Since I have a few new people on my friends list—and I haven't posted in, oh, look, three months—I thought I'd borrow an idea from ferdalump. ( And so, an introduction, of sorts. )

So much to tell, that I can't mention until next year! When the movie comes out, I'll post the two set diaries I wrote, but for now, a summary of “Paul”Con.

The whole trip to New Mexico was a blast. (Except for waiting an hour & a half for my luggage to catch up at the sunport Monday afternoon. It at least gave me time to have a nice lunch and hem my new slave bikini skirts.) “Paul”Con really was like a real con in that we traveled hundreds of miles to hang out with people we troop with at home or see only at other cons. There were some of the Star Garrison/Bast Alpha guys; Dena & Chris, who're in my Rebel Legion base; and of course, Jamin & other DC people.

I roomed with Summer, Leia, Jen, and Sara at the Doubletree Hotel right next to the convention center. We all got along so well—no fights about shower times, or who got which bed, or anything. In fact, our entire group got along well. The only Leias that didn't really mesh well we all agreed were divas to begin with (and had borrowed the costumes so weren't really Leias). One of the many refrains during the shoot was “everyone's so nice!” We had plenty of time to get to know each other in between scenes (or when we were barely called to set at all), unlike at any of the LMB group photos. We even had the first ever Leia's Metal Bikini dinner Monday night, at a cute little place called the 66 Diner.

As for the filming, the crew and the Pas were awesome. They made the “hurry up & wait” much more bearable. When asked if there was anything we wanted or needed at one point, someone jokingly said, “A Klondike Bar!” One of the Pas managed to produce one the next day. Unfortunately, Thomas didn't know who it was, and we couldn't remember.

Kris & I hooped in various stages of costume—tank top with Leia skirts, shorts with the bra tops, or even in just regular clothes. When they said to bring things to keep us occupied, hula hoops might not be what they had in mind, but we both had fun with it. I have a feeling she & I are in a lot of pictures and videos that can't be posted yet. Some of the other girls finally tried it by the end of the second day, too. Eventually, Jamin's going to have a harem full of hoopers.

All in all, it was a great experience. We got paid (overtime!) to sit around and visit with each other, eat, lounge on Jabba, pose for photos, hoop dance, and play with man Leia's butt (the circles on Justin's butt plate were curly & sproingy like piggy tails. How could we resist?). I'm so glad I was able to get the days away from work in order to take part in the fun, even if I don't end up on screen. Or, as Liz said she's afraid of, I get to point out in the theater, “That's my butt in the background!”

As a nice break from my major steampunk creation, I'm working on the handkerchief camisole pictured in the Girls' Own Paper (http://frazzledfrau.tripod.com/titanic/trousseau.htm). For the most part, it looks like a fairly simple project.



I've had the various laces for this particular project in my stash for a long time. The scalloped one is going to be the border around the edges; the wide one will be the inserts between triangles; the narrow, “hole-y” one will be for the straps. I haven't decided yet if I'll weave a colored ribbon to match the ties down the front opening through it or leave it as is. Originally I was planning on lavender ribbons to match my pastel corset, but now that I also have a black & gold corset, I may just use white ribbons.



Bandannas = too large. (Men's handkerchiefs would be about the right size, I think.) Instead of using two for the body, I'm using just one. If that's not wide enough to meet completely in the front, I might add in a rectangular panel at the center front to close the gap.

There are only two things I haven't figured out—how the bottom scallops are cut from the handkerchief, and if the waist is gathered to fit a set measurement or an adjustable casing. I might just leave those off, since I plan on wearing it under a corset (a la tango underwear from Moulin Rouge) instead of over one like a corset cover.

A-Kon is the last weekend of the month. Friday night, the Babbage Patch Kids are presenting a steampunk ball. I need a new dress.

The gown I have in mind is something I sketched out last year and already have a pattern in my collection to use as a base. Simple ballgown, with beaded emblems at the neck- and hemlines. However, I'm not much for hand beading & embroidery, so I was thinking about using hot-fix pearls or rhinestones instead. Does anybody have any tips or suggestions for using them? (I've read labricoleuse's entry on using them, but was wondering if there are other methods people use as well.) Also, benaequee, I noticed that M&J Trims has a heat seal film. Have you gotten to play with that yet?

