Crafts Before Ursa Major

你好！Before Ursa Major, I decided to make a few lolita items. Although a few weren't even for Ursa Major – I've had this purple fabric for a while and only now finally sewed the skirt I had in mind for it, so the convention was mostly a self-imposed deadline.
Nonetheless, after way too much fighting my sewing machine (as it hates me), some hot glue, and way way too much ironing, I present to you: Things I Made™️ (not actually tm)

First! I made a lot, lotta lot of bows. I purchased some pink ribbon that more or less matches the bow on Alice's Doll House (color-wise, and it looks like the same kind from far away) as I lack the headbow.
They're all simply hot glued, and the lace is from a roll that is apparently from the dollar store? Anyhow, I attached them to some alligator clips ♪

The ribbon with lace is meant to be a hair tie I suppose? I just glued them together out of boredom, honestly.
They look far cuter when in use than not, in which they look kind of dumb honestly.

Secondly, this purple beehive skirt. I've had the fabric for so, so long. (It's from Joanns, though I couldn't locate the fabric online to link it)

I followed this tutorial by SewBlack, although I ended up not hemming the skirt. Half out of laziness, half for aesthetics.
Due to the fact I had a different width of fabric than hers, my 媽媽 (mama) had to figure out how to cut the pattern for our fabric and managed to heavily confuse me with her math. Luckily, the fabrics pattern ended up having a fair amount of the beehives fairly centered without any intention. 
And we shall not mention how the waistband was cut wrong twice, or how many loose threads I cut.
Though, I still don't know what to do as a matching accessory. I'm also debating making a bow for the skirt, but I don't know. I almost want to make a cute hat with a bow, but that's not exactlyyy my style, so in the end I'm unsure.

Here's how I plan on coording it for the day before Ursa Major ♪ (by the day before I mean the first day, the 8th, but I won't be going to Ursa Major that day – I only have a Sunday badge & plan to shop on Saturday. Sadly I won't be going to the tea I initially planned on on the 8th as I wish to buy more items rather than drink delicious tea... a tragedy, truly.)

I promise it looks far better in reality, and usakumya is not intended to match me.
It would look so cute with longer bloomers that peak out from under the skirt... I'll have to make some/pick some up.

Thirdly! I made bear ears. They actually match a cape my mama made me, as they're made of the scrap fabric (and some felt). I cut a pattern out of some random tracing paper, remade the pattern about six times, then cut it, sewed it by hand, and then attached it to alligator clips. They actually look surprisingly great! ♪ I made them specifically to match kumya's floating tea party, arguably then I should just get kumya's ears, buuut... I just made 'em since it's basically free. They could've been attached to the hairclip better, the ears don't even match shape-wise, but no one will ever notice... hopefully.

Fourth...ly? A mask. As I lack a matching mask aesthetically, the convention requires one, and the last time I tried to get another mask for the aesthetic none of them fit me; I made one tracing my mask. Then taking this pink gingham fabric and some white cotton as a lining, cutting it, and sewing it, well I don't know what else you'd expect but that under the mask section but that in fact produces a mask. Also, for some reason, there was just a random triangle super awkwardly cut out of the fabric?? But! I ended up adding the same lace I used for the bows to the mask, alongside a fabric flower & bow, with pearl decor. Very cute ♪

I simply edited the photo to be transparent then edited it on a photo I took of a random wooden item known commonly as "floorboards." Please pretend it doesn't look atrocious, I simply added a background as the white background version looked like a fake Amazon product cover and the mask actually lying on a table looks abysmal. 

And finally, I made some badge ribbons ♪  Using my aunt's Cricut as my mother's broke, and some iron on vinyl. 

It's not a particularly original idea – but hey maybe there's like 50 Kumya fan clubs, they're so cute they deserve it.
They're also far more readable outside of bright lighting, but up close in bright lighting I will admit they shine a tad too much to read well. However, I doubt that'll be an issue often.

Andddd, that's all really. 
Though, I do have the fabric for an upcoming project – a few actually; some felt for a broach, and some pink plain cotton to make a JSK. 
But, for the time being; that is all. 

The Start

Greetings & Hello. My name is Tianmei, but you can call me Tiantian. I use any pronouns, and you can use feminine or masculine terms to refer to me. This is the start of my blog on lolita fashion.

Elegantly Sweet will mostly be informational, like an off-brand lolita guidebook but worse, with random dives into random rabbit holes regarding lolita.
At this point, I can't even remember when I found lolita. I must have started wearing it in 2022?

​Nonetheless, I love the fashion, and I love introducing people to things I love. Part of why I made this blog. But – such begs the question; am I the most suited for an informational blog? Someone who likely qualifies still as a babylita (beginner lolita)? Someone who can't even name 10 prints from my favorite brand off the top of my head? Some random person on the internet?

Such is why this blog exists. It is all of an adventure, an inspiration, and help for those who found the fashion yesterday.​

Pretty and ugly don't exist, only the fun that comes with it. I hope you enjoy reading what I write.

Edit: ended up not being an informational blog 👍