So we were trying to use and old dress (re-purposing it) for the base of the exsiting dress, but it was clashing with our design concept, so instead, we decided to use the heavy screening material to make a base under-garment. This picture is the back side. It’s already been hemmed with ribbon and darts added for the lower back and butt. The front and back pieces are currently connected over the shoulder. When the sides are sewn (one with a zipper) it will be mostly skin tight, and very see-through.

Here is a sample of the 8” squares in action with an aluminum accent. We are trying to define the dress to mimic society in a 2012 apocalyptic scene, where we have strong shapes and construction at the top and as you go down the dress it decays and starts to de-construct. The shapes will deteriorate and the material will become more scraggly.

We are going to try and make the entire dress using this same basis shape - a 8” square of screen door material, hemmed in 5/8” black ribbon. The hemming is necessary because the cut screen door material is sharp and can scratch your skin. Plus, when sewed, the screen weave can pull apart, weakening the seam. With the hemming, it’s a finished look and gives us something to sew against.  We are going to use 4 different kinds of screen - an aluminum one that is really shiny, a thin light gray, a thin dark charcoal, and a really thick black one.  All the screen (with the exception of the aluminum one) is a fiberglass core surrounded by vinyl.

So far with the 8” square, we’ve come up with about 5 different shapes to play with.

This is a tile piece from the Nun’s veil. I think there are going to be about 6 of these tile sections that when sewed together make a veil. The wimple will be in the shape of a triple moon, and the veil in the shape of stars. This is to reflect my religious beliefs in the God and Goddess.

Alas, my kilt project is on hold while other aspects of life exert themselves more strongly. I’m resolved to complete it over my Yule holiday.  I week of good work should be enough to finish it.

My current project is for Project Nunway3 - 2012 Preview. This picture is a concept drawing from my co-designer. We are thinking of a battle nun who is living through the apocalypse. There is a $100 limit on supplies with a re-purpose theme. So we thought of a Nun wandering through destroyed civilization and finding something to make a killer Alexander McQueen dress. Screen Door material is our choice.

Vulcan statue from the Louvre

Today is special to me because it’s a celebration to the God of Smiths: Vulcan.  Also the god of blacksmithing and crafts and knows as Hephaestus, Ptah, Sethlans and more.  Since he is the god of creative fire, the day is usually started with a candle.

It’s at this time of year that crops are in danger of burning so bonfires were lit to honor the God and sacrifices of fish and small animals were offered to spare human lives.

So to celebrate today, I light a sacred candle to represent the creative fire of the forge and concentrate on it’s transmuting power. I’m going to construct paper fish and animals and offer then to the flame.

Found a nice chocolate brown tartan today. I hit three major fabric stores and only found 3 or 4 potential fabrics. This was the best one. It has a simple repeating stripe that is symmetrical, so it will be easier to make the pleats in the back of the kilt. I need 8 yards of fabric and this is 60” wide so I purchased 4 yards, with the intention of cutting it length-wise in half, then sewing them together to get the 8 yards.

I’m at chapter 5 - preparing to make the kilt. It looks like I have a few more supplies to get like hair canvas.  ???  I should have read ahead before my shopping trip.

Yea! The book has arrived!  I’m already on Chapter 2, learning about the history of kilts and their patterns.  Chapter 5 is the actual start of the crafting.  Going tartan shopping today.

High fashion cross-gendering representation of the Celtic horned god - in a stylish modified kilt no less.  Hopefully she’s living up to the spirit of wearing it regimental!