My goodness how time flies. It has been September since my last post. This is not what I intended and unfortunately I have not kept the promise to post more often.

What has happened since September? Livin' Fat and the Christmas Production took up most of the costuming hours with some foundation work being developed  on two other projects.  Finding outfits for the 1970's was an adventure with a "minimal" budget and only a smidgen of time. The Christmas Production always takes on new life and this year Mary, the mother of Jesus had 5 different looks. Joseph had at least three.

There is never a dull moment in the life of a  Costumer. In Atlanta, it is quite expected that you do all of the work alone.That means; the meetings, the shopping, the fittings, the sketching, the sewing, the maintaining, the cleaning and repairing, dressing, set up and break down. I have even been asked to bring a team when I am doing jobs for free. Thoughts on this anyone?? Please share.

This craft and artistry that I bring to the table is something hat has been developed over years of study and practice. My costumes are to be done well. Allow me the necessary resources: access, space, money and time. The results will be unforgettable. I can promise you that.

"WE THREE KINGS"

Projects, Projects, Projects

In the past 4 weeks, life has been an adventure of sorts. A variety of of situations and events have unfolded -- too many to mention. Mom's health concerns and mine have been the priority. Let me just say I am behind on a few projects. Sewing and quilting has happened but not as much as I prefer.

There are now 180 blocks for the improvisational quilt. Once I finished the last, I was determined to have the design wall in place or at least in the works. The supplies have been purchased and this week has been designated "finish all the projects you can week" while keeping up with mom, meetings, rehearsals, and sewing.

We are gearing up for the Christmas Production to be held on December 11, 2017. It is an contemporary storytelling of the birth of Christ. The account is from the bible and is kept pretty much in tact, however, laced with humor and anachronisms. What has been shared with me is the main characters will be performing classical dance.

I AM (the) Costumer. Just thought this acclamation was appropriate here.

I will keep you posted.

Wanda J

Enjoy these closeups of 3 of the patched blocks!

When I started this blog, the intention was to post at least twice weekly.  That has not happened but I am committed to up the stakes to at least once a week starting today.

Today I want to share another Atlanta area resource when it comes to fabrics, and other delightful embellishments. It is Gail K Fabrics. One of the two locations of Gail K fabrics located in Norcross off Interstate 85.

The website is neatly organized and explains the offerings. Happily, Gail K will assist with weddings, performance, costume and ecclesiastical needs. There are notions that are available for the whim and needs of those seeking the extraordinary and the historical.

Once inside the Cheshire Bridge location in Atlanta, what I discovered inside made me more than happy. It was delightful. Easily I overspent. It was right after I made a major decision to spend more time in my studio (at least 4 to 6 hours daily). I discovered Gail K at 
Fine Fabrics from a local designer who was so helpful.

Next week I will share my latest costuming adventures.Thanks for reading this blog. Please share it with others.

Just Checking In

Hi: I am checking in this morning to let you all know that I am still here. Stay tuned folks. There is so much more to come. Keep Costuming Alive!!

It Reminds Me of Fabric Shopping in NYC.

After sewing here for years  in the A-T-L as Atlanta is commonly called,I longed for my shopping haunts in New Jersey and New York City regularly. The truth is fabric shopping of this type has been changed everywhere even in the garment district in NYC. My old haunts in New Jersey that were located right outside of the city and a bit further away in Elizabeth, Lodi and Jersey City had more to offer in the way of fabric shops stocked with fabric types  that can be used for theater and other types of sewing. When I checked online, I did find that Mc Gowen was still open in Elizabeth. I would go there depending on what type of fabrics I was looking. There is a name I am not familiar with but it is in a familiar shopping spot, Lodi, New Jersey. Budlee Fabric it is named which is 30 minutes outside of NYC.

Nonetheless, when I get he chance, I will check these out for myself, happily. On each of my trips to NYC, for the past 5 summers I have schlepped bound tubes of fabric that I found at great bargains or just the right color. I would roll it down the streets from the store into Port Authority and onto the bus to NJ and then  pack my car when the visit ended so they would end in Georgia being made into costumes.

