Daydreaming about....fabric?

Okay, I realize that some people (actually, most people) don't really get a thrill just walking into a fabric store. These people find it all boring, and don't understand why other people find such joy in touching different materials to feel the texture and weight, and just, well...love fabric. Okay, I used to be one of these slightly skeptical people, and would get really bored while my mom would wander through fabric stores at what seemed a turtle pace. I would much rather have been in a clothing store (where stuff is already made, thank-you-very-much), trying on stuff, etc.

Recently, however, I seem to have undergone an alteration in toleration (sorry - I liked how that rhymed)and I now have gone insane. (In the eyes of some people - those same ones we were talking about earlier) ;) I have become obsessed with fabric, patterns, dresses, skirts, trimmings, measuring, etc. I have gone through my little collection of fabric, measuring things to see if I have enough to make something, anything cool. Last night I figured out what fabric we had that I could make work into a peasant costume, but now I might have to alter all my calculations because I'm getting a different pattern. Yes, today I was looking at patterns online - again - and discovered that McCall's has some really awesome historical costumes. My mom let me purchase 4 of them! I got this one vest costume. It's all held together with lacing, and if I make it right, will look totally vintage! Here's a picture:


A little weird, but that's okay with me.

I also got three other patterns. One is a skirt pattern that totally goes with the vest:




Another is this dress that I just fell in love with. I think it is so simple and beautiful. (in case you can't tell, I'm really into medieval stuff right now):



And finally, there's this completely different dress that is a Victorian style. I've been looking for a pattern that I really liked, and I LOVE this one! I'm putting up a couple of pictures.

This first one is the front. This "dress" is cool because it's actually in 4 pieces. There's the top, which is laced up the back, and then there's the skirt, which has a waistband that laces closed, (both are separate, but it still looks like a dress!)



Here's a picture of the back. There's a bustle that you can attach, and also a train. (the pattern actually calls these two things "detachable")



And here is the other picture that was on the pattern envelope. You can see why I fell in love. In fact, I think this would make the most gorgeous wedding dress! (hey, I'm a girl. it's allowed to think about that.) :D Anyway, this dress just makes my happy inside.



So, that's what I've been up to these days. I suppose I should have started by telling you about my fabric shopping trip the other day, but I got distracted by my pattern finds today! I have a habit of such long posts! I'll tell you about my fabric in a different post. :D