Party Snag
I bet you're wondering where Part 3 of my series on finding a pet for the Holidays is aren't you? Well, Part 3 is the section on Buying a pet and I'm really having trouble putting that one together. It's really taking a lot of thought due to my personal feelings on the matter and I have a lot on my plate right now. I'm crossing my fingers I can have it ready next week.
In the meantime, this is my latest drama.
I'm going to this fabulous Victorian Christmas Ball in Waxahachie, TX on Saturday. I'm pretty excited about it. Several of us from the DFW Costumers Guild have been dying to attend a proper ball. So this is just the ticket for us historical costuming geeks. And I already made an appropriate dress, so all was good. There would be no fighting to make something new. I could focus on the mini-garb for my niece and nephew. Well, that's what I thought. Until I tried the dress on last night.
Oh dear. I was aware I had gained weight back from what I had lost over the last year, but didn't realize how much that weight would affect my red victorian dress. It was bad. Since these types of dresses are made to fit really well in the first place, gaining weight is not a good thing. I barely was able to hook the bodice closed and there were gaps at the closures. NO BUENO!!! Just about the only way I can wear that dress now is to make a front piece to hide the closure. Ok, no problem, that's a relatively cheap and realistic plan to pull off in the little amount of time that I have. Then I looked at it again and noticed the Huge rip in the off the shoulder strap on one side. And I also noticed many other parts that need to be replaced or covered due to damage from wear. So in short, the whole bodice really needs to be replaced. And I don't have the funds for new red silk right now.
In my panic, I started hatching a plan for just getting a lot of heavy lace to sew to the neckline and shoulders and then figure out something to cover the closure area. But the more I thought about it, the more I really just wasn't buying that look with the natural form fan skirt that went with it, which is also a little plain. I mean, I'd have to do a lot of work to make it look like it wasn't a hasty addition. At this point, the plan ended up turning into a major expense and a bit of a handsewing project.
BAH!!!!
The party is Saturday, remember? Three Days! Actually, less than that since I work a full time job and have little time after work to sew.
But even as I was lamenting my problem, true insanity took over and the Holy Fabric Stash came to the rescue. It's funny how these little devils start speaking into your ear about what you might be able to accomplish if only you listened to their cracked-out plan. At that moment I remembered a nice piece of royal blue taffeta-like material that was handed down to me from someone else's stash purge. Yes, those little devils won and I was energized with a new crazy plan. The tag on the fabric said there was about 2 1/2 yds. Hmmmm, what could I do with that? I knew it was enough for a Truly Victorian August Overskirt even though the pattern calls for 2 3/4 yds. But what else? Was there any hope that I could also fit a bodice into the remaining fabric? Let me tell you, folks, I was so determined it would work at that moment that I went for it. I found my Truly Victorian Ballgown Basque Bodice pattern and I started puzzling. By the grace of the Holy Fabric Stash, and those crazy little devils, I was able to just barely eek out that bodice. It's gonna be sleeveless and I'm going to have to patch a small amount of fabric on the back tails, but nobody's going to be paying attention to them since they'll be overpowered by the bustle just underneath. And later I can use some trim to cover it if I want.
Now I'm sitting at my desk waiting for lunch time to come around so I can go across the street to Joann's Fabric to buy something for an underskirt. I'm using my Truly Victorian 1870s Underskirt pattern. It's the exact underskirt I used with the August Overskirt years ago when I made my Mina Blue dress. I also need some tulle for a trick I just learned to stiffen the bustle part of the overskirt for a little more poof. And I'm looking for some lace for the neckline. And buttons. I don't think I have the time to wait for Saturday morning to visit the Button Man on Perth Street. I guess that will just really depend on how cheaply I can get everything. I may just be making a trip to Perth at 9am if the buttons I want are expensive at Joann's
Will I finish in time for the Ball on Saturday night? Who knows. I can always go back to the old reliable pink polonaise if I don't finish. It's not formal, but it will work in a real pinch.
Am I crazy to think I can knock this dress out in such a short time when I've never been able to do it previously? Absolutely, but I'll never know if I don't try and I know I'll be sitting at the Ball disappointed that I didn't at least try. I'd rather show up in something lesser because I failed than show up in something lesser because I gave up and didn't even try.
