From the ashes of my crash and burn, Phoenix arises! I am super happy with how she turned out considering what I was faced with. The bodice pattern was Truly Victorian TV493 1896 Plain Bodice. I had to make some modifications to the puff sleeves due to limited lace. The skirt was... something I cheated with. Again, limited fabric meant I did not have enough to go fully historical. I ended up with three panels and made a couple of darts in the back to help with fullness. Fabric and lace scraps made a nice purse and hat band. The petticoat (not shown) was another "Cheap Skirt Worth Its Weight In Gold" (see entry under Costumes tab). I had two twin bed skirts so I kept the bottom ruffle intact, cut off the side ruffles, sewed the two panels together and sewed all the extra ruffles to the back panel for fullness. Ta-daa!

At this point I had already doused the original straw hat with boiling hot water to reshape it. I then cut it into 3 parts: the crown, the outer ring, and the inner ring that I did not use at all.

I folded the outer ring until I got a bow shape then used clear thread / monofilament / fishing line to sew it together.

The clear thread was a PITA to use!! >:-( It kept getting hung up in all the raw exposed straw edges. I did what I could then lost my patience and hot glued it.

Next, I flipped the front edge down and put the crown on the inside. I needed to make the crown smaller to I slit the back side and squeezed it until it fit.

In this picture you can sort of see the slit along the back of the crown. Knowing I was going to add feathers, I wasn't worried about it showing. I hot glued the crown to the outer ring/brim.

The new hat shape was all together and secure but I had a lot of exposed raw edges of the straw that was catching everything. I gently trimmed it all down and then used good old Elmer's Glue as a sealer. It dries clear so no worries! Once the glue was dry, I added the ribbon and feathers. That's it! Scroll back up to the top to see the finished hat in all her glory. ;-)

So guess what?! I'm making a whole new outfit from scratch! (So much for that whole not stressing myself out thing.) The blue fabric is left over from Loraina. The lace fabric is actually a modern top I bought several years ago from Maurices. It's a bit too tight now so let's see what I can do with it....! ;-)

New work table. New pattern weights. New rotary cutter. SO EXCITED!!! And I'm trying to be super smart with my time. I have two big events coming up that are only 3 weeks apart and I thought I would try not to over do it. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I have an outfit I haven't worn for a while because the shirt waist really needs to be updated. I made it several years ago and it still 'looks fine' but my knowledge of Victorian clothing has grown so much, I just can't stand to wear something I now know is so inaccurate. So instead of stressing myself out by trying to make two brand new outfits from scratch, I thought I would just make a new top and wear the same outfit to both events. I bought the pattern a while back and although the waist measurement is several inches too small, I think I can make the needed adjustments. I've had the fabric for a while, it was originally a large curtain panel that I picked up at my local thrift store for only a couple of bucks (because there was only one panel). Although the bodice of a Victorian shirt waist does not require much fabric, the late era (BIG ASS POOFY) mutton sleeves require a great deal more than one would ever imagine. Also, this particular pattern has a "wrap around" front so it needs a bit ore fabric than usual. If I cut carefully, it'll work. The burgundy and gold colors will be perfect for the skirt I already have (and still like!).

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL???!!! Absolutely love it! My hubby put this together for me and I can't wait to start using it! Everything came from Lowes. The two ends are 9-cubbie units. The sides are the tall 8-cubbie units that are laid on their sides. This left a gap in the middle so hubby glued down a big piece of luan plywood. With the top row of cubbies open, this allows me to slide in long tubes of fabric! :-) The table top is a hollow door. I glued down 3 large cutting mats on top and that was it!! Total is 3 feet tall, 3 feet wide and 6 feet long. (This is a VERY condensed description. If you are seriously interested in doing your own and would like the 'reality' version, just send me an email.)   

Careful, this one bites!
Here is Tigerlily, the chatty flower with an attitude. I was quite pleased with how she turned out. I had to work with what I had which was a bunch of random colors and lengths of 'satin' fabric. There were supposed to be a total of 8 different flowers plus 7 little daisies. Truth be told, I ran out of time and energy so I reassigned the 8th flower into a butterfly because I already had giant wings. And seriously, what self-respecting flower garden would be seen without at least one butterfly, right?!