Started the Athenaeum uniform because my fabric came yesterday. I couldn't resist! Still need to finish the red silk of course, but I've got almost the whole skirt flounce on. Skirt needs hem facing, pleating, and waistband; bodice needs neckband and closures. Phew! Plenty of work, but I have lots of time before Central, which I'm very excited for. I'm very much hoping to make amends then, but we'll see what happens. It's not entirely my decision to make. It takes two to tango, as they say.

These past few weeks were a little crazy... I'm not even sure how it started. After a period of relative quiet, I had about three or four dates (?) and many more requests that I had to politely refuse or have not yet taken up, at risk of feeling completely... hussy-ish (?). Wow... what a whirlwind. I mean, I've been single for a while, but apparently, every guy I know just found out last month. There's a fine line between feeling flattered and feeling used. An interesting dichotomy. And it doesn't help that I look upon it all as a pleasant amusement. Just for fun. Nothing serious. Which is normally fine with them. It just feels empty. Like life is sort of rushing around me and I'm sitting still and taking it all.

I'm eager to move up to Camarillo and start school. Put my new self out there and test her out, see how she does. Get back into life.

Alright, enough late night rambling! Back to sewing!

Even though I spent the last month in serious 1860s sewing mode, and the fact that I spent the last week fully immersed in 1860s life, I actually don't feel like finishing my red silk dress at the moment... Or making the new, larger bodice for the wool plaid dress (I have NO idea what happened with that one... It's frustrating.). I'm just sort of feeling bleh about it. I'd much rather dive into my new Regency silk dress. Oh yes... :-D

I'm seriously thinking of holding a cocktail party at my house. Well... one I couldn't personally drink at, but it would be fun to HOST it... The thing is, my house is a virtual museum of all things 1920s-1970s if it was created of, in, by, or about Hawai'i and/or Polynesia, and the garage hasn't been a garage in 10 years, it's a legitimate tiki bar a la Trader Vic's. How fun would that be! I want to put this house to good use! I think I know more than a child needs to know about the tiki subculture... For example, being dragged to Palm Springs rather against my will to spend a weekend with drunken adults bedecked in rockabilly clothing and clutching mai tais, and seeing my first burlesque act at age 10, my father insisting that it was "art".

Yes... this is the kind of party I want to have... :]

I didn't pass out, which was probably the best thing about today. I really got a feel for the frail, wilting flower ideal. Yes, today I think I embodied the perfect Victorian woman! I also got to see Katie in her/my dress which made me very happy. I just wish I hadn't felt so gosh darn awful... Being sick did have another upside: I was too worried about fainting to give a flying farthing about he who happens to still owe me $30. That $30 could buy me hoop boning and metallic trim for the Infanta dress. *grr*

I guess I'm not going back tomorrow. Long story. :-/ There won't be another real reenactment until September, although I'll be at the Athenaeum for a week which should make up for that.

I hate snarky comments.

Maybe I'm just extremely sensitive, or maybe I have more than an average person's recommended dose of TACT, but really! Some people! I always believe there's a nice way to say something. And you never know what the receiver of the comment went through, either. This calls for extra niceness.

Oh well, I never have to meet these people, and the personal knowledge that I am no way at fault is enough for me.

I picked up my print anglaise for lack of anything exciting to do. The bodice is almost done, then the skirt. Maybe a skirt ruffle. We'll see how much I want to devote to this.  I also played dress up with my pink silk polonaise. I really should get some good pictures of that dress... Tomorrow? :]

I just want to be working on the Infanta dress NOW, and all other projects seem so dull in comparison. Although earlier I realized there's nothing stopping me from making a muslin for the bodice. In fact... that's an extremely good idea!! I can get the bodice patterend, but the basque and skirt will have to wait until I get that crazy farthingale/pannier made. Oh boy...  I hope it's simple to make, and it certainly seems so. I think I'm going to give in and sew it on my grandmother's sewing machine. *gasp*

I also need to think of a project to take to New York with me. I have both natural form dresses to make, but that would require bringing the undergarments with me to fit them. However, those are the only projects I have in my stash to work on, and I'm trying to keep myself to the stash for now.

And another thing. I am SO upset that I trimmed my bangs too short. I just want to wear a scarf on my head all the time. My hair tends to grow fast though, so I just need to be patient.

