Of crafting successes and fabric woes

First, the good news.

These past few days I've felt more crafty than in a while, so I finally made a couple things from materials in my stash. Knowing my love for headdresses, you shouldn't be surprised at this one. (I'm sorry to say the flash washed everything out--that pillow it's lying on is a dark green. I love silky ribbons, but flash doesn't tend to do them justice.)

 

It isn't done yet, but it's coming along better than my previous one. I plan to make quite a few, partly to get the hang of it (making headdresses is harder than we've been led to believe, as Victoria Suzanne of Lolita Charm pointed out in this post), and partly because I intend to have a vast, darkly beribboned collection of them. Vast, I say. Along with my collection of lace-up boots and frilly parasols.

I'll add a crocheted lace edging on top of the ruffle (to hide the ribbon edges), and to that end I've been learning to crochet. I was attempting this edging pattern, but I've realized I need a lot more knowledge of the craft before I can do something that complicated (sigh). So I think a simpler pattern will be just as nice, especially for a practice headdress.

For the longest time I've wanted to make a shiro corsage out of some things I had laying around, and I finally have.

I love the way it turned out, if I do say so! I mostly part ways with JoAnn's when it comes to lace, but I love this lace. It's the roses that do me in. <3 I made wristcuffs out of the rest of the lace and some of that white-embroidered ribbon you see on the bow, but I don't have fastenings sewn onto them yet so I'll wait to dazzle you with worn pics.

Now, the disheartening news.

My samples from Dharma Trading Co came, and they're nice, but not as heavy and/or drapey as I'd hoped for. Partly my problem is just figuring out what type of fabric I'm looking for (a surprisingly difficult task). So far I'm intrigued by this fabric at Favorite Fabrics. The vines are so pretty! I like working with plain fabrics better than prints, but I don't at all mind (in fact, I love) having a swirly intricate print as long as it's black on black.

Thankfully, we have some lightweight black suiting fabric that my mother has decided not to use, and it looks like I can use that for the bodice. Of the samples, I like the rayon challis best (it's quite soft and supple) so I'll probably pair that with a lining for the skirt.

I'll also be keeping an eye out for promising material and so forth when I go to the thrift store in a little bit...but I'll save that for another post.

Anyway,  if anyone has any suggestions as to where I can find good quality black fabric, do let me know!