I hath trekked all about south San Jose, and I hath procured many fyne stuffs for mine gowne of 1580s indeed forsooth perdee certize. Ehem.
I took light rail to a bus down to Blossom Hill to the World’s Lamest Jo-Ann Fabrics. I thought the Jo-Ann on Stevens Creek was kinda weak, but omg, this one was lame lame lame! Tiny, poorly organized, no bridal selection to speak of, and it must be where polyester goes to die. Even the quilting and scrapbooking selections were pathetic. Jayzus. However, I did find buckram, of all things. I’ve never found buckram at a Jo-Ann. It was lightweight, but only $2.99, so I bought 4 yards using a 40%-off coupon, and I figure I can double it and use it for small hats and craft projects, which is mostly what I use buckram for anyway. I don’t need the heavy stuff much. Also bought the cheap cotton that was on sale, in pink, for my chemise, which I’ll do some machine faux blackwork on to go w/the whole black and pink undies thing I’ve got planned. This made the tedious trip not a total waste.
Since the bus out there only ran once an hour, I decided to walk two miles to Oakridge Mall for the Hancock Fabrics (better to move for a half hour than sit and wait for the next bus). Found that Hancock had the very same beads I’d bought on Friday at Michaels, but in bulk at 25% off this weekend. So I bought a bunch more. Plus pearls.
Next, I trekked via light rail and yet another bus back to the usual Jo-Ann to get that ivory silk studded w/pearls. Discovered it was $29.99, not $39.99. Nice. Used the 50%-off coupon and got 3 yards. Then, after leaving the store, I freaked, thinking I could have bought plain silk and pearled it myself for less. But really, $15 per yard? Dupioni (and barely slubbed at that) is $10-$15 per yard already, add the cost of pearls, plus my own time, and it’d cost the same. So no great expense, really. I hope.
I had a bit of a meltdown Saturday night about how much this costume is costing me. I haven’t spent this much on one outfit since my wedding gown, and that included the shoes, tiara, petticoat, and everything. Which this does too, it’s skin-out. And I hope I look as fabulous as I did on my wedding day. It’s that kind of outfit, at least in my imagination. It’s not like I’m spending all this money on shoes or a PlayStation — I’m buying materials to further my own creative pursuits. If I were a painter and spent $250 on oils and canvases, people wouldn’t begrudge me, so I shouldn’t feel bad.
I probably feel worse because it’s the holiday season. I’m spending my paycheck on *me* when I could be spending it on others or the poor or something. Though I will be doing that too. At the family gathering on Friday, we decided we’d all chip in and give a herd of animals from Heifer International together. I can give a chunk towards that, even after this silly costume stuff. I’ve budgeted it all out. We’re good. But I still feel guilty. *sigh*
I’m almost done now. I only need to order boning and gold lace. That is IT. The lace can even wait till January, since it’s for the ruff. Screw the soldered rings. I have grommets, I’ll use those and not do the hand-sewn eyelets. Fuck that noise. It’s an expense in cash and time. Aglets for tie-on sleeves are not necessary either — I can make the sleeves attach w/hooks and eyes under the epaulets, and I have plenty of hooks and eyes. And I don’t need a pearl and garnet girdle. Totally optional. I have materials for a hat already. I even pre-washed a zillion loads of yardage. I just need to, y’know, actually sew some shit now!