2018 A Year in Review

2018 was such a busy and amazing year for me. It seemed to go by in a huge blur. In January we took a family trip to Cuba. We had the whole family there, 8 of us went and stayed for a week. The trip was beautiful and we loved getting away in the middle of winter to warmer weather. We have been thinking about going to Cuba again this year but haven't quite decided yet.

In March I did a second fashion show with my good friend Madame Absinthe. The theme was Post Apocalyptic, but considering that really isn't my style at all, I decided on a Vampire theme instead for my collection. My thought was that of course the Vampires would survive the Apocalypse and come out of hiding to feed on whats left of the population. I was much more comfortable working on the Vampire theme so I could incorporate some of my signature velvet pieces. I won't go into too much depth and details about the show in this post as it really deserves its own post.

I did a few alternative shows after that including some new Pagan shows I hadn't done before which was really nice. I have been neglecting my blog for a long time which is a shame really because I do enjoy writing. The shows were a great success and I met some new friends and lots of friends I hadn't seen in quite a while. Hopefully I can do some Renn Faires next year as well.

I started doing more sewing related youtube videos and I would really like to get back to that. I smashed my IPad and that put a stop to the videos for a bit unfortunately. I stopped doing the Pagan related videos because I just find the topic too personal to share in videos to be honest. I admire those on youtube that can share themselves freely but that just isn't me. I am an Aquarius after all. There are some things I still keep to myself which includes my spiritual practices. However, I do love being involved in the community both online and in person. My local study group and coven had a full year as well. We discussed so many topics and didn't miss a single Sabbat this year. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing group of people to share my path with.

I did a few Harry Potter events again this year reading Tarot for charity. I love dressing up and playing Professor Trelawney for the events. I also taught a beginner Tarot class at my local book shop that went really well. Hopefully I will get the chance to teach again in the future.

 

We did several day trips in the summer with the Camaro, which is always nice. And a few road trips in the Jeep to trails in Cottage Country up north.

 

 


As for my sewing business, I did try some new items at shows and online this year. I introduced the Stevie Shawls in multiple colours and they were a big hit. I sold almost everything from the fashion shows, only keeping some of the special pieces like the black wool cape. I did lots of shows in the summer and fall but opted to not do so many Christmas shows this year. I'm glad I didn't because it made the season much more enjoyable for me and my family. I focused more on the online sales instead. I did make a few mistakes this year in my choices of jobs I took on. I need to be more selective in what I make and focus on my own style. When doing shows, it can be easy to get sidetracked into making items specifically to sell at shows instead of what you like to make. It's difficult to stay focused for me sometimes. I want to avoid being side tracked this year.

 


I also tried to share more Outfit of the Day posts on Instagram as people seemed to enjoy those. I learned a lot about myself doing that also. I learned what actually looks good on me and what I like to wear. I learned that I sew a lot but I don't have much of my own designs in my wardrobe which is a real shame! I need to make more items to incorporate into my wardrobe daily. I also want to start sharing more of the sewing progress both here on the blog and on Instagram.

 

 

 

 

 


My biggest success this year was that I made progress at losing some weight this year. I started a Ketogenic diet in the early fall. As of today, I have lost 30 pounds which is really exciting. The big issue with the diet is that I am also vegetarian. I have been vegetarian for at least 23 years now, so I wasn't about to just start eating meat. So I did the Keto diet as a Veggie which is really strict even with dairy included. I gave up sugar, bread, and pasta and tried to eat as low carb as possible. You can just imagine how tough it is for a Veggie, but I stuck to it. I am going to have to start introducing healthy carbs back in this year. I also want to get back to cycling this year.

So I would say that was a very busy and productive year all in all. It's good to see it all written out like that because I tend to beat myself up for not doing enough all the time. I think I will have to work on a list of goals for the new year now!

Happy New Year and thanks for reading!

Happy Solstice and Merry Christmas!

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Solstice, Blessed Yule, and Merry Christmas and to also say a big thank you to everyone that reads my blog! Thank you for stopping by my little spot on the internet and brightening my day.

I wanted to share a few holiday photos from my house to yours. Seasons Greetings!

 

                          

A Visit From Saint Nicholas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

-Clement Clarke Moore

Hail Krampus! An Evening out at the Toronto Krampus Ball

A regular Yule tradition for us now is to attend the Krampus Parade and Ball in Toronto. A group of us get all dressed up and freeze our butts off outside in minus temperatures all so we can chant Hail Krampus! while walking down a busy Toronto street late at night. We started with a short parade and then a concert with some local entertainers and bands. Squid Lid was the headliner for the evening at the Opera House. I have to say that the parade was a bit of a let down compared to last year. We did a pub crawl instead last year which a lot more fun.

