Drive by update
Just a quickie update. I am totally panic stricken. lol The dance event is Wednesday so this is my last weekend to get it all done. I finally realized that there was no way I could get David's done in time so I called Jas. Townsend's hoping and praying they would have something in stock. They did! Yay! I told them that I didn't even care about fabric or color but I they had a nice combo in the end. The breeches are fly front in an off white cotton canvas and the waistcoat is a sort of rust color. I forget if it is cotton or linen. So that will look nice on him. The only thing I worry about is that it won't get here in time. Nothing like cutting things close, eh? Unfortunately, the post office is closed today and Monday so we won't find out until Tuesday if they have arrived. Yeah... and we need them for Wednesday morning. Yikes. But I am thinking positive and formulating a plan B in the back of my mind using some stuff he already has. And naturally my big boss called today to ask if I could push out the projects for one of my hospitals as they want to bill them. Apparently they always take several months to cut us a check and they want to get it in process.
Left to do for me:
1. Early 18th c mantua. I am using the Reconstructing History pattern and it has taken me a bit longer than normal to put this together. I think it is because the construction technique is something I have never done before. I have had to scratch my head a couple of times before the lightbulb came on. BUT... I love how it is turning out. I think it is going to look really lovely when it is done. The 18th c stuff we are putting together is supposed to be "common" instead of the gentrified stuff we normally do. But I think when I have time, I want to do a higher class version of it. Now that I have done it once, the construction should go much quicker next time. Oh, so anyway, I still have to do the cuffs, the pieces at the neckline, hemming and the loops/buttons that hold back the front of the skirt. Not too bad.
2. Petticoat and stomacher to go under #1. I've nearly decided to just do a kirtle. I know it isn't period correct, but it will be faster and I will feel more secure as far as things shifting around while I am dancing. I also don't have time to do a shift, so I am going to fake it a bit around the neckline of the kirtle. None of this is done yet.
3. Regency day gown. I still need to attach the sleeves, hem it and add hooks. The sleeves are completely finished but just need attaching.
4. Regency bodiced petticoat. I've taken off the binding at the armhole, but need to cut it down a bit at the lower front and re-bind. Worse case scenario, I cut it down and bind it later. I definitely have to cut it down because it makes one of my arms tingle. It isn't to tight where it is cutting off circulation, but I think it might be hitting a nerve or something. Oh, and I found a picture of this on my camera so here you go! I think David might have been standing on the stairs when he took it because the proportion is slightly off. My upper body is much bigger than my lower body. Super weird, but anyway, here you go:
Oh that reminds me... need to hem this too after I hem the day gown. I should mention that I love the cut of this petticoat and am tempted to use it to make a ball gown. But the girls are -really- out there (and it comes very close to showing my nips) so probably not a good idea.
5. Now this isn't absolutely necessary like the rest of the list, but I really really REALLY want a white linen cap to wear with the mantua. I have a pretty little mobcap which I could wear, but I really want a proper cap. So we will have to see. I have Reconstructing History's pattern for the early 18th century accessories which has a cap pattern in it which doesn't look too terribly complicated. So hopefully... But I can't even think about it until everything else is done.
Oh, and I can't forget to have David try on all of the different pairs of white stockings we have to make sure a pair fits his feet and calves. That way we can formulate a quickie plan B if none of them will work.