Victorian Geo-cacher

This project is really going back to the beginnings of my sewing adventures! Back in the days before vampires sparkled, I was very much into the dark and mystical. I would go to the shops on Whyte Ave, and browse longingly at the beautiful dresses and coats, wishing that I could afford to buy even one piece. I began to sew my own instead. In those days, my funds restricted me to the discount bins and flimsy cottons, giving my clothing a far less luxurious look than the ones at the store. My sewing skills at the time also left much to be desired, and everything was hand sewn in the days before I mustered the money to buy a machine. I looked like a sad little vampire wanna-be, but I was proud of what I had done. I still own many of those pieces, though I wouldn't dream to wearing them, even if they still fit! I do pull them out once in a while, and remember how long it took to put that together, or where I wore that outfit for the first time.

By the time I was able to afford those pieces I so longed for, I could sew them myself. Bringing us back to...

This project is something I would love to have had back then, when I would have worn it as an everyday outfit. My style has become subdued in my "old age"! But I would wear this for special occasions or outings. In this case, a group of us are going geo-caching in June at a Victorian village, and period costumes are encouraged. You don't have to tell me twice! I stopped in at my local fabric store and began browsing through the patterns the first chance I got! After sifting through the various catalogues, I chose Simplicity 2172. It has the clean lines I was looking for, and should be fairly customizable. Similar patterns in the other books were too frilly and poofy. I love that this one has structured pleats and a great shape. Reviews have said that, while straightforward to make, it is very time consuming. Reviewers were stating 2 months or more of fairly regular work. If that is the case, I should get on it! I have found myself in the last minute panic at the end of what should have been more than enough time... Our Victorian weekend is in mid-June, giving me just over a month. Lets see how this goes!