Another Ball = More Costumes!

I haven't gotten much accomplished since my last post. Aubrey's drawers were giving me a hard time. That just doesn't sound right, does it? Hahaha! They are all finished except for the leg hem and trim and they are HUGE! They're supposed to be, I've read, but that big, really? I'm making mine shorter so they don't drag on the ground. I should be able to finish mine today after a trip to Joann's for more lace. I need another bolt of fabric so I can begin working on the petticoats this week. I think I need a bigger table for that. I'll have to make due with what I have.

I purchased 8 yards of the Sea Pine Taffeta from Fabric.com and it's supposed to arrive tomorrow. The swatches they sent were just what I needed to make my fabric decision. Aubrey and I drove straight away to Joann's after receiving the swatches, and the tapestry fabric I had picked out weeks ago will match perfectly. It should be lovely. Hopefully! They don't look like they'll match, but they really do. They both have the same iridescent sheen to them and the colors really work well together.

Guess what I found?! Another ball!! This one is called The Endless Night Vampire Ball, Steampunk Soiree. Last year's party was voted the #1 Halloween party in the WORLD by Tripadvisor.com  I'm so excited! This one is being held on Saturday, October 29, 2011. The Theatre of the Vampires Ball is held the day before. I'm going to be exhausted! But you only live once, right? I have wanted to dress up and go to a  costume ball like this for 11 years and this is my chance. So now I have to create 3 Steampunk costumes. I have lots of ideas and we can probably mix and match pieces I already own. It'll be fun to see what we come up with. 
http://neworleansvampireball2011.eventbrite.com/

                                                                       

Two down and a lot more to go!

I finished mine and Aubrey's chemise last night. I'm pleased with the results. Mind you, these are from an original 1885 pattern, so they are not fancy, but functional. I could have added prettier lace, but there is so much more to sew and these are the bottom of the clothing layers. I'll save the more extravagant trims for the garments that will actually be seen. Both are identical and the top picture makes it look like it's uneven, but it's my form that tilted to the right.

On to the drawers!

Patterns are here!

I got my patterns yesterday! I'm impressed with the super fast shipping from www.trulyvictorian.com I ordered the patterns Friday afternoon and got them yesterday from California. Thanks Heather!

Here are the patterns and fabric for Aubrey's skirts.

And here is an up close picture of the tapestry fabric. It's gorgeous!

And of the four gore underskirt fabric. Aubrey will be breathtaking in this!

I'm waiting on fabric swatches that are coming in the mail from www.fabric.com before I make my final fabric decision. I have plenty of time to figure it out. I actually bought a bolt of fabric yesterday for our undergarments. I cut the chemise and drawers patterns, cut 4 yard sections of the muslin fabric (we're going with the natural color) I'll be using and washed, dried and ironed it all. I'm about ready to start pinning and cutting patterns this morning. When I first opened the patterns I wasn't so sure about them. They're made on paper. I love it! You never realize how lousy the tissue paper patterns are until you try these out! These will last for years, not just for one garment. Fabulous!

Alright. Back to work!

It's a machine!

Not a lot to report except to say I LOVE MY SEWING MACHINE! It's awesome! I never realized how cruddy my last one was until I started using my Brother. The different stitches are fantastic and it runs so quiet and smooth. I tried out the different stitches on some scrap fabric and Anna decided I needed to turn it into a purse for her. She's happy as a clam. I think I'll pull out some super cool fabric Aubrey bought me a while back and make myself a new apron. I'm still waiting on my NOLA patterns to arrive from Cali so I'm just goofing off with the machine, trying to learn it so I'm good to go when I'm ready to begin the real sewing.

I did start on Aubrey's dark elf bodice. It's sort of fun building your own pattern from just a photograph. I wouldn't be able to do it without that dress form. Very wise purchase and I'm sure it will prove invaluable for our costumes.

Back to "The Machine"!!

One step closer

Guess what I got today? My sewing machine AND my dress form! I'm so excited! Aubrey and I also hit up Joann Fabrics in Janesville and discovered they have a much larger selection of everything than the Beloit store. I found the fabric for my skirt and the "wash", which is the overskirt. I think I might  use a combination of the two for the bodice but I'm not certain. I think Aubrey has hers picked out too. I also ordered our patterns this afternoon and I believe they have already shipped from California. I can't wait to get them!

The fabric Aubrey picked out.

And the fabric I picked out....so far. It's much prettier in person. The blue has a sort of bronze sheen to it which matches the bronze sheen to the tapestry fabric. I may only use the tapestry for my wash skirt, or I may use a small amount in the bodice.

Alright, time to play with my machine :) 

Antiquing

Monday of this week Aubrey and I went to the Roscoe Antique Mall www.roscoeantiquemall.com on Gardner Street in South Beloit, IL. We thought it would be a good place to start looking for jewelry and possibly boots for me. I found a beautiful cameo necklace and earring set that I might go back and purchase at a later date. I don't know if I go with my gut on dress color or buy an inspiration piece to influence my choice. I haven't decided yet. I found several pair of boots, all too small and for chicken legs, but oh so cute! They were obviously well-used but I think it would be neat to own a pair. Maybe I'll start collecting them. I found several possible pairs of boots on www.goodgoth.com I'd probably choose black boots except for the Wonderland pair which are black and gold.

My sewing machine is in Bever Dam. I sure wish it would get here!