For the most part, yes! School is almost over. And in the last two weeks, I won another $3500 in scholarships! Woot! I just have to keep it together for another month and a half. Then I'll be in Ventura. Anyone live in Ventura County who wants to show me around and go to costumey things with me? I hope there's fellow costumers in Ventura. I shall be very lonely if there aren't!

I had the most wonderful day at faire this past Saturday. I was so happy... so really very happy. I can't wait until next year, when it shall be such happiness every weekend! I hope I can find some pictures to show you.

AND my Marie Stuart mourning bonnet came! Finally. It's just perfect! The straw is nice and light and lacey which lends to the slightly cobweb-gothic feel. I had scads of leftover black silk, so I trimmed it up and it's done except for the lining. I need to go get black netting, and then black silk gauze for the veil. Not to mention fabric for the black collar and undersleeves. We're going full mourning! A trip to Jenny's is in order... I'm in love with the shape of the bonnet too! It's so different, and so charming, but also seems slightly gothic. I know that's not what Victorians went for in their mourning clothes, but I used to "be goth" so some of that comes out in me every now and then...

I'm battling with the ball gown bertha. I think I finally have it where I want it. It isn't quite as big as the original, but I've gotten over it. So it's not an exact recreation, but then, the original wasn't lavender pink either!

This weekend is Bat's Day! I'm going for the ex-manfriend's birthday. It should be lots of fun! This is my... 5th year going?! I've got a really splendid outfit to wear, and so does he.

I guess the only thing I can complain about is what I've previously complained about before. Going to faire made me realize it even more, and with El Dorado coming up in a month... Well, where ever he is,  there is a guy who can appreciate me and my silly hobby and wants to dress up with me!

       

I have two new, finished dresses, but I haven't taken pictures of them! 

I'll get around to it hopefully Friday!

Meanwhile, I started my Athenaeum ball gown. Let me just say this: NEVER EVER EVER make a dress out of silk gauze. It's ridiculous. Really, really ridiculous. It moves around all the time and frays like no one's business. Maybe if I was a professional seamstress I could handle it. But the bodice was a complete PAIN to sew. It's done now, thank goodness, except for sleeves and bertha. Can't wait... :-P

In the class that I aid for, the students were assigned to create a WWII era magazine. Two girls decided to do a page about fashion. As they're researching 40s fashion, I overhear one of them exclaim, "What's a petticoat??"

I nearly died. A petticoat. Really? REALLY? I don't mean to sound so snobbish but... a petticoat...

What has this world come to?!

They were also shocked at the notion of painting on stockings and could not wrap their heads around just why or how one would accomplish such a feat. They also decided Spam was strange and disgusting.

Ignorance. Just one more thing to make my day. :]

And apparently there are enough ways to install a zipper so that they warrant an 82 minute how-to video. Wow!

I can probably finish fringing my shawl and resew my apron all on Friday while I wait for my gingerbread to bake. Which means I should work on the wrapper now until I can get some muslin to start on my ball gown.

Yes.

It is resolved.

That is, if Knott's even happens... The rain seems determined to keep me from happiness. Ah well... At least I'll have a shawl, apron, wrapper, and ball gown for Vista!

I like this forecast the best.

weather.yahoo.com/Buena-Park-California-United-States/USCA0138/forecast.html

I now have black silk for my mourning dress. YAY! Lightweight fabric, so I won't die in a Southern summer, and in a weave that's sturdy like wool and not shiny. And the whole lot only cost $30. YES! I love sales...

Now... I think I'm going to go ahead and ask the manfriend for my red silk for my birthday. It's what he wants to get for me. It was either that or a black bonnet for my mourning dress. The fabric seems a better choice only because I don't know how long it will be around, and the bonnet is relatively secure.

Oh, you're wondering what the silk is for... A ball gown. Because I need a coloured/not white one. :]

Haha. "Need." Since you all know I have a physical need for another ball gown. :-P

Hmmm... well... as I've been writing this, I've suddenly been thinking about how maybe I don't need another ball gown... Sure, the inspiration pic is gorgeous as heck, but... Oh gosh, I don't know what to do...

I've needed a new wool shawl for a long time (actually, forever, since I've never had one) so yesterday I got a length of luscious pumpkin pie orange wool. I have set about fringing it... and it's probably the most boring thing I have ever done!!! :-P I think I'm only going to do the two unfinished sides and leave the selvages as is. That will save me much trouble and cursing...

