Maiko photos, sketchblog, drafting patterns

[aimeekitty]

A few more Maiko photoshoot pics!
http://images.cosplay.com/showphoto.php?photo=649969
http://images.cosplay.com/showphoto.php?photo=647922

my sketch collection
- I hadn't scanned any of my sketches I'd gotten from artists in a while... so I did it tonight. Compared to most sketch collectors of sketches, I really don't have that many, but some of the ones I do have are so special to me. ^_^ I should try to get more...

---Question about Sketchblogs -
So I've been bad about posting in my sketchblog lately... I share it with several other artists, and frankly, I'm kinda intimated on one hand and limited on the other. They are really rad artists, and well, half the time, I feel like my drawings just aren't up to part to post in the same place as them.
And then on the other hand, I really like the format of Enrico's blog. I like that he posts photos or little dirty sketches or whatever he pleases. Not so much personal LJ stuff, mostly images. I would like to do something more like that, but I don't feel it really fits the format of the sketchblog I'm a part of.
What should I do? Should I make a separate LJ for photos and drawings and do it like enricos basically? Should I quit the sketchblog I'm in? Should I do both? or should I just make public posts in my current LJ with my photos and drawings like I currently do, and then people who are on my flist get to read the emo shit and my little pony ravings? :)


SEWING--- I've been trying to learn more about drafting patterns. I bought three books, one on fancy wedding gowns (usefull for some of the dresses I make... actually really interesting... and useful) and one on drafting patterns from scratch. So far though, the part I really FAIL at is trying to fix the fit of a muslin when there is a MAJOR problem with the fit/size. minor fit problems I can do. Major problems, not so well. Ie, if the shoulder line is way too far out, I'm not sure the best way to fit the armhole/shoulder line problem. If there is pulling in part of the bodice, I'm not sure what to change to solve the problem. This is SO frustrating! I wish I could take a class but I don't know where to find one. :\ And my body type is unusual, I'm long, my shoulders are narrow and my hips are big. I always have fit problems. I'm getting better, but every once in a while I run up against a brick wall and I'm not sure what to do.

I sent the most awesome Easter basket to my mom. I know she will LOVE IT. I'm so happy.

I think I'm really going to like my new job. So far, knock on wood, it seems less stressful and interesting!

Comments

[sillyblonde.livejournal.com]

Wow, you make such a great Maiko! You look goregous! It must have been expensive.

I really think all the art you put up in your sketch blog are great, I always check it to see what you come up with. I love how creative and fun your drawings are there. But I do really like the format of Enrico's blog too. If its not too much to handle, itd be cool to see ya do both. :3

[pookimunki.livejournal.com]

Can you look into pattern classes at Otis? I think that they are in LA. They used to be affiliated w/ Parsons in NYC, but I don't think they are any longer...but maybe they still have the same classes, I would think. It might be possible to get into a class on an audit basis?

If your shoulder line is "just" too far out---meaning no other issues other than the shoulder seam is off your shoulder, then just move it back. If you have a sleeve, the best way to do it is to stand and have someone pin the sleeve onto the bodice where it should be on your shoulder.

And pulls almost always tell you where the problem is. The end of the pull usually points you to where the problem is. So like if you have a pull diagonally across the bust pointing towards your shoulder, then something is wrong in the shoulder area. It could just be that the sleeve is set into the armhole wrong. Or, if you have a horizontal pull across your bust area, that usually means that it's too tight across the bust.

I don't know if you have this one, but I highly recommend this patternmaking book. I used an earlier edition for my school textbook, and recently purchased this one, but I find it an invaluable aid.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0131112112/002-6681899-7168807?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

yeah, I _just_ got that book! I'm hoping it will help me out. ^_^

[(Anonymous)]

Have you considered making a personal dressform? A friend has to do it for/to you. The traditional method involves wearing your best-fitting undergarments, and an old T-shirt and then using brown-paper packing tape (the kind you wet w/ water) to create a shell. It takes several layers of tape (dry w/ a blowdryer between layers) and a couple of hours of time. Once dry, the shell is cut off of you, usually by cutting up the center-back and flexing it enough to wriggle out. Having a form of yourself would make it so much easier to understand and solve your fitting problems.

This is from a "Threads" magazine article on making forms:
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00002_p5.asp

Genie

[slai.livejournal.com]

Hi Aimee,

Wow, you look gorgeous in a kimono 8D!

As for a sketch blog, so far, I only follow one by rakketyjacket who used to post her drawings in her personal blog, which I still follow too. I haven't seen many other formats, but I say, post what you feel comfortable posting.

Oooo, so you're a My Little Pony fan as well ^^;? I've been 'fueling' a couple people on LJ with ponies XD!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

yeah, I loved them as a kid, and then in college I started collecting them again, but I really just got a few. I'm not really collecting any more even though I really like them. ^_^ I like the ones I have, I guess you could say.

[slai.livejournal.com]

Hi Aimee,

Well, if you have any problems finding one of Target's exclusive ponies, just let me know ;)!

[aunrea.livejournal.com]

You have STITCH!!! <3<3<3<3

[yaso-khuul.livejournal.com]

Oh man that's so cool! *is a Pony collector too*
Yeah I got into them when I was in elementary school - we had a Little Pony comic magazine in Austria...did you guys have that too in the States?
^____^

The Maiko photos are great! Did you do them in the same salon as last time? I think you posted the adress in your last Japan trip report, I was on your friendslist back then, so I can't see that entry any more. Could you post that address? This is is a place I definitely wanna check out when I go to Kyoto O_O

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

Boy, I have no idea about a magazine!

as to the maiko photos, yup, it's the same salon. One of my friends I traveled with, hadn't gone last time and liked what I said about it, so we went again this time. :)
if you click on the cosplay.com photos links, it says the URL of the studio there. ^_^

[yaso-khuul.livejournal.com]

Awesome, I'll bookmark it! Thanks! ^__^

The magazine was geared towards little kids, really, it contained Little Pony comic stories, and was released by the publishing company "Ehapa" between '86 and '93.
http://www.fortunecity.de/lindenpark/husserl/481/germaninfo.htm
(I am not sure if they ever released those in English!)
They occasionally float around on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.de/MEIN-KLEINES-MY-LITTLE-PONY-COMIC-HEFT-Nr-5-93-RAR_W0QQitemZ6270264617QQcategoryZ12205QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Next time I go see my parents (unfortunately that won't be sooner than in a year from now :( ) I can pick up my old magazines and send them to you if you want or scan them. I had them as a kid though and I'm not sure which condition they're in!)