Rejoicing with the Truth

Jen had a great post on Facebook vs. blogs vs. LJ (DW still really isn't where the costumers are), and I realized I've been contributing to LJ being quiet. I don't post often, for one of two basic reasons:

1. I feel I have nothing to say, or no pictures to illustrate it with, and so posting would waste everyone's time.
2. I have SO MUCH to say that there's not enough time to properly address it.
2.a. Even when I don't have much to say, once I start writing it's hard to stop and I end up using up time that was allocated elsewhere. Lack of self-control in writing!

So I need to get over that. Hence why I'm posting now.

I've been working super hard on my HSF Flora & Fauna entry: an 1860s sheer dress, made from the same printed flower fabric that Katherine used years ago, except in the pink and gray colorway. It's so pretty! It won't be done *quite* on time, primarily because:

I've been cast in a production of "Hello, Dolly" that will be performed at the end of August. I'm ensemble, but Dolly has a LOT of hard singing and what I'm told will be a lot of dancing. (I really want to do some difficult tap dancing!)  Rehearsals just started, but as a rule they're three nights a week: Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. So since I was singing last night, and will be again tonight, I won't be able to put in the hem, trim the sleeves, and sew a few hooks. (Or finish the seams, but that's not critical.) I'm so close to being done with it, though! And I love it! It's so light and fluffy and pretty.

Back to Dolly: I sing first soprano, but I'm not a true operatic soprano; I tend to absolutely top out at a D (maybe D sharp) two octaves above middle C in warmups.  That C is as high as I've sung in choral music to this point. But Dolly? There's a D flat. Whee!  I'll be warming up well for rehearsals. I think there's only one other lady who's doing anything above a B, which is good. With two of us there should be enough volume to balance the rest of the cast and (live) orchestra, and neither of us is an overpowering (true high) soprano who will dominate the whole thing.

I'll be so glad when everything for Costume College is done. I need to do the 1690s court dress bodice for the next HSF, Literature. I still don't have any other materials purchased; I was going to get some lace, but the one that looked the most plausible was cream instead of white. I just need to decide on that, though. The current crisis is what to do for the ermine. I've been planning on velvet, trying to avoid the hassle of fur. But sourcing the velvet has turned into a much bigger hassle than the fur itself. And it probably won't be cheaper than fur, and it sure won't look like fur. It'll look nice, but not like fur.

I've gotten rabbit fur trim in the LA garment district in the past. It's only about 1" wide, and I need 2-3" wide, so I'd rather not double it. But if that isn't possible:

* Anyone know where to get fur trim online? Google is worthless - "fur trim" just turns up various garments and footwear.
* Is wider trim available? That would be the best choice.
* Or do you have a really good quality fake fur to recommend? I'd rather use polyester velvet than cheap-looking and -feeling fake fur.

At this point, the only thing I know I can do is get rabbit skins from Tandy Leather and make my own trim. It'll be a lot of work, and the skins themselves are already $10 apiece. And I'll try to get to the Dallas stores on Friday and see if a miracle is waiting there.  I found the perfect things for all of Maid Marian there; maybe it will happen.


Another undecided issue is the petticoat. It's a large-patterned white with gold brocade/damask/jacquard/whatever the stores call it.  I've got several options, in widely varying weights, beauty, and prices. What is a good width for a petticoat of this period? I'm also trying to figure out how much material will reasonably be hidden underneath the skirt, even if I "bustle" it for necessity's sake.




In other news, I've finally planted some things in my retaining wall garden. Bro. No. 1 let me know that a church across from his workplace was having a plant sale that benefited their missions.  He'd already gotten several things and said the plants all looked very good, and the prices were on par with other retail nurseries. Plus the money was going to the church. :)  Mostly they had a LOT of roses, both hybrid teas and others. I got there last Sunday, when they'd just sold out of the yellow roses, so I got two Snowfires. They're red, with white outside the petals. So pretty! Also, the snowfires grown in Tyler, Texas, famous for its roses. They're blooming away already.  Hybrid teas are awesome; they're fine with the heat here, as long as they're watered, and bloom into December until it finally gets too cold.  I also got three armeria/false sea thrift, and three marigolds. Yay for flowers!

1. Singing in three Christmas cantata performances at church. I am still wiped out, especially after the madness of Friday's concert, but it was one of the most fun cantatas I've performed.
2. Particularly, finishing with the Hallelujah Chorus after not doing it last year, and seeing people in all three services stand up.
3. Santa Claus was in the first service! Big man, perfect silver beard cut just right, in a red sport coat and red shirt, third pew from the front. No accident. ;) And he was the first to stand up for the chorus in that service. Definitely St. Nick!
4. Random discussion of economics and ideology at Smashburger after the singles' group that evening. I'm glad I let myself be talked into going.