|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:21 pm
From the time "Jo" got the request on her website until the time that she completed it, Joanne loved this costume. She loved the idea behind it, the thought that went into the specific of it, and the fact that the client left the design itself up to her. Choosing the fabric- a flowy ivory faux silk chosen for its texture and the fact that it was flame retardant- was a terrific challenge. Even though he hadn't asked for it, Joanne couldn't resist the desire to make a vest for the costume as well, out of a deep red faux silk.
The sewing for this costume was easy, but the beading was a delight. Joanne had searched several e-tailers before locating one that sold seed beads made of metal, instead of the more meltable plastic ones. She had searched several pattern sites as well, since Joanne couldn't design for the life of her. Eventually she found a swirly design that bore a slight resemblance to flames dancing in the light. Perfect. The beads were applied to the pants and sleevelets of the costume sparingly, so as not to weight them down. The vest was covered with them, however, and lined with another layer of flame retardant fabric. After she edged each of the pieces with gold embroidery, the costume was done.
It was then that Joanne looked at the mailing address provided, and almost fainted. It was to be sent to Barren Pines College, care of... well, Joanne was still new, and didn't know all of the students, so the name Grayson Graves didn't mean much to her. But he was a schoolmate, and that meant that she needed to be extra cautious.
Which meant, of course, that Joanne had to be out of boxes.
It had taken her the better part of an hour to steel herself for it, but in the end, Joanne had taken the costume out her room with her, on a hanger in a clear dry cleaning bag. It wasn't uncommon for her to be working on clothing, even costumes. If she was lucky, she'd be able to find a box somewhere and pack it up with no one the wiser.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:34 pm
It was a fairly uneventful morning for Gray. Since he'd skimped out on practice to spend time with Benny the day previous, it had been necessary for him to go outside and practice his routine for his next performance first thing. Well, first thing after breakfast, anyway. Consequently, as he made his way back to his room, he was covered in sweat, a little bit dirty, and looking very pleased, a staff braced across his shoulders.
It had been a good practice, after all. He planned to drop his staff off, hit the showers, and then... spend the rest of the day doing whatever. Whatever he wanted. Maybe he'd call Tris, catch up on his life, shoot the breeze a bit.
He'd, of course, have to mention his prom date to his brother, if his parents hadn't already. And, being that it was Tristan, he'd have to reassure him that no, he wasn't planning to run away and marry his prom date, he'd of course still come home for holidays, and no, he didn't like Benny better than him.
It was cute, but sometimes, he wondered why Tristan was so emotionally needy. No one else in the family was like that, and it was a little troubling. One day, when he asked Tristan why that was, he'd actually get a straight answer, he hoped. So far, he just got a lot of temper, and that didn't really help at all.
Sighing, he turned the corner, expression vaguely troubled. He nearly ran into a girl coming the opposite direction, an outfit of some sort encased in a dry cleaner's bag, though he managed to stop himself at the last second.
Without his hands free, though, he swayed a little, unable to steady himself properly.
"Whoa! Almost ran into you. Sorry."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:51 pm
For someone who was good with her hands, Joanne had a number of clumsy moments, usually stemming from her unwillingness to deal with people. She was so paranoid that someone might be coming up behind her that she didn't notice the guy right in front of her until she practically walked into him. Fortunately, she caught enough of a glimpse to stop before she actually touched him.
"I'm sorry, sir," she said softly, holding the costume in front of her. Despite the fact that the bag was clear and the costume itself only covered half her face down to her waist, she felt better having that screen there. From what she could see, she didn't recognize the student in front of her. Which meant he was neither in her classes or her house. That still left most of the school population, which Joanne strived so hard to avoid.
Since he was there, and she had a shield, Joanne did something she didn't often do: she asked a question. "Excuse me... do you know where I might find a box for the purpose of mailing?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