In other news, I got the final two yards of velvet for the Elizabethan, so I can begin on the overdress. I'll probably do that tonight, although I'm going to have to dig some lining out of the stash... Hmmm... what can I use? I might have to wait, which will be annoying to someone as impatient as I am. ;-)

But the kirtle is done (practically) and I can take some pictures of that today. It just needs to be hemmed, but I'm waiting to do that until the overdress is done. It also needs eyelets on the shoulder straps to tie the sleeves to. But I'm so over eyelets right now...

...I am likewise EXTREMELY perturbed.

FFC does not deserve my business because they have now had me place two orders on out-of-stock fabrics that weren't listed as out-of-stock. I am going to try once again (third time's a charm, isn't it?), even though I'll probably have to dye this fabric. Oh well... I'm getting a good deal on the fabric itself, and the box of dye and labour still won't amount to what the fabric would actually cost.

I've been toying with the idea of selling some of my older dresses that I know I won't wear very often. Trouble is, I always have this nagging feeling in my mind that the occasion will arise when I NEED that dress I just sold... :-P

Now... which ones?? I have an early CW dress... I have my two Elizabethan gowns... Don't get too concerned! I know they're lovely, but having three in my closet after this year's gown will be a little silly, won't it?? Meh... I don't know... :-/

Now I'm all confused!!

*The wicked project
*Silk satin Regency gown
*Elizabethan gown
*late 16th/ early 17th century Hungarian gown

Hmm.... that's all going to add up, isn't it? I already have most of the materials for the Elizabethan gown, but I don't need to worry about that until April. I don't need the Regency dress really. Or the Hungarian one. But the wicked project is going to be my Winter Formal dress. So I should start with that I guess. *sigh*

...my alter-ego. :]



A sketch I did in AP Environmental Science and finished at work.


I'm in an 1860s mood now. But I have nothing Civil War to work on! I think I might do a Swiss waist/corselet and sheer waist for Knott's and the Athenaeum. And another sheer, but a transitional style one. I'll wear the sheer waist under it so it will be appropriate for the Athenaeum. I'd really like to tell them it's ok for girls to wear short sleeves and low/wide necklines... *sigh*

I now am the proud soon-to-be-owner of these shoes in ivory. :]
Even though I want them in EVERY colour! Because they're amazing!!!
I just thought ivory would go better with more outfits.

Now, I know they're aren't exactly period, but they are the most awesome shoes I have ever seen in my entire life! XD

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V734GE/ref=nosim/?tag=dealt5578-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B000V734GE&linkCode=asn

Or, my first LJ meme...

Thank you, Nona, for tagging me! :]

Six Random Facts About Me:

1. I realized this the other night: I close my eyes when I brush my teeth.
2. I have an incredible weakness for men in waistcoats...
3. My family goes to Hawai'i every year for Easter. But this year I'm breaking the tradition to go to England!!
4. My GPA last year was 4.6.
5. My dream school is the College of William and Mary.
6. Tonight is homecoming and I still need to finish my dress!!!


Ummmm... I don't know who to tag!!!

Feel free to do this meme at your leisure! :]

I still have to finish my Halloween dress... :-P But I want to work on the polonaise!!!! Halloween dress needs to have collar attached, closures added, bottom edge of bodice finished...

Thoughts:

*make a flannel petti for Moorpark because it will be COLD
*reline the wool cloak in good fabric

Shopping List:

*hooks and eyes... lots of them
*bias tape
*buttons
*black ribbon
*red flannel
*muslin
*cotton sateen

whew... I need some coupons...

I've been having a lot of period dreams lately (not that I mind, but it is so disappointing to wake up from them and realize you AREN'T actually living in that era...). Last night's was Regency and involved a certain someone, which was disconcerting to me. Thanks a lot, subconscious! Silly brain...

The 1840s dress is almost done. Wow... That took me, what? Two days of actual work? It just needs a hem and closures (seems like everything I'm working on just needs a hem and closures! Jeez!). The hem is going to be incredibly annoying because I didn't bother to take the time to adjust the length in the pleats. So now I have to make it even in the hem. Which is easier, but time-consuming.

I REALLY want my pink silk to come for the polonaise... I don't know how much longer I can hold out! In the meantime, I'm facing the dilemma of fixing my old wonky stays or saving up for new ones from Townsend, or even... making another pair. Leaning towards a combo of one and two since I'm in no mood for more hand made eyelets right now... And I really like the stays from Townsend even if they are in linen and I want some scrumptious silk ones.