It's Official!

(This doesn't really warrant a full post, but I couldn't wait!) I just ordered a dress form! What's awesome is it is foam so when I fit the special cover, it will squish to match my measurements. It will come in a week or so. I can't wait!

Code Name: SP. Topic: Fabric

 I am currently in the process of choosing a fabric for my dress. My options are either a reproduction cotton fabric or a solid silk. I currently don't know of many good fabric stores, so reproduction fabric will be easier to obtain (read - online ordering). The problem with any fabric is making up my mind. I found a site  that has way too many choices. Below are my favorites:

(all images borrowed from the Dargate Collections at Baumtextile.com. No copyright intended)

 

Did you notice that I seem to really like purple? Strange (well I do have two coats, a civil war hoop skirt dress and a prom dress that are all purple).

Score!

I'm into the senior project! YES!! I found out on Friday. All 10 kids who applied made it which is great to see. I am making a dress from 1830 and the correct undergarments to wear underneath - the challenge is making them as historically accurate as I can, meaning most will be hand sewn. Fun.


Right now I'm making the Past Patterns Early-to Mid-Nineteenth Century Stays and 1830-1836 Full High Gown. I'll also make a new shift from my Sense and Sensibility Regency Undergarments pattern (or modify my current one) and a couple muslin petticoats which I will starch like crazy. It will be a cool few months.

Gown (left) 

Stays (right). I'm planning to make the one on the bottom right.

Sirrah, a word with you?

Macbeth opens in exactly 19 days. Wow. It's kinda scary. Our director is ready to start running things, but we are far from finished with all the blocking.

I'm definitely wearing a suit for my Seyton character. I'm also another role (keeping people in suspense!) and I'm in solid black with a mask. This is pretty typical for our director to put us in simple costumes that create spectacle for the audience.

Senior Project?

So this year the high school piloted a new project for seniors that other high schools have. It's called the senior project and during the last five weeks of their senior year, seniors have the opportunity to learn a new skill they haven't had time to before or do an internship. I naturally chose sewing historical costumes. I figured its not a bad time to make something I want to. With the project, we need an outside adviser and I have found many people who I can go to if I need some help with my project. A couple people are local but some are about an hour's drive. One potential adviser is at Framingham State, and I've noticed they have an extensive costume and textile collection. I'd love to get help with fitting from someone there.

I've chosen to do either the Past Patterns Lowell Mill Dress or the Past Patterns 1830's Full High Gown with period undergarments. I find out about if I made the cut for the project on March 29th, so I have to wait until then. I really want to get in!