I have been working for weeks on this costume using the Figleaf Pattern 101 that I sell on my website. I have been trying to make at least one pattern of each line to better understand the pattern line and how they work.
I have finally got to a point where I can sit back and think about this costume. The underskirt was a challenge in that I realized after years of doing costumes, that I needed to not have huge amounts of bulk under the over dress. I wanted the lines to be smooth. So I decided to try the side opening version of the underskirt and used pleating on the from and back tie tapes.
Attaching the skirt to the tapes, I did a temporary measure of zig-zag stitches to hold the pleats flat, and make it easier to do fittings that just pins. With the amount of fabric and weight, I did not trust the hand basting to work. I find that the zig zag has helped in many skirts to flatten and keep in control the waistline while covering the stiches and then sewing with a short length stich on the machine. I also think this is a great way to seam rip if I need to re-adjust the pleating.
Oh my, I actually made it to this summer Romantic Poetry outing. I am waiting for some pictures of me in a boat. Of course, I dropped my camera in the leaky boat...Hope I can rescue the pictures.
What did I wear!
Only the green paisley I had been slaving over off and on for months. The sad story of the ruined first attempt at the bodice part, then luckily finding another yard or two left on the bolt at the local fabric place. It is just such a wonderful paisley. I will have to get some better close ups of it and the pelisse.
Pelisse
I finally got to wear this project that started two years ago! I loved this print from the moment it and decided to do a very late Regency coat with it. It was more of a Jacobean print maybe that may have been popular, but I liked the floral patterns so much. It had a bit more orange in the print than I would have liked.
Bonnet
I finally made up that silly little bonnet I had bought like 10 years ago , it seems. I put some plum feathers and purple ribbon on it, more of what you would call a autumn color scheme, but back in the Regency, they did wear some very odd colors together as it was fashionable to them.
What next, a 18th Century Robe .....
Well, it was great that I kept up with my costume and worked on it weekly until the Con, but it's still was last minute sewing Friday while working my table. Then there was the trying to get to the Masqarade. Wouldn't you know it, when I have finally got my hair up where I wanted it to be and was fluffing the sleeves puffs, the fire alarm went off and we were asked to go down the stairs and not use the elevators. This was a headache. I was not going to do it, I had a train on my costume and didn't want to pick the hembroidery on the stairs.Suffice it to say, everything was resolved and the Masque went on. I will have to pull out my costume and do some fixing and fluffing to get a picture of it. I finally finished my first fantasy piece in ten years. I will have to create another one for next year! I hope to have something done for SiliCon, thinking if I can get done during the Summer months. I think the theme for costumes is going to be green this summer. Good time for it. Easy when threading the machine too.
Well, after braving torrential rains and snow, I made it down to CA this last weekend. The place was cold and well, of course I came back with a sinus infection and ear infection. So, after getting put on evil meds for that, I am plotting spending the day in front of the fire sewing and finishing up the fantasy piece I have got as far as the skirt to. The gathered 1856 dress is nearly finished, I just have to figure out what about trim and such. Yes, Sally, I will send the review when my head stops pounding.I may actually meet my goal of getting this costume done by BayCon.No, I will not be going to CC again, hopefully when they have it here I will. Just don't have that kinda doe.
Yes, it's an amazing thing. I actually am getting this costume done. I have been using the Simplicity Ren Fantasy collection pattern 9929. I say fantasy, because the pieces may look Renni, but they are not really. Still, if you are doing a fantasy, this costume could get knocked together in two days easy. Of course, I had to add onto the costume because, well, I had to make it a little be less flimsy.
So, my thoughts so far. The Bodice has gone together very easy. I chose View B as it could be adjusted up or down is size with a few darts or what not if needed(hint, if you plan fantasy costumes like this, you won't do huge weight fluctuations because you planned ahead)
The shoulder rolls cam out looking like our Banana Slugs do in the yard, but they are purple in this costume. The fabric is a shot taffeta with weird orange purple hue and leaf scroll all over. I have decided to ad a skirt to the bodice, make it look a little bit more real Ren. Of course, the padded rolls were about as fun as banana slugs to sew with, but I endeavored to finish them.
Notes: If you use a lightweight taffeta or other fabric for rolls. Don't over stuff them. It will try to stay straight while you fight to get your arm through it.
Also, the under chemise(which is actually the whole dress, but I had to ad more layers) runs a bit large, and I found that the bodice ran a bit small, so, don't go by your standard measurements. Make the chemise first then take measurements for the bodice over it.
Okay, now, the other purple item
The Truly Victorian 1856 Gathered Front Bodice Dress
Boy, have I gotten sucked in by the new Bleak House Series. I like the costumes very much and have been drooling over the fan fronts and wishing my mid-section was back at 25". I am working very hard on the situps and weight machines and if I get it at least to 29" I will be happy! So, since I have been drooling, I decided to use this fabric of really scary paisleys in purple. I have been fussing over this one, but all in all, it is very straight forward. But, yet again, I needed to remember that the skirts are at a height for 5'5" in height, and I needed to remember to add onto the fabric amount. So, buy two yards more than you think you will need.
So, the long and miserable days of winter are still happening, despite the strange early spring we are having. Daffadils in January? yes in my yard they are. But hey, we had a bearded iris come up at xmas.
So, after my tragic leaving of really awful teaching program I now have some of my creativity coming back at me, with me, and around me. I have actually begun a fantasy costume! It's been a while, and I must confess I have been drooling over bodices in Bleak House(PBS). But, since I had fabric from a gift certificate last year that was drooling over taffeta with embroidery, I am working on one of the Ren patterns from Making History, McCalls I think. Anyway, it's a pure fantasy piece with gold trim. You know, trim is amazing at deptracting from body flaws if done correctly.
I am actually very happy about sewing with this pattern so far. I have a cotton poly blend with gold print chemise and I have the loverly purple orange shot taffeta. I may have enough left over for a Victorian bustle, hmmm.
Hope to have some pictures soon.
