The Costume

Last year at this time I was doing our local production of Les Miserables.  I made and worked on many costumes for that show. This is one of the posts from that time.  I have mentioned before that I like making costumes.  If you are interested you can read other posts about costumes by looking at the labels on the right.

My choice of fabric for costumes had been mainly cottons and cotton blends.  Even for fancier clothes. When my older kids were in Christian school in San Jose, they didn't have Halloween there.  They had Famous Americans Day which was celebrated the day before Thanksgiving.  The children wrote a report about a famous American and then dressed as that person.  There was a contest for the reports and for the costumes, per each class.  I thought it was great idea and the girls loved it.  Maybe not the report writing, though both won the essay contest at least once.

Alex, (L) was Helen Keller that year.

Elizabeth was Elizabeth Blackwell.

But once years before that, I made Elizabeth a clown costume using satin.  That was tricky.  Satin is slippery and it ravels terribly.

This is Alex wearing the hand-me-down clown costume.

After that experience I didn't sew shiny, slippery fabrics again until this year.

When Elizabeth got married, I made 2 of her 3 bridesmaid dresses.  It was May so we found lovely fine cotton floral fabric.  I'm sorry I don't have a photo of those dresses.  They turned out nice. Though not of silk or satin.

This Fall, a friend of mine asked me to make a costume for her granddaughter.  Helen had planned to make it herself but fire intervened and she asked me.  She had purchased nearly everything that was needed so all I had to do was get sewing.

Three fabrics (all slippery and shiny) thread, a zipper, braided trims and the pattern.  She even brought pins.

The sliver dotted fabric and the lovely heavy satin-type knit for the under dress.

The organza over cape attached, it still needs the sleeves.

A close-up of the braid at the waist.

All done. So happy.

I was going to take it over to Helen so I sent a text asking what day was best. There was still 10 days until Christmas.  She replied that she was already in Arizona with her family and could I mail it.  I did.

I hear the little one is loving her present from her Grandma.

And once more let me wish everyone a wonderful Christmas. A time to remember the greatest gift of all. God's gift to us, His Son, Jesus.

O Holy Night

Sung by the King's College Choir, Cambridge

Just so you Know

I am still planning to write my blog.  I believe I may have writer's block.  Though I'm busy doing things,  I'm not sure any of it is of interest.

Christmas time is wonderful.  I like celebrating the greatest gift.  God, our Father's gift of His Son.  I also like shopping for presents and decorating the tree.  Going to Christmas pageant's and concerts. Once in a while go to see the Nutcracker.  I love the Russian dancers.

Watch them here.

The Chinese dancer and Arabian dancers are also good.  Well, frankly, the whole darn show is grand.

One of my all time favorite Christmas movies is "The Homecoming"   Preview here.

When I was a child, I loved "Amahl and the Night Visitors." When I looked on YouTube, there were several versions.  If you're interested you can look them up.  The ones I watched years ago were performed live each year.

I also love "A Charlie Brown Christmas."  I love "Christmas Time is Here."  Here.

Perhaps I'll post again before Christmas comes, but in case I don't,  Happy Christmas to all of you and a peaceful, healthy, fun New Year.

Joy to the World