the day before. But I got her into the white drop front regency gown instead. Its white with black sleeve trimmings. I look on that as a bleak white as its meant to be the girls worst moments. It was meant to be winter. I gave her my antique shawl as well, which I think complemented it.

Andrew did most, well if not all the camera work today. We found a gorgeous little park in Macarthur to film in as the Camden Pub was too packed to film at. I think this location worked out better. We had Alana's friend Lachlan come with us. Much fun was had.

Finally all filming is done. Director is editing as fast as he can. I am very anxious to see how it all turns out.

Overall a very enjoyable time. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Perfect actors, perfect crew, perfect times.

I think my past few days driving is finally catching up with me, I am rather tired. And this may end the use of this blog for my sewing escapades for this film. I will continue to use it for future endeavours and the how the film turns out.

Au revoir!

Burnwell at Greenwell

Was asked to be up at Camden at 6:30. Andrew, our leading man is very enthusiastic. Got to adore him for it. Got up at 4:30am today. Had a shower. Drove to Camden. Got there at 6:20. Got changed. Drove to Cobbity. I gave Andrew his total costume. He loved it. Got a picture for him. We reshot just about everything. The light was good at least. We added a scene or two.

We had to do a scene at this pond and we're holding hands and he lets go, a rock gets thrown in and the ripples move out and I leave his side all upset and lonely. At first I was supposed to throw the rock. I really wanted to do that and be all PMS'y haha. But alas, Eleanor does not do that apparently. She's the one that's put out by all that.

We drove down the coast to Greenwell Point to where Andrew lives. Took his little boat around the corner to a little island and filmed there all day. I got EPIC sunburn on my arms. Its hurting now. My face is even at least!

We shot a bit, we picked up another girl, Alana I think her name was. I've met her before, she goes to the Director's church. But we kept each other company when it was turn for the boys to film. It was fun down there.

We had to do a scene, now in modern clothes, sorry,forgot to mention earlier we were in 18th century gear. So, I nearly didn't go down the coast. So glad I did. We did a scene where Matthew and Eleanor pass each other on a beach and sort of recognise each other, and they feel down and can't put a finger on it because of their past lives interaction. And they just continue on their way.

There was a scene where 'Matthew' leaves on the boat and Alana and I were joking that he was leaving us and that we were going to have to resort to cannabalism and the Director was the 'it' boy so he'd have to go first. lol we were talking rubbish. Doing cartwheels and roundoffs. lots of fun.

We had to tow the boat back up and the car stalled. Andrew's dog got out, then this pit bull chased it. I freaked out a little. We eventually got a few people to help us jump start the car. clutch start it again when he turned the engine off lol got the boat towed up and then we got the car going again.

The film is supposed to be in on the 15th, should be interesting.

Going back up tomorrow hopefully for the last shots!

Photographic proof of the burning times:

Thursday renamed to Painday

That Thursday should forever be known as ‘pain day’! When getting in the car to head out to Camden after work for some more filming (which I was under the impression I was just a stand in), my hair was out, no clip or anything and as I ducked into the drivers seat my hair caught on the aerial and I ripped a good 10 hairs out of my head. That was ouch #1.

When I get out there the director informs me that the people he wanted to use have bailed and asked if I'd be the Italian lady *gobsmackedomcwtf* I agreed hesitantly and just went with the flow. Turns out, I'm not so bad at acting, thank goodness for watching all the period movies and reading so much and researching the times however minutely I have. Or maybe it was my previous roles as 'vampire'?

Ouch #2 isn’t so bad, just strutting around in my corset, laced as tight as I could. But I’m use to it so it’s not so bad.

Ouch #3 came as we were wrapping up filming. We were doing the last scene where Eleanor and Matthew are reunited and we have to run to each other and just hug each other. I have forgotten how strong men are, well, I haven’t been hugged like that ever so needless to say: OUCH! I think I have thrown my neck out or something, cause we did that take twice, its an odd angle to do, I had to go to his right side and throw my arms around his neck and he had to go to my right and throw his arms around my waist. Not that I could feel my waist for the steel boning encasing it. But its tempting to see a physio or something.

It was a lot of fun, I'm really nervous about how its going to turn out now that I have a bigger part than just 'costume designer'. You know that celebrities judge these things for tropfest? I forgot about that, now I'm more nervous than I was.

I didn't get to fit our leading man into his coat though. Don't know why I didn't think to try it on. I had to cut the wrist ties on the 18th century shirt. But that's easily replaced, bias tape was never a good choice in the first place.

We think we have to reshoot though, we're going down the coast to Culburra tomorrow and I am sure we are going to film at Rose Valley. The director really wants the gold gown in the sun, it was overcast and twilight yesterday. So we should be good this time round.

Wish Eleanor, I mean, me luck!

Finally.

We finally filmed something with our leading lady. Took us only about 3 months to do it! These are not the best quality as they were taken with my camera phone. I got there at about 12 and started ironing, I arrived earlier than I anticipated, but it proved all well anyway. Our leading man was not there, so we had to make do. And I think I have made the biggest blunder. Not being really awake during the past few days, I realised this was supposed to be the Autumn set and I realised I should have put her in the Regency Gear. Gah, darnit!!!! Why do I have to realise this now! I was rushed and wasn't thinking. And that's what Jonathan pointed to, the costume below! Now my costuming is all out of sequence. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to do it again anyway? Now I'm all worried! I sent an email to the director. We'll see how it goes.