Isabella's Project Diary

Mom decided I needed kidnapping today. We took Dad to the airport and then went to Tysons (Corner Mall, 8th biggest mall in the USA). The Hallmark store there was the only store left (that I've found) that has(d) the "New World Candles". It was a group of candles that Yankee Candle brought out in 2007. Mom LOVES the Mediterranean Cypress and I love the Moroccan Rose (It smells like Egypt! Honest.). I also like the Indonesian Ginger (it smells yummy). So, we each bought a ton of candles (Pennsic will smell really nice this year!).
I took Mom around the mall which is always interesting. We went home and I got a bit of sewing in (I brought my 18th c stays with me and worked on those) as well as some knitting (it's looking like a blanket!!!). I also played with the baby and told him all about the contrast and comparisons between the old Charlie and Chocolate Factory and the new one. (Hey, it was on! We must integrate the child into geek...er pop culture sooner or later. Who cares if he's only three months old and thinks Aunt Sissy is amusing?)
Also, it looks like I will be teaching a class at Sapphire Joust. This should be funny....it will be on early 16th c Italian styles (How they vary from region to region, the variations in the first 30 years or so, how to recreate them, ect...) I'll bring (probably be wearing at least one) a few examples and all..

I've decided that I finally know what I'm going to do with the maroon velvet that I've had for four years or so now...it will be a coat. Specifically, the coat on page 122 of your Janet Arnold book as well as page 174 of your Historical Fashion in Detail book. I have pink silk (somewhere. I think it's in Harry Potter's room.) I have silver lace with spangles (Thank you India! I've gotten some amazing trims from people in India...). All that with the maroon velvet should make for a similar looking garment....

I started on the 18th c stays. I think I might bind them in the remaining red silk I have but I don't know yet. I'm using black thread to make the outlines of the boning really pop. I'm going to hand sew it so it might be done by the time I'm back from vacation. Yes, I'm bringing the project with me to St. Kitts.

I was going through my fabric stash yesterday and saw, again, this fabric that I've had for a while. It's gorgeous. It's a cotton jacquard in a deep red and gold. I finally have decided what it should be. I'm going to make (another) 1550's Venetian gown out of it. The slight difference this time is that I've created my own pattern for it. I normally just edit an existing pattern of a bodice and add a skirt. The muslin I made for this one is a slight bit different. Hopefully, it will come out okay.

I basically want to make a couple more Venetians for myself before Pennsic because front lacing dresses at Pennsic are a good thing. Not that I mind asking people to help all that much in the morning but I would like to be able to lace myself in and run if necessary...and have a pretty dress to boot! ...especially a pretty PERIOD dress and not one of the "irish" dresses. (Okay, so I have one up in my room...I only wear it to renn faire though. It's not an SCA dress.)