Online Thrift Store Directory!

With anti-consumerism being such a big part of the steampunk/DIY lifestyle, buying clothing used can be a suitable alternative to those--such as myself--less trained in sewing can be a good substitute for making all clothing by oneself. And that's where thrift stores come in!

If you're not sure where to start, I came across this little gem of a website just today. A directory of thrift stores in the US, easily searchable by location. Also useful for newbies is this basic guide to thrift shopping. The Earth and your wallet will thank you. :)

Waaahooooo! Shopping spree time!

DIY Birdcage Veil Tutorial

If I may begin this post with a bit of boasting, I'M GOING TO ENGLAND! *fangirl squeal* That's right, the setting of pretty much every steampunk book ever, and I get to go there for a family trip this June! I shall make sure to seek out vast quantities of awesomeness to post about.

I think this would also look quite nice in black, if one is going for a more Gothic effect.

In more immediate news, prom season is coming up, and I've been gleefully searching for lovely neovictorian dresses and accessories and such, and happened across this lovely tutorial by Trash to Couture. I think it would look quite splendid with a flowing ballgown, don't you agree?

Tesla Con Pics are Up!

Finally, I've attained photographic evidence of my voyage to the moon! I'm afraid these pictures don't quite do justice to the experience, but I'm not sure what would... Maybe you could listen to some dramatic music while looking at these pictures. Or maybe I should actually do my job and write about it.

The Violet Ray Cure (Depicted above and below), a device from the early 20th century believed to cure just about everything. In exchange for trying it out, customers at this vendor could get a dollar off any item, so I braved the scary-looking lighting bolts coming out of the end. Sadly, it failed to cure my head cold, but I got a good deal on a button with a picture of Nikola Tesla on it. 

Some of the many sharply-dressed crew members aboard the HMS Silverstar. 

Upon our arrival to the moon, we soon discovered that we were not alone. Fortunately, the Selenites were not only peaceful, but also rather charming and Muppet-like.

A strange sort of automaton called a Dalek. From what I've heard of such things, they have a tendency to exterminate any living thing nearby, but Alexia was brave enough to snap a picture when its back was turned. 

One of the many devices displayed at the Science Fair. Artist credit and additional information is posted on the sheet of paper in front of it. 

One can never have too many jet packs, you know. 

A vampire-hunter's crossbow, complete with a silver cross and a wooden stake. I seem to have misplaced the artist credit, so if anyone knows who made this piece of awesomeness I would be quite grateful. 

 A mechanical croquet mallet. Suitable for an all-out battle with a terrible enemy, or just a simple game of croquet on a sunny afternoon. This item is entitled The Effing Mallet by Captain Magnus Effing. 

Easy Mini Top Hat Tutorial

 Having received a surprise invitation to a convention in less than a month, I found myself in need of something outrageous and awesome to wear, and fast. So of course I went for a mini top hat.
I ended up getting caught up in the creation process and taking fewer pictures than I should have, so please let me know if this makes no sense.

You will need: An empty cereal box
                       A disposable cup
                       A hot glue gun
                       Some fabric (I up-cycled from an old shirt)
                       A ribbon


1. Cut two circles, about 1.5 inches larger in diameter than the disposable cup. Glue the two circles together to make a sturdy base for the top hat.








2. Cut a piece of fabric around the cardboard circle. Place the cardboard in the center and fold in the fabric so it wraps around both sides of the cardboard, with the gathering point in the middle. Glue it into place.

3. Trace the open end of the cup onto the cardboard. Cut out the resulting circle and cover it with fabric using the same method as in the base.













4. Cut a large rectangular piece of fabric and wrap it around the cup so that the sides are covered. Glue the bottom of the fabric-wrapped cup to the top of the base.















5. Glue on the top portion of the hat. Tie a ribbon around the point where the base and cup meet to hide any drippings of glue, and, if desired, adorn it with feathers, pins, or whatever else you'd like.

6. Glue it to a headband, ribbon, hair clip, etc, to keep it securely in place. It also makes a nice decoration for a steampunk-themed room.

Surprise Steampunk Fashion!

I came across these banners while waiting at the Keflavic International Airport in Iceland. I'm not quite sure what the steampunk theme has to do with the airport, but I'm not complaining, certainly.

T-shirt to Tank Top Tutorial 2

A bit more complicated than the last one, but very cool, and I think the braid in the back is quite steampunk-looking. 

DIY Steampunk Pants

A tutorial from Abney Park:

Here's a top I made using roughly the same method:

How to Make a Bow from Almost Anything

            This is quite possibly one of the easiest DIY projects in existence, and all it really requires is some type of fabric and a pair of scissors. For this one I used scrap fabric from an old pair of pants, but nearly any material would do. This is my first time writing a tutorial, so sorry if the pictures are all blurry and it makes no sense.

1. To begin with, you’ll need two scraps of fabric: a large rectangular one and a long thin one. I folded the larger one over and sewed around the edges to give it a more finished appearance, but this might not be necessary, depending on the look you want.

2. Fold and pinch it in the middle, so it makes a bow shape. Tie the longer piece of fabric around this spot. Trim the excess from the longer piece. 

3. And that’s it! Put in on a hairclip, sew it onto another project…whatever you can think of.

DIY Clothing Tutorial: T-Shirt to Tank Top

            I realized, a little belatedly, that I failed to mention the do-it-yourself aspect of steampunk in my intro post, so I thought I’d introduce it here with this simple tutorial: converting old T-shirts into tank tops. It takes almost no materials and just a few minutes, and it’s a great way to steampunkify a distinctly modern but all-too-common clothing item.

http://www.crafterhoursblog.com/2011/08/tee-to-tank-tutorial-by-jen-from.html