last minute costume fun

This week started out pretty good but quickly went downhill. Monday afternoon I begin working on the Faire Garb. I sewed on the hook & eyes where the skirts meet. Then I tried lacing it up with the new ribbon I’d bought. When I had tried the gown on for the first time, the lacing wouldn’t come out even for some reason. I didn’t really worry about it as it was a quick try-on to mark the sleeves and hem. When I went to lace the new, I discovered why the lacing was not even. One side has 9 holes and one side has 8. I have NO idea how I did that. I’m not even going to go into how that discovery made me feel. Somewhere around the size of a seed bead I think.

So I have lovely lacing holes that are un-even. This means that they are neither lined up for spiral nor cross-lacing. Great. I looked at the costume, with the hem to do, the corded bodice uncomfortable and not fitting well ect… and only 3 days to go. Yeah. I began to consider looking for some matches. That is always a bad sign. So I threw the garb in my closet, played some computer games and called elegant_musings. We talked for a couple of hours and she helped calm me down. Sometimes it just helps to talk with someone who understands. Merci Dearest!

Towards the end of our conversation I had a moment of brilliance. I could cover the holes with ribbon and then sew lacing rings on the inside. If that does not work, there is always the Rohan gown. I will probably faint from the heat but I could wear it.

I decided a few weeks ago not to attempt re-embroidering the Rohan. I couldn’t find a pattern I adored nor thread that was a good substitute for goldwork. My painting experiments however were successful and I now have a method to tone down that bright trim so it better matches the belt. I took some slightly watered down black fabric paint and brushed it on to the trim. I then rubbed it in with a rag until the color was even. Very easy. It shouldn’t take me too long to do and I think I will be much happier with the costume afterwards.

...from the land of procrastination... where I am queen
So how did I spend my day yesterday? I picked up, dusted and vacuumed my bed/sewing room. Then I rearranged my bookshelves, went through and reorganized my hope chest, reorganized the boxes under my bed, organized my stationary, went through and rearranged my dresser drawers, went through recipes, cooked dinner… In short nothing to do with sewing. Despite the time crunch I couldn’t deal with sewing yesterday.

I feel much better with my newly de-cluttered and organized room. I got rid of a whole box of stuff and threw away a full trash can – that always makes me feel good. I don’t really regret taking the day off though I am pretty skeptical about getting the Faire Garb done in time. I’ve decided not to worry about it. If I get it done great, if not I’ll wear the Rohan. Unless it rains and then I’m screwed. A big whopping oh well.

If I’m not enjoying the process and am just stressing myself out making these costumes, what is the point? This is a hobby that I supposedly do for fun. I just don’t need self-induced stress this week, I have enough to handle thank you. So today I’m off to Hancock’s for lacing rings and Jo-Ann’s for Regline. Then I’m planning to tackle the corded bodice. If I can’t work out those issues there is no point in bothering with the dress tomorrow.