robin22

Prague is gorgeous. I've been there before, I will definitely go again and each time I discover something new, some detail that adds to it's beauty and character. We were lucky as it was cold but it did not rain so we could roam freely. The only museum we went to was the museum of Decorative arts. They have some dresses depicting the evolution of clothing in their permanent collection, and I particularly liked a wedding dress from the late 1800s. Too bad I couldn't take any pictures...
Unfortunately I didn't buy any fabric as I only found one store selling fabric and they didn't have much of a selection. But I did buy myself a beautiful amber pendant which I think will go with the costume I'm currently making.

I cut into the good fabric yesterday, and today I plan to sew the bodice. If all goes well I will post photos tomorrow. A friend is thinking of throwing a costume party in a couple of weeks and I want to be finished by then. I will go shopping on Saturday incase I find some heavy material to make a cloak to go with the dress. Since I'm not terribly busy at work I will be able to research cloaks. I have a basic pattern for a half circle cloak but I'm not sure if Regency cloaks have a hood... Hm...

Two days ago I finished reading North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell and last night I re-watched the BBC miniseries. I had seen it before reading the book, in fact it was the reason I bought the book in the first place. I had enjoyed it immensely and now the second watch was an even more enjoyable experience.
Yes, it’s not an exact book adaptation as the Pride and Prejudice 1995 miniseries is, but even so the essence of the story is there. I mention P&P because it is my favorite period drama and also because N&S is quite frequently compared to it.
Both Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe are excellent in the leading roles of John Thornton and Margaret Hale - the reluctant chemistry between them is superb. I believe they now share the first place as my favorite couple with Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy.

I am now reading another novel by Elizabeth Gaskell called Wives and Daughters. I have seen the miniseries, and I again plan to re watch it after having finished the book. So far it's wonderful :)

Also I finally figured out the correct pattern size for the recency costume. Yay! I am officially size 8! I have finished the bust lining, and I plan to start cutting the good fabric (fingers crossed). I am going to Prague this weekend and I plan to look for more fabric, as due to the currency difference with the euro, I will be able do do some shopping.

The weather was wonderful this weekend and I did not have the heart to stay indoors and sew while the sun was up. Saturday was spent in town, browsing the shops now that sales have begun. I did see a couple of fabrics I wanted for another Regency gown, but I stopped myself from buying them. I must finish the one I started before getting more fabric. It was sheer white with a faint off white checkered pattern, so I will have to make a chemise and stays which is a completely new project! I love planning these things but I would like to have someone help me with the execution.

Sunday was wonderfully sunny so we went to the beach and wet our feet in the shallows. The water was cold, but between all the running around and the cloudless sky, we did not feel it. It was the best part of my weekend, just laying on the sand and soaking up the rays of the sun.

I did the resizing of the Regency gown bodice pieces in the evening, but I was too tired to sew them together. I will do it today, as I'm very curious to see the result. I may have to make a dress form of myself since it's nearly impossible to make the alterations I want on myself.

I was also thinking of making a Spencer Jacket, one that I could also wear with normal clothing. I am looking at all the period costume dramas I have and trying to decide which style I like best.

I watched Cranford (the 2007 mini-series) for the first time this weekend and I really enjoyed it. It made me laugh and it made me cry and also at no point was I certain that there would be a happy ending. Whenever I would think 'Surely nothing worse can happen' I was proven wrong. I am also reading North & South (again by Elizabeth Gaskell) and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

I started making the toile (mockup) for the regency gown. Things were going quite well, I traced the pattern, cut the the fabric according to my specified size and sewed all pieces together, but when I tried it on it was..... huge!
So... back to measuring. It's an american pattern (measured in inches and US sizes) and I'm using centimeters, but still.... I did check my measurements to the ones on the envelope and I'm supposed to be size 14 (92 cm bust size), but the bust circumference when I measured the actual pattern was 120 cm! Even with the gathering it's still 25 cm wider than it should! Hmm...

I'll adjust the toile to a smaller size (8 or 6) and I'll see how it goes. I'll have to remember to take pictures next time.

Fabric is such a different medium. As a Graphic designer I'm used to dealing with paper, which doesn't stretch and stays exactly where you want it.

After these difficult couple of years, I've decided to have a bit of fun and start doing all these projects that have been running around in my head. I hope to detail them in this Journal and also use it as a checklist/time table thingy to keep me on track. So here is the list.

1) Sew costumes for my Matt O'Neil, Sean O'Neil and Tyler Wentworth dolls. I have picked out Prince and Princess outfits, but I'm still undecided on the third one. Maybe I'll go with a LOTR Strider outfit...

2) Sew myself a Regency costume. I have already purchased a Pattern from Sense & Sensibility (http://www.sensibility.com/pattern/main/?page_id=8), as well as fabric, but I'm still very new at sewing so this may go slowly.

3) Make jewelry from the beautiful semiprecious beads I bought this christmas.

4) Make a LOTR tapestry for my attic wall. I'm still undecided as to the medium (patchwork, painting or embroidery).

I'll stop here and see how these go before announcing more (and possibly embarrassing myself).