( Without further ado... )

Obviously, all the energy I was running on during the Brass Belles photoshoot this afternoon was adrenaline, because I feel dead right now. Of course, that could also be the five hours of sleep I've had, too.

I feel really humbled to be classed in the same group as Jessie & Catherine, the other two Brass Belles being photographed today. Catherine has some amazing props, and Jessie made the perfect steampunk gypsy. (They're both such fun to be around, too. Random Sweeny Todd lyrics FTW.) The props & accessories I used? Borrowed pieces. Really cool pieces, granted, but borrowed nonetheless. I've really got to put together a few more ensembles in the near future, especially since I'll be on some of the promotional material for the next Kinetescope. Can't have a Brass Belle wear the same old thing to every social outing!

As for the photos, out of eighty, I'm only happy with maybe a dozen. It's either my expression, or the pose, or the way I look in the image. Oh, well. At least I get to pick three images to send to the printer, as opposed to someone else choosing for me. And I know what to work on for other photo shoots: posing without needing to be coached, facial expressions, not constantly blinking. Pretty much everything! Apparently Guy & the photographer are already brainstorming ideas to use with both me & Jessie. Oh, the pressure! But I love being a Brass Belle so far, so it's worth it.

Everyone has a character they feel connected to, whether it be in a book, movie, show or video game. But how do others perceive you? Have your f-list tell you a character they see you as, and maybe even explain why.

When you see this, post in your own journal with your favorite quote from "The Princess Bride." Preferably not "As you wish" or the Inigo Montoya speech.


I couldn't decide:
1. “This is true love... you think this happens everyday?”
2. "Anybody want a peanut?"
3. "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

1. Straw hat = cute. Pleated ribbon around the brim, ribbon hat band, and white feathers held in place by a sterling silver heart. No pictures at the moment, however. Maybe tomorrow.

2. Skirt just needs the hem turned up, and a waistband. Forgot to cut out interfacing the other day, and don't feel like doing it right at this moment. It can wait until morning. Not really sure I like the pattern I used—the bottom portion isn't nearly as full as the pattern sketch, and the mini train sticks out oddly in back. Will have to see how I feel after the hem is completely finished.

3. Leia corset just needs boning sewn in place, and layers attatched. Must remember to buy grommets tomorrow.

Tickets are paid for, and hotel room is reserved. Now all I need to do is sew a skirt, trim a straw hat, and make a clockwork vest for my brother. In addition to finishing my Leia corset, making a kimono for Davin, and sewing a Halloween costume for my niece this month. The steampunk stuff comes first, though. I've got all day tomorrow, all day Wednesday, and a good portion of Friday if Matthew doesn't leave until that morning, plus odd hours before and after work this week.

Maker Faire should be fun, not just because I'm using it as an excuse to dress up steampunk before Halloween (which I am probably working, since it falls on a weekend). Lots of arts & crafts stuff, in addition to pyrotechnics and typcial science faire stuff like robots and diet Coke & mento fountains. Yay for getting to spend a weekend with my brother being a geek.

Cutting out the fabric for my pink Leia corset, and I can't decide what color ribbon to use as trim & lacing. I've found three colors that could work: raspberry pink that matches the starbursts, silvery grey, and basic black.



Poll #1272096 Leia Corset Ribbons
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 20

Which color ribbon should I use as trim?

A friend just gave me a polonaise that she had started a few years ago for her sister, who no longer wants it. So pretty! Cream & tan striped cotton, scattered with pink flowers (cabbage roses and not quite period gerber daisies). It's taken from the c. 1770-1785 Snowshill Manor pattern in Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion 1, the polonaise with tapes that loop up to buttons on the outside (this gown).

My questions: It should be worn over a shift, corset, bum roll, and petticoats, correct? Naturally, I have none of them. Any suggestions on patterns? I'm thinking of using Butterick 4254 for the stays, mostly because I already own it (and I'm not too concerned about historical accuracy with this - it's more just for fun than any type of reenactment).

