This is a sculpture I've been working on literally for years and have finally completed molding, casting and painting.

Doctor Alfred Prunesquallor of Gormenghast:



The reason it took me so long is that I have a hard time giving myself permission to be creative just for myself, with no practical purpose (like, say, clothing or paying work).  I hope the Nerd-along will give me more opportunities to feel it's ok to make stuff for myself, even something as terrifically nerdy as this sculpture. I am probably the world's biggest fan of this character, who was invented by dark fantasist Mervyn Peake.  

More about this sculpture: http://tinyurl.com/d9n7ppp

More views: http://tinyurl.com/dxofmh4

About Mervyn Peake: http://www.mervynpeake.org/

Here's a portrait sculpture I finished a couple days ago of race driver Jim Clark.  It's about six inches tall, of Classic Clay.  I sculpted it for my husband to digitally scan, then shrink down in the computer to produce slot car driver figures for 1/43, 1/32 and 1/24 scales.  This is the third driver portrait I've done, the previous were Graham Hill and Denise McCluggage. 

This is a question so basic I'm embarrassed to ask it, but I need to know what is the best glue for adhering fabric to paper or cardboard?

This is the first new Gormenghast fanart I've done in a long while, and was inspired by an old post by Knickertwist.  This little guy is one of the human-flesh-eating owls from the Tower of Flints in Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast novels.  He's made of scraps.

Is it possible and not a horrible idea to sew stretch fabrics such as jersey with only a straight stitch?  My sewing machine is an old one with only straight stitch, and I have generally sewn stretch fabric by hand after my previous machine with a zigzag broke.     What pitfalls and dangers should I be aware of if trying to sew stretch fabrics with a straight stitch machine?  Or should I just not try it?

Thanks for any advice, warnings, etc!

Soooo many wonderful garments   :

http://omgthatdress.tumblr.com/


(not my blog)

Laced onto shoes with 20 eyelets per spat, and an elastic under the foot:

Here's an Edwardian style jacket I made for my sister.  My own pattern based on historical examples.  I left off fastenings because she plans to steampunk it up with buckles and things:



This was my first tailored type of jacket and it was difficult.  I need to learn proper tailoring construction techniques!  

I'm starting one here!  

Mine isn't going to be a genuine Medieval dress, but rather inspired by 19th century painter John William Waterhouse, particularly his paintings "Ophelia" and "Miranda"

Here's a page about medieval construction:  http://www.damehelen.com/cotes/patterns.html

Medieval dresses using Victorian construction:  http://periodwardrobe.wordpress.com/lady-of-shalott/

pics of the dress I'm inspired by:

http://www.repfineart.com/images/John-William-Waterhouse-Mianda-The-Tempest.jpg

http://www.jwwaterhouse.com/paintings/large/waterhouse_ophelia_03.jpg

More reference and inspiration: 

http://www.rossetti.vispa.com/waterhouse-gown.html

http://medievalweddingdresses.ideasforweddings.net/making-medieval-wedding-dresses/cotehardie-pattern/

Scraps and feathers: