I managed half an hour of cycling on the trainer yesterday, plus about an hour of weaving, which was lovely, but when I woke up this morning my ankle was a bit stiffer than before. So I didn’t get on the trainer today and only spent about half an hour weaving, in hopes of not aggravating it any further. I’m hoping to be able to do a long ride by next weekend. (Fortunately, it rained all weekend anyway, so I didn’t really miss out on much – I hate riding in rain! so I wouldn’t have been out anyway.)
I have finished the cashmere/silk handwoven jacket and the cloth-of-gold tutu for AIDS Lifecycle. I’ve also cut out the pieces for what will be a delectable magenta top, about the color of bleeding-hearts, which will go over an iridescent red/navy blue embroidered-organza tutu. It’s a pattern I’ve done before, in white – here’s a photo from AIDS Lifecycle 5 – but in bleeding-heart magenta with the burgundy tutu I imagine it will look quite different. I think I will put big purple organza roses on the shoulders instead of silk flowers.
Also got some red ribbon for the white tutu, which right now looks like an elaborate silk nightie, being completely white. (Sometimes I think the elaborate nature of bridal wear is just to distinguish it from pajamas.) I think I’m going to cover it in red AIDS ribbons, but haven’t decided yet. It definitely needs some color contrast to put it into shape.
I am also contemplating an an Elizabethan pattern from Simplicity – #3782. I like the look of the stuffed ridges going over the shoulders, whatever they’re called – would probably eliminate or drastically shorten the sleeves (maybe a puff sleeve), but I like the overall look. And, being designed for use with a hoop skirt, it’s probably set up right to go over a tutu! I think that would work nicely. I just need to figure out the right fabric, trim, etc. to make it work. Too bad I missed Britex’s 30% off everything in the store sale. Their prices are ungodly, but they have really nice stuff.
Finally, I picked up a pattern for a very nice over-robe and dress – Butterick 4732. I fell in love with it at the shop, for two reasons: one, I think it’s beautiful and elegant, and two, it’s done in narrow panels! I am not quite sure whether it’s narrow enough to accommodate the 21″ fabric (about the widest I can weave on my loom) but I imagine I could adapt it if necessary. I think it would make a gorgeous light coat, and/or a great wedding dress should Mike and I ever get married. I can totally envision it in a mix of white and tussah silks. But I can also envision it in a bunch of other weaves and colors – anything with a vertical line would look beautiful and elegant. I really really want to try doing it in handwoven something.
Four completed tutus (white, red, hot pink, gold/red velvet), one with magenta and purple, one with peacock feathers – that brings me up to six tutus. The seventh, if I have time to do it, will be of handwoven fabric on a handpainted warp – purples and blues with patches of red-orange, I think. I really want to wear something handwoven – don’t know if I’ll have time to weave it, though. If I have to fall back, I’ll go to the Elizabethan tutu.
