Diary of a Costumer

After posting a couple days ago that I'm switching gears to the 1830s dress, I went to go start it yesterday, and realized I had coat pieces all over my sewing table. And then my brain said, if you don't put these coat pieces together, then you'll lose them (probably true). 

So instead of working on the 1830s dress, I put together my coat. I assembled all the outer body pieces and all the lining body pieces. I didn't do sleeves or the hood or anything like that, so those will wait, but I did cut out the outer pockets, since I had to put those in before I completed the outer body. And I added two inner pockets onto the lining, where I can keep my passport or other things that need to be more secure. 

Now that those pieces have all been assembled (which took most of yesterday), I can try on the mock-up for the 1830s dress, which right now is just my 1860s pattern. I also want to see how long I want this skirt, since I want it a couple inches longer than my archery dress shirt skirt, which is also a separate skirt, be and this will be attached to the bodice. I think I might go a little later 30s, at least for now, and pleat down the top of the sleeve. Hopefully, that can be undone later if I change my mind.

So anyway, I'm going to go see Shape of Water first today, then sew for the rest of the day. I saw Three Billboards yesterday, and it was soooo good.

Not much sewing has been happening here. Mostly, when I've had time to sew, I've spent it on the commission. But I also spent a good bit of time waffling around not doing much this weekend. I did do some alterations to a Simplicity winter coat pattern, and I think that with my alterations, I can just squidge it out of a piece of 60x86" bright blue wool I've been sitting on (I have two additional pieces about 20x60" each, for sleeves and a hood or collar, and another piece of similarly colored wool that I can use for the front and neck facing.

I need to do a mockup, and I also need to pick up some lining fabric. I was told to look for bemberg rayon, which I think I can only find online, so it might be a bit till I can really start on this one other than the mockup. Other than the bemberg rayon, does anyone have opinions on coat lining (the coat is meant for about 30-40 degrees on average).

Anyway, it's tech week this week, and the next chance I'll get to sew will be Friday, and hopefully I'll get a chunk done on the commission then. One of the commission pieces is almost done, but the other one still has a ton left on it. I also think I'll have another commission coming in shortly, so I may not get to do anything for that Regency ball I mentioned at all. My plan for it at this point, though, is to re-dye some rayon/silk velvet I had in the stash and make a super simple over-robe out of it. Though to be honest, that idea doesn't really thrill me.