New member + Project Registration

[peace_of_hope]

Hi, I'm new here and new to lolita (though I've oogled for years and all I own is an old Cute Salad kimono hoodie). I'm a huge crafts and creativity person in general, so I plan on sewing almost all my lolita coords because a)I'm cheap and b)I like designing things. So here's my first project! I'll be registering my next two soon, but am going to just concentrate on this one first.

Project Title : Napoleon
Short Project Description: French-Napoleon themed skirt and top. Inspired by the AP "Napoleon" skirts and another one of theirs of which I can't recall the name. I saw the fabric and was reminded of Napoleon's bees so I went for a military style skirt.
Projected Deadline: early January
Patterns Used: None
Materials: Printed cotton, 1" and 1 3/8" ivory venice lace, antique gold braiding, antique gold buttons, ivory muslin lining, Prussian blue velvet ribbon, cameo pendant, pleather or "leather look"
Challenges: Making sure I don't mess up my measurements, finishing it in time. Sewing it won't be difficult, but going out in lolita for the first time ever in my life will be the challenge.


My colors are going to be Prussian blue, antique gold, and ivory with black as an accent.




Here's all the materials.

"Nesting egg" cotton fabric


Link: http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=f5d1f9b7-a3d4-4779-a75f-6c202ae96e01&CategoryID=907c0410-4851-481b-9b3c-2070cb4fb2f0

Pro-tip: Use the coupon code "sewsorry" at Fabric.com to save either 15% or 20% (can't remember which one it is).

Antique Gold Gimp 5/8" for on top of the venice lace


http://debslaceandtrims.com/index.php?route=product/product&keyword=2180&product_id=2209

1" ivory venice lace for the hems


http://debslaceandtrims.com/index.php?route=product/product&keyword=3465&product_id=3199

1 3/8" lace for on top of other venice lace and for vertical pieces (going to lightly tea dye it to be ivory)


http://debslaceandtrims.com/index.php?route=product/product&keyword=3995&product_id=3385

For the shirt I've got a thrift store white button up I'm going to tea dye and add ruffles and lace to make it lolita. I already have a nice pair of leather boots with a cute eyelet leather strip up the back, but I'm going to take leather look or pleather material and make ruffled boot cuffs to instantly make it more elegant, but not be permanent. I've already got a pair of lace tights to wear under them. For the ribbon at the neck I'm just going to use (ideally velvet) Prussian blue ribbon and attach a decorative Cameo. All the stuff I'm not getting online I'll probably get at Hobby Lobby since it's local and I can get it on sale or use a coupon. I'm hoping to buy a wig to give me the hair in the drawing, but if not, I'll make do with my "I used to have a pixie and am growing it out a la Emma Watson" hair style. It's not shown in the drawing but I plan on painting my nails gold (or maybe ivory with a soft gold overlay).

Also, I'm a graphic designer and have thought about designing patterns for Spoonflower for a while now. Are there any particular border prints people are looking for, or would want to see on Spoonflower? I looked a little under the "lolita" tag and some of the stuff wasn't very tasteful, in my opinion.

Any advice on prints y'all want or my coord are welcome!