I had a day off today. Well, kind of, but not really. I’ve been working hard to finish a costume commission for a good friend of mine and today is the last chance I will have to complete it before she goes to Melbourne tomorrow night for Oz Comic-Con on Saturday.

A few weeks ago she showed me a photo she’d found on the net, and with that as a reference, I set about making her costume. I’ve had her in for a couple of fittings, but otherwise I’ve kind of just been winging it. So far, it’s turning out well and the last things I have to do involve a zip and attaching of the bodice to the skirt. Pretty simple stuff, just have to make sure it all fits. One more fitting and she should be going home with it tonight. But a sewist’s work is never done.

My best friend is turning thirty next week because she is old. She is having a costume party, no theme. I chose to live out my Steampunk fantasies, and I’m making a costume to accommodate. But of course, silly Amy went ahead and chose the most difficult fabric in the world. It slips, it slides…I honestly don’t even know what it is, I got it from the assorted fabric section at Lincraft. But hey, it’s a nice colour and that’s what counts.

I’m halfway through finishing the top and for once, I’m actually using a pattern. When you work five days a week, it’s hard to find the time to make your own patterns when you’re working to a deadline. My own fault. I allowed myself to get distracted by life and left myself a mere three weeks to finish the costume. Next time, knowing my time constraints, I’ll allow myself six months per job. Because I swear sometimes, that’s how long it takes!

I love to sew, but I will be glad when I finish these two projects, and I can use my days off to do relaxy things. Like watch moves and chill on the couch. Ah, who am I kidding? I’ll probably clean my house and run errands like I usually do. What can I say, I’ve never really been good at having days off.