Green Sleeve

I have one sleeve ready to be placed. The cap pleats are only pinned at this point as the stitching goes through the outer and inner sleeve. But check out the strange cuffs! There is also a small dart at the elbow, which I thought odd. Yes...all those pleats were a pain in the behind :)

Bodice Done

The bodice is complete with piping. Next up the sleeves.

Green Check Bodice Progress

First I must say this is a difficult pattern to work with. I'm finding the finished dimensions not as accurately as I'd like them, which then threw off the FBA adjustment. I used the size based on the measurements given but think I could have used a size of two smaller with just the FBA. But with a few tweaks I think I have it fitting the way I need. Had to take in the waist several inches after the adjustment, more than was added with the adjustment, and take a lot out of the the armsyce.

Here is the bodice so far.

Hopewell Furnace Dress Progress

The bodice is cut out and progressing. The lining is basically just a darted bodice, so nothing spectacular. The fashion fabric bodice is a pleated with several pleats. Looks like a fan front. I have one side done; here are some pictures.

Full bodice side

A close up of the pleats

A little closer

There are more pleats than the pattern calls for as I had to expand the bust line, which in turn added to the waist. Now on to the next side.


Hopewell Furnace Preparation

I get to go to the Into the Eye of the Storm event the end of May!! The event is held at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Pennsylvania; not too far from my friend in West Chester. I'm so excited! It will be a different impression than I usually do--working class, no hoops. Thank goodness as I don't think my hoops will survive another suitcase trip.

So now I need to prepare my wardrobe. I need another pair of drawers for sure, check on what I have for an apron, I have petticoats and chemises, stockings, sunbonnet...but I want a new dress...of course.

I plan to use the green check homespun I had purchased some time ago for the Piney Woods event I never made it to. I am going to use the Fig Leaf Pattern 201 that I picked up at the Harrisburg Conference.

But drawers first. If it comes down to time and I can't finish the green check I still have the blue and white homespun I can wear.

Drawer fabric is done drying so off to cut patterns!

Day 7 Conference Trip: Going Home

March 5, 2013

Angie had planned to drive to Virginia Beach this morning, but a heavy storm was predicted so she cancelled her trip. We had a late check out so we lounged. Angie made some work calls and I slept on and off trying to fight the plague. I felt bad as it was such a waste of a day for her with me sick in bed.

Eventually we had to check out. My flight didn't leave until 5:00 but Angie had to take the car back and stock up for the potential storm so I had her just drop me off at the airport.

The check in staff at Delta in Philadelphia were the rudest, most unhelpful, sarcastic group of people I ever had the displeasure of working with; actually telling one customer they wouldn't help her and making snide comments about how heavy my bag was (under the weight limit). But I at least got the bag checked and headed for my gate. UPDATE: I emailed Delta about my experience and received a personal response and Skymiles for the inconvenience. Hopefully their statement of following up with the team was not hot air.

Time went by fairly quickly; I wondered around to some of the shops and read. Time came around for my flight and there was a maintenance issue and delay again. Too long delayed to make my connection in Memphis so I was rerouted to Atlanta.

I had paid for an upgrade to Economy Comfort to Memphis but did not get it to Atlanta. When I explained the situation in Atlanta I was given the upgrade to Austin. I had the whole row to myself. The flight left from the international terminal and the plane was a wide body. Another UPDATE: They refunded the cost of upgrade as well! So Delta had some issues, but they did try to make it right in the end.

Nice trip home. So ends another conference trip. I already have hotel reservations for next year!

Day 6 Conference Trip: Tea and Flower Show

March 4, 2013

A leisurely start to the day. The Plague is still with me but Alka Seltzer Plus is helping me along the way. We decided to get a hotel room near the airport in Philadelphia for convenience for the next day as Angie had planned to head to Virginia Beach. This also meant she needed to get a rental car. So while I showered she went to pick up the car. I asked when she returned what she got and all I got in return "it runs, you'll see when we go."

So we packed up and headed out...in the lap of luxury! Angie rented a Mercedes GLK. OMG!! Nice car. A little disappointed with the data port availability, but it rides nice. So on to Philadelphia.

We got an early check in so we were able to drop off stuff and relax a bit. Angie had some work stuff to do and since I was still coldish it was nice down time. We had a light lunch at the hotel and about 2:00 headed into town for tea.

Tea was at the Rittinhouse hotel, across from Rittinhouse park. Great neighborhood, wonderful architecture, cold walk from the parking garage. The usual tea room is being renovated but the room they used temporarily had a nice view of the park. The tea service was beautiful and the food very tasty. I usually do not like tea but I choose a citrus blend that was rather good. Random photos of Philadelphia are here.

After tea we headed to the flower show. Angie was able to get comp tickets good after 3:00. The show was at the convention center. So many beautiful exhibits! The theme was Britain. One exhibit was an interpretation of Big Ben. On the hour a video would play on the clock face which highlighted the British music invasion from the Beatles to Led Zepplin to Adam Ant. There were some pictures that looked like paintings but were all done with flowers. Another exhibit included literary interpretations of Jane Austen, Dracula, and Beatrix Potter. I was a bit disappointed in the Austen one. It became a little overwhelming after awhile :) I'm really glad I was able to go, even though I felt like caca. More pictures of the show here.

 

As we left the show, some type of emergency shut down the parking garage and we ended up hanging out at in the Hilton lobby next door and watched the fire truck. When we got back to the hotel I went straight to bed heavily medicated.