I do deliver once in a while ( Read more... )

Why is this bodice so hard? I feel like it's taking forever. This morning, I cut into my silk taffeta. (I re-patterned the bodice pieces based on how I took most of them in last week.) I only had a little bit of weirdness between the inner layers and outer layers, mostly involving the neckline (which luckily will be covered in quite a bit of lace ( Read more... )

Apparently I was not thinking ahead tonight. I sewed in lacing strips into the boned bodice, and tried it on. Unfortunately, it was too big, particularly in the underbust and side bust areas, so it was doing nothing for my shape. So I went and took in a bunch of little pinches in between several of the pieces of boning. And it fit! (or just about, ( Read more... )

All the boning channels are done, and the bones are in, so that means tomorrow I can start on the silk. I'm going to do the back panels first, so that I can do my eyelets and make sure everything fits (please oh please!)

But since I've never worked with silk taffeta before, do I need to prewash it in any way before I start the cutting?

Posted via ( Read more... )

I'm not nearly as far as I'd like to be in things, but I have done some sewing over the last few days! Sunday, I cut out all my bodice interlining pieces for the 17th c gown. Monday, we had our first official meeting of the Puget Sound Historical Costumers Guild, with our afternoon gathering of tea, sewing, and chat. While I was there, I stitched ( Read more... )

Yesterday, I patterned and made a mock-up of my new 17th c gown. I'm having a hard time dating my inspiration portrait, but I think it's dating to maybe the 1630s or 40s? I don't like that silhouette as much, so I think my interpretation is more like early 1660s. I'm using the pattern from Janet Arnold, and making a fully boned bodice. I'm hoping ( Read more... )

It's only been over six months since I last added a post to my blog, but I finally wrote another one tonight! It's nothing new for those of you who have been reading my lj since the beginning, but if you haven't seen my Restoration gown from 2011, go check it out!

Here's the link.And in other news, are there any group plans going around for CosCol ( Read more... )

I finished the cloak! I'm really happy with it. I'm sure I'll post pictures eventually. And I cut out the shoulder strap pieces for the two bodices. I have to attach them, attach the underbodice sleeves, figure out the pattern for the overbodice sleeves, make those, and hem the robe and the petticoat. And I'm wearing this all in less than a week. ( Read more... )

2011 was a pretty productive year for me, especially in the first few months.

January: Pre-Raphaelite-inspired linen dress and bodice (which I still haven't worn for anything)
             Chemise a la Reine, with short-sleeve shift, and matching sash and petticoat

February: Fully boned stays, which had been a ufo before this because I had ( Read more... )

The floral polonaise is almost done! All it needs is a hem on the bottom of the gown and on the sleeves, and a hook and eye at the top of the bodice and on the belt. I've also decided to add a little scalloped box pleated trim at the cuff of the sleeve, and I need to make a real fichu. At this point, I'm planning on wearing it to the opening ice ( Read more... )