Well, I have about 5 projects going at the same time, which truthfully is just how I like it :) I've mostly been working on the blingy gown for the Diamond Ball on the cruise. I ordered the fabric from New York Fashion Center Fabrics, which is one of my favorites for good quality satins and silks, among other fabrics. It ended up at $206 for the yardage that I needed (you don't get away with small yardage when making a Victorian gown!!!!) and shipping costs. It's a good weight, and the tinsel fibers in the cloth make it VERY not slippery, which is a nice change. The big downside- when cutting the fabric little pieces of glitter and tinsel get EVERYWHERE!!! I'm covered in them, my sewing room/office are covered in them, the cats are covered in them.... you get the idea. I guess that's a small price to pay for glamour!!!
The bodice fits over my corset perfectly, and required very few alterations when I made my mock muslin. I got the lining mostly in, but have to hand finish the arm holes as per usual. The lining is leftover white satin from the Sapphire and Snow gown, so no cost there, and I had just enough to get this done :) There will be a lot of decoration over this fabric base, and very little of the skirt, which will be made of the same fabric, will be visible. The next step will be to find a nice lace to go over the underskirt, and to get the underskirt made.
A second project is early prep work for the Masquerade Ball on the cruise. My husband and I want to do a themed costume, and we're currently working off the assumption that it will have a bird theme. I have a couple of incredible ideas, but I'm keeping them to myself. I want it to be a surprise for the cruise-goers :) I found a BEAUTIFUL fabric on Ebay of all places that I was planning on making a vest out of for my husband. However, there were 3 yards of it and a vest front does NOT take 3 yards to make so I'm thinking I may make a bodice for myself out of it as well!
On a more modern note, I've also been working on a cute sun dress with an adorable fox print. I ADORE foxes in every form, in fact I consider them a totem animal. I wanted to take a swing at creating some more wearable pieces, and I ordered a few Simplicity patterns to start with. Here's what I've come up with so far (keep in mind it hasn't been hemmed, and the facing in the neck and arm holes isn't in yet):
Another idea that I've been floating around is a gown made of blue floral silk and dark blue velvet that I've had in my fabric closet for a while now just waiting for inspiration. I am part of a pattern review group on Facebook, and I've been bouncing some ideas off of those guys for the best way to go about altering the patterns to make this happen. I've got a number of good ideas so far, so it will just be a question of freeing up the queue of projects a bit to start fitting this beautiful gown in. Never a dull moment!!! Merry Christmas and Happy Sewing!!!!