All sorts of new things....UPDATE

So, what has been going on in the Pacific Northwest? So many things! As many of you may know, being on the Leadership Board of the ORS means that there is planning and events going on all the time. I have been fortunate enough to be one the planners of the Annual Regency Retreat!! I have to say, above and beyond the whole idea, the location and the fact that so many new people will be there, I'm pretty proud of how our whole leadership team has gotten this coordinated, planned and we are a fantastic team! As a part of our website, we have a new page on the website, the "Who's who" of the leadership team, and we had very special photos taken. We had a professional to take our pictures in our finest gowns. Thanks to Mrs. Johanesen, our photos look like oil paintings. Including of our newest leader, our only Junior leader Miss Lilyan . Yes, you can squee:




 She is really about 40 in the body of a 12 year old and she is great at google-ing event sites and has lots to include. I'm pretty proud.

I also got my photos taken too. My Favorites being the one with Lily..cause, well..its silly

So, believe it or not, the white gown is all handmade, and has gold trimming. I felt very grecian in it, which leads me to the other awesome thing...which is under it!  Originally I had my "push them to the sky" stays, which of course have a time and place, but I wanted to wear my more comfortable rose stays and COULDN'T FIND THEM ANY WHERE so, what did I do? Yup, I made new ones. :) I wont bore you with construction details (but will gladly answer any questions you may have). I decided to go with front closers. Its easier to get in and than the "to busk or not to busk" question is moot. The pattern was altered from an altered pattern from Mrs. Johanesen loosely based on the Sense and Sensibility pattern. I quilted them, I made what felt like ridiculously too spread open gussets and spiral lacing and replaceable silk ribbon straps. No, as you can see above, I had no sitting problems, and the ladies dont make you feel or look like stuffed sausage. Plus size ladies deserve to look this beautiful.

Now, Im thinking I need new chemise and petticoats. I used to think of them as just blah things no one needs to see, but I have come to a place in my sewing, where the details matter. It took some time, but I finally finished a velvet Spencer jacket for my Patroness. It took months of picking it up, putting it down, taking it apart, swapping the sleeves...but now...its done.

 


 I  have been a little busy. Can you tell?

So my parting words are this: I love to sew. I would love to sew for you. Or have tea. My studio is always open.

As always, your servant
Mrs. Azevedo,
Modiste and A Baronets' Daughter.