I have the most wicked inspiration. And I want to make the dress NOW! But I need to get the 1898 dress done for this Friday as well as the Christmas skirt for the sink in the kitchen! Yikes!!

Jo-Ann is having a splendid sale this weekend. I'm going to get fabric for the transitional sheer and probably think about my wicked project! :]

Want a hint?

I just completed this 1890s outfit that I started at the end of the summer. It consists of a purple printed cotton waist and wool skirt (left over from the wool 1860s). This will be my "every day" ensemble for the Newland house, and the plaid silk is for the Christmas Open House evening. *excited*

I need to put something in the sleeves to keep them from collapsing...

The skirt has a pretty little train which unfortunately you can't see in the pictures. But it's there, I promise!!

Now... for a hat! I'm thinking just a straw boater with some pretty ribbon and flowers etc. Hmmm.... :]

   

1890s Christmas Dress:



Athenaeum 1860s dress:


:]

Thanks everyone for your opinions!

Our little local piece of history is the Newland house, built in 1898. My friend Darrell happens to be the vice president of our historical society, and has asked me to be a part of the Christmas Open House. I get to decorate a room in the house, and be in the house for the tours. So I decided to make myself a dress :]

I already have an everyday outfit I've been working on, but I want something fancier for Christmas. I've sketched out a design. The bodice, collar, and belt are velvet, and the yoke and rest of the dress are silk. I just have to figure out which of these silks I want to use.... Which is where you come in :]



Silk A: Red and Gold small plaid with red velvet bodice
 

Pros: It's a nice small print that should look nice on my small frame. It's red, and I really want red. Also, smaller plaids show up more in fashion plates from the period.
Cons: Is it too boring? Too country-ish?

Silk B: Green, gold, and red silk plaid with red velvet


Pros: The colors are GORGEOUS! It's rich, it's Christmas-y. 'Nuff said.
Cons: Is the scale too big? I don't want to look ridiculous. And bigger plaids didn't show up as often.

Silk C: White, green, and red plaid with red velvet


Pros: I... love this one... period. And it's only $10/yard.
Con:  I really want this for another 1860s dress to wear to the Athenaeum. Of course, it's a long time away and I could probably find something else. In fact, there's some pretty pink plaids I'd love to have for it, very feminine...

Hmmm...