So I'm trying to determine the correct skirt width for a project. My brain (which admittedly isn't any good at this sort of thing) tells me that in order for a skirt to be proportionate, there should be more skirt width added when one's body is large. Is this logical? This line of thinking also suggests that a set of pocket hoops should probably also be wider-than-average to create the illusion of a smaller waist.

I'm just re-evaluating my understanding of skirt yardage (well, and trying to get a more accurate mental-picture of my body type). I get the feeling I've never given myself enough skirt fabric for my size, which ultimately leaves me disappointed with the end product because it looks chintzy.

But it sure as heck feels like it. Thankfully, the doctor gave me a Z-pack and I'm feeling just sub-human today. I missed work yesterday - I'd gone almost 2 years without a sick day.

Wish me luck; I have a costume that needs to be finished by Friday morning in time for a Halloween parade. Here's hoping I survive the work day with enough energy left to do some post-work sewing.

So I'm in possession of 6+ yards of red wool. It's saying "Riding habit! I want to be an 18th century riding habit!" Which is cool; who am I to disagree with talking fabric? And I love love love the Lady Worsley portrait, so, great!

Here is my (probably completely silly) conundrum: As the portrait depicts a later-18th century style, based on British military uniforms, would it be in bad taste to wear to say, Fort Frederick (weather issues aside)? My cold medicine-addled brain keeps telling me that Americans would not have approved since they'd be at odds with Britain by the time the portrait was painted. Usually I wouldn't care, but because it's a historical reenactment I think historical types might notice.

Or should I just scrap the portrait and do an earlier riding habit that fits in the time of the Fort and avoid the issue all together? Maybe that's the answer. It would still be red.

Any thoughts? Maybe it would work if I didn't trim it in navy?

Hmmm.

I have a student, F, who is blind. He is so fun to work with because he has perfect pitch, lightning fast memorization skills, an incredible sense of rhythm and a fantastic attitude. He's also wonderfully gracious when I forget to mention something to him. Like in today's song where half way through the lesson I realized I never said: "Oh, this song changes time signatures 3 times in the next 5 measures."

His answer? "Oh! I just thought we were in 7/4 time!"

What a great kid.

This battle goes to me. I finally finished cutting the million pieces of this horrible horrible slippery fabric.

*falls over dead*

Why is it that when I'm at home I can't be bothered to do anything that I should be doing, but the second I get to work all I can think about is stuff that I can't do until I'm not working?

I DID actually do some cutting this morning. Which was nerve wracking to say the least. So, it's an accomplishment. But I have about 10 other things that I need to do that I can't seem to get myself off my butt to do.

Add to that the typical deadline-looming-can't-sleep-projects-will-eat-me panic that's been haunting me.

Buh.

Shipment number 2 has arrived...it is just as lovely as the first. The teal is my ideal shade of peacock blue/green. And of course, now that I see it I'm rethinking my plans...it's so fabulous I want to show it off to best advantage.

And I just have to say I LOVE the way this stuff sounds; I laid it out on my bed to further admire the color, and the light, crisp, papery sound the fabric made as I shook it out just had me grinning from ear to ear.

Just got my blue taffeta - it is GORGEOUS! It's like ceylon sapphires...it makes me so happy!

And I now have *mumblety* yards of blue and teal taffeta on its way to my house...

This really has to be the end of the fabric shopping. I vow that in 2010 I will not buy any fabric. New or used.

I think. *whimper*

Or good juju, or whatever the kids are calling it these days. There are many things to sew, and not so much time to sew them.

And any awesome crepe-back-satin sewing tips wouldn't hurt either. I'm getting the unsettling feeling that this fabric will be my undoing.

So I usually shop at an actual Joann fabrics, when I shop there in general. I was cruising their site to double check the prices of some items (with coupons). So I put some fabric in my cart, and applied a 40% off code. Then I got angry.

Say you put 5 yards of fabric in your cart and apply the coupon. The first yard has the discount. The other 4? Nope.

On further perusal, it looks like this only happens when the fabric in question is currently on sale - the first yard will be more deeply discounted, while the others will not be discounted further than the current sale price. Which I suppose is better than nothing - which is what you'd get in the store if you tried to use a coupon on already discounted fabric (unless you have your teacher discount card, which works all the time, yay!)

I still don't like it.

Can I just say I HATE everything I've seen of fall fashions so far this season?

Seriously. Every magazine, catalog, and website I peruse for the purpose of buying new clothes is filling me with despair. I need to figure out what to do about modern clothes (besides the obvious make some!). Because finding time to make costumes is difficult at best, but finding more time to make regular clothes too? Pretty near impossible.

And the plus-sized clothing one finds in thrift stores is generally frightening.

Today I was just reminded of an album I absolutely love, and thought a few people on my f-list might want to check out.

Bryn Terfel's "The Vagabond" is my ultimate choice in swoon-inducing manly-man songs.

My favorites, in case you're interested...

The Vagabond: Give to Me the Life I Love
Come Away, Come Away, Death
Bright is the Ring of Words

Bryn's interpretation on this album is dramatic and sensitive, and the selection is a lovely representation of English language art songs.

I just opened my fabric.com order - you know, the black silk taffeta that everybody and their mom bought?

I was worried when I saw some of the posts here - but mine's the real deal. I haven't unrolled the whole length, but there's not a slub in sight, it's nice and stiff, and pretty lustrous for a non-iridescent fabric. Maybe my order's from a different bolt?

Too weird.

I actually feel like working on something creative.

I haven't felt like doing anything in months, and now I'm trying to figure out how I can squeak in some time to start a project. Something crazy. But I don't know what.

I have a list a million miles long of things I'm supposed to do or need to do, but all I can think of is what I'd need if I wanted to do A, B or C.

Thank God, I feel like I have turned some sort of corner.

I'm looking for coral or salmon pink wool for a project - has anyone been to G street recently enough to remember if they had anything? I need 6-8 yards.

After work today my sister and I are hopping in the car and driving north.

We'll stay the night at my aunt's house in Milford, NJ so we'll have a much shorter drive to the Allentown Art Museum on Saturday. Can't wait to see the Fashion in Film Exhibit!

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!

MY FAVORITE CHARACTER IS NOT THE KILLER!!!

Ok, I can breathe now.

Apparently there is a hostage situation going on down the street from my office.

Seriously.

Pink Champagne Cocktails, Cream Puffs, and The Count of Monte Cristo.

Happy Thursday indeed!