Sewing for Mary Poppins

Above you can see the beautiful Alabama Shakespeare Festival Theatre, If you ever have the chance, be sure to attend a production there.  During one week of the summer I had a great opportunity to work on the Mary Poppins production. (The play ended up being so popular the running time was extended 2 times)

I was nervous about leaving my family for a week to go and work at a place I had only seen once and with people I knew nothing about. Jeffery Todhunter, head of production, had invited me to come and work with them and this excitement soon overcame the initial nerves. The first striking thing about the space is the large-ness of it. It is absolutely HUGE. There is a loft that contains the less used props and I was able to climb up there to get a couple photos.

The first day I even got to attend a staff meeting where everyone working on the project got together, introduced themselves, and talked about the production. That was simply incredible. Later in the week I even got to talk with some of the actors at their fittings. Everyone was very busy with their jobs and I was often left without anything to do. However, I learned a good bit during the week. One of the coolest things was make boot harnesses from scratch. I cut the leather from a raw hide, stained it, sealed the edges, punched holes, and added buckles. Here is the finished product:

Other things I did included dyeing a shawl, ironing fabric, assisting in fittings, painting a wig, organizing fabric, making flower bunches, sizing dresses and shirts, and making fabric covered buttons which ended up on Jane Bank's coat.

When I didn't have a job to do, I took pictures of the amazing space. There is a room for making wigs.

A special space for fringe

 

A wide variety of belts

                                            A huge selection of well, I'm not sure what.

The outside of the theater is beautiful as well and I had lunch in the garden or near the river.

 

Beautiful. Anyway, it was a very interesting experience and I met some very talented people. Later the family and I went to the production and it was so cool to see all the hard work on stage.

I would love to work on another production in the future!

~Rachel

 

 

Top 5 Reasons to Buy Clothes at the Thrift-Store

So, it's Rachel here.  I have really been enjoying my Fashion Design major at UA, and I have learned a lot about myself as a person. With my college student budget, I have really missed being able to buy things at the America's Thrift-Store near my house. I love buying clothes (and other things) at the thrift store and I thought I would share those reasons with you. So here we go:

1.It's cheaper
This basically goes without saying, but buying used clothing is far cheaper than retail. There is little reason to pay full price when you could pay less. You can still get brand name stuff if you look hard. I have purchased brands like Talbots, Fossil, Coldwater Creek, Lands End, and more. Here are some of my favorite thrift store dress shirts.

2. Items have already been laundered
The clothing you buy has already been washed and dried hundreds of times. No more wondering if a garment is going to shrink or fade, the clothes have already been through it all.
3. Jeans are already broken in
As a partial jean-addict (I have 13+ pairs), I absolutely love buying jeans at the thrift store because they have already been broken in. They have the creases and  the character that doesn't come with new pants.

4. One-of-a-kind pieces
By definition, clothes at the thrift store are not bought in bulk or multiple sizes. Getting individual garments can be a pain, but it is also rewarding. I often get complements on the clothes I buy from there so don't be afraid of trying it! The odd pieces certainly foster individuality and it's really fun to mix and match and make old into new.
5. Fuel for creativity
If I spend $5 for a dress that needs straps added to it, I'm not afraid to cut into it and get the job done. If that same dress was $50 no way would I touch it with a pair of scissors. Having a low investment helps me have the courage to do the needed alterations. As a seamstress, I also buy things too large and make them over. I can't even number the times I've shortened dresses to make shirts or hemmed pants. Sometimes I even buy bed sheets to cut up and use as fabric. It's great to have the freedom, and if the project is a failure, I'm only out a few dollars.

So those are my top reasons for buying things from the thrift store. Hope you enjoyed!

And she's off!!!

Rachel was thrilled to be offered a week-long internship with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival which began on Tuesday!!  I'll be back to post pictures! (That is, if she remembers to take some!)
I'll have more details later!
~~the lil' sis

Abigail Adams!

Rachel was recently commissioned to make an Abigail Adams dress for a friend's daughter.  She had to use three used bridesmaid's dresses to make the one costume.  I haven't posted about it yet because I wanted you to see pictures of the beauty!!!  I wish she'd make me one!!

