So I saw Dangerous Liaisons for the first time (we read the book in class) and it was epic. But the opening scene, seeing Glenn Close and John Malkovich put on all their awesome 18th century layers... I was, like, squeaking and going "SHIFT! STAYS! PANNIERS OMG PANNIERS! PETTI-FRIKKIN-COATS!" and, you know. I was having some sort of nerdgasm.
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This is porn for me.
We were discussing this. Carolyn was like, "But it wouldn't be a striptease if you were putting more clothes back on..." and I was like "Actually, I'd rather see someone putting on layers of 18th century type stuff than anyone taking their clothes off for any reason (and yes, that pretty much extends to Tennant. I have a phobia of... well, you know if you know. Dingles.)"
And since my Grandmom and I are going to make me a robe à la française this summer (which means I am going to learn to sew. Which means cosplaying is going to be an even bigger part of my already sad little life) I've had all this stuff on the brain. I was going to make my robe this really nice dark blue, but then I found out that wasn't period appropriate (I'd kind of figured as much, to be honest) so now I'm going back to the taffeta drawing board.
Also, I love this girl:
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Also, I still haven't totally decided which patterns to go with. I reckon I'll stick with J.P. Ryan, but that means separate patterns for the pocket hoops, the robe, the stays, and the shift/pockets. Also, with her patterns you have to, like, send her mail. With actual paper and stamps and stuff. I guess if you're making a ballgown in the first place you shouldn't be too freaked out about writing a letter instead of using paypal... Anyway, all those patterns come out to about $55, but I really want to use patterns I trust and hers seem to be the best. Oh, dang, that's the patterns before the shift and the pockets... well, I found
this really neat website that has some basic pattern-y type things that my Grandmom will probably understand just fine. I guess I don't technically need pockets since I've got pocket hoops, but I like them. How hard can they be? I mean, dang, I bet *I* could figure them out just by looking at a picture. I'm also a little cranky at making strapless stays instead of the more common ones (I LOVE the way the normal stays look) but practically strapless are probably my best best. I mean, considering that I'm fail at sewing anyway, you know, how else can I make sure I won't mess them up and have the stays showing out the edges of my robe? So strapless it is. Sigh. But at least this pattern is fully-boned. I'm all about fully-boned stays.
This is the internet equivalent of me thinking out loud, by the way.
Oh, also, I bought a parasol off eBay. Since apparently I have become a Sim vampire and going out into the sun really does make all my motives go down.
Okay, anyway, here's a piece of epic from Catherine. I wanted to put it here because it makes me smile. And because it's my birthday and I can do what I want. So, the really awkward face with the specs is one of the many pictures of me making a strange face that can be found on facebook... I think it's from, like, years ago... I don't ever even wear my glasses anymore... But you should recognise the other face.
Made my day.
DANG. What am I going to do about shoes?? I want good ones but I'm sure they're well expensive. Wonder if I could make them... haha, sure...