Also, any particular style of trim? The illustration shows (and Arnold discusses) pinked, box-pleated trim down the front edge, neckline, and in a serpentine pattern at the sides. Any other styles of trim that would be appropriate as well, maybe a little simpler in nature? Rachel is lending me her Janet Arnold, so I can take the pattern for the detachable sleeve ruffles.

Instructions:
Take a picture of yourself right now.
Don't change your clothes, don't fix your hair - just take a picture.
Post that picture with NO editing.
Post these instructions with the picture.



( I did edit, but just to crop & rotate )

I love sales at Joann's. $57 worth of sewing notions for just $22 dollars. I few things here & there for projects, but mostly sewing machine needles, including twin needles in two widths.

What I'm really excited about? The item that arrived in the mail: a 1964 glass Jim Bean decanter. It is sooo pretty, even unpainted. Very easy to see why they chose it as the base for Jeannie's bottle on “I Dream of Jeannie.”

I'm actually now a little nervous about painting it. I've owned the painting guide available on eBay for a few years now, so I do at least have something to follow. It's just the possibility of screwing up something that's already pretty as is that makes me nervous.

Maybe it wasn't DragonCon, but AnimeFest was still fun. They did share several things in common, such as two-hour waits in the registration line, people who really do not need to be wearing certain costumes, and the far-reaching smell of the few in desperate need of a shower with soap.

Wendy Darling is definitely going to DragonCon with me next year. I just think I need to find a Peter Pan and/or Tinkerbell to run around the con with. Recognition factor isn't so high, but those who did figure it out loved it.

The best moment of recognition was at the Two Lumps table, by a red-headed woman in a scooter. After asking if I was Wendy, she wanted to know if very many people recognized it, and proceeded to tell me a story. Apparently, the reason Wendy isn't a standard roaming character at the Disney parks anymore is that not even park security always recognizes her. Once, park security thought the actress portraying Wendy was a little girl roaming around the park in her nightgown, and arrested her. The lady kept insisting that she was Wendy Darling, and she was looking for Peter Pan. “Ariel,” the woman sharing the tale with me, tried explaining to security that it was alright, and was asked to go with them, as well. After they were behind closed doors, “Wendy” pulled out her park ID. After that, Disney decided that maybe Wendy wasn't as popular a character if their own security couldn't distinguish her from a park guest.

I'm actually surprised at how many compliments I received on classic Leia, my other costume for the weekend. (I think Saturday's Slave Leia scared a lot of people other than myself.) Tons of hugs, too; I think the anime crowd is “huggier” than the sci-fi crowd. There was actually a Darth Vader there, and one lone, short stormtrooper that people kept asking me if I'd seen. I'm not sure who either were, although I probably do know them from events. The three of us unintentionally blocked the top of one of the escalators—the classic “captured Rebel” pose with me on my knees between them, hands behind my head.

Even got interviewed at one point. I love the question that invariably gets asked when someone interviews a costumer: “So, how did you make that?” My response: “Fabric, thread, and a sewing machine.” How else do you think it got made? Not sure I'm going to buy the con DVD, although it's only $10.

I think the weekend would have been a lot more fun if a) Kristi hadn't had to deal with a family emergency and b) I didn't have to close last night & tonight. Didn't quite get the same “staying up until all hours” effect. Especially since costumes & alcohol weren't involved. (My drunk customers, what few there were, don't count.) And hanging out with friends is a con highlight for me. I did spend time yesterday with Mike & his new girlfriend, who currently gets the thumbs up, but I missed getting to see the people from across the country I only get to visit with at DragonCon. Thomas, Jamin, Toren, Ferd & Maggie and others on my friends list... Hopefully next year.

Spend the day making a skirt to complete my steampunk ensemble to wear this weekend, or curl up on the couch and watch movies. Guess which option I chose?

