And the first post of the new year is....

So I survive ringing in the new year. No parties this year. Instead I worked at the only convenience store crazy enough to stay open that night. It was insane. But after a lot of sleep I was able to get a lot done. I finished enlarging the gussets on my hubbie's blue tunic. It also has split triangle gores at the sides.

Here is a close up of the neckline. Steve handed me an old red tablecloth and said can this go on it. Very viking. The blue is navy flannel from Joanns at $2.50 a yard and the trim I have had around for a few years.

I also took some pictures of my full chemise with the lace collar. there is no ruffle on the cuffs and the neck stays open cuz I like it that way. Thin white cotton muslin from Walmart $1 a yard. Lace from an old dress shop that used to be on Center street in Provo. Bought 20 yards for maybe $3.

And some pictures of my pink corset with the red binding. I used wide plastic zip ties from the Home Depot as boning and canvas as the lining and interlining. Straight all around boning channels that took half a lifetime to sew and then the other half a lifetime to bind. I usually don't mind being a big girl. This made me want to diet big time. My petticoat and an apron are made from the same pink fabric. This fabric was a major find. Clearance table 12 years ago. Made it into a large canopy drape over the baby's crib. Took it down and used it to cover tables for displays. Took a class on Roman garb a few years back and thought this would work, made matching stola's for me and my daughter. The fabric was too stiff and uncomfortable so it sat for a bit more. Decided to make an outfit from stash fabric and out it came again. Made the corset, petticoat and apron and still have enough left over to play with. The ultimate fabric that keeps on giving. All eyelets are handstitched around metal rings. Use stainless steel so you don't cry when they rust through.

I made a black kirtle for Coronation this year. I love the fit both with and without my corset. It is very comfortable. Used the same pattern as the corset and added straps. Double pleated the skirt which was tricky because I had to have the pleats in back unfold as a placket for the side back lacing on the bodice. Funny thing is the corset was too big and the kirtle was almost too tight but made from the same pattern. Lined just the bodice. Super secret for friends only..... the black linen is that horrible sequined glitter rainbow butterflies stuff Joanns sold a couple summers ago and I just flipped it and used the back. Yep there are crazy butterflies flying around the inside of my skirt. The only thing I would change is the bottom front of the straps is too narrow. I will fix it on the brown kirtle I am working on. I still have to cover the eyelets on this one.

Now on to the next thing on the list

Solstice was wonderful. Everyone looked gorgeous. Except me because I stitched my little heart out but didn't finish the dress. And Ashe'el even made me the most gorgeous beaded girdle in the entire world!! Here is the list of things that need to be finished....

• Gather underskirt (its all sewn together)
• Finish beading forepart (its about 2/3 done)
• Attach forepart to underskirt
• Attach waistband ribbon to underskirt
• hem underskirt
• make pretty bloomers (because we will be lawn bowling in our underwear)
• sew hooks to chemise sleeves
• finish stitching waistband to overskirt (4 #&*@*$* inches left for heavens sake!)
• stitch skirt to bodice
• add boning to bodice if needed
• hem overskirt

I will make a last push to finish as much of my court gown as possible before the new year. And I will post pictures of what I've done regardless by Dec 31. But I may delay finishing the dress in order to get ready for Estrella War! Stephen needs to have almost a whole new wardrobe for the event and I need at least two more kirtles and a couple more chemises. We will be going sans kidlettes and taking all the seats out of the van to haul all our stuff down. This will be our second vacation without kids and I can't wait. I plan to teach classes and take classes and help wow the Known Worlde with the beauty and power of our King and Queen and make pretty things for the largess baskets. Aggie and his lovely lady are rumored to be running a kitchen and I am hoping to add us to their list of starving devotees. I am also considering entering my blackwork into the Arts display but I need some more information. If there is a minimum number of entries that is much higher then my completed peices of blackwork for instance.

On another fabulous note my costuming guild Occulous Candide had announced their quarterly projects for 2009 and I am interested in all of them!! I felt terribly left out of the projects for 2008 and a complete failure because they were not things I was particularly interested in making or couldn't really afford to make. It was definitely my own choice and I love my guild to pieces. They are an amazing bunch of ladies and 2009 promises to be a ton of fun. Gas prices are down to a reasonable amount and I can now afford to drive to the meetings even if they end up in Logan! Yeah for mass insanity disguised as sewing guilds!! I want to challenge my very quiet embroidery guild to help me with the largess goal. Must think of something sneaky and inspiring to motivate them.

The post of the first

Thanksgiving was good. Managed to get through both family dinners sober. Friday shopping was disappointing as I only got half of what was on my list, but I didn't have to ram anyone to get out of my parking spot this year and only had to yell at two idiots. Pretty great if I do say so myself.



The corset is coming along great. I have almost half of the eyelets sewn and the entire bottom binding done. I received my Margo Anderson pattern two days after ordering it!! Wow that is some speedy service and it looks amazing. My list of costume to do's this week is huge since Ash is coming over next weekend to help me fit the bodice of my new Solstice gown.



Costume To Do list

• Finish rounding off boning ends (102)


• Finish handsewn eyelets (19)


• Cut yardage for forepart, chalk outline


• Handsew lace to shirt collar


• Make pretty white pantaloons (because we will be lawn bowling in our underwear)


• Cut and sew skirt, begin cartridge pleating

Now if I get everything done it will be time for pictures so keep your fingers crossed.