A Re Do-Over

Why Hello!
My apologies to all six of you.
I have been scrabbling over scraps of time and fabric. The result is that I have built very little but did do a do-over. It satisfies in its own way and is a very historical practice. Like re-trimming a hat to the current fashion or turning a dress to get more wear. I wanted something festive for the Great Dickens Christmas Fair and decided to tear through the closet. Because taking apart can be as fulfilling as stitching together. I took a dislike to a particular ball gown through no fault of it's own. And since I had a day vest to go with it, just needed to add sleeves and some fripperies and done! Easy-peasy, just like that, two hours max.
How we self-delude.

Ball gown bodice, day vest, day vest with harvested shirred front.

It seemed like a quick re-fashion, remove the shirred front from the bodice and add it to the vest front, but honestly the design stalled me. Sometimes the creative process takes as much time as the actual stitching. You'd think I would know that by now.
I stared at the thing for weeks, weeks. It did look nice on the dress form. I finally just got to it. It needed a little more adjusting since the front piece was higher on the day bodice, duh. With the addition of vexatious sleeves (that hardly ever happens to me-one fits with more ease in the armscye. See how I care) I was done.

With dear friends Todi and Sheila

I see the VCL, it's period. I like a close fit.

The Dickens Fair was as much fun as one can have in plaid pants, real or metaphorical.

These young men were spot on in their impression
and so happy to talk about the process, such dandies.

And the happy convocation of the Hatefish crew! In memory of a dear, genius friend.

I should also mention the splendid 1830's contingent with Lauren and Abby from  American Duchess.

1830's! Bonnets, gigot sleeves, ankle length skirts!
 I may be converted to this silliness.

 This was only a part of the 1830's group which seemed to expand and contract at will, part of the delightful effect. Were there 50 or 15? We may never know.

Ever Your Thimble Servant,
Miss Brilliantine