I spent most of yesterday sewing my captain's coat for the FSB role. It's kind of a miracle coat in a way, heh. I ended up using the gold/maroon/green/navy diamond fabric for it, and although the pattern called for nearly 5 yards of fabric and I had only 3.5, I still made it work. I'm omitting the pocket flap (no pocket in the pattern, just a flap to create the illusion of a pocket) and also omitting the big sleeve cuffs, but am adding a standing collar. I'm also lining the entire coat with the black lining material that has tiny black diamonds in it. :) It's way pretty, though right now, with unfinished sleeve cuffs and unfinished hem, and no braiding or buttons or anything, it looks rather Chinese in design. I'm hoping that once it's all done, and I'm strapped down with various leather belts and such, that it'll be more pirate-y. I also worked on my pants...am using the green striped linen/gauze material, and I had just enough of that as well. I felt kind of like the Hebrews with their oil lamp yesterday...I literally had only scraps of fabric left after cutting out the coat pieces, and when I realized I'd messed up on the collar, I worried that I wouldn't be able to make a new one, but lo and behold, there was one remaining scrap that was *just* big enough to remake the collar. I'd found some green grosgrain ribbon that I was going to buy to finish my pants, but the lady at the cutting table was hogging the cutter lady, so I decided to wait to buy it...good thing, because at home, I have some brown grosgrain that will work just as well. Yay! If only I had a secret stash of a zillion buttons and braid now to finish the coat, heh. So I will need to buy that stuff. Still, I think I'll have what I need to make a new bodice, minus some boning...unless I rob an older bodice, which I might very well do, as insurance against gaining as much weight as I'd need to in order to fit into that bodice again. NOOOO....I'll definitely rob that bodice of boning, heh. I'm sure I have enough grommets...and I'll rob that same bodice of lacing, too.

I feel really empowered to be making the most of what is before me in creating this costume. Thank you, Michelle! :D

In other news, the weight loss battle isn't going well. Seem to be stuck right at 172.5 lately. Though, true, I've been eating more bread than usual, so maybe that's the issue. I'll try to keep a handle on that in the next few days and see if it make s a difference. I'd be thrilled to see the 160's again....even if it is only 169.5, heh. Funny how numbers gain such importance. :p

And in one bit of sad news, Conan, our betta fish of the last 2 years, died yesterday. His death throes lasted nearly all day, and I considered putting him out of his misery, but never was *quite* sure he actually was dying, so figured I'd let him live out his last hours in the comfort and security of the home he'd grown comfortable in. But at last, he gave up the ghost. I'm sure we'll get a replacement fish soon enough...I was shocked to have seen him live as long as he did. He was a good little fish. :)

Better run...work's a-calling!