The location I want to feature is Fine Fabrics located in Norcross, Georgia. It has changed management since and locations since we were first introduced a few years back. On my last visit, I met a young lady who is connected with FSU and was shopping for 200 circus costumes. She said nothing like Fine Fabrics exists in Florida. We spoke briefly and I gave her my card before she headed out.

This is my go to resource for costumes, home decor, fashions and more. There is a vast assortment. They have notions of all types as well. You will meet upholsterers, designers, and people who do window treatments and custom sewing while shopping. The staff is very customer friendly.

My photos will not do this place any justice. There is so much available in such a large space. It is my understanding the merchandise comes from NYC. So please check out their website. If you happen upon the A-T-L metro area and you are in need or maybe in want of fabric, visit this establishment.

Celebrate Independence!

The attached photo is actually from my profile on Pinterest. It is a quilt I made for a coworker for her new baby. Her reply when asked what colors were the baby's room were: red, white and blue. She was quite happy when she received it. My instructions to her were to use it. Now more than ever before I ask people to use rather than store and save what I have made particularly the quilts.

Now if Aunt Bet would listen, that would be lovely. She had removed from the wall the memory quilt made in honor of both of my grandparents to have it painted and decided to put it in plastic. She removed it from plastic after I recommended a cotton pillow case. Sad to say but right now it has been relegated to a corner hidden behind an opened door just waiting to be enjoyed again.

Handcrafted for Chase

On 5/27 I was involved in a horrible accident and my activities have been limited in comparison to the past. The items from the destroyed car were placed just inside the entrance to the studio. BIG mistake! It has since been corrected.

This post will represent additional views of my studio. The top photo are two stacks of blocks for a quilt I am  planning just because. I showed them to two ladies who are aware of sewing techniques and both said I was crazy because the stack in the forefront consists of a take on crazy quilting or basically improvisational. I am using scraps for the quilt. The story is, and I am sticking to it, that these are fabrics from past projects and there were no newly purchased pieces for this project. The stack behind consists of solids or one fabric type. The plan is to at least complete the top prior to summer's end. We will see.

Here where I hang costumes and other garments both finished and those not. It takes up little space being sufficient enough to hang a few garments even those that are floor length.

Since I have had to make adjustments in my routine, my next posts will be based on where I shop and what they feature. Until then, tell me what you think.

Right from the Start!

My beginning posts will be an introduction to what this costuming life entails and the current project or projects that have me consumed at the time. As a person who enjoys the creation of garments that will be seen on a screen or stage, this blog will start with a photo or two of my studio where the magic does (or does not) happen.

The musings of others who dwell in fabrics, dress forms, several sewing machines and countless buttons, trims and other notions  respectfully understand that what we do is a labor of love that takes time, wisdom, and a special sense of humor.

Being organized is crucial but the former teacher earns a failing grade on many days and other days earns an A or at least a B. My studio is actually a screened-in porch added by the former owner of this ranch style home. It is in the back of the house which has 10 large windows. I recently put curtains on those windows and tried not to break the bank. It made a difference, a big difference in the ambiance of the room.

The room is ever evolving but my latest toy is a Singer High Speed Overedge and Safety Stitch Machine. I am still learning how to use it but I do enjoy the speed of a commercial machine. I must laugh here. I recently learned how to thread the machine in Japanese via YouTube when the thread broke. I must make it back for a 13 mile trip to get more instruction. I love my vendor, Southeast Sewing, who can be found at www.sewingmachine.com located in Atlanta' s warehouse district.
Does anyone know how I can get that information in English or at least a clearly printed instruction. (The line drawings are quite unclear)?

Other questions I have have to do my studio: Where do actors/clients change clothes? How do I keep the curious at bay? Recently, a family member traipsed through with wet hands, glistening from perspiration, and had the food pan and utensils in hand. The question here is: How do you make it delicately but firmly clear at the same time that this room is not a thruway?