Contemplating major non-SCA costuming projects
One of the things that therandver and I have fun with is the serious enabling that goes on between us on our various interests, which are hugely complementary. I've been asked to come up with something steampunkish for D-C next summer, to go with a 'crewmember of one of Her Majesty's Airships', and I'm feeling simultaneously spoiled and challenged, and I want y'all's help.
On the one hand, this is Easy. I almost don't have to sew. I have a walking skirt, and a matching fitted blazer, and a lovely old luggage hatbox, and a collection of hats, and as anyone who knows me in person knows...the hair to manage the Gibson Girl hairstyle to pull that off. I even have multiple choices of shoes.
Furthermore, this could be Productive and Fun. I've been wanting another reproduction corset - I've done a Civil War one, but I want also the Edwardian S-curve one. I have also wanted one of the lingerie tea dresses (look here) for ages, and I've done lace insertion, so I think I can manage that. I also want to make this skirt, just to have.
The issue that is Challenging is this, and I want help from pinkpelican1 ,
eeyore_sings , and anyone else listening:
I am not punk, in the teased hair and extreme eye shadow sense. I will never be punk. I can't pull it off. I open my mouth, or unwittingly make an expression, and the effect is ruined.
One story I've come up with, that matches the NotPunkness of my personality casting, is "arranged passage on airship without knowing what she was getting into." Which is actually pretty accurate, given the company I plan to be keeping. (Grin. Love you guys.)
I asked some not-so-much SCA friends about this, and the guys recc'd "something warm, but a safety line hooked round a corset would be a good idea" and "goggles and your own telescope". Check. I can do that.
I am thinking I ought to make the corset anyway, soon, so that I can judge if the stuff I have works.
HOWEVER. Here's an alternate story line: "Girl Engineer". (I have a new engineer's hat.) This might be a way to get the 'punk' and some more technology into the idea. I don't have to fool with putting my hair up (won't fit under the hat). I could wear PANTS. You know, full-cut ones, as if I made over a man's to fit me. I can still do the corset, but over a shirt, and more as jerryrigged safety harness gear. (not related quite, but what is a boned bodice worn over clothing called, there's a particular name and darned if it won't come off the tip of my tongue...)
The more I think about this, the more I like it. The first idea is nice, but it's too historical for the notion of steampunk, I think. Hey, I can smudge my face, even. Fun.
On the one hand, this is Easy. I almost don't have to sew. I have a walking skirt, and a matching fitted blazer, and a lovely old luggage hatbox, and a collection of hats, and as anyone who knows me in person knows...the hair to manage the Gibson Girl hairstyle to pull that off. I even have multiple choices of shoes.
Furthermore, this could be Productive and Fun. I've been wanting another reproduction corset - I've done a Civil War one, but I want also the Edwardian S-curve one. I have also wanted one of the lingerie tea dresses (look here) for ages, and I've done lace insertion, so I think I can manage that. I also want to make this skirt, just to have.
The issue that is Challenging is this, and I want help from pinkpelican1 ,
eeyore_sings , and anyone else listening:
I am not punk, in the teased hair and extreme eye shadow sense. I will never be punk. I can't pull it off. I open my mouth, or unwittingly make an expression, and the effect is ruined.
One story I've come up with, that matches the NotPunkness of my personality casting, is "arranged passage on airship without knowing what she was getting into." Which is actually pretty accurate, given the company I plan to be keeping. (Grin. Love you guys.)
I asked some not-so-much SCA friends about this, and the guys recc'd "something warm, but a safety line hooked round a corset would be a good idea" and "goggles and your own telescope". Check. I can do that.
I am thinking I ought to make the corset anyway, soon, so that I can judge if the stuff I have works.
HOWEVER. Here's an alternate story line: "Girl Engineer". (I have a new engineer's hat.) This might be a way to get the 'punk' and some more technology into the idea. I don't have to fool with putting my hair up (won't fit under the hat). I could wear PANTS. You know, full-cut ones, as if I made over a man's to fit me. I can still do the corset, but over a shirt, and more as jerryrigged safety harness gear. (not related quite, but what is a boned bodice worn over clothing called, there's a particular name and darned if it won't come off the tip of my tongue...)
The more I think about this, the more I like it. The first idea is nice, but it's too historical for the notion of steampunk, I think. Hey, I can smudge my face, even. Fun.