Who is Krampus? The Christmas Devil Krampus is described as a half goat and half demon spirit who travels with Saint Nickolas on Dec 5 (known as Krapusnacht) to determine whether children have been naughty or nice. If found to be on the naughty list. Krampus might beat the children with his twigs or kidnap them and steal them away to the underworld in his bag. He is much like the pied piper leading the naughty children away to their demise sometimes. He is basically a dark fairytale meant to warn children to behave correctly. He is believed to be a remnant left over from pre-christian times and definitely looks like the Pagan Horned God of the witches.

My hubby and I decided to make it a special event by staying in Toronto for the weekend. We stayed at The Broadview Hotel which is a historic Victorian hotel built in 1893. It has recently undergone a modern facelift and looks beautiful with amazing views from the bar on the 7th floor. We went in to the city early so we could check into the hotel and have a few drinks at the bar.

The following day we went to the Christmas Market at the Distillery District. There is a traditional German Christmas market every year complete with carolers and an outdoor market. I picked up a few ornaments and some treats at the market. We had a great time at both the concert and the market so hopefully we can go again next year and keep the tradition going.

A photo from last years parade:

Sew Frosting! and the Evolution of the Sewing Blog World

As a regular reader (I hope), you probably know already that I have been sewing for what seems like  forever. I lost touch with the sewing community for quite a few years when I started working full time in retail in 2005. I used to read some sewing blogs and follow some folks over on the Pattern Review website years ago but that was the extent of it for about 5-7 years at least. I am now fully back and immersed in the sewing world again for a while now. I'm still trying to catch up with the new trends and whats popular out there. A lot of things have changed while I was absent and I thought I might discuss the evolution of my own sewing and the sewing blog world in general.

I recently rediscovered the sewing blog world through Instagram. Instagram does seem to be the place where every fashion or sewing blogger has migrated to in the past few years, myself included. Instagram is a great platform to follow and discover new and older bloggers, however I do miss seeing all the pictures from traditional blogs and reading the long detailed posts. Maybe I'm just a Dinosaur? Who else misses this platform? There is just something lacking and impersonal about Instagram. Anyway, that's another topic for another day.

The biggest change I see in the sewing world is the rise of independent patterns. I have my favourite indie designers like Gertie (One of the bloggers I have followed since she first started sewing) and Sew Over It. I am happy to see how they have evolved their love for sewing into a full fledged career and business over the years. On the flip side of that, I find the sewing world has become much more commercially driven. Every where I look is an ad for either fabric or patterns. Just like in the fashion blogging world, there are influencers now. So even Sewists you follow just to see what they making are always pushing new products. It used to be really subtle but now its everywhere. A thousand voices shouting buy this! buy that! It can be really overwhelming at times to be honest. And they all seem to use indie patterns now. I sometimes feel old and outdated using the big 4 patterns (Vogue, McCalls, Butterick, and Simplicity) still or self drafting my own patterns. I'm feeling the pressure to use indie patterns instead even though I have a massive collection of the big 4. If I'm being completely honest, I find most of the indie patterns too simplistic and basic. And besides that, I am just very used to using the big 4. I know them too well by now. So its hard for me to change that mindset even though I would rather support the smaller independent companies instead of the big corporations.

Its really interesting to see how different the sewing community is now compared to years ago. I already have a huge stash of fabrics and patterns to work from so I haven't fallen into the trap of buying all the latest patterns. What I did notice though is how so many of them were not only making the same patterns but also the same fabrics! Why? When there are literally thousands of patterns and combinations to choose from. Why not do your own unique thing? Why follow the herd? This is the main thing that stood out to me after following sewists on IG. I think it comes down to a clever and subversive way of advertising to a niche market. The same way YT fashion influencers make videos on the same brands of clothing. They are supplied the patterns and material to make those garments in exchange for the vlog or blog. As a small business, its a brilliant way to advertise. However, it makes our sewing community a little more boring in the process. Add to that, how popular it is to churn out quick and cheap makes instead of well thought out outfits or wardrobes. I personally am going back to the slow sewing method as well. I just enjoy making bigger projects. they are more satisfying in the long run. Why bother sewing tees or sweatshirts that are so easily purchased when you can make something truly unique and not common in the mainstream stores. Some food for thought...

