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jennylafleur ([personal profile] jennylafleur) wrote2006-01-17 11:49 pm

Twelfth Night 07 & Updated Obligatory List Of Doom

Despite my silence here I have been doing a bit of costuming this week. I’ve been trying to get my quilted petticoat started. I’m a bit scared, I haven’t started stitching and this outfit is turning out to be a huge pain in the butt. Could this project be cursed like the Pirate *looks tempted to run screaming into the night*

I whacked my back out don’t it but I have one panel all traced out in washable pencil. Now I need to sandwich the layers together and baste with safety pins. If and when I ever get that far *rolls eyes*, I’ll post some piccies.

In other news... I have an announcement to make for those invitees of our Twelfth Night fetes (you know who you are!). After much thought and chatting, Bridget & I have decided that the next Twelfth Night (Jan 2007) will be our last Twelfth Night party.


The decision is not a reflection on this year’s party (which I thoroughly enjoyed) but a reflection on where we are in our lives. This year proved that we simply don’t have the time we used to have to devote to this event and it’s costumes. Next year will also mark B’s senior year and after graduation she will be off to medical school (probably not locally) and be unavailable to co-hostess. These parties have always been a combination of Bridget & my resources, talents and ideas. Frankly I’m not interested in doing them on my own: it wouldn’t be nearly as fun.

So in keeping with our desire to celebrate the old and the beginning of a new season in our lives, the theme this year will be a “Costumed Victory Ball”. Think Poirot and the Affair at the Victory Ball. :> I usually hesitate to name the theme so early, in case we change our minds, but I’m confident this won’t change. It’s too perfect. It’s fun, freeing in the area of costume ideas (it’s fancy dress so anything is “in theme”) and we already have lots of ideas to execute it with our usual imaginative but thrifty flare. :>

Actually the ending of the old will begin a little earlier for us this year. B & I have also decided, one: not to make B a new costume and two: that we will not attend the Ren Faire. Lots of reasons but time, energy and the original reasons to do those things no longer being valid are some. We are bored of the Ren Faire, having been now 3 years in a row. The acts are the same, the food is the same, the scripts are the same, blah, blah, blah. It doesn’t fall during a horribly convenient time of year and there are other ways of having fun with friends that are less hassle, so we are saying no to the madness, this year at least.

As far as B’s costume go, lots of reasons for that too. Mostly time, resources and interest level. B will be taking the MCATs this spring, and working hard this summer to meet restrictions to join the military. I have my MK career, an 18th century wardrobe to expand and Costume College to sew for. The dress we really want to make her we just couldn’t do justice to this year so we don’t want to do it. For now the question of her TN costume is on hold. We may finish the pirate costume (as we had originally envisioned it) or we may once again revisit the Elvish gown. I’m getting vibes from B that she really wants to be sparkly and elegant for our last TN but we will see. :>

All of this (plus the addition of a CC membership in my life :>) has thrown my costuming plans for a loop to say the least. A loop in a good way, but still a loop. So disregard the list I posted on Jan 1st and make way for The Updated 2006 Obligatory List Of Doom:

Must Do:
*secret* project – Yep still secret, although I’m weakening. I’m just not good at secrets! :> I hate to tease but it’s one of my top priorities… This will be for CC and an event later this year.

1911 Butterfly Dress – Yes, Mr. Butterfly still needs a home. This is my official CC project. I won’t go without it so expect to see me still sewing it the night before. :> I have changed my mind on some of the fabrics used though. It will be the same basic color scheme and still all out of my fabric stash but a little less “hello, I’m here!”. :> More on this when I actually get started on it.

Green Wool 18th century – This outfit is to replace my red stripe as my main RCHS garb. The fabric of my stripe is not holding up well (it was cheap fabric when I bought it 6 years ago) and I’ve a bit tired of wearing it. This will be made of a length of Kelly green wool in the stash, in the same style as my red strip and green ball gown. Nothing terribly imaginative I’m afraid, just well constructed, practical and quite pretty. :>

Green 1770s ball gown – I need to get the sleeve ruffles on this gown to complete it. I’m still on the lookout for decent lace but for now I’m using a sheer china silk. I may add some embellishment to the green part of the ruffles as well (lots of gold trim and sequins leftover you know).

Quilted Petticoat – Green silk, lots of handwork. Yeah. :>

Really Want to Do Too:
1790s Pierrot Jacket – Made of a shot yellow/pink silk taffeta from the stash. The plan is to pair it with the finished quilted petticoat, with pink cockades on my shoes, green silk trimming on the jacket and possibly a new jaunty little hat to complete the ensemble. I don’t really have an event for this (although TN would be awfully fun) but I fell the need to make a late 18th century something just for the fun of it! :>

Additions to the 18th century wardrobe – I have lots of ideas and wants - we’ll see how many get done this year. An embroidered muff, mitts, a cotton gown, a new petticoat or two, a new covered hat, a new undress jacket and second crewel-work pocket are all on the list. :>

Bridget’s Pirate Coat – On hold until further notice. I may finish this for Twelfth Night or not make it at all, it’s up to B.

Kimono – I’ve decided not to bead this but to paint the design on and embellish with sequins and/or beads. No deadline for this, just want it complete. This year would be nice. :>

Greensleeves Regency dress – I may revisit this project for a RCHS event in September. I want to refit a section or two and complete the embroidery I originally planned. I should really revisit the stays for this gown too.

Victorian corset – for use with my Rohan gown. My old one is so uncomfortable!

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