When I first started this blog, I was an unemployed costumer attempting to create period gowns and costumes with very limited means. Although now employed, I still try to be as thrifty as possible. I am still "The Broke Costumer"!

In addition to posts about the outfits I make on a budget, this blog includes short research articles on fashion, history, accessories, styles, or whatever interests me at the moment.


I hope you enjoy my journey into the land of inexpensive costuming and short articles.




Friday, December 9, 2011

Loose Change Project - Change of Plans!

As I posted previously, I have been saving my coins and planned on cashing them in and saving the proceeds to purchase some beautiful pink plaid silk taffeta from a friend.  I already paid her the first of three planned installment payments, and was working on number two.  Another friend I have sewed costumes for in the past called me last week and wanted a new Belle costume from Beauty and the Beast.  I previously made her the yellow ball gown. Here she is wearing it.



She needed the Belle green library dress for a Christmas party on the 10th.  We had to scramble, as that gave me only the weekend and a few evenings during this week to complete it.  I agreed to do it for one reason - that PINK PLAID!!!!  So I charged Ms. Belle the balance of what I owed Ms. Pink Plaid.  Ms. Belle bought all the fabric for her green dress, so I basically sewed the Belle dress in exchange for the rest of the pink plaid.

Here is the Belle doll, and here is the picture of the dress in progress, nearly finished.  Keep in mind, Ms. Belle is quite a bit smaller than I am, so the dress looks kind of frumpy on my dress form. It is no where near close to fastening in the back on it!!!  I will post a picture of my friend in the finished dress as soon as she sends me some.

         
So, I will continue to save up my loose change, for a future project.  I see a Titanic Era dress in the new year!  The Titanic Artifact Exibition is coming to the San Diego Natural History Museum and will be here in April for the 100 year anniversary.   I want my picture taken in an evening gown on the grand staircase they have built for the exhibit.  Oh, now I am all excited thinking about it!

6 comments:

  1. Now you've discovered a whole new way to find money for making your costumes on the cheap. Just give yourself time to make your own too. :)
    Val

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  2. Lol! Now that the pink is ready to go, I have three things lined up to do: (1) The natural form bodice that goes with the skirt I just made. (2) Pink Plaid (3) a cream and tan stripe I haven't blogged about yet! These projects will not be started until January. I have to make my sister-in-law a costume from Dr. Who for her Christmas present.

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  3. I believe I saw you at the HMS Steampunk Ball the other weekend. Were you there in your purple dress?
    I am loving your blog. Wonderful work! :)

    -Cins

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  4. Hi Cins, YES! That was me, tripping all over my train pretending to waltz. Next time I go to a period dance (that was my first)I will NOT be wearing a train! What were you wearing? My boyfriend posted his photos on his photography site. Here is a link: http://jerryabuan.zenfolio.com/p51790943/h75b7e7e#h75b7e7e

    FYI I also made my daughter's dark red dress. She is in this picture with me. Another inexpensive dress I made I should probably blog about.

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  5. You looked fantastic! I recognized the dress from your blog. I had a feeling that was you. Beautiful work. I think I saw the red dress as well. If its the one I think it is, that one was also one I was completely admiring.:)
    My husband and I were the ones dressed from the middle east. I was in the red turban if you saw me lurking about. He had on the fez.
    Hope to see you again at another event!:)

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  6. Looks great!
    Hurrah for trade-offs.
    And oh my gosh, am I excited! I didn't know they were doing a titanic exhibit. I want to play dress up, too :)

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