I gave up on this Sunday night, but on Monday evening, I was feeling stubborn.  The construction is....interesting, but it looks pretty, so I guess the important part. :)

I probably won't post again until after Costume Con, but then I will have lots of pictures!

        

There are still some odds and ends to be wrapped up, and a hat to make, but It's essentially done. :) 

PSA  - For those who don't know, lindseyerin37 is also me.  So if you see a reply to your comment with that name, just remember that is me.  I sometimes forget who I am signed in as...


Terrible pictures, but...

 

Lots left to do, but I am sure I can get it done for CostumeCon.  I am just wearing my padded petticoat under it, but I think I might try my farthingale too...

100% done.  Go here for more pictures!

If you have a Hobby Lobby in your area, all floral stems are 50% off right now AND that includes some gorgeous ostrich plumes they have in that section.  I got four tall, full white ones for $4! 

First of all, thank you guys so much for all the compliments on the polonaise!  It should be finished very soon!

Secondly, here's what I did tonight...

            

Once I dye my hair back to it's real color the front pieces I have pulled up in the front will match the wig.  And there are bits of my hair poking out the back...  Oh and I look sick because I was experimented with white face powder.  But yeah.  That's my 18th century hair wig.  Just want to be clear that it's so not my real hair!. :) 

It's a dress!



Everything on the bodice (except the interior seams of the lining) is hand sewn.  There is a side seam and a side back seam, but they are hard to see because of the lighting and the way I matched the stripes.  I realized having the stripes meet in the chevrons on the back may not really be historically accurate, but I can't alter it without re-doing the entire back and that is sooo not happening.  And it's pretty. :)  So it will stand.  More about the construction methods, etc. when I have time...

Tomorrow is the petticoat, Thursday trimming, and Friday wrapping things up.  It needs to be very close to done by then.  I think I can do it!

It a bit of a trial to get this right...but there's my fitted mock up!

       

And the bodice as it stands right now!  (I haven't folded under the seam allowance yet, so it looks a little funny.)



I promise I will have a more detailed update in the future!  No time now!  Must get back to sewing!

I bought some striped silk taffeta thinking I was going to make a francaise with the sides pulled up like a polonaise (like in the Kyoto fashion book on page 76).  Then I thought maybe I should do a regular polonaise.  Then I couldn't decide.  So pinned the fabric onto my dress form to get a better idea of what each would like:

                 

I definitely like the regular polonaise version better!  Decision made!  Now I have to make a bumrolll...

Okay, I am having some serious trouble with lj cut, and I was getting really irritated, and then I remembered, um, I have a website.  Duh!  So I've FINALLY updated.  Go here to see some more of the orange francaise!

As a bonus, here are trims I'm going to use (click make big!):



The far left will be gathered and sew in some pretty pattern down the front of the robe opening.  The lace in the middle will go on the stomacher and the lace on the far left will go on the end of the sleeves.  The green trim with definitely go on the stomacher and maybe down the front if I have enough.  

BTW...here is the seller on eBay I got all the lace from.  Huge selection and really fast shipping!

(Click make big!)

Much, much more tomorrow night! 

Friday night I got my finger caught under the machine needle and it went all the way through the fleshy part of my finger.

I don't recommend it.

I worked just a bit on the doublet tonight, but I have been completely distracted by the 18th Century lately, so I let myself start on an 18th Century petticoat.  I am making it from a super long silk curtain panel my stepmom found for like $5 at a Linens n' Things "going out of business" sale.  It's sort of dark peach shade, quite scrummy!  I have two panels, but one is discolored and generally funky, so I hoping I won't have to use it.  I think the longer one will do, since it is wide enough to be used cross-grain.  All I really did tonight was iron it, but I can probably finish it in a few nights if I keep a good pace.

I've spent the last few months making and writing about different styles of 16th Century Corsets for Your Wardrobe Unlock'd.  You can check it out in this month's issue.  If you don't have a subscription, I highly recommend it!  It is full of costume how-to's, expert advice, and is a great place for inspiration. 

Four out of the five corsets I made are also now sale for sale! You can see them here.  They are made of various materials and they all made for a 30" waist and 37" bust.  Please let know if you or anyone you know is interested!

 

In the 16th Century, even the sleeves have boning.  Hardcore.  (Pattern from The Tudor Tailor)

This weekend I stared my gown based on The Darnley Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I.  

The pattern is based on the one I used for my last doublet, though I took out the center back seam to better show the fabric.  The interlining is linen canvas and some cheap cotton, and there are just a few plastic bones at the center front, sides, and back just to keep everything smooth.  Here you can see the guts and here are the top pieces before assembly.  I flat lined all the pieces together and stitched it for the final fitting.  Everything will be hand finished and the lining (black silk) will go in last. The picture below is as it stands now.   It still needs trimming and lots of finishing, but I am very pleased with my progress.  I will probably work on the sleeves tonight so I can do all the hand finishing after work this week when I am too tired to be bothered with cutting and sewing at the machine. :) 

What I wanted to make in 2008:
"Bronze Taffeta Gown - I might just burn it if I don't finish it soon!
Black and Gold 1570's Dress - I have a cunning plan I have not shared with everyone yet!
Black Doublet
New Dorothea Stays
Possible Projects for 2008:
1840's or 1877 Gown - I would like to make on of these for Costume Con, if my skills are up to the task in the amount of time I have
Revamp of Red and Gold Venetian
Red Velvet Doublet Gown
Something Tudor
Red Taffeta Kirtle
English Fitted Gown"

What I actually made:

The bronze taffeta gown became a bronze taffeta petticoat.
The Black and Gold 1570's Dress become another petticoat (though not for long...)
The Black Doublet was completed!
Not another thing from my list...BUT I did also make:
A cape for the Elizabethan Boy's Outfit (kindly modeled by Erin, the true owner of the outfit)
And I have mostly finished Pink Effigy Stays.  And by the middle of next month I will have made 4 more Elizabethan corsets, though I will talk about that more later....

So, um, I kind of sucked at getting things done this last year.  Though for the first half I was working crazy hours and in the second I switched jobs and moved.  A little bit busy, a little bit lazy.  But!  This year will be better!

My completely over-ambitious plans for 2009:

A doublet and sleeves based on The Darnley Portrait, made from the left overs of the black and gold petticoat.  Then I will have a whole gown that is accurate AND rather vampirey for Costume Con 27.
A striped robe a la francaise made from this fabric and based on the gown on page 76 of the Kyoto Fashion book. 
A Secret Gown for the Costume Con 27 masquerade.  Not sure I can get that all that done in time, though.  Might save Costume Con 28.
Red velvet late 1570's gown like this, for wearing at Bristol.
An 18th Century men's suit for a friend.
Satin's grey suit from Moulin Rogue for a friend. 
And for Costume Con 28, which hopefully will be at least started in 2009:
This and quite possibly this.

Let's just pretend I can get all that done, shall we?  ;)

 Welcoming to my sewing journal. :)