Cleaning out my closet

[naomikritzer]

Buried under layers of closet detritus, I found the t-tunic I made for myself back in 1991, during my brief flirtation with the SCA. Like all t-tunics, it would fit a range of sizes. It's made of cotten flannel which I dyed a sort of periwinkle. I think I usually wore something fancier over top, but the fancier item was borrowed from a friend. Anyone want it? You probably have to be local; my follow-through is terrible if a trip to the post office is required.

Going back into the closet once I'm done will be my velvet ball gown. I have worn it once: to the WisCon fancy dress party a couple of years ago. I am unlikely to ever wear it again except, possibly, to the WisCon Fancy Dress Party. Although Kiera keeps pulling it out and asking me why I never wear it, so maybe I should throw a fancy ball sometime. The problem is, when you're the hostess for a party, you really do need the use of your arms, and the sleeves of this dress are so tight when fastened up that I pretty much can't bend my arms with it on. Impractical, bulky, but also sentimental and not something I can just replace if I find another occasion when I need it.

Comments

[swords-and-pens.livejournal.com]

You may want to save the tunic for a future Halloween costume for you or the girls. That kind of thing can be turned into a lot of different outfits with the right accessories (and an occasional application of scissors or a quick & dirty hem).

[naomikritzer]

They already have a generously equipped costume box, and there's a great rummage sale held nearby each September, by which time I can usually shop with the planned Halloween costume in mind. (Molly currently wants to go as Harry Potter; I don't anticipate a whole lot of trouble with that costume. Although she may change her mind when she realizes that there will be other Harrys running around -- she's gotten a huge kick over the last few years of coming up with a unique costume idea.)

[servant-of-clio.livejournal.com]

Does Molly wear glasses? 'Cause as I recall, she already kinda looks like Harry Potter.

[naomikritzer]

Molly does wear glasses but has long, curly/messy hair and would make an excellent Hermione, IMO, but she prefers to go as Harry.

[malachitefer.livejournal.com]

Sigh. I love your velvet ball gown. Sadly, while I actually have lots of opportunities to wear ball gowns, they all involve 2-3 hours of vigorous dancing, so anything with sleeves or made of velvet just isn't practical.

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

Heh. I joined in 1998 and retired in 2002, and after Meg was born I had a nice little sale to get rid of all our SCAdian stuff. Now we have a nice box under our bed with one complete SCA outfit each. In case of SCA marriage/funeral/peerage of close friend, open box. (Although last time, I had to make a t-tunic for Meg; the t-tunic I made, which dragged the ground then, is tea-length now. If we have to go to anything else, I'll make new stuff for the kids.)

I think you should throw a fancy ball! Just, you know, hire help to handle all that hostessy stuff. ;)

[yankee-in-texas.livejournal.com]

Could you find someone to modify your gown so you can move your arms in it?

I still have a bridesmaid dress that would, if cut apart and put back together differently, make a very nice fancy-dress gown. Does it make sense to keep it? No. I also have a bridesmaid dress that my aunt wore in the 70s, because I adore it, even though no amount of obsessive dieting will ever allow me to wear it, as I am too short with too broad shoulders. Sadly, my female offspring has my body type, so I no longer have any excuse at all for keeping it, except that I love it. It is so pretty! Ooh... maybe Bert will want it someday. He has the right body type. There we are, all excused up again.