Climbing out of the costume avalanche...

Hello Dhaaarlings...

It's me! Princess... remember that old thing?

Well darlings... I'm finally clawing my way out from under the enormous pile of costumes i've been sourcing/creating for this years production of

Oklahoma! for Nexus Bendigo Youth Theatre. 

click on the link above and check out the fantastic trailer for the show made by one of our year 12 student.
The clip is also running at the local movie theatre.

Have a brows through some of the video clips of rehehearsals..

This year the standard of production has been stepped up in every area as the performance has been scheduled for 4 shows at the Capital Theatre in Bendigo
A real theatre!

There have also been publicity shoots with the local Newspapers and TV news

As you can imagine...  true to our usual form we have a cast of thousands... well 70 in fact but all need at least one costume change so start with 140 costumes and add on from there...

There has been the usual drama and attempts at in-fighting with the costume team but they haven't got much traction I have politely refused to get drawn into attempted  power plays rising above all the drivel and bitching and just getting on with the job. Far more satisfying

I have a great team of Mums that work hard and really appreciate my support for them...

Back in May I found myself making a Bridal Gown for a private customer amid the planning and confusion of costumes for the show.

I can't say it was a breeze as the bride had picked out a style of gown more suited to an amazon like stick insect... which she wasn't.

Short and dumpy comes to mind.

So after much discussion, pattern engineering and many many ajustments and fittings later... she finally looked a picture of lovelyness and floated down the aisle...

Huge success in the end despite many a sleepless night working out a pattern that was eventually most flattering and caused much positive feedback from guests at the wedding.

During this time I was also interviewed by the local newspaper as they  were running a series for "Volunteer Week" 
We talked about my work at the opportunity shop and my costume making for Nexus.
The next thing I know there's a half page spread about me in the local paper.

 The costumes for Nexus have been fun to make with multiple full circle skirts, pettitcoats, bloomers, waistcoats and chaps.
The bulk of the costumes have been sourced from the op shop the cowboy shirts are op shop sourced and then I've sewn western looking yokes on to them.

There is a ballet scene in the show that includes can can girls
The costumes for these have been real fun to make... It's amazing what one can do with old circular tablecloths! And finally after 5 years of owning an overlocker with a differential feed i discovered how to gather fabric on it to make ruffles for the inner lining of the can can dresses. (usually i'd be sitting for hours pulling miles and miles of thread to gather the fabric into frills...
So much quicker and easier... duh!

I'm coming up the home stretch and the show opens in three weeks...
There a few bits and pieces that still need to be completed but the bulk of the work is finished...
Apart from the fat suits... Did I mention I'm also making  fat suits for some of the guys in the cast that need to look like old men... I guess skinny old men just don't cut it any more....  

Life is good, Thanks for the Birthday wishes on Sunday just gone, i spent a relaxing day doing absolutely nothing...
The Empress remains in good health but gets frustrated that she can't do what she used to and needs to take a day off in bed occasionally...
Having celebrated her 76th birthday the week berfore mine I think she has earned the occasional rest day...

I managed to pay off a new camera in time for my birthday but haven't had a chance to learn to drive it yet. I'ts programme photo's on wednesday next week so hopefully will have some costume pics to share

Till then darlings... Bottoms up!