As always, a lovely time was had at Gatsby! Wonderful food and drink plus fabulous companions, beautiful environs, and great music always make for a fabulous time. I even made it on a house tour for the first time, and got to see the inside of the lovely Dunsmuir House. Can we do it every month?
Costume College Pics!
I’ve finally got my Costume College pictures uploaded, as well as updates to my Heart of the Forest faire gallery.
I Suck, Don’t I?
The second I got back from Costume College we started moving, hence the total lack of exciting-ness around here. DSL should be coming on the 11th, so look for my Costume College pictures plus updates to my Venetian diary then.
In the meantime, I can report that I had a faaaabulous time at Costume College this year. I actually ended up taking few classes, just going to the ones that I really wanted, and skipping those of mild interest — and spent much more time socializing, which is always the best part. I had a great time talking shop with similar-minded people, and plotting evil froufy explosions for Costume Con 26 (2008, in San Jose).
Anyway, class-wise I went to (dredging up memory here): Bustle-Era Hairstyles (which I taught, and which seemed to go really well — lots of interest, plus many in the audience had practical suggestions); Corset Cover Construction (of which I was only able to attend about an hour, but which made me buy some white embroidered lace insertion in the dealer’s room, and which consequently got me way too excited about making fancy Edwardian undies and getting going on my Room with a View suit); Basic Bodice Draping (again which I taught, and which also went really well, except for me totally underestimating how long it would take everyone to finish draping; everyone got their front and back draped, and did really well, even the people who initially were nervous); German Renaissance Cranach Gown (where I discovered that the four yards of orange silk damask that I bought off ebay because it was too good of a deal has a fated purpose, but which I’m a little bit leery of as I don’t like the bust silhouette); Modifying Shoes (she builds the heel into the correct shape using FIMO, and then she BAKES THEM! Wow! Must experiment!).
Side note: moving has been good, as we have a bigger place now, which means while I still don’t have a whole sewing room, there is less in the bedroom — which means that any room not taken up by the bed is now MINE for sewing. Yay! No more sewing in the living room! Plus I was able to dredge out my bought-for-$40-at-a-garage-sale-and-it-WORKS treadle and actually put it out where it can be seen.
Obligatory Costume College Post
Whee! This weekend is Costume College! I’m heading down Thursday afternoon and back on Sunday afternoon — no time (or money!) for a fabric district run. I’ve lost all of my paperwork so can’t at all remember what classes I’m taking, except for the limiteds which are: Cranach dress design/construction, corset cover construction, and modifying shoes. And I’ll be teaching two: an overview of bustle era hairstyles (lecture), and a hands on Victorian bodice draping class.
On Friday night for the GBACG meetup I’ll be wearing my candy cane 1870s dress. Saturday night at the Gala I’ll wear my courtesan gown, which will be fun to wear in an INDOOR environment! I’m trying to put together a slightly more period hairstyle to go with it, so spending lots of time in the bathroom wrestling hairpieces. It looks like I’ll be so busy during the days that I’m not planning to dress up, plus that means less stuff to carry. Full report (and photos, bien sur) forthcoming next week, altho I’m moving so I may lose my web connection.
Costume College Meetup
Will you be attending Costume College this year? Are you a GBACG member, friend, or Northern California costumer? Or do you just want to hang out with some cool people? If so, please join us!
GBACG COSTUME COLLEGE MEETUP
FRIDAY, JULY 29
9:00pm
AIRTEL PLAZA HOTEL BAR (Clipper Club Lounge)
Any Northern California costumers (or anyone interested in hanging out with us!) are invited to join us for a chance to mingle! After you’ve had a browse in the marketplace (which opens Fri. night after Orientation), come by the Clipper Club Lounge (on the first floor of the hotel) for a cocktail or soda (you buy).
No costumes necessary, although if you do dress up, we’ll be sure to point and say, “ooooo, PRETTY!”
GBACG members: don’t forget to wear your guild pins throughout the College weekend, so we can all recognize each other!