sewloud

In the end I managed most of my sewing for our Longwood outing. I did not make a stock collar, but looking at Alice's super tall collar I don't think I have enough neck for it anyway. I also didn't make a belt, partially because I forgot, and partially because I did a quick sweep and didn't have any fabric that wanted to be a belt and sort of matched. I wore it with a brown ribbon, but it didn't matter because my shirtwaist is SO blousy it hung over it.

I got there super early because I'm always late and dammit. I wanted to be ontime. Dressed myself fully in the parking lot and was just figuring out how to fish my sunglasses out of the car with a bird wing on my hat when Adrienne and Mackenzie rolled in. I did film a very amusing (to me) clip of myself dressing in the parking lot as I was kidding myself that I would "vlog"

The weather was STUNNING. It was warm but with a steady cool breeze and low humidity it was super pleasant. The news claimed it was the nicest day of the summer and I'm tempted to agree with them.

Everyone else came mostly dressed so it was just a few min of gathering bits and picking up a Taylor in the parking lot before we headed inside to find more of our group. All in it was a group of about 20 breathing bodies, 3 of whom were Alice's ADORABLE 2 nieces and nephew who are visiting from the UK. Somehow Alice managed to perfectly costume five people in like a week..and they were perfection!




This is the picture of those who made it till 6:00 closing time, We had a lot of people arrive late and some who left early so I never managed one good group photo.

In terms of my outfit I'm hoping Amanda got some full length photos as I didn't really.



The sad but true reason is because I felt fat and uncomfortable and didn't WANT to ask someone to take my picture. :-/ all I see is that I'm a giant white blob. I have no waist. I wore Rob's 1860s cravat on a whim and regret it in every picture, it hides the insertion work I did on the shirtwaist. I had my hat tipped so far back you can't see the amazing wing and it looks like a cowboy hat instead.



I did however think everyone else looked stunning, and as someone who really enjoys photography I loved getting to take all their pictures. Alice and Amanda seem to be so perfectly lithe and elegant and made for this era. I had major lust for Amanda's super sharp jacket.



I think as a unit we were a stunning view at Longwood that's for sure. Looking forward to going back sometime.



For my next wearing of this outfit I want to finish a belt, lose 50lbs, and ponder some skirt embellishment. So many of the originals have it, but would it detract from the elegant line? unsure. 

Now that the chemise is past the point where if I put it down I'd never remember what these random linen bits are (will it ever get lace? probably not) I've started to think about the rest of my outfit. mandie_rw helpfully suggested I should skip to the outside as I can fake the underwear but not the dress. she is wise. I decided to start with the skirt first as if I get totally desperate I COULD order ye olde blouse on amazon and Amanda is gonna let me buy her leftover insertion lace so we can majorly be twins...I'm amazed she puts up with me following her around copying her like the older-younger sister she didn't need or want.

I'm using this ageless patterns skirt pattern because I have it. the last 2 times I made it I was 1. thinner and 2. made it too short. BOTH TIMES. so THIS TIME I was determined to make it too long. We'll see how I do. The last 2 time I made it I also didn't put any thought into it beyond an unlined skirt with horsehair in the hem. This time I'm going for broke in the "look nicer" category and I'm going to line, interline AND face the hem.



Today I managed to pattern it out (I had to add 10" to the waist. so good for my ego y'all) and I de-trained it as a skirt for walking in the garden seems silly to have a train.  And I cut out the lining which will be the premium muslin from Joann's. Tomorrow my goal is to cut the interlining and fashion fabric and begin basting all the pieces before work...wish me luck I seem to be moving at a snails pace.