This special blog goes out to my sweet blog-friend and talented fellow costumer, PS77.

I must say, I LOVE my new sewing machine! Why, JP? Because it's fancy? Because it's one of those shiny new computerized types?

Ah, no. Because it's mine. This Princess finally has her own sewing machine. It was a present from my wonderful mom (who already had given me plenty). It's simple, sure, and she got it on clearance...but it belongs to me! I can't tell you how much I love my little baby. Well, I love her when the upper thread behaves. Don't know what that means? It's all good. Just smile and pretend like you're listening. Anyway, my upper thread kept getting caught or something and would stitch a few centimeters and then snap. I adjusted the tension- same deal! All I did was change the thread color (same brand and type!) and my machine started hating me. I kept re-threading and re-threading until it finally started working again. No clue what happened, but we're all fine, here...now...how are you?

This blog marks the near-completion of my trial run for Leia's classic ANH costume. But JP, don't you already have that one completed? Why, yes I do, but it wasn't all that accurate (and completely worn out from all those years of being Leia for Halloween) so I'm making it again! The cool thing about this particular costume, however, is that I'm doing it without any help. I had lots of help with the Ceremonial costume, which I wore for the 1st time to my senior prom! I want my C4 stuff to reflect my own creativity and abilities...and I need to prove to myself that I can do this.

I'm also nearly done with Leia's Ceremonial belt- a bit of crafty handiwork, if I may say so myself. I already had one of those too. Cool? Yes. Crafty? Definitely. Accurate? Not at all.

In short, I have TONS of work to do if I want 4 Leia costumes for C4:

Senatorial: Trial run nearly completed. Goals: find fabric & cut.
Ceremonial: Dress completed. Goals: Finish belt.
Bespin: In planning stages. Goals: Find tunic pattern, draft vest/cape.
Slave: In planning stages (my secret: floral tape). Goals: Drop a couple more pounds.

Keep me accountable, bloggers! I need your help! Please remind me to put down the chocolate and eat my veggies! (More pics in the weeks to come...)

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BONUS BLOG:

Check this out and take a look at the pictures. This is 1 block from where I go to school and work every day and my L line goes right through there, so I've had lots of issues these past few days. My building (which was designed by the same legendary architect) still smells like smoke and a haze still sits over much of the South Loop. Every time they tried to tear that building down, flames would start up again. I actually watched this happen from during one of my rehearsals on Friday, but I guess I knew the spirit of Louis Sullivan wouldn't go down that easily.

Forcefully,
JP