(costume) update
I was hoping to have the new undershirt done by now and well it's not. Various reasons for it, most of it is that the pattern is taking longer than I expected. There are a lot of flat felled seams which make for a nice finished look, but it does eat up time. If I had known that it was going to be heirloom sewing, I would have chosen a nicer cotton than muslin. The fabric is going to wear out before the sewing. And to be honest, I am having to push myself to finish it, I am just not enthusiastic about this project. Hopefully I will have it done this week, but I have been saying that for 6 weeks now.
Next is to make the bustle. I have the pattern and I have been studying it and finally understand how to put it together. I have the hoop wire, I got that last week. Denver Fabrics online store has it for $15 for a 12 foot roll, the best price I have ever found. Of course I will find the left over hoop tape I have from making my large 1860's hoop, which I couldn't find before ordering. I should have enough fabric and notions in my stash to make the bustle. I will post pictures when I get the bustle done.
I still need to find fabric for the vest part of the bodice and the underskirt fabric and what colors to pick. I don't think I have enough of the wool to make both skirts and the bodice. I need to go look at some of my picture books and see how to deal with that issue. I should make some photocopies of the dress from Janet Arnold's book and sit down with my colored pencils and figure out a color scheme. It's funny, I usually have no issues with this part of the process, it just comes to me. Hopefully looking at some pictures will give me some inspiration.
I must say I love my new sewing machine. Hubby let me buy a new one for Christmas, a Bernina 1008. It's nice to turn it on and there is no "fiddling" with it, like with my old one, it just works. Anyone looking for a decent sewing machine my "old" one, a New Home is for sale ping me for details.