Resolution/Schmesolution

I'm going to TRY and finish some UFOs.
I hear that laughter. I have started many a project that lose steam for as many reasons as there are excuses. I know you know. I was going to try and de-stash this year, too. After some internal wrestling, I figured I love fabric more than keeping to a tidy hoard, so that didn't happen. Know yourself, I say.
I was going through the half finished, half remembered to give away a UFO to a friend (that's one way to finish them) when I came across this.

Black lace over silk, what's not to like?

Sleeves "donated" from something that had outlived it's welcome.

I love the lines on bustle bodices.

  I don't remember what this was for. I think it may have been a Victorian Halloween of some sort. Who knows, but it will  make a nice dinner dress, for....... a nice dinner. Don't hold me to anything, I reserve the right to abandon it. I think the basic bodice is a cobbled front and back from a few TV patterns. It's always a mix and match over here with deviations, lots of deviations.  I have lots more jet in the stash so I'll festoon the front with sparkles. I have a ladies tea coming up in February, one would think it would be perfect, but I have another plan which involves paisley velvet and silk taffeta. It's a sickness.

I here by absolve you from stash-busting. Buy what you love and give away the UFOs to someone who will squee with delight. Everyone wins!

Every Your Thimble Servant,
Miss Brilliantine

I Am A Plaidypus

Dickens Fair was so much jolly fun, a lovely meet-up with many old friends. Friends so dear that the passage of a great deal of time still reveals all the same affection. We drank and caroused, we quipped and cajoled. We were on a tear, a spree, we kicked over the traces and cut up didos. I think you get my meaning.  And all in plaid.

All forlorn on the dress form

And in the low light of the fair

There were many other lovely plaid dresses, Aimee Major http://aimeemajor.com/wp/2014/12/15/dickens-fair-2014/#comment-28212 and Val Labore, http://timetravelingincostume.blogspot.com/
Who also have many more pictures than I took the trouble to take, being "Madame Mischief".

My dear friend Todi in her Music Hall costume, she is a spawkling diamond!

Sunday I was a demi-Harlequin, in a saucy short skirt which was very handy for traversing crowds. 
If I were a better blogger I'd have more pictures. Go over to Aimee's blog she has tons!
Ever Your Thimble,
Miss Brilliantine

Velvet Booties

Just catching my breath after the ball gown sew-a-thon and getting ready to fly up to San Francisco for the Great Dickens Christmas Fair. I strolled about the Pasadena City College flea market on Sunday and found these.

Velvet is so hard to photograph

 

Curvy little heel, square toe, what's not to like! They do have a rather thin sole I may have a rubber dance sole put on just for cushion. I bought them for a bustle day dress but they may make it into the regular rotation.

Speaking of Dickens Fair, I finally finished a UFO jacket cut out about two years ago. The skirt I've had for almost 20 years! (Gulp). It was asking for a jacket and I caved, see.

Use all the jet!

Flashy and respectable, it can be done. Now to pack petticoats and hats and hoop skirt and..... well you get the picture.
Ever Your Thimble,
Miss Brilliantine

I Am Not Worth-y

Dragonfly dress done and worn and danced up a storm!

Close up of bodice with dragonfly embroidery.

Full length, but who is behind the tantalizingly open door?

At the Social Daunce Irregular ball

The dress wore well, I have to say I need to fix the lining on the bustle back. It's cut on the bias and tends to billow. It has more to do with the very light silk I used and less to do with the pattern which was the back portion of Truly Victorian 364, 1886 Autumn Overskirt. A very fast and easy sew, BTW. I'm going to try it in velvet next time. The side drapes and bodice pieces were draped by me, dragon fly embroidery courtesy of my friend Carolyn, who should institute a strict "bring your own thread" policy.
Now to clean up the shambles of the sewing room and start again!

Ever Your Thimble Servant,
Miss Brilliantine