Getting It Done
So I have an opportunity to participate in a steampunk/Victorian photoshoot near the end of this month. I'd really like to get some new clothing made before then, because while what I have is adequate, it's not fantastic.
My goal is to have two complete outfits, as follows:
"Western Steam" Outfit:
Essentially, the outfit I'm wearing here, with the following modifications:
Hat: Replace hatband with something more interesting.
Vest: Add beaded trim to chevron motif; remove zipper and replace with buttons and chains.
Belt: Add hangers to new belt and hang stuff off of them: Fan, magnifying glass, etc.
Skirt: Make a new skirt with a ruffled flounce at the bottom.
I think the blouse I have works, and I can certainly wear my leather boots just fine. And I think I know what fabric I want to use for the skirt. So that's set.
Victorian Steam Outfit (brand new, so no pictures):
Hat: I will probably wear one of my two existing hats with this, either the top hat or the big red hat.
Blouse: Need to make a blouse, but I have a pattern for a yoked nightgown that I think I can shorten and have work well. Just going to make that out of plain white cotton, and add some lace to it.
Jacket: I've got a pattern for a waist-length jacket that I think will be perfect. I've selected a lovely purple doesuede fabric for the outside, and I'm lining it with a dusty mauve cotton/linen blend. I'm modifying the pattern a bit--basically using the sleeves from one view with the body from another--but I made up a muslin of it last night, and it fits well, except that I need to shorten it by about half an inch (ah, the joys of being short-waisted). But that looks as though it will go together fairly quickly.
Skirt: Have some lovely stripey stuff in grey, purple, and mauve that will match the jacket nicely. Planning to make a relatively straight skirt, and just gather it into an elastic waistband (I know, elastic isn't Victorian, but since I'm still losing weight, I'm hesitant to make anything too fitted, and anyway, I can hide it under my belt, 'k?). And then I'm going to add a deep--8 inches or so--pleated ruffle onto the bottom.
Belt: Picked up a couple of lovely belts at a yard sale last weekend, so I'll just wear one of those.
Boots: Probably the black leather ones for this outfit.
And then, if I have any time left, I can fuss over accessories. I already have plenty of reticules and beaded bags and messenger bags and the like. And I don't think finding jewelry will be a problem, either. I've got a set that goes well with the Western outfit.
If I have time, I'd like to mod one of the Nerf guns we picked up at a yard sale a couple of weekends ago. If not, I've got a teeny little one I got at Worldcon last year, that I could make a holster for. Wonder if I've got enough leather scraps for that? I bet I do; it's not very big. May need to make a trip up to the leather store again, though. Gonna need some rivets. And possibly some buckles.
More to come--including pictures--as the projects progress.
My goal is to have two complete outfits, as follows:
"Western Steam" Outfit:
Essentially, the outfit I'm wearing here, with the following modifications:
Hat: Replace hatband with something more interesting.
Vest: Add beaded trim to chevron motif; remove zipper and replace with buttons and chains.
Belt: Add hangers to new belt and hang stuff off of them: Fan, magnifying glass, etc.
Skirt: Make a new skirt with a ruffled flounce at the bottom.
I think the blouse I have works, and I can certainly wear my leather boots just fine. And I think I know what fabric I want to use for the skirt. So that's set.
Victorian Steam Outfit (brand new, so no pictures):
Hat: I will probably wear one of my two existing hats with this, either the top hat or the big red hat.
Blouse: Need to make a blouse, but I have a pattern for a yoked nightgown that I think I can shorten and have work well. Just going to make that out of plain white cotton, and add some lace to it.
Jacket: I've got a pattern for a waist-length jacket that I think will be perfect. I've selected a lovely purple doesuede fabric for the outside, and I'm lining it with a dusty mauve cotton/linen blend. I'm modifying the pattern a bit--basically using the sleeves from one view with the body from another--but I made up a muslin of it last night, and it fits well, except that I need to shorten it by about half an inch (ah, the joys of being short-waisted). But that looks as though it will go together fairly quickly.
Skirt: Have some lovely stripey stuff in grey, purple, and mauve that will match the jacket nicely. Planning to make a relatively straight skirt, and just gather it into an elastic waistband (I know, elastic isn't Victorian, but since I'm still losing weight, I'm hesitant to make anything too fitted, and anyway, I can hide it under my belt, 'k?). And then I'm going to add a deep--8 inches or so--pleated ruffle onto the bottom.
Belt: Picked up a couple of lovely belts at a yard sale last weekend, so I'll just wear one of those.
Boots: Probably the black leather ones for this outfit.
And then, if I have any time left, I can fuss over accessories. I already have plenty of reticules and beaded bags and messenger bags and the like. And I don't think finding jewelry will be a problem, either. I've got a set that goes well with the Western outfit.
If I have time, I'd like to mod one of the Nerf guns we picked up at a yard sale a couple of weekends ago. If not, I've got a teeny little one I got at Worldcon last year, that I could make a holster for. Wonder if I've got enough leather scraps for that? I bet I do; it's not very big. May need to make a trip up to the leather store again, though. Gonna need some rivets. And possibly some buckles.
More to come--including pictures--as the projects progress.