Diary of a Costumer

I feel like I'm never able to get much done on weeknights. Last night, I finished the (inner) muff, which involved stuffing it, sewing big ugly quilting lines on it to keep the stuffing in place, and sewing the ends together in a very awkward manner. I've made a muff before, but the process was nothing like this. Honestly, although it makes a nice big muff, I think I would want to try the other process again before doing something like this another time, though I do like the pocket. Sorry, no pictures yet, because the muff cover is still literally one large undecorated rectangle of fabric.

I also started sewing the marabou trim on the cape. That certainly proved to be slow going. I think I have about 2/3-3/4 of the bottom hem of the cape done. I still have to do the front edges and the hood. I hope I get a large portion done tonight, because I'm going to see some theatre shows Thurs, Fri, and Sat nights.

Oh, and after over 24 hrs soaking in bleach, I took the cape fabric swatch out. The color has not changed. The fabric has not changed. After I washed it, I pressed it in a towel for two seconds, and it was already dry. Apparently this is some crazy fabric! Too bad I'm putting marabou on it, because otherwise it would probably be great in the rain. 

I signed up to be one of the pattern testers for the new Laughing Moon 18th c cloaks/capes/muff pattern, and since it needed to be done within three weeks, I figured I might as well do it yesterday. I cut out all the pieces for View C around 12:30pm (adding three inches to the length of the very short back), and had finished everything except trimming by last night. I went over to vanessa_lynne's house to sew for a couple hours, so I got the bulk of it done there. Then I just had to sew the other layer on and turn it right sides out. It is made out of a fabric I picked up at the Bargain Basement this year - it's a sort of periwinkle soft, heavy, drapey fabric. I think it might be a wool/poly blend, but I haven't tested it yet. I thought about using silk, but I'd rather save that for something else. Plus this color looks nice with the white marabou trim I have. I'll be trimming it tonight, so no pics yet.

I'm not super happy with the way it lays. I don't know if it's the overall shape, or the fabric choice or what, but it kind of looks like an 18th c sweatshirt. And it wears like a shawl with a hood. Maybe it needed to be more voluminous? In any case, It was a decent project that cost me about $17 for the 10 yds of marabou. I'm going to make the matching muff, too.

Quick projects are nice, though I do have to get back to Rapunzel and actually finish the sleeves. Then that project will be done. I also fitted the pattern of my bf's Flynn doublet to him, so I know what adjustments I need to make, and should be making a mockup within the next few days. And I have a Rapunzel wig to style. But I have almost a month to finish those projects, so I'm feeling pretty okay.

I'll be doing another post later about Saturday's Steamposium and what I wore. :)