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.