Just want to nap

[robinsnest]

I am supposed to be going to the grocery store, but I was up from 4am-9am with stomach problems..so all I really want to do is nap!

I had a lot of fun last night with blackcat452mandie_rw, and hiraimi  at Pottsgrove Manor by Candlelight. We met up at the lovely blackcat452's really nice house (omg she has the biggest sewing room EVER I could just die of jealousy (AND I got to peak at her Francaise, it's gonna be a knock out!)). Which led to the inevitable group changing, I do so love getting to ask everyone about their quirky dressing habits. 

The House was beauitful, they actually did a nice job of crowd control and we weren't outside for nearly as long as last time. Because we weren't smashed like sardines, we got to actually hear what the guides were saying and see everything. There were actually a lot of people there dressed up, they really ran the gamut from bad home dec braid, to several very lovely sack gowns. Granted we were still the only people dressed and NOT volunteering. They had a man playing a beautiful harpsichord and a few ladies and gentlemen dancing, which made me REALLY want to throw a 12th night ball someday with dancing and punch. (okay I've wanted to do that since reading about it in Felicity books when I was 9...why do you think I got into this hobby?).  

There was much more to see on this house tour, but we did kinda miss the campfire hanging out that we got at Peter Wentz, they made us feel so welcome.  It also bugged me that they kept switching between "servants" and "slaves" as if they were exactly the same thing, but to my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, the difference between being an indentured servant and a slave was pretty significant.

We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but the DSLR actually takes fairly decent low-light photos so we braved a few outside just for curiouschilde so she can't yell at me!

 

First up we have blackcat452 looking smashing as always, she even had new mitts!



I thought she looked just like the little chocolate girl!

mandie_rw should count her blessings that we don't wear the same size...or her gorgeous wool anglaise would grow legs...and walk into my closet ;-)



Isn't it delicious? I'm so damn envious of everyone's nicely fitted sleeves...I demand someone come help me with mine! I'll bribe you all with cookies.

And rounding out the trio we have hiraimi in her caraco and NEW quilted petticoat. I have to say after seeing hers and blackcat452's I really think I need one, it gives such a lovely skirt shape.



And I swear to the mother of oreo's getting this woman to smile in a picture is feckin' hard! Why do I get the look of death? WHY?

I did manage to wear it. The sleeves....still aren't even remotely right. there's just too much sleeve head. So my new plan is going to be unpicking just the top, and having someone tuck them in till they're right while I'm wearing them. Just seems easier. I wasn't going to share these photos, I look like I died three days ago, while wearing a dress in the wrong size, and after getting stung by a bee causing me to swell up. But I feel like I won't learn anything if I don't offer myself to the Costuming Gods.



Lets see: My one strap is falling down, the stomacher is wrinkly as heck, my sleeve heads are immense, my stomacher is OFF CENTER. Fichu un-tucked...GAH! 

What the heck do you do to keep the stomacher flat? It's backed with heavy canvas and pinned to my stays. but my stays curve in slightly and then my stomacher got all lumpy. 

The full album of pictures is here. 

Comments

[estela-dufrayse.livejournal.com]

ok, so here's what I am honestly seeing. Dump this comment if you want to, I won't be offended.

It looks like both shoulders need to be taken up, they are both too high to your body and are falling off your shoulders. That could be the number one issue with your sleeves. The bodice is too long for you. You may even need to take the hips up a bit too, I can see horizontal wrinkles under your arm.

I don't think you have a sleeve issue at all, more of a body issue...body as in dress body, not your body.

[green-martha.livejournal.com]

What Estela said, and my, you all look gorgeous !!
My stomachers are fully boned with cable ties. Not a wrinkle in sight (evne over a baby bump) and I doubt anyone would ever be able to stab me in the stomach through the two layers of boning ^^

[curiouschilde.livejournal.com]

Don't worry sweetie.. I would never yell at you :P
Thank you for the pictures. I really appreciate it.

And i agree with above. I'm also wondering if your shoulders across the back are a little too wide.

[ismiseniamh.livejournal.com]

All of the above- especially bone the stomacher. And petticoats/panniers/a bumroll. You'll be amazed at the difference.

Although, in defence, I think you look lovely anyways. It is very true that a lady is her best critic! I especially love the colour.

You all look lovely! Excellent job! :D

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

Adding to the above - one of the extant stomachers I have as 3 whalebones in it. Two are at the sides and one down the front.

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

Glad you guys had a great time!

I'm sorry about the trials and tribulations with your gown. Sounds like you've got great advice above, so I'll just wish you luck! *Sending good sewing vibes*

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

Cracks me up that you put the line about the nicely fitted sleeves, under my pictures...because when I saw it the first thing I thought was EWWW SLEEVE WRINKLES. Well, right after the usual "Why do I make such stupid faces in pictures?" thought.