blue poofiness

Been lots happening lately, just not a lot of finishing projects.  I have an 1870s day dress on the dress form right now (new work outfit), half of a wedding petticoat done, and a ton of ideas.  Plus, Dena and I will be going to the Sonora Celtic Faire in a few weeks, which requires new attire.

I had to share the photos we took of the petticoat materials: silver slipper satin and navy tulle

My shoes

Pink and Poofy c 1950

Just had to share the good sights.  I'm not completely finished yet, but I am so very excited about the results.  This is my version of Butterick's "Walk Away" dress done in beetroot party taffeta with a black organza overlay.  The petticoat is white net with beetroot taffeta ribbon.  I'm planning to wear this for my rehearsal for the wedding.  Speaking of that, we ordered the tulle and silver satin for the edging.  Only 116 more days until THE DAY.

wedding update

Butterick's B5556:  1955 design

Princess Margret's 1960 wedding dress

I bought a pattern today (couldn't resist).  While it might not be the end-all deciding factor in creating Princess Margret's dress, I think it's very close.  The bodice of the pattern is cut as two backs and two fronts, just like the original.  It has the same collar, granted the pattern is much more of a stand up style than Margret's.  The amount of ease in the pattern's bodice matches pretty close to Margret's dress.  Margret's sleeves are longer, but that could be adjusted and the pattern has a shorter skirt.  The darts are in the same place too, although Margret's dress as two additional darts on the sides.

This means that I need to make an under bodice that's strapless and either wear it as a completely separate piece or attach the two somehow.

I did a bit more looking for a base pattern for my maid of honour's dress.  Found a few viable options:

Butterick's B5603: the blue dress

Butterick's B6582 :the yellow dress

Vogue's V1094

I'm leaning more toward the Vintage Vogue pattern, although I like the others as well.  Will have to noodle on that some more.

So much to do, so little time

Well life has been busy and I have done no sewing, big surprise.  I am forcing myself to finish a project for a former coworker that I did last Halloween and I have no motivation to finish.  I'm promising myself never again to offer to make corsets for other people and never to work for such cheap wages.  It's a lethal combination; I'm convinced of it.  Not to mention that my machine needs to be serviced and I nearly broke it trying to finish this stupid thing.  Bleh.

There is big costume/sewing news though.  I get to start on my wedding dress soon.  Behold the grand scheme:

Photo from madameguillotine

photo from madameguillotine

The maid of honour's dress (can't remember where I found it though)

The plan as of now is to recreate the dress as best as possible.  I'm so excited about it and I plan to document each step of the process.

2011 Costume Wrap-up

Well the year is done and overall I'd say it was a success.   Here are the majority of things I finished this year, minus the outfits  I made for other people and don't have pictures of yet.

There were also some other projects this year too: a suit of clothes for my boss, a skirt/bodice and petticoat for a coworker, a pair of bloomers and a corset for another coworker, and a variety of skirts for a friend.


For next year I have a few ideas already.
1. Garbaldi blouses in red, white, and black
2. a maroon skirt with blue wool trim
3. a blue wool bodice
4. a black striped bustle dress c. 1869
5. a green skirt with box pleated ruffle
6. the green striped dress with matching Swiss waist
7. redo the pink dress and add trim
8. fix the purple jacket

Happy New Year's!  I'm a little drunky right now on Moet et Chandon so apologies for any spelling errors that might have insued.  Cheers

Busy times

What have I been up to lately?  Well....tons of things.  I broke a window so I had to replace it, that was fun.  The process of course required me to smash it further.

 I worked like crazy on a corset and bloomers for a co-worker

 I debated about wearing an old regency period dress I made for Halloween, opted not to though

Oh yeah this was my Halloween: me, a co-worker, and the boss.  It was a fun day though, normal routine but in undies.  Got a few fitting issues to finish working on though.

My to-do list:
1. Brenda's corset: finish the alterations
2. New fun skirts for Becky
3. Maroon wool bodice for me
4. Striped dress with matching Swiss waist for me

Dogs and sewing

how cute am I?

on patrol again to make sure the dumb neighbors don't make too much noise

this is my perch where I like to watch the leaves out the window

As you can see, Charlie is growing up.  He enjoys being a good watch dog and still frolicking around whenever he can.  Such a joy to have such a sweet dog.  Today he's helping me paint and will be helping with the sewing later.

Business has been slow, both at work and my little operation.  I have been working on a corset and bloomer combo for Brenda that we wore for Halloween.  It was more of a "dress rehearsal" for me to see what needs to be changed.  Got a lot of work to do on that little number.

The to-do list looks something like this now:
1. Brenda's bloomers: fix leg hems with nice seam finish; enclose raw edges on inside; re-gather the waist and attach a proper closure
2. Brenda's corset: take in bust by about 2" or so minimum; add some more boning; lining
3. Pattern for Jo's dress
4. Finish wool/taffeta jacketey thing for me
5. Make appropriate winter clothing for work and clean up scrap pile in process