Concept Sketch for an Irish Ensemble for Gold Rush Days

This coming weekend I will be wreaking havoc and eating candy at Gold Rush Days, one of my favorite events of the year, in Old Sacramento.  The original plan was to wear a plaid gown I refashioned, but still needs a little work, complete with corset, hoops, bonnet, boots, fluff, stuff, things.

But then…

It’s hot.  I mean it’s HOT in Sacramento, and I will be bumming around with the Irish Guild, bein’ Irish, and it just didn’t make sense to be wearing clothing so many stations above the group I’m to be rabble-rousing with.

And can a lady in hoops really rabble-rouse at all?

My good friend Jenny convinced me to lower my society and make some “Irish” duds, to blend with the riff-raff. I don’t know how she talked me into this, because I’m going through the most epic lack of sewing inspiration and just don’t event want to go in the sewing loft at all.

Tomorrow, though, I guess I’ll get some new Homespun plaid (on sale at Joann’s, yee!), and find a garibaldi-like white or off-white blouse at Savers thrift store, and wouldn’t-cha-know-it, the two shops are right next to each other, so it must be meant to be.

Anywho, here’s the concept sketch.  The only thing I’ll have to make is the skirt, and *surely* I can do that.  Right?

8 Comments

  • Vienna La Rouge

    August 29, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    It's so cute!
    We were going to try and make it to GRD but the salt mines, er…work schedules won't allow it this year 🙁

    Reply
  • Jenny

    August 29, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Don't feel overwhelmed, keep it simple, keep it fun 🙂 We shall be irish washerwomen, sing, fight and dance in the streets!

    Reply
  • Alexa

    August 29, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Sounds pretty! If you find a garibaldi-ish blouse at Savers I shall be very jealous- I haven't found anything like that there, although I do buy a lot of stuff from Savers (I've bought fabric from them too).
    There must be some sort of scheme with JoAnns and Savers – because where I'm from they're right next to each other too!

    Reply
  • Lauren R

    August 29, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    Vienna, aw, wish you could make it! I would love to meet you in person 🙂

    Jenny. Yeah. You're goin' down, you ginger biotch!!! (just kidding, oh, everybody, Jenny and I are buds, irl)

    Alexa, yeah, I'm a little worried about the "garibaldi-ish" blouse, but I'm going to try to keep an open mind and see what can be found. I'm thinking maybe a western wear store might have something, if I can't find any early '90s Victoriana-style things at the thrift store. I don't want to pay a lot, so we'll see.

    Reply
  • Robin Gallowglas

    August 29, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    No worries Lauren I've been in a similar funk and haven't even felt like dressing up for anything at all, let alone sewing, HoweverI will also be pulling out my Irish and joing you guys thanks to the persuasion of our mutual Ginger. I'm sure it will be a grand time.

    Reply
  • Vienna La Rouge

    August 29, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    Likewise, I'd love to meet you, Lauren! 🙂 My soon-to-be brother in law lives in Sacramento, and we visit from time to time.

    Reply
  • Lauren R

    August 31, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    Robin, see ya there!

    Vienna, I pop over to Sac from time to time…I think the next event will be Folsom Ren Faire in October

    Reply

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