The Bling Fairies have been at work

I've done only one of those Kate - it was for a little miss who was drum major for a marching band and there was no such thing as a uniform her size. The problem I had was that the tails of the coat wanted to signal for a left turn. I opened the lining and made little padded pockets with silver dollars for weights. That solution kept the coat looking neat and allowed her the freedom of motion that she had to have. For Bling, you only get a score of 9 out of 10. For a ten, you'll have to go cut the heavy fringe from somebody's front parlor draperies. Only after you go quite mad, of course, but it could happen. Polly

Wait until you see how we build the epauletes... Wide braid, curtain bullion fringe and fusible buckram rule OK! :D

As for weights... I can't afford silver dollars (or silver Crowns as we have here*), so we make do with curtain weights or large steel washers!

This one is based on the Dress Coat of a Captain or Commander, according to the 1812 regulations, and now in the National Maritime Museum. Real Hornblower stuff!

*But I do have one of these: My grandfather sent them out to us kids (we were living in Malta at the time) when they were issued. I've just got mine back after my bro found them tucked away with my mother's stuff.

I think the reason I used the silver dollars was because marching bands go right ahead and parade on even if there's a downpour and was concerned about staining or rust. They also get right sweaty - nothing like driving a car full of smelly band members in wet wool uniforms. Nothing. Also, I think I used the silver because that's what I had. So glad you're going to 'do' fringe. You just may move from a score of

9 to 10. Seems like we had to burn the fr>> I've done only one of those Kate - it was for a little miss who was drum

Oh, did I tell you that I LOVE Hornblower?! ;-)) That thing is a treat; I don't know if I mentioned it, but I gave the 'Dressed to kill' book to my dad for his birthday; when I asked him recently where it was he didn't even know (I had wanted to look something up). Ah well, perhaps he'll be able to appreciate it some time; if not I'll ask it back of him.

U.

It's a great book. I think mine might wear out... ;)

I was slight;y addicted to Hornblower as a kid. Along the same time as I was addicted to Hayer!

Yowza!!!! Gonna be gorgeous!!!!!!! I recognized that face when you were wrestling.....I have made that face myself many, many times. LOL Do you have this stuff over there

It would reduce the need for so many pins. It really will hold the trim in place. I've used it for zippers, trims, even the underlap on a fly. It won't gum up the needle on the machine either.

Just a thought. It won't reduce the wrestling though. ;)

Great work!! (and where was the cat picture this time hmm??? lol) Sharon

Yes, and I do use it sometimes. Not on this though...

Thing is that this cannot be washed, and the tape leaves things a bit stiff. I did baste the second sleeve, and it went much better!

No - only sewing them on by hand will do that!

Thanks. :)

Gratuitous cat was out all day! His sister was taking a duvet day upstairs...

Well, I think the difference between Heyer and Forester is that the Hornblower novels taught me to think plans through, and be prepared, while the Heyer novels had a tendency to lead me astray in my aims in life. And I wasn't addicted to Hornblower, I had a crush on him. A-hemm! ;-)

U.

I loved them both for different things. Both were high-class escapism and boredom-eaters for boarding school in the days of little or no telly and acres of bugger all to do once homework was completed.