Progress! Well, sort of...

While the dickens dress is still in the toile stage, I'm happy to report that I have made fantastic progress on the accessories!
The Sheer black bonnet has been re-trimmed with new purple ribbons

And the black velvet pelerine is almost done

When I can get it out from under the kitty...

The young mister has taken to the pelerine with surprising relish, going so far as to try to lay on it while I'm sewing it. I finally had to lock him in the bathroom to get a kitty free picture, and when I let him out he flopped right back down.
The original plan was for the pelerine to have a hood, but the once I had it pinned together it looked terrible. I'm going with a broad collar instead.
I hope to have the toile finished in the next few days and then (hopefully) I'll begin to cut it out.

The Apple Controversy

Watch "Gaffer Applewright Apple Trick: Controversy how to Cut an Apple" on YouTube

I have been a part of the Southern and Northern California Renaissance Pleasure Faires since I was born. For half of every year of my life I grew up not in Pasadena, but in Chipping Under Oakwood, the little village that magically appeared every spring and fall. My parents met there, ( Dad was playing Pyramus, Mom was the stage manager) I met a vast majority of my friends there and I had a hundred surrogate parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters and assorted morris men to keep me from getting into too much trouble. I also had a hundred teachers who taught me the valuable lessons that no one can ever hope to learn in school. Gaffer Applewright was one of those teachers, and his controversy on how to cut an apple was the first lesson I remember. Watch the video.
Rest in Peace Gaffer.