I JUST came back from rehearsal!!!! It turned into a six hour dinner/bonding experience with my fellow Maids of Honor. I can already tell I'm going to have so much fun with them! Now I just can't wait to get started on my gown once finals are over. Ehhh finals...

In Actual Sewing News, I bought myself some evenweave linen and embroidery floss to start practicing the blackwork that I want to put on my collar and cuffs (and eventually an entire partlet? I know, ambitious.). I actually don't epic fail! And it's quite addicting! The back is still a little messy, but the front doesn't look half bad. Huzzah!

Had another weird dream the other night. I'm wondering if this is all pent up stuff I need to talk to someone about (the someone in my dream) but it seems too random and awkward. It would go something like this: "You make me hate myself for feeling inferior to you." Bleh. Maybe I need a talk therapist. I'm beginning to think it's a good thing I haven't been able to go to as many Civil War events. It keeps me out of trouble and from beating myself when things don't go the way I want them to. Faire is going to be such a refreshing escape... It's pretty much the only era that hasn't been "ruined" for me...

I made up a shopping list for tomorrow (supposing I can sneak out of the house). Lawn for 16th century shirts, embroidery stuff for attempting blackwork *fingers crossed*, and fabric for a new farthingale (going to salvage the boning from my old one). Would love to get linen for an 18th century working class outfit, but I don't think it's gonna happen until summer. Maybe I'll spring for some voile for a petti to go with my 1780s jacket. Yes... this sounds like a good plan...

Today I went on the "fabric safari" with the guild costume captain Mary and a couple other ladies, including one of my fellow Maids, Alicia. I was starting to get a little discourage because everything I found was already going to be worn by someone else! And there are only so many colors of cotton velvet in the world...

But then Mary found me the most amazing fabric for my forepart and sleeves. Unfortunately I was required to buy the whole bolt (5 yards) so I don't know what I'll do with all the extra, but I'm sure there will be some use for it! The cotton velvet was something I had walked past a couple times, not really caring for it, but then I took a much closer look and it REALLY grew on me. Paired with the forepart fabric, it seemed quirky but still very rich. Alicia called it my "mermaid" dress (and hers is the flower fairy dress!). She then took me to the beading and jewelry section, and I got some lovely freshwater pearls in a sort of pale orange gold color that will look very striking on the trim I got (from Michael Levine). Holding off on the jewels for now though, although I saw some Swarovski crystals that I think I'm going to use for the forepart and sleeves.

For all the guidelines and such, I still have an amazing gown and I can't wait to start working on it! I'm glad I already have a perfectly-fitted bodice to work with, so that will save me a lot of time and frustration. I have to wait until school is over in two weeks (stressed!!!) but then I'll be a sewing powerhouse!

The best part of the day was running into koshka_the_cat , sarahnucci , and twilatee in Home Fabrics! I saw Twila and my first thought was "Twila doesn't live in California...". Then I saw Katherine and knew something was up! I hope you ladies have a splendid time tonight at the ball!

... and exhausted. I had a really lovely time though. The hotel was a complete dream come true; built in 1897 and appropriately furnished. No TVs. Afternoon tea every day. Befriended a charming British couple and we chatted about historical buildings and history in general (they live in a 16th century vicarage). Really delightful people, and it felt so quaint and perfectly Victorian to make friends in a hotel during tea. You know, the kind who end up touring the rest of the Continent with you because you hit it off so splendidly. ;)

The funniest moment: "You look like you ran right out of the 1920s!!"

Ah... okay... :-P

Tomorrow I'm going to Joann. Call me crazy, but the sale is huge and there are essentials I need. Like another bolt of muslin for mock-ups and various undergarment type things. And plain black cotton broadcloth for the Emma dress. I'm furthering my insanity by wanting new stays and a farthingale for court stuff. I'll even do them on the machine and use metal grommets, I just want them DONE. I think this is quite doable, but I wouldn't be able to get started until the end of the semester in two weeks. Then it's power sewing time! :D

Watched all of "Emma: A Victorian Romance." I'm in love. The story is sweet and less cliche than you'd think, there's actual character development, and the clothing is SPOT ON. Pretty much a dream come true for me. But as a result, I'm making a quick white apron and cap for a maid's outfit. Plan to wear it with my black mourning dress to Knott's in February and have fun as a lady's maid.

Birthday dress bodice is pretty much complete so it's onto the skirt. Decided to make the train detachable so I can have the shorter version to wear when space is cramped and there's lots of people around.

Frantically searching for court dress fabric... My mom has volunteered to take me to LA this Saturday for the fabric safari. I have a good feeling I'll find something there, but this is the first time the internet has failed me! I normally find great things online! Oh well. Winter break is going to consist entirely of whipping this thing up (which I know I can do quickly, especially on a machine) but it's embellishment that's going to take a lot of time. Trying not to panic. I can do it. I've done crazier things! I've decided to deconstruct the stamped velvet bodice since it fits perfectly and "recover" it with whatever fabric I end up choosing. That'll save loads of time!

I still need to order fabric for my bonnet! I've got everything now (even trim) and I'd love to get started, but that can't happen til I have fabric. But looking at my work load, I don't think I'll get to it until after the court dress deadline (Feb. 27).

My first semester of college is almost over. It went by surprisingly fast. I actually think I might be able to stick it out another year, but we'll see. I'm just feeling horribly restless, and I'm hoping that next semester I'll get a reprieve from that. New classes mean new faces. And I'm hoping there are a few handsome male faces in there. Handsome male faces who like history and are gentlemanly.

Haha yeah right. Back to sewing.

 I am now officially Lady Bridget Manners with the Queen's Court of the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire.

*squee!*

This feels like such and honor, because I think RPFS is the most prestigious faire around (I may be a wee bit biased...) with the best-looking court ever! I'm already getting giddy thinking about who Bridget will be (and especially what she'll wear!). This will be the most fun "work" I've ever done!

I just finished trimming the green plaid wool dress! I'll take good pictures tomorrow, I promise. :]

Right now, I really want to start on the linen Regency dress... But I should probably finishing fixing the grey silk dress. Boo!