In the meantime, this is my latest drama.
I'm going to this fabulous Victorian Christmas Ball in Waxahachie, TX on Saturday. I'm pretty excited about it. Several of us from the DFW Costumers Guild have been dying to attend a proper ball. So this is just the ticket for us historical costuming geeks. And I already made an appropriate dress, so all was good. There would be no fighting to make something new. I could focus on the mini-garb for my niece and nephew. Well, that's what I thought. Until I tried the dress on last night.
Oh dear. I was aware I had gained weight back from what I had lost over the last year, but didn't realize how much that weight would affect my red victorian dress. It was bad. Since these types of dresses are made to fit really well in the first place, gaining weight is not a good thing. I barely was able to hook the bodice closed and there were gaps at the closures. NO BUENO!!! Just about the only way I can wear that dress now is to make a front piece to hide the closure. Ok, no problem, that's a relatively cheap and realistic plan to pull off in the little amount of time that I have. Then I looked at it again and noticed the Huge rip in the off the shoulder strap on one side. And I also noticed many other parts that need to be replaced or covered due to damage from wear. So in short, the whole bodice really needs to be replaced. And I don't have the funds for new red silk right now.
In my panic, I started hatching a plan for just getting a lot of heavy lace to sew to the neckline and shoulders and then figure out something to cover the closure area. But the more I thought about it, the more I really just wasn't buying that look with the natural form fan skirt that went with it, which is also a little plain. I mean, I'd have to do a lot of work to make it look like it wasn't a hasty addition. At this point, the plan ended up turning into a major expense and a bit of a handsewing project.
BAH!!!!
The party is Saturday, remember? Three Days! Actually, less than that since I work a full time job and have little time after work to sew.
But even as I was lamenting my problem, true insanity took over and the Holy Fabric Stash came to the rescue. It's funny how these little devils start speaking into your ear about what you might be able to accomplish if only you listened to their cracked-out plan. At that moment I remembered a nice piece of royal blue taffeta-like material that was handed down to me from someone else's stash purge. Yes, those little devils won and I was energized with a new crazy plan. The tag on the fabric said there was about 2 1/2 yds. Hmmmm, what could I do with that? I knew it was enough for a Truly Victorian August Overskirt even though the pattern calls for 2 3/4 yds. But what else? Was there any hope that I could also fit a bodice into the remaining fabric? Let me tell you, folks, I was so determined it would work at that moment that I went for it. I found my Truly Victorian Ballgown Basque Bodice pattern and I started puzzling. By the grace of the Holy Fabric Stash, and those crazy little devils, I was able to just barely eek out that bodice. It's gonna be sleeveless and I'm going to have to patch a small amount of fabric on the back tails, but nobody's going to be paying attention to them since they'll be overpowered by the bustle just underneath. And later I can use some trim to cover it if I want.
Now I'm sitting at my desk waiting for lunch time to come around so I can go across the street to Joann's Fabric to buy something for an underskirt. I'm using my Truly Victorian 1870s Underskirt pattern. It's the exact underskirt I used with the August Overskirt years ago when I made my Mina Blue dress. I also need some tulle for a trick I just learned to stiffen the bustle part of the overskirt for a little more poof. And I'm looking for some lace for the neckline. And buttons. I don't think I have the time to wait for Saturday morning to visit the Button Man on Perth Street. I guess that will just really depend on how cheaply I can get everything. I may just be making a trip to Perth at 9am if the buttons I want are expensive at Joann's
Will I finish in time for the Ball on Saturday night? Who knows. I can always go back to the old reliable pink polonaise if I don't finish. It's not formal, but it will work in a real pinch.
Am I crazy to think I can knock this dress out in such a short time when I've never been able to do it previously? Absolutely, but I'll never know if I don't try and I know I'll be sitting at the Ball disappointed that I didn't at least try. I'd rather show up in something lesser because I failed than show up in something lesser because I gave up and didn't even try.
2 comments:
What kind of buttons are you looking for? I have quite a stash & would be happy to see if I have anything that would work for you!!
Maggie....I love you...that is all. See you tonight lovely!!
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