Bustle Class Info

This class is now full. Please let me know if you would like to be on the wait list.

Note: Bustle examples Here


Bustle Class:

Where: Our House- 501 Raymond Ave, San Jose, CA, 95128
Phone: 925.787.2591
Time: 10:30am - noon- Visit local Savers Department Thrift store for interesting materials (Optional to class participants. This store is 3 blocks from my house and has a huge selection of used clothes)
Noon - 3pm- Make Bustles!
3pm- Tea Time (snacks and tea provided by your hostess)
3:30 - 6pm- Make Bustles
6pm- Break for dinner (probably walk to the Chinese or Mexican restaurants 2 blocks from my house)
After dinner- Finishing touches and cleanup

What to bring:
Bag lunch
$10 - $15 for Dinner
Whatever you like to drink (we have water and tea available but that is it...)
Pens, Pensils, Project book or paper for notes.
Newspaper (for your pattern)


Minimalist Bustle requirements:
Regular hand sewing needle
Thread to match your fabric
Between 1 and 4 yrd of fabric
Spool of ribbon at least 1/2" or wider (minimum 4 yards)
Scissors
Seam ripper
Pins
Fabric chalk
Extra machine needles (mostly size 11 or 14)

For more complex Bustles add to the above list:
Contrasting fabric or fabric scraps (at least 1 yard total, more is always better for complexity)
Buttons (1 - Unlimited!), grommets or hooks
More ribbon in different colors and widths (you will need 1" ribbon to make proper ribbon roses and such)
Lace or other trim (even scraps can be useful, but you can do a lot with 2 yards or more (if you add tassel trim this becomes a dryclean only item)
Random fabric accents (doilies, patches, sequin decorations, embroidered bits, vintage scraps, beads, bells, tassels, etc)

I have access to at least 3 sewing machines. Bring your own if you like....

Fabric Types:
Brocades and upholstery fabric provide a firm foundation but do not always hang or drape nicely.
Linen always drapes beautifully and has a lovely texture. Get yours at a Bulk or Bolts End store for a reasonable price or buy something made out of linen at a thrift store. Don't buy linin at JoAnns. Its highway robbery what they charge!
Above also applies to wool and wool blends
Cotton hangs well, is durable and washable. Plus it breaths.
Crepe Back or Suade Back Satin is fine and nice and heavy. Do not get cheap $2 satin. It will melt in the sewing machine.
Home decorating fabrics also work, Sometimes. They tend to be stiff and scratchy or easily unravel. Check that they don't have glue on the back (used for furniture) and try to get things with at least some natural fiber content if you can.
Special occasion fabrics follow the same rule.

I have one machine that will sew thin garment weight leather.

Note: Ruffles require twice as much fabric as the length you want the ruffle. Pleats require 3 times as much fabric.

Fabric Stores:

Discount Fabrics: Two Locations- Berkeley and SF- http://www.discountfabrics-sf.com/
Fabrics R Us: San Jose- http://www.yelp.com/biz/fabrics-r-us-san-jose
SCRAPS (Goodwill for craft supplies, esp. Fabric and trim): SF- http://www.scrap-sf.org/


I Know I will think of a few more things after I send this, so stay tuned for more...

Cheers,
Sophia

Steampunks at Stitches, 2010

Ah... Stitches! Four Football Fields of Yarn, String, Wool, Needles, Hooks, Spacers, Beads, Books, Ribbon, Patterns, Buttons, Jewelry and... Vinegar (we don't know why).

Join your fellow South Bay Steampunks at the Premier Knitting, Crochet, and Fiber Arts Expo.

The Convention Center is pretty enormous, and we won't want to stick together much with so much to see and do, but let us at least meet for tea and cookies at 2pm.

When: Saturday, February 27th at 2:00pm.

Where: Santa Clara Convention Center: 5001 Great America PkwySanta Clara, CA 95054
Inside the Market Hall, to the right of the stage, near the Cafe and the restrooms, next to booth 1131: Bijou Basin Ranch Inc.
. Map Here.

What to Bring:

$6 to get in plus the $2 off on line coupon (otherwise, bring $8 to get in.)
Your wallet (some people may want to call their credit card company and impose a spending limit... I mean you CT!)
A recycled bag or tote to carry all the yarn you are going to buy
A camera to capture all the ideas you are going to want to make later
A notebook to write down all the contact information for all the amazing vendors who will have handed out all their bezillion buisiness cards already
A thermous of tea (unless you want to pay their exorbidant cafe prices)
A cup or mug to drink out of
Cookies to share
Anyone needing a ride from the San Jose area or public transit stops need only contact me at stclairaeronauts@gmail.com or by phone 925 787 2591 to make plans. We have plenty of carpool room!

Once inside we won't hear our cell phones in the din, but we will check them and you can always look for the goggles!

See you there! As Always, Everyone is Welcome!

