Huh, has it really been almost a year?

Ahem. I suppose I really ought to add some of the things I've been working on (and a proper gallery). In the meantime, I think I'll just share what's on the drawing board.

Dear Arachne has been talking about recreating Elizabeth I's coronation gown for at least five years. As her costuming partner in crime, I feel it's up to me to apply some peer pressure. I guess I need a portrait of my own to recreate. Since I absolutely love mid 16th century Florentine styles (partly because I have very little interest in making either a ruff or a farthingale and possess insufficient funds to purchase both), I was originally thinking of going the Eleanora di Toledo route.


Simple, elegant lines. Lovely gold net partlet-thing. Killer (if highly specific) fabric. An excuse to buy many, many glass pearls. What's not to love?

But then I rediscovered this portrait of an unknown woman. I love this dress. I have for about a decade. It's, well, quirky. It has so many unusual details (I swear that's a pocket watch hanging from her girdle). And I don't think I've ever seen anyone else recreate it. Also, I think I can much more easily afford the materials for this one than anything that would do Eleanora justice.

Progress

Well, I had a productive evening. My schmancy underskirt is nearly complete, french seams, trim, and all. Now I just need to attach the waistband, finish the hem binding, and gather 8 billion feet of pointe d'esprit for the bottom ruffle. On the bright side, at least I don't need to hem the ruffle...

Ball Gowns Galore

What's that you say? There's a Victorian Soiree? On saturday?

Why, I haven't a thing to wear! I suppose I'd better get sewing...

Though I do have a perfectly lovely bustle, I'm going with Natural Form. I have some lovely periwinkle/violet silk and cream silk with pintucks tucked away in my fabric stash. Yay for 50% off Red Tag home-dec fabric. Conveniently, I also already have a fistful of Truly Victorian patterns, which you can see here:

http://trulyvictorian.com/catalog/422.html
http://trulyvictorian.com/catalog/328.html
http://trulyvictorian.com/catalog/225.html

I'm planning to make cute, bitty ball gown sleeves out of pointe d'esprit, maybe with a ruffle. I haven't figured out all the embellishment yet, but I'm thinking lots of self-ruffles.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a girly costumer, in possession of an invitation to a Regency Ball, must be in want of a frock.

Well, the ball is set in 1812. This sounds pretty easy. However, this means everything in Patterns of Fashion is either too early or too late. Sigh. Well, guessing at the shape of the skirt never hurt anybody.

So far, I've just been collecting images. I think I may shoot for an approximation of this lovely gown from the Costume Institute. It's simple, but it has some fantastic details. And, who am I kidding, I'm a sucker for that super-girly ultra-pastel pink. I think Astoria Bargain Fabrics has something remarkably close on the $1/yard rack.

http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/the_costume_institute/dress/objectview.aspx?page=5&sort=6&sortdir=asc&keyword=dress early 19th century&fp=2&dd1=8&dd2=0&vw=1&collID=8&OID=80095494&vT=1&hi=0&ov=0

Umm, in other news, I've started a corded corset-thing to go underneath. Basically, I took the Laughing Moon pattern--the Silverado--let out the waist a little, shortened the bottom, shortened the bust gores to give a bustier silhouette, and guessed at where I needed some cords. This one really is a close enough sort of project. Pictures pending.