What to Wear at CC26

So many crazy things to think about. I have to sell at CC26 which is intimidating enough, but everyone will be in costume of some sort, and since I have to sell, I should wear costume. The answer for me is to get some of the regency day wear projects finished and the Romantic Era dresses are 90% done, so I guess I will have to go with that. I actually roughed out the 1830's bustle pads yesterday, and will start hemming some things today. Finally, get to wear the silly things! So, here goes to actually taking them out of a spin. I think I may make some aprons for the Regency and Romantic period if I can squeeze it in. HMMMM, much to do. Oh, and the silly floppy caps must be made!

Back at Creating: Natural Form

It's been a series of unfortunate events since the holidays that have kept my creative self just hiding under a rock. After digging out of computer death and taxes, I have finally had time to get back to the Natural Form Victorian project and look at where to pick up. Some many months back, I began working on the project of turning two swags of sale taffeta into an interchangeable ensemble from the Natural Form Era.

Silver and Dark Green
The fabric was a deal, and I said to myself, I have liked these two colors together and don't see them much together. I also wanted to be able to bring something to say, CC26, and be able to interchange the pieces. So, I had begun with the skirt and was determined that since I had enough fabric for once, I could do a train. So, I embarked upon the train of doom.

Ruffles
Yeah, love the effect but really hate the labor. I basically, one of the many reasons I found the project intimidating, and on the back burner for years, is just the sheer overwhelming power of ruffles that go on for days. Literally, in order to do ruffles, and on such fun fabric the snot type is,I had to say that it's a daylong project where you do as many as you can and that's all you do. So, after two rows of silver and green alternating, and doing the bustle up, I had to set it aside before the holidays and finally get it on the dummy this week and really look at it. I got pictures finally, and feel like I really accomplished something.

Skirt
Considering I hadn't done a train in a while, the whole time I have been making it, I have had to think of the weight dragging and how to keep the skirt in good shape. Hmmmm, the period way to do it would ad too much weight, so I may opt for a bias strip of cotton flannel instead of wool. I had lined the skirt, so it is very heavy already.

Over Skirt
I decided after many drooling moments, that I wanted to do the Split Pannier Skirt front Truly Victorian that I sell on my web store. It was a bit of a challenge working with the fray prone synthetic taffeta....sadly, could not find silk taffeta, let alone afford it. After much wrangling and weight considerations with lining, I opted to finish off the ends rather than line. Natural form is not to be too bulky. This weekend I shall be working on the ties for the underskirt, and putting some drapery rings in to tie down with. So, I have most of the practical things covered, but shall I trim with fabric flowers? I have had this idea of doing calla Lilies out of fabric and I am getting stuck on how to do it. I will have to look at some of the live plants in town and see what I can do, then there is the question, white white or off white???? Decisions!!!!