Rehearsal, Recital, Reception

This weekend we mark the end of spring dance season with a recital and Regency performance, and the beginning of summer break. We've all been getting the three R's mixed up: Rehearsal, Recital, and Reception.

Blue-themed bowties for the FEW

Next week we travel to Texas for the First Ever Sibling Wedding. It's kind of weird, because First Ever Sibling and Bride are moving in across the street, and Second Ever Sibling and Spouse are moving states away. I'm still not sure if I'm gaining two and losing one, or just losing all of them together.

Besides the First Ever Wedding(FEW) I'm planning to visit the Texas blankity-blank Museum in Ft. Worth(you all know I hate referencing that conflict). There's a neat looking collection of Victorian clothing that I very much look forward to inspecting.

Lace, Grace, and Alterations.

Last week I had a working vacation with the F gentlemen. They are so cute. It was nice to have a break from my normal nanny job. I nannyed extra days through the month of April, and I found it so wearing. I know I have a good position(now that the dog is gone), but I so wish I didn't have to depend on childcare for income. I would quit my job and sew, if I could. Add into that thought the drama currently going on in our house: God seems to be pruning my family. Beginning with our move almost exactly one year ago, our first move in twenty years, followed by Grandma and her many moods(she's mad at me right now, and I don't know why). Two family marriages in the works and as many international trips just behind us have done not a little to change my outlook on the future.

 Mud hole. The boys had to change clothes three times that day. We had a fun week together. I took my quilt along and worked on that after bedtime(8pm bedtimes are the bomb).

I finished this blouse today: Thrift store save does victorian twist. it's a soft sheer fabric, likely a rayon/cotton blend. I have a bag of old lace scraps from garage sales and such, so I used a length to embellish the sleeves and front.

I also finished up the three-piece Victorian suit for a customer. It's black cotton twill, which is a good sturdy material for this project, but it requires a lot of pressing and shows every speck of dirt. I used Simplicity 2895 for the vest and coat, and Truly Victorian trouser pattern. The simplicity pattern, as usual, seemed overly complicated, but went together fine. 

 Button fly.

Truly Victorian pattern seemed expensive for such a basic item, but came in three different printed pattern size ranges: slim, mature, and portly. It has a button-fly, which was simpler than I expected to put in. The pattern has four optional welt pockets, which I left out to save time. Beyond that, I've finally got the costumes from Ren Faire(all those petticoats!) washed and put away, and some basic alterations conquered.

Cuteness and squishy cheeks. Let's end on that thought.

April Showers Bring May Snowstorms

We had a wonderful break in the cold weather, followed by an abnormal May snowstorm and a great deal of romance(which was mostly unrelated to the weather). I've been preparing for the two upcoming dance performances at the Midlands Renaissance Faire, getting the costumes, and washing, repairing and sewing what's needed. What with the cold weather there's a lot more to plan for when spending the day outside, in the weather, with no electrical outlets. 

 Our 17th Century themed outfits are slowly improving. This year I added three waistcoats and knit hats for the gentlemen. I love the costume colors we get to wear to Ren Faire! Everyone looks so much more austere when we go Regency, but Ren Faire brings out the colors.

Performance, day one: the weather truly was miserable. It was less than 50F, cloudy with a breeze. We had a tarp-encased canopy for in between performances, but we got fairly cold I still got a headache from being out in the weather all day. We ended the day with an interesting interlude at MacDonalds, with a passed-out drunk being awakened by the EMTs. Who knew Bellevue was so interesting?