So last night, I went to Mary Robinette Kowal’s Shades of Milk and Honey reading at Powell’s (which was quite a lovely event and she did a puppet show that was delightful and damn me, I did not get pictures but I did get one of her adorable promotional sandalwood fans). Anyway, after she was done with her signing, she and I and Sara Mueller and Dave Goldman went out for a quick beer & snack at Cedar Hills McMenamins and we got to talking about costuming—specifically, whether I should wear a costume for my launch party at World Fantasy. And even more specifically, whether I should SEW a costume for my launch party at World Fantasy.

And I must admit, I have been drooling over several patterns over at Truly Victorian. And heck, I have almost 2 months to work, right? (Right, 2 months in which I have NOTHING ELSE GOING ON. Ahem.) But besides the time, there’s the budgetary restraints. Victorian gowns take quite a bit of fabric, and luxurious fabric at that. (Or at least luxurious-seeming fabric, but even polyester taffeta or douppion ain’t cheap. And fringe! For God’s sake, have you priced out fringe recently, ladies?)

But looking at the patterns, I am in a state of so so so want, despite all the obstacles arrayed in my path. We shall see how things develop. If I find 15 yards of black silk taffeta at Goodwill within the next week or two, I’ll know what the Gods intend.