costuming thoughts in the new year

[jennylafleur]

Happy New Year!! Thank you so much for your friendship & support this past year, I love you all my dear sewing buddies!

Completed Costume Tally of 2007:
second crewel pocket
green silk stays
B's english gown
pet en l'air
Fire costume
chemise la reine
pink Pimpernel
1870s bustle petticoat

Hummm... pretty sad really. Especially considering I wasn’t happy with most of those and plan to take several apart and re-do or never wear them again. I started/worked on more things but haven't finished them as well which is frustrating. I hate endlessly pending projects, I find them very depressing.

I try not to make too many costuming resolutions/goals each year but this year I have two. The first is to not have 2008 filled with last minute, finished-in-a-rush projects. I end up hating them and getting discouraged - to the point of questioning my talents and creativity which isn't fair. My life seems to be getting more and more complicated all the time, I need costuming to bring joy. If not then what is the point?

Second, I want to branch out a bit in my costuming activities. I love RCHS and the 18th century living history it allows me to participate in but I'm feeling a bit stifled within it's confines. I want to stretch my wings a bit and do some different things this year. The Poe event is a good example, not an era I'm passionate about by any means but I think it will be great fun and I'm really looking forward to it, for the novelty alone. I'm feeling the need to branch out I guess.

Major projects on the docket for 2008 include:
b&w bustle outfit, c1875 for CC
Poe dress, 1840s for Poe event
non-gala (pearl) dress, c1800, for CC
remake of the Pink Pimpernel, for July event & RCHS
chemise á la Reine, take #2, for coaching days & me
Redingote or traveling dress, 1780s for coaching days
English gown, 1770s, for RCHS
secret project, for cc
swing dress, 1940s for a wedding/christmas
restoration gown, 17th century for CostumeCon 09

Ummm... can anyone say ambitious? My list of little piddly stuff is almost as long. Shifts, caps, hats, shawls, neckerchiefs and the like, not to mention jewelry & craft projects. It's really very scary. :P

Comments

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

I don't think it was sad at all, everything was beautiful!

I'm making a red and white bustle gown of the same period to bring to cc. It might be fun wear them the same day! (Assuming I get it done that is...)

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

You are so sweet to me. :> I just know I can do better so I'm dissapointed I guess.

Oh a bustle day - yay! You look so good in the bustles. :>

[misslemmon.livejournal.com]

I dunno, for some reason I thought you sewed a lot more than the above list. Not that this list skimpy by any means.

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Yeah me too, but no. I planned more, even started some more but that is all I finished. I think I just whinned & ranted more or something... B's theory that whinning gives her better grades doesn't work for me I guess. :>

[girliegirl32786.livejournal.com]

I dont think that was a sad list at all. Very respectable and I second the comment that everything was just lovely!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

I appreciate that - thanks! It must just be me. :P

[llyrafantasyfae.livejournal.com]

I am going to second everyone else's comments. I think you did very well this year, always an inspiration. I personally love your rants and diaries. Shows me that not everyone just magically creates their gowns. They have just as much heart/headache as I do. I can't wait to see your 2008 line up come life.

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it's all helpful! I love reading others diaries as well, it's so nice to skip their mistakes and find my own. *wink*