The three bridesmaid's dresses

The finished project!!!

Disney costumes: Part 3

I promise this is the last installment of the Disney costumes.  :D We went to the production on Friday night and the costumes looked beautiful onstage!!!  All the actors and parents were thrilled with the final products and I think Rachel was really excited to see them all.  Here are a bunch of professionally taken pictures by our dear friend, Laura Sellers.  Enjoy!!!

~~the lil' sis

Disney Costumes: Part 2

The costumes are all finished and Rachel had a special picture-taking night with the cast.  Aren't they lovely?!?!

Belle, played by Miranda Shaffer

Pocahontas, played by Emma Baker

Aladdin and Jasmine, played by Jared Long and Carrie Orteza

Ariel, played by Charlotte Clare Wickersham

Aren't they just amazing?!?  Rachel didn't have patterns for many of the costumes (such as Ariel's tail and Aladdin's hat) so she created her own.  Yes, she created her own.  :D
We didn't get a picture with Hercules, in case you were wondering. :(
The production will be on the 7th so get a ticket and come on!!!!  Contact Rachel at rachelirvin.sewing@gmail.com for more information.
~~the lil' sis
P.S. You can view all the pictures here.

Birmingham Fashion Week Rising Design Star Contest

February 2013 was an exciting time in the Irvin household.  Rachel had made it to the second level of Birmingham Fashion Week: Rising Design Star Contest.  It was officially announced at the Birmingham Art Museum, after Rachel's costume had been displayed in the museum, along with thirty-nine other costumes.  Thirty costumes were chosen to show on the runway in Pepper Place, downtown Birmingham.  In two nights, all thirty costumes strutted their stuff and only sixteen continued on.

And who do you think was chosen to model said beautiful costume?  Moi, of course.  :D

The costume was made of window screen for the body, white trash bags for lining, Mardi Gras beads for the halter strap, bath poofs for decoration, and grommets and brads for fastening.  It was highly uncomfortable because it didn't bend enough to sit down in and the screen was scratchy but she double-lined it with trash bags so it wasn't horrible.
A few confessions and tips from a one-time model: if you model in February, take a blanket and some snacks.  We didn't get to eat until 10:30 that night and it was 43 degrees in the tent where we waited before the runway.  Also, try to smile.  :)

Sadly, Rachel's design did not garner her a spot in the sixteen that moved on to level three.  However, the contest resulted in a fashion blog article, an article in a magazine, and several costuming jobs for theater companies and schools.
Because of her other jobs, Rachel has decided not to compete in BFW this year.  However, check back for more exciting projects she is working on.

~~the lil' sis

Disney costumes

Rachel was originally asked to make five costumes for a school production, all Disney themed.  Then, when the directors saw the Hercules costume they had ordered, they realized how horrible it was and asked Rachel to make it as well.  And as they say, sew she did.
Not all six costumes are finished yet, but here are a few pictures of the works-in-progress and the finished pieces.

Jasmine's top isn't completely finished yet

Ariel's is still a work in progress

But it's almost done!

Belle

Pocahontas

Ariel's tail isn't quite finished but here is the basic idea

Material for Jasmine's pants (left) and and Ariel's tale (right)

Hercules's is done but doesn't fit well on the mannequin so I didn't take any pictures of it.

I'll keep you updated as she finishes them.  :)

The apron

I am not a chef.  Nor am I a baker, but that didn't stop Rachel from deciding the perfect birthday present for me was an apron.  And who can deny it?  Just take a look at this beauty!!!  I'm not sure if you can really see in the picture, but there are exactly 56 beads on this thing, all hand sewn by the one and only Rachel.  Gosh, I love my sister so much.

~~the lil' sis

Christmas present!!!!

Rachel made me the most beautiful shirt for Christmas.  She knew I had been looking for a shirt with angel wings on the back but couldn't find one I really liked.  So, like any wonderful sister, she made me one.
Isn't it a masterpiece???  It's hand embroidered, too.  A true seamstress, she has already been making plans for the next one, which is fine with me.  :)