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[bethzylla]

I've been busy sewing over this long weekend.  It's basically the only time I can really put the pedal to the medal and marathon sew, what with 4 consecutive days off.  I've been working on some new pieces for the guild's next event, Dressing for the Holidays.  I volunteered to get dressed and show all the hidden layers of a bustle-era outfit, so I figured this was an excellent opportunity to spruce up some of my undies!



Now I have some new frilly whites - combinations and a petticoat to fit over my bustle.  I had to wash them to get all the chalk marks off, so now they're dripping dry in the bathroom.  Maybe there will be fewer wrinkles to iron out this way.  *crosses fingers*

I'm also working on a new bustle dress that I'll call 'The Very Merry Christmas Dress.'  This will make perfect sense to you when you see it, but for now no pictures.  It's pretty on-the-nose, both colorwise and fabric pattern-wise (there are small pine trees woven into the fabric!)  I don't usually get into themed dresses like this, but honestly the guild does enough Victorian Christmas events that it'll get plenty of use, so I'm going for it!  Here's my to-do list:

• Hem underskirt


• Make and apply self-trim to underskirt (this can wait until last, or be added later)


• Construct overskirt (it's cut out and marked for pleating in progress)


• Mock up bodice, make changes to pattern as needed


• Cut out and construct bodice


• Make a paper small-scale model for a tall hat from this doll-sized diagram, make changes as necessary and scale up pattern (or come up with plan B) ETA: Plan B it is!


• Construct tall hat during slow evenings at work


• If I miraculously have time, make a shoulder cape and small muff trimmed with faux beaver fur.

I fully expect this list to remain unfinished by Saturday, but that's OK.  There will be at least one other Victorian Christmas event this year (two if I feel up to inviting myself to a friend of a friend's event on Sunday.)  And there's always next year's events too.  This is enough to keep me very busy this week.  I'm already going to lose a day because of a holiday dinner at work (but yay dinner!)  I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving (if you're in the US) or a good weekend!

Comments

[kaesha-nikovana.livejournal.com]

How interesting - I'd never considered the water bottle idea! I think hanging these items was the right move. They'll still benefit from a bit of pressing, but there are no deep, major wrinkles anywhere. Plus, since they weren't washed or dried with fabric softener, they have the feel of being very lightly starched. Perfect!

[virginiadear.livejournal.com]

I'd never have thought of a hot water bottle, myself, not all on my own.
A friend of mine doesn't even own an iron and, as he doesn't take his wrinkle-resistant clothing out of the dryer in a timely fashion, when he does retrieve it, it comes out wrinkled. He has always told me it doesn't matter, that the warmth of the body sort of irons out the wrinkles or creases, and I remained dubious for a long time.
As it turns out, he's correct. And any places on his garments which end up with big, sharp wrinkles or creases were going to have them, anyway: backs of the pants legs, around the underarms of the shirt, especially in the front, across the bottom of the abdomen or at the hip flexure area if the person has enough of a belly to scrunch up the fabric and "press" it.... And once I read that little snippet about the hot water bottle "ironing" a blouse overnight, his claim made a lot of sense.

*smiles* Obviously, hanging your "flimsies and skimpies" was the right move! :^)