the bronx is up and the battery’s down

Let’s start with costume stuff for this week.


Here’s my Star Trek dress as of a week ago, still had to put the collar on which I thought would be easy but…

the pattern had very sparse directions for doing this. there was no pattern piece included, just “measure the neckline and cut a length of black fabric and sew on”

So that’s what I initially did and immediately was like, this does not look right. So I took it off and patterned a new collar piece. That took an extra couple of days.

I got the new piece created, sewn on and finished on the inside edge, except for the area around the zipper.

the zipper was sticking up funny in the back and I was having a hard time getting the edges of the collar to sit neatly on either side of it. I then thought, why do I even have this zipper on here? I’ve been putting it on and off for try-ons with the zipper completely closed. it’s unnecessary.

So I took it out, closed up the seam and cleaned up the collar. Much better.

I’m not 100% happy with the collar but it’s gonna be what it’s gonna be. I’ll tweak it for version 2 when i get around to that. I think part of the problem is that I used that really heavy black knit fabric from scarlet witch – I had a lot leftover – and it’s too heavy for that velour to hold up correctly. It sits OK on me but wants to kinda buckle outwards right in the center front.

got the patch sewn on, fixed the trim on the sleeves. All that is left is to hem it – mom came over yesterday and pinned it for me. Will be sewing it closed tonight.

I did end up buying some swimsuit bottoms to wear under it because I didn’t feel like making them myself (also not sure I have enough fabric left. Maybe but that’s my excuse)

The first pair arrived and were ENORMOUS. i had to return them. Second pair arrived and fit better but was like bright electric sunshine yellow. So yesterday I threw them in an orange/brown dye mix and got the colour a closer match to my fabric,

BUT taking a picture of that proved difficult – I was really happy with the colour match, to the eye it looks really good. But last night trying to take a pic they looked completely different in camera. The velour just photographs SO WEIRD. So I tried again in morning light (the pic you see above) and it was slightly better.

Anyway, at this point all I have left to do is:
1. hem the bottom
2. tack the inner flaps in place
3. clean up the bra where I added in the new cups

Then onto Rebels Leia. I got a swatch for the pants part of that Saturday – didn’t like it, so shopping continues.

In other news, 2 more costumes approved with the RL – Liberty Dies Padme (yay that’s the one I really wanted) and Queen Amidala post senate.

TBH I was completely surprised Amidala passed. Maybe because I’ve been so nitpicky over it. A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

Friday was St Patrick’s day and dad’s St Patrick’s Day band was playing for the first time since 2019.

It was absolutely FREEZING outside, but had a good time.


Saturday we ran pre-trip errands and Target FINALLY had this on sale. I refused to pay $30 for it and it was on sale for $18 so I got it.

Sunday I actually did a good bit of non-costume sewing.

I finally cut off the extra length on this jacket. Got it and the lining layer re-hemmed and re-assembled – then used what I cut off to make a sash. I lined the sash with some black lining fabric to cover up the ugly unfinished side, and made some belt loops. It’s not perfect but I think it looks like it fits me a lot better than before. Will be good for our trip.

And lastly my aunt sent me this pic of me and Kevin:


Gotta recreate this one.

No sewing plans this week except for hemming the skant. but shopping plans? YES… more on that next week.