Measure Twice, Cut Once

Such a pretty changeable color pink and golden, almost a sorbet.

 After finishing a big-ish project I like a little palate cleanser, a Roman Punch if you  will. Citrus, slushy and boozy, served between courses and FANCY. Maybe that's putting it a little too fine, but you get the point. I stumbled on a piece of changeable silk taffeta, just enough to cover a parasol. So I set to work. Usually I buy one or two yards for future parasol covering and never do it. I need to face the fact that I dislike this kind of sewing, boring and finicky all at once. But I did the thing! I set it out and cut it out and damn if it didn't fit. I have done this many times- tape up a panel that's the most intact, true up the sides, make a paper pattern or use the original piece, add seam allowance, finish the curved edge, sew it together and bam! it's done.
Only this time it was too short.
Luckily I have a few other parasols in the queue, one that also needed 10 panels and was a smaller size. I took in the sides all around and it fit, almost like I had planned it.

The lucky other 10 sided frame

The copper color will have to wait and wait...

The parasol is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, representing compassion and protection from suffering. Alright, alright, no need to to over do.
I have loved them since childhood. Such a lovely idea, a canopy of color over your head, like flowers, like Springtime, like bubbles. Shading with diffused candy light. What could be better.
My grandmother walked me to kindergarten under a plaid one.
She believed in shade.

Now for shameless self promotion!
We are having a costume sale!! If you are in the Greater LA area on April 7th come to the Valley for all the things! If you need parasol frames, they'll be there with hats, books, shoes, fabric and finished costumes.  I have been collecting like I need to costume everyone, in my zeal to lend and costume everyone who wants to play. But now a lot of it needs to go. I don't need all the surveys of Western costumes, some I've had since college, they can be yours.
Check it out on the calendar-
http://www.walternelson.com/dr/yard-sale

Ever Your Thimble Servant
Miss Brilliantine

A Bit of Trim

Trim, it has a few meanings.
A fancy applied embellishment an attractive woman... among other things. Oh words, they are reprobate and sublime, they are supine and compliant, or not. They love to be dandled. They are promiscuous, adamantine and changeable. DO NOT lend them money.
The trim I mean is the kind you sew on.

The trim in it's original color and after a dip in robin's egg blue.

I'm finishing a dress for my Sister-in-law to wear to a Victorian ball in Bath. (Everyone can play!) I found some pretty trim with just enough sparkle-ation  but a little neutral in color. To the dye bath!
You can change the backing threads enough to reflect the dress color by giving it a dip in dye. The metal/plastic parts won't change but you may get enough color if threads take the dye.

It's simple and satisfying, I like the dyes from Dharma Trading Co. the colors are lovely and varied.  I have found that a little tan dye takes down the shine of  "metallic" gold trim, it mutes the under threads just enough to be passable.
 
Ever Your Thimble Servant,
Miss Brilliantine