A Dedicated Follower of Fashion

I'm attending a private 18thc event in two weeks; the theme is Big Hats. I needed a new dress (no, I didn't), so while I feverishly work on that, I'll give you a teaser with the hat I made.

I mentioned that you all had permission to kick me if I'd not finished the spencer by the time of my next post, and, well...just don't kick me too hard, okay? I finally got round to mocking up, fitting, and cutting out the sleeves Thursday, and currently one sleeve's attached. Other sewing: I had jury duty Tuesday, and wanted some hand-sewing occupation that didn't involve explaining why on earth I was sewing pompoms to a tiny bolero jacket to any curious members of the public! Not that the pieces of an 18th century cap look any less odd, but they're smaller...and at least there are no pompoms . So I cut out an 18thc cap the night before. Since I was at the courthouse from 8 to 3.30, I did manage to get a good amount done (in between sitting in court, where I don't think they'd have appreciated my little project) - I hemmed two-and-a-half out of three pieces, and put some gathering stitches in. And then it seemed silly to put the cap in the UFO bin, s...

I had Big Plans to make this dress for another dressed-up Philadelphia outing with my partner-in-crime in July of last year, but it didn't get finished (bodice fitting issues, sigh! Still unfinished). I did, however, make the hat. I'd have preferred to use silk, but I had pink poly shantung in the Stash already, so I decided to use that. (Polyester! The horror!) I wore it with a cotton print gown I made in 2008. Still roasted. Philly in July, you know! Was very worth the roasting, though, as we kept getting waylaid by tourists and getting requests for pictures! I think we made three dollars each, because a couple of them insisted on paying us.