The next big change I see is that sewing has become a bigger community through Instagram and YT. It wasn't that long ago that there were hardly any sewing vloggers or bloggers out there. And even fewer alternative ones at that. Mari Mortem and Goth It Yourself are the two alternative sewists that stick out to me that have been around for years. And Gertie was the first blogger I can remember doing vintage and pin up style. I still miss her pink hair! Now there are tons of sewists doing vintage and alternative style. It's amazing! I just wish there were more of us Gothic sewists out there. Maybe we need to start a new tag so we can find each other? #gothsewist or #alternativesewist perhaps? There are also unique sewists with their own style that I wouldn't exactly call alternative so to speak but they are different and fun to follow and I love their style none the less. Sewists like Marcy Harriell (Oona Balloona), The Crafty Pinup, and Wanderstitch.

That brings me to the tag #sewfrosting. The term came about when blogger Tasia of Sewaholic said she was sewing too much frosting and not enough cake. In other words she was sewing too many statement garments and not enough basics. Then True Bias Patterns and Closet Case Patterns decided to make the saying into a contest on Instagram. To see how many people would like to make statement pieces instead of basics. I love that idea! Sewing frosting seems to be my go to thing anyway. I don't like to waste my precious sewing time on basics like tees or leggings. Or even if I did make those things they would be different in some way. I would make sparkly or velvet leggings or lace tees! That's just me.

This contest brings up another trend I've seen growing in the sewing community lately. And that is sewing basics or everyday items instead of special occasion. I think part of why this has changed over the years is that fashion itself has changed to rather boring basics. Anytime I dare to look up new fashion trends all I see are the same looks copied over and over. A blond girl wearing boots, jeans, and an oversized sweater in beige. Really? Is that what is considered trendy now? That seems pretty basic to me...I digress. That mainstream fashion trend of basic items has trickled into the sewing world with sewists making the same sweatshirts, tees, leggings, and basic skirts over and over. All beginner level sewing and no frosting! When did sewing become so boring? When I first started sewing clothing in the 80s, it was all about being unique and standing out. No one played it safe. I think one of the first things I made in high school was a full length prom dress in taffeta. So I'm really hoping that this trend of sewing more unique items will catch on and we can give the sweatshirts a break for a while.

My basic sewing is almost always stretch velvet. Its my safe zone and its super easy to work with. I change the patterns up by altering a sleeve or skirt but its still pretty basic to me. When I think of #sewfrosting I think bigger more challenging sewing like an evening dress or perhaps a velvet coat or cape maybe? I don't know, but I feel like I have gotten myself into my own personal rut by sewing so much with stretch velvet. Perhaps I need to make a big Victorian outfit just to do something different for a change. I am going to try and challenge myself a bit more and I don't need a Fashion Show as an excuse to do it.

My final thoughts on this subject are don't get yourself into the mindset of where am I going to wear that? It's completely impractical to make a Victorian ensemble! Maybe it is for some people. I look for events to go to so I can dress up! I don't wait around for the occasion, I do the opposite by making the outfit and then finding an occasion to wear it to. I have a big event this weekend and I don't have to stress or worry because I have several pieces already in my wardrobe that will work. Its just a matter of pulling an outfit together. Some food for thought for my fellow sewists that are struggling with this idea!

I will end this post with some amazing alternative Sewists I have found through Instagram and whom I find inspiration in everyday!

Madame Absinthe https://www.instagram.com/madame_absinthe/
Scary Kerri https://www.instagram.com/blackorchiddesignsscarykerri/
Anemia Adams https://www.instagram.com/anemia_addams/
Mari Mortem https://www.instagram.com/mari_mortem/
Sew Goth https://www.instagram.com/sewgoth/
Insomniacs Attic https://www.instagram.com/insomniacs_attic/
Hexenstern https://www.instagram.com/hexenstern/
Sarah https://www.instagram.com/talesfromageordiegoth/
Laura https://www.instagram.com/crowfaerylaura/

The Trouble With Fast Fashion

With Black Friday fast approaching, I've started thinking about the effects of Fast Fashion on not only the economy but also the Fashion Industry in general. Not to mention the effects that Fast Fashion has on the environment but that's another topic. Fast Fashion is responsible for vast amounts of waste and major pollution.“Fast Fashion” refers to fashion that is produced very quickly in order to get new trends to the market as quickly and cheaply as possible. What used to be four distinct seasons in retail has now turned into a new collection or look every week instead. It also exploits the workers in the industry.

Fast Fashion is just like its counterpart Fast Food; fast, cheap, and really bad for us. Every year it seems like Black Friday sales start earlier and earlier with companies advertising their sales the week before even. I realize that companies are trying to compete for sales in a crowded online world and in the malls so they do whatever they can to start earlier than their competitors but its getting ridiculous. This year the Halloween aisle seemed to disappear before October even started and then was taken over by the major money making holiday, Christmas, instead. To be honest, I just don't like the whole season of Christmas. Too many years of crappy retail jobs killed whatever joy I once had for the season. Too many angry customers complaining about having to shop for things they don't want or need. I always felt that Christmas was just too commercial and stressful. I dreaded it every year. Bah Humbug! Even now that I have my own business, its still difficult for me to get in the spirit. I know I should be excited and doing lots of shows this time of year but I didn't sign up for a single one! Halloween came and went so fast this year that I felt the post holiday blues really strongly. I wish I had gotten out to more events. But enough about that! Lets talk about Fast Fashion now. 

