Small Projects and Gala Ideas

So, the wedding last weekend went very well, although I'm still recovering (my introvert nature left me exhausted by the end), and I learned a valuable lesson about makeup, stress, and VERY THOROUGH washing: I am still fighting the worst acne outbreak I think I've had since high school.  So, lesson learned: (1) don't wear heavy makeup, and, if you have to, make sure it's okay for oily skin; (2) no matter how tired you are, take a full and thorough shower at the end of the day to remove ANY trace of makeup.  ^__^;;;

Anyway, so, I haven't started my aprons yet, and I just got the idea to make a ruffled skirt out of scraps and MORE PLEATHER (srsly, guyz, I have so much), a la this tutorial:

From the lovely Ruffles and Roses Blog

I don't know how well it'll work with pleather, but I want to try nonetheless.

But, in the meantime, I am working on a super-long sleeve scarf.  I've technically been working on it for ages, trying to replicate this:

From Etsy seller denigunzes' listing

I made the dumb mistake of doing it with size 8 knitting needles and a k2 p2 pattern, however, so it's taking forever.  I've got a little over an arm's length so far, but I only work on it every once and a while, so....it'll be done...someday.

Here's the start of it...

One cool thing about it is that I've experimented with the Russian join technique at long last.  The tutorial I linked is actually better than the one I originally used.  You can see a slight thickening of the yarn, but for a mid-line break or not having to weave ends, it's pretty cool.   It's got it's own tedium though.  (You'll see if you watch the video/try it yourself.)

Gala Ideas

The main crafting news is that I will be in my first official bellydance performance in June!  I got bumped up to level 4 (intermediate 2) because I was the only person signed up for level 3, so I'm going to have fun with the challenge of keeping up with all the excellent ladies in the class.  Thankfully, we'll be doing a veil routine, so they say it's an easier choreography to learn than if we weren't using props.  

And now, of course, I need an outfit for our Gala performance!  I have workout-type stuff and more tribal-esque attire, but not cabaret or general gypsy look, which are our options for the dance.  My friends have their fingers crossed for cabaret, and my totally awesome and lovely friend Katie started brainstorming ideas for a possible cabaret costume for me.  It's a testament to how well she knows me that I instantly fell in love with the idea:

1. Dark orange fabric

2. Silver and Gold accents

3. One-Shoulder/Asymmetrical top (I love asymmetry)

4. One sleeve

So, while there's no confirmation yet if we'll definitely be doing cabaret style, I went ahead and started sketching up some possibilities.

I don't really have solid detail stuff thought out, but you can see here (L to R), the base sleeve (no cut-outs, I don't think), the top front, and the top back.

The straps would be the dark orange fabric gathered and stitched along the bottom/sides of the cups.  The back uses O rings to tie everything.

I have this pinned on Pinterest, but there's no sign of where it originally came from.  Poo.

I was won over by that idea while watching Neysha (one of our studio's dancers) perform last night, and she had similar rings on her costume.  She's also really wonderful.  If I had pictures and permission, I'd flood you with pics: not only is she a fantastic dancer but she's also hilariously funny.  She was dancing outside at restaurant downtown, and business was slow, so we sat outside to watch and chat with her while she danced.  She'd do this gangster "throw-down" thing on occasion depending on who walked by and what they did, and it was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.  Her facial expressions were priceless.  

Anyway, as for the skirt and belt, I'm a little less certain.  For now I'm thinking something along these lines, with a standard embellished belt with silver and gold fringe (matching the top), and either a slit mermaid-ish skirt or a standard skirt with fabric panels:

For a better idea of the skirt panels, I was thinking something along these lines (particularly the second example):

Selkie Dream

OrientDancer.com

OrientDancer.com

I'm also not sure if the panels would be dark orange as well or the skirt, although I think I'm leaning towards the panels.  In which case I'd probably do a brown skirt.  I have one already, although I don't know how well it'll go.  We'll have to see.  The mermaid skirt probably would go better with the top and sleeve, but I'm not sure about the slit skirt with my short, muscular, pasty legs.  Hmmm....

Well, that's where things stand at the moment.  Thoughts or suggestions?