Sewing from now until FOREVER
As I'm mentioned elsewhere in this journal, I am playing in three different historical games at Intercon, which is *looks at calendar* exactly a month from now. Plus one steampunk-ish LARP which hasn't been cast yet.
The time periods in question are:
- 1848 (The Stand)
- 1889 (Intrigue Beneath the Waves)
- 1905 (The Clockwork Cafe)
If you know anything about Victorian-Edwardian fashion, you know that these three styles of dress are about as different as can be. 1848 is early hoop, 1888 is late bustle, and 1905 is typical of the the S-shape, Gibson Girl style. Furthermore, in each of these games I'm playing well-to-do women, so my ideal costume would be fairly close to the typical European/American fashions of the period.
… I conclude that I'm going to have to sew from now until forever. Here's how it breaks down by costume.
The Stand (1848): I have nothing suitable for this, and it's not something that's easy to replicate with thrift store stuff. I am thinking of ordering this pattern for 1845 German Day Dresses from Truly Victorian. This dress, in addition to being suitable for my character and the time of day, does not require hoops or crinolines, just multiple petticoats. Thankfully, Heather also has a free pattern for petticoats. I've emailed her to ask if she thinks this would be suitable; of course she hasn't replied, because I've never been able to get a pattern-maker to answer my questions.
Intrigue Beneath the Waves (1889): I have 1880s bustled garb. The problem with it is everyone has seen it. It's what I wore for Intrigue in the Clouds--for a different character, even--and for 1897. It's what juldea wore for 'Tis No Deceit. It's also technically a reception/dinner dress, with its lower neckline and 3/4-length sleeves, and unless my character is dining with the captain that night on the bathysphere, I think traveling garb/day dress would be a better choice.
I probably don't have time to make another full set of 1880s garb, although I wish I did. I most dislike the bodice on it, but making and fitting a bodice is easily the most difficult part of the costume. The overskirt is super-easy, and the underskirt is relatively easy except for the gathering over the bustle, augh. If I had enough of my blue silk dupioni and black-and-silver paisley brocade left, I might try to do something like this 1884 French vest bodice to tie the two skirts together with a new bodice. I don't think I do, though. I'll have to check tonight.
The Clockwork Cafe (1905):My character is a respectable merchant of some sort, and this takes place in the evening, but at a sort of "adventuring society" meeting. This makes me think day dress would be appropriate, to sort of look like I just came from work. I've ordered the Gibson Girl blouse pattern from Folkwear, which has good reviews, and I'm going to attempt to draft my own pattern for a gored skirt--they are not that hard, and if I fail, well, a gored skirt is easy enough to thrift. I would love to add a jacket, but I doubt I'll have time to make one--maybe I can thrift one.
Well, at the very least, all my characters sound interesting--strangely similar in some ways, but right up my alley--so I should have fun, regardless of what I wear.
In other Intercon details, I am signed up for both pre-con and the official dead dog at New Mother India, so you can see me there. natbudin was able to book one of the last rooms in the block at the Westin, so he and v_cat and Matt and I shall all be bunking up there. I have arranged to take Thursday and Friday off from work. Except for costumes, I feel ready!
Oh, and on a totally different note, some people told me they were interested in seeing my write-ups about the games I played at Unity Games this weekend (which included Ascension, 7 Wonders, Merkator, Ra: The Dice Game, and Hermagor). I added them to this Geeklist on BGG, starting on page 4. Let's get ready for the traveling!
The time periods in question are:
- 1848 (The Stand)
- 1889 (Intrigue Beneath the Waves)
- 1905 (The Clockwork Cafe)
If you know anything about Victorian-Edwardian fashion, you know that these three styles of dress are about as different as can be. 1848 is early hoop, 1888 is late bustle, and 1905 is typical of the the S-shape, Gibson Girl style. Furthermore, in each of these games I'm playing well-to-do women, so my ideal costume would be fairly close to the typical European/American fashions of the period.
… I conclude that I'm going to have to sew from now until forever. Here's how it breaks down by costume.
The Stand (1848): I have nothing suitable for this, and it's not something that's easy to replicate with thrift store stuff. I am thinking of ordering this pattern for 1845 German Day Dresses from Truly Victorian. This dress, in addition to being suitable for my character and the time of day, does not require hoops or crinolines, just multiple petticoats. Thankfully, Heather also has a free pattern for petticoats. I've emailed her to ask if she thinks this would be suitable; of course she hasn't replied, because I've never been able to get a pattern-maker to answer my questions.
Intrigue Beneath the Waves (1889): I have 1880s bustled garb. The problem with it is everyone has seen it. It's what I wore for Intrigue in the Clouds--for a different character, even--and for 1897. It's what juldea wore for 'Tis No Deceit. It's also technically a reception/dinner dress, with its lower neckline and 3/4-length sleeves, and unless my character is dining with the captain that night on the bathysphere, I think traveling garb/day dress would be a better choice.
I probably don't have time to make another full set of 1880s garb, although I wish I did. I most dislike the bodice on it, but making and fitting a bodice is easily the most difficult part of the costume. The overskirt is super-easy, and the underskirt is relatively easy except for the gathering over the bustle, augh. If I had enough of my blue silk dupioni and black-and-silver paisley brocade left, I might try to do something like this 1884 French vest bodice to tie the two skirts together with a new bodice. I don't think I do, though. I'll have to check tonight.
The Clockwork Cafe (1905):My character is a respectable merchant of some sort, and this takes place in the evening, but at a sort of "adventuring society" meeting. This makes me think day dress would be appropriate, to sort of look like I just came from work. I've ordered the Gibson Girl blouse pattern from Folkwear, which has good reviews, and I'm going to attempt to draft my own pattern for a gored skirt--they are not that hard, and if I fail, well, a gored skirt is easy enough to thrift. I would love to add a jacket, but I doubt I'll have time to make one--maybe I can thrift one.
Well, at the very least, all my characters sound interesting--strangely similar in some ways, but right up my alley--so I should have fun, regardless of what I wear.
In other Intercon details, I am signed up for both pre-con and the official dead dog at New Mother India, so you can see me there. natbudin was able to book one of the last rooms in the block at the Westin, so he and v_cat and Matt and I shall all be bunking up there. I have arranged to take Thursday and Friday off from work. Except for costumes, I feel ready!
Oh, and on a totally different note, some people told me they were interested in seeing my write-ups about the games I played at Unity Games this weekend (which included Ascension, 7 Wonders, Merkator, Ra: The Dice Game, and Hermagor). I added them to this Geeklist on BGG, starting on page 4. Let's get ready for the traveling!