(no subject)

[theladyrebecca]

I think I'm going to stick with the shape of bonnet that I posted yesterday, but it looks like the project is going to be on hold anyway. I'm sick of working with the crappy Joanns buckram, and really want to buy actual buckram for this and future hats. However, there are apparently no local sources for buckram, meaning I have to order it. Thanks to madamekat, I found a place that sells it quite cheaply, but the shipping costs as much as the buckram, so 5 yds would still come to $50. Hats by Leko, which a lot of people recommended, has a $60 minimum, so that's out. I'm waiting to hear back from Judith M Millinery about what the shipping charge will be, though their buckram is twice as expensive as the first place, so I doubt I'll go with it. I also found buckram on voguefabrics that seems promising (esp since they have $6 flat rate shipping), but there's no way to tell how heavy it is... So I feel kind of stuck. Without money coming in right now, I can't just go drop $50 on a hat. And it's either that or make do with the stupid Joanns stuff that crumples even if you put two layers together. *Sigh*

So it looks like I have no choice but to work on the ballgown bodice. It's honestly what I should be doing right now anyway, but I had been kind of looking forward to making a quick and pretty hat to finish off the Regency dress. I'm hoping to mostly use the same pattern as my cream and green bustle bodice I made in the fall. Part of me wants a button front, because that will make the two a little more different, but it seems pretty rare on ballgowns. So I might do a lace-up front again, since I don't want to have to mess with a back closure. I'm also hoping to make the neckline a little more off the shoulder, though of course, that means I have to deal with chemise showing, and less arm movement when dancing. Plus, the smaller sleeves would show more of my upper arms, which is definitely an area I prefer to have covered up. So who knows - maybe it will wind up being almost exactly the same. One thing I'm fairly sure on though, is that I don't want a pleated tail in back like that bodice has - I just want it to go to a nice sharp point, like on the fashion plate. I wish I could see the front of the dress in the plate, though. Then I wouldn't have to make all the rest of this up!

Anyway, that will have to wait till at least tomorrow afternoon. I had rehearsal tonight, and tomorrow morning I'm doing another costume portrait session, wearing my plaid 1890s this time.

Oh, and if anyone else has any buckram recommendations, please let me know! 

Comments

Buckram

[michaela coy (from livejournal.com)]

You can always buy a refill kit from Timely Tresses; they have great buckram! It would come with all the wire and crinoline tape and everything. You may need to ask if you want to be more specific in the amounts; when I click on the two bonnets that are similar to yours, I don't see that option, but I've seen it for some of the other styles.

RE: Buckram

[theladyrebecca.livejournal.com]

I'm all set now - I found a local store that carries it!