New project in the planning stage!

I am in the process of planning a new, non knitting project. HD and I are going to a summer black tie event and, as luck would have it, the two formals I have are winter ones! Darn! An excuse to make another smashing gown! I've been looking for just that excuse! I plan to make this:


I love dresses with trains and I found an article showing different styles of bustles. Both my other formals have this shape of skirt and I did a French bustle in the back that worked out perfectly when I wanted to move around more freely. It appears that this little lovely will require some specialized lingerie!

My quandary for this dress is finding a source with the type of fabric I should use. I have found affordable silk charmeuse which is lovely and drapey but the pattern calls for Peau de Soie, Shantung or heavier bridal type satin. Of course as luck would have it, G-Street's summer sale ended this past Sunday and I just couldn't get there. Everything was 25% off and I had a coupon for an additional 25% so I easily could have chosen a fabric that normally goes for $50 a yard or so. I'm thinking that I may have to use one of the discount silk vendors out of California unless I end up going with the Charmeuse which I can get almost anywhere. I'm thinking turquoise or a lighter shade of olive or apple green. I have a muted pumpkin color silk for a winter gown so I need more of a jewel tone for this one!

I spent today with HD roam around Colonial Williamsburg which was enjoyable with the exception of the excessive heat and humidity--well into the 90's with a heat index over 100 degrees! Ems told me that there was a horrible storm in Baltimore with hail. Also, apparently lightening hit the steeple of a church and caused a 5 alarm fire. She was watching it from her 19th floor window! Glad I missed that! It'll be good to get home tomorrow!

Kitty Cam:
Greg knows how to spend a hot day--chilling on an easy chair in the shade!