Recently I took my Hubby to the mall to pick out a few new suits. While we were there, I checked out a few stores to see if there was anything I might like to buy for myself. I remembered that in the past, Fall and Holiday seasons were the best shopping for gothic dresses. Holiday season is usually full of lace and velvet dresses.You could shop nice gothic looks at the mainstream stores easily. However, I was really disappointed in what I found this year! The quality of clothing has gotten so poor that I didn't find anything worth buying, which is really rare for me! I love to shop! The velvet dresses were cheap and too short or the lace was just crappy fabric and plain. I left the mall empty handed. My Hubby did very well though. I then found myself at a few local vintage and thrift shops. I found multiple items that were perfect for me. Good quality pieces and good prices as well. Now thats the type of clothing I was looking for! And by the way these stores don't accept fast fashion for resale because the quality is too poor. What does that say about the products at stores like H&M or Forever 21? 

Basically Fast Fashion stores had taken over my local mall. There aren't even any middle of the road type of stores. It seems to be either cheap mass produced crap or expensive over priced brand names and nothing in between. The Department Stores are almost gone too. Sears used to have a brand called Jessica that was decent quality and cute velvet dresses around Christmas. It went bankrupt this year. I saw that some bloggers were talking about Zara and Asos online, so I checked them out too. Boring! So my question is where does this leave the fashion industry? Is true fashion dead? 

Now lets talk about Gothic Fashion. Once upon a time you had to either make your own goth clothes or thrift them and alter them. There were a few mainstream stores that had decent stuff to alter or add accessories to and dress up. You could buy nice velvet dresses and lacey pretty tops every year. Or if you were lucky a nice velvet dress from an upscale department store. Then along came the equivalent to Fast Fashion in the gothic world, Killstar. It isn't even that cheap but it seems to have taken over the gothic fashion world as the brand to buy. That makes me just want to run the other way to be honest. I have ordered a few items from them and the quality is decent but not great. Sure they are cute but every other goth girl thinks so too. So what I'm seeing now is that instagram is full of Killstar clones. A sad state of affairs! And even sadder still is that the handmade clothing brands that were once so popular are starting to disappear one by one. They just can't compete with the fast fashion brands. All of this makes me think that the future of retail is going to be very different. 

Vintage and thrift stores are very popular already. There were always lots of thrift shops in the past but now there are tons of boutique style resale shops everywhere. Proving that customers want affordable but good quality clothing. I love to shop at these stores too. You don't have to dig in a thrift store anymore because they are very selective in what they bring in and this saves time. However, I can't help but feel sorry for all those future Fashionistas that will only have Fast Fashion brands in thrift stores in 20 years. Those clothes will never hold up the way the 90s and older clothing did. True vintage fashion will become really expensive soon. Even the 90s stuff. Don't believe me? Try looking up the price of a vintage Laura Ashley dress now. So collect it while you can! 

I think from now on if I don't make my own clothes, I am going to commit to buying only handmade, vintage, or thrift clothes from now on. Or at the very least, small brands that aren't trying to take over Instagram one blogger at a time. What are your thoughts? Where are we heading on this runaway train?

90s Goth Nostalgia

I have been in a 90s nostalgia mood again for the past few weeks. Whilst browsing through Etsy and EBay I came across some vintage 90s Poet blouses. they are one of those items you rarely find in the thrift stores, perhaps because they were usually made in silk or rayon and just haven't held up over the years. I was shocked by the prices I found though. They ranged anywhere from $100 up to $250! I thought Screw That! And went and dug through my stash of vintage patterns. I finally decided on Simplicity 2163.

It is an Arkivestry pattern by Simplicity. A brand name that I like and trust to sew with. My first blouse I made from a creamy coloured stretch rayon in a jacquard print. I edged it in a heavy lace. I'm really impressed with how it turned out, as its the perfect length and size for me. I did modify the sleeves a bit by adding elastic instead of a cuff, but otherwise i did the pattern as is.

In fact I was so impressed with this top that I made a second version in a burnout black velvet. I think I will get more wear out of the black version in the long run. This blouse is so comfortable to wear in this soft material and yet it still looks very dressy.

Which colour do you prefer? Cream, black or maybe a red next? Now I think I will make some more of these for the shop so others can enjoy some vintage poet blouses as well!