totchipanda

Im scooting along on the riding habit. Sleeves are done and ready to insert. I got the pockets into the front skirt. They face the wrong way (i think) but too late now!

I did the cuff buttonholes by hand. Next step is to put the lapel buttonholes on but i am so torn on doing them by hand or machine :( They would match by hand, but they will take approx 10-12 hours. Ugh!

I guess i cam keep working on other parts, but theres only so far i can go before its time to put that in. Plus there will be another 8 buttonholes on the pocket flaps and collar. Nevermind the waistcoat. Siiiigh. #firstworldproblems

Eta: i think some kind of embellishment would be less soul-destroying. It'll still take time but less than fighting with cotton thread and cat hair and all that.

ETA2: I machined the buttonholes. I just... want to keep going. Then I basically bag lined the collar and lapels, and am in the process of top stitching them by hand. I broke a needle XD

I spent a lot of today thinking about getting started on the waistcoat. But then -- oh, the cat wants to cuddle. Oh, I should make lunch. Oh, the cat wants to cuddle again. Oh, it's time for a nap. Oh, I should finish turning the heel on my sock so I can continue knitting without that fiddly bit hanging over my head. Oh, I should read my pattern directions. Oh, what does osnaburg look like?

Well, I feel well-prepared to get started, anyway. If anyone has any resources on tailoring techniques, I'd love to see them. I've looked at Costume Close-up, countless blogs, marquise.de, the LACMA project, and a couple of reenactment groups, and I think my best bet is to skip the bag-lined-and-top-stitched steps and just go straight to make-up-separate-and-turn-allowances-in-and-slip-stitch-together.

My waistcoat fabric is a dark grey. What to use as lining besides white or natural linen? Does colour matter? I have some fun polys in very light weights. Hmmmm.

I pulled the offending pieces off this morning (so easy! Hand sewing paid off!) and then sewed them all back on after i got back from lunch with my sisters. I need to put in buttonholes and buttons and a waist tie, and add extensions to the front cuz its too short to tuck into my waistband. And then it will be really really done!

And now the funnest part... Some sexy sexy neck action! Do i want to make a stock or a cravat? Im leaning towards cravat because i would need a: more and nicer linen for a stock, and b: a stock buckle. Plus i can make a coloured cravat. I want both lol.

So happy that's off the naughty pile. Back to work!