Finished the hot-pink cheongsam-top (well, almost; it needs some hand-stitching around the armholes and the lining needs to be sewn to the zipper in back) and my, it is lovely! I will be finishing it and making the matching tutu today.
The ideas are coming fast and furious now – I was browsing the Keepsake Quilting catalog and think it would be lovely to do a quilted/pieced top (perhaps in bargello?). I keep thinking of interesting designs, but I’m already backlogged two tutus’ worth (the Victorian in white and the corset in red/black) so I’m trying not to get myself further backlogged. Britex Fabrics (which is known for having fabulously beautiful – and fabulously expensive – fabrics) is having a 30% off sale next Monday which I will probably attend as well…the fabrics are still too expensive even at 30% off, but the remnants may turn out to be a good deal, and the laces.
For the red corset I am thinking of trimming it with black and putting it atop a red-and-black skirt, the red in the form of petals descending down the black underskirt, a la this pattern (click if you want to see a larger version):
(The pattern, should you wish to purchase it, is from Truly Victorian, and is located here.)
Also went out for my first ride in over a month – and felt much stronger than I expected! I only did one round of the Portola Loop, and am not riding today (going to the gym for strength training instead), but on Friday I may do a two-hour ride, and then a longer one on Saturday if that goes well. Next week if I feel strong enough I’ll probably ride down to Los Gatos for hot chocolate (about 3 hours) and then tackle Page Mill. It’s just about time to start training again.