I did, however, keep my hands busy—I now have a necklace made from the smokey beads and Paris pendant I bought earlier in the week, plus a matching bracelet from the leftover beads. And, because I decided I needed a hat to match the outfit, I figured out a trimming scheme for a flat straw hat I found in Michael's doll section that I think is a better choice than the ubiquitous mini top hat.

The hat I think will be cute. I'm going to pleat some wide, antique gold ribbon around the edge of the brim, and make a band around the crown with it as well. Where the edges meet at the side on the crown will be hidden underneath a flat bow, with white feathers and one of the heart charms. I thought about adding some lavender to it—violets a la My Fair Lady—but the gold & white will match more outfits.

...you decide to sew up "just these last few inches," wonder why nothing happens when you run your fabric through the sewing machine, and finally realize that there is no spool of thread.

Not much left to the dress—just finishing up the skirt, attaching skirt to bodice, and buttons & hem—but it can definately wait until after I've had more than three hours of sleep. I would have been a lot farther along today, but I lost two hours of my afternoon to work, and another chunk of time to unpicking the sleeve that I set in inside out. That was when I was feeling rather awake, too! No telling what would happen to Wendy Darling now...

It's sad when you go into a store with one project in mind, and walk out with items for a completely different project.

I walked into Michael's yesterday on the hunt for a mini top hat to decorate (a 6" one from the decorated teddy bears aisle), and walked out with pieces for a necklace, too. A pendant with a map showing Paris in the center, and smokey emerald-cut acrylic connectors in two sizes. Plus, a set of four silver heart charms that I'll find a use for. Maybe on the top hat. Apparently Blue Moon Beads has a new line of vintage-styled jewelery parts that makes me think steampunk. Which might not be a good thing for my budget. There were some fleur de lis pendants and some swallow charms I want to pick up, too...

And after all of that, I'm probably not going to use either the top hat or the necklace. Instead of fixing up/finishing Satine's grey walking suit from our shadowcast production, I'm going to make the fishtail skirt from Butterick 4954 to wear with my corset & one of the Victorian-inspired blouses I have in the closet.

Last week I bought a darling short-handled parasol on eBay, and I want to use it. I already own an Edwardian burlwood-handled parasol, but it has some minor damage and age spots, and I don't want to risk it in a crowded environment. The new one is small, just two feet across when opened, and almost in perfect condition. The only thing that shows its age is the loop to secure the umbrella fabric snugly around the handle when it's closed. No holes or discoloration.

My skirt fabric—a lovely brown shantung that matches the parasol (and one of two colors that won't make me look like an Easter egg with my lavender & gold corset)—is in the dryer, so I should be able to cut out the pattern pieces tomorrow. I have Thursday off, so I can sew it then, as well as finish up anything remaining on Wendy.

If everything goes well, I'll be Wendy on Saturday, either Jedi Leia or a steampunk lady on Friday, and the other on Sunday this coming weekend at AnimeFest. While it won't be DragonCon, and I still have to work, at least I have a place to wear some new costumes.

I'm such a bad Star Wars fan.

Thursday night, instead of lining up for a midnight showing of "The Clone Wars" I cut out all but the lining of my Wendy dress. (I'm following the Sense & Sensibility Regency pattern Simplicity put out, instead of the McCall's pattern I originally planned to use. Partly because ferdalump used the S&S pattern for a Wendy costume once, partly because it requires fewer changes to get the look I want.)

And when we went to the movies last night with friends (at the $1 theater), we saw "Prince Caspian" instead. Really wanting Susan's farewell dress at the moment. Suppose I should actually make her green archery gown from the first movie before planning to make more of her wardrobe...

I did, however, find black flannel to use for the lining of my pink Leia corset. When I originally bought my supplies for it, it wasn't on the shelves at JoAnn's. Now that I have everything I need, it's next on my list.

For the second time in six years, I'll be missing DragonCon.

I was really looking forward to it this year--Abney Park, visiting with friends, the costumes, roadtripping with Kristi--but there's work "stuff" going on, and I can't take the time away from my store. Instead, I might go to AnimeFest here in Dallas. Not quite the same, but there are some other costuming opportunites coming up in the next few months, at least.

Y'all are all required to take tons of pictures!