St.Clair Aeronauts Offer Old Timey Letter Writing

You too can meet Capt. St. Clair and his crew! Be a Part of History....Alternate History!

We participate in various Bay Area Steampunk events with our StClair Aeronauts Steampunk Airmail Delivery Service.

We have parchment paper and pen and ink. We have Airmail stamps circa 1883. We have envelope paper and envelope patterns (we even have a little glue!). And, of course, we have our fearless crew of Delivery persons in Uniform to deliver your precious messages!

So come by, and write a letter to someone at the event. You can pen a criptic message, or start a short story in the middle of the action. Make your envelope, address it and add a stamp and we'll make every effort to deliver it.

You'll hear our crew wandering events exclaiming. "Airmail, Airmail Delivery for...." Just imagine your own name there and take home a memento of the day.

Or, if you don't care to write a letter, come sit in the parlor and watch the busy world go by and bustling airmail delivery persons go about their business... and be sure to bring your camera to snap some action shots with a few useful steampunk props and members of the crew!

See Pictures of the St. Clair Aeronauts in action HERE.

See Video of First Mate, Mrs. St.Clair HERE (about 2 minutes in)

Want to see some letters from our first event? Check out Letters written for the Sunnyvale Steampunk Convention, 2008 HERE.

New Years 2010- Steampunk Style

What a Wonderful evening full of friends, games, laughter, tea and song... yes, even song!

Once again we enjoyed ourselves far beyond what was expected and met some lovely new friends at our open invite New Years Eve Steampunk Tea Party. We ate delicious home made delights, drank gallons of tea and played parlor games until Midnight. Terrific fun!

Here are the pics: NYE Steampunk 2010

Thanks to everyone who came and made it such a terrific event!

St.Clair Aeronauts at the Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition.

You too can meet Capt. St. Clair and his crew! Be a Part of History.... Alternate History!

The StClair Aeronauts Zepplin Airmail Delivery Service will have a booth at the Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition.

We'll have parchment paper and pen and ink. We'll have Airmail stamps circa 1883. We'll have envelope paper and envelope patterns (we'll even have a little glue!). And, of course, we will have out fearless crew of Delivery Persons in Uniform to deliver your precious messages!

So come by, and write a letter to someone at the Steam-X. You can pen a criptic message, or start a short story in the middle of the action. Make your envelope, address it and add a stamp and we'll make every effort to deliver it that day.

You'll hear our crew wandering the Exhibition, exclaiming. "Airmail, Airmail Delivery for...." Just imagine your own name there and take home a memento of the Steampunk Exhibition of 2010.
Want to see some letters from our first event? Check out Letters written for the 2008 California Steampunk Convention HERE.

Steampunk Picnic at the Rosicrucian Museum, July 18

The St. Clair Aeronauts will be heading to the San Jose Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum for a Summer Picnic Lunch, Far East photo shoot and of course for our own edification on all matters Egyptian. Won't you join us for this delightful Steampunk Outing?

When: July 18th, Arrival and walk the grounds from 11:00 - Noon. Luncheon from Noon - 1:00, Museum and photos from 1:00 on. Join us for the whole day or just a part...

Where: Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium - http://www.egyptianmuseum.org/index.html

1664 Park AveSan Jose, CA 95191

What to Bring:
Friends and Family

Small Children (if you have them)

Your Best Summer Steampunk Fashions

Goggles (so we know you are one of us)

A Camera

Money for Admission ($9.00 general admission*, $7.00 seniors 55 and older and students with I.D., $5.00 children ages 5 - 10, free children under 5, * $1.00 discount on general admission for members of AAA, AAM, KQED, and Military)

A Box (or basket) picnic lunch

Thermos of tea (Can't have the Steampunk without the Steam)

China teacup (if you dare!)

Something sweet to share (fruit, cookies, cake, etc. enough for 4 people)

This is a Great photo opportunity and the St. Clair Aeronauts will be taking their formal portraits for the web page. Don't miss the reproduction of an Egyptian tomb (History Alive People!) and the lovely Egyptian architecture and grounds.

As always, All are welcome!

Let us know if you need a ride from Public Transit.

3rd Saturday of the Month at the Rosicrucian Museum: Games and Leisure in Ancient EgyptLife was not all work and no play in ancient Egypt. Learn how the ancient Egyptians spent their free time. Try your hand at various popular games such as Senet, Mancala, and UR.

St. Clair Aeronauts at the Take Flight for Kids Event August 8th

The St. Clair Aeronauts Letter Writing and Delivery Service will have a booth at the Take Flight for Kids event on August 8th in San Jose.Come see us and support this wonderful event for kids. More info below!

Take Flight for Kids

Also, the organizers have asked me to spread the word... They love steampunks, and if you have a steampunk group that would like to put together something for this event to play with the kids, booth space is free. In fact everything is free. Register here: Take Flight for Kids Participant Registration.