1795 Barn Owl Costume: Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten

I’ll admit I’ve been distracted. The half-finished taffeta/broadcloth base of the robe has been sitting on my dress form for weeks, untouched, unloved, but not forgotten. It is the start of September, which means I have two months to complete the robe and the mask.

I am one of those seamsters who suffer from CADD (Costume ADD), but also get my best work done on a tight deadline. I am not sure why this happens, but if I start and finish a costume long before its debut event, I become bored with it in some small way, and it seems less special when the time comes to wear it. There is a rush to finishing something just in the nick of time, with only enough time left to fix any major issues, or jerry-rig yourself into the thing.

So as excited as I am about the KCI J&G Project, it’s going to be a long-term goal, and take the backseat to the Owl Gown until October.

In other more frivolous news, I got a new toy! I saw these scalloped sheers at the craft store last night, sitting innocently in the scrapbooking section, and just HAD to have them. Scalloped pinking sheers!!! My tool set as an 18th Centurion now feels complete!

4 Comments

  • Madame Berg

    September 2, 2009 at 9:56 PM

    Please tell me how the shears work for you! I've been very, very tempted by them for some time but I was put off because they aren't really made for fabric? I hope it works! Tell me, tell me!

  • Lauren Stowell

    September 2, 2009 at 10:33 PM

    Yes, I was afraid of this. I haven't tried them out yet, but will when I get a chance. I imagine I'd be cutting light fabrics – voile, batiste – for elbow rufflings and maybe collars (like on the striped jacket). They might work on ribbon for trim, too?

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