2014 Costume Rewind (Kinda)

Ok... so I was going to do a full post of what I made in 2014. But I realize that it wasn't much of what I originally planned. 

Its actually quite dismal. I truly had Grand Plans for 2014.

 (I'm not including unfinished outfits or UFO's)

Blue Talma (I unfortunately have no pictures of the front!And I sold it on Etsy)

Navy Blue Day Dress- I added some ruffles taffeta to the apron and Lace to the collar and wrist area and wore it at CoCo 14.

J.P. Ryan Short Jacket

                                                      

                                     Truly Victorian hodge podge of patterns  &
 self draping for Gala gown CoCo 14.

Horrible picture I know but my Mourning Outfit at CoCo 14.

Edwardian Walking Outfit- Truly Victorian Patterns

My 'lil bit' in her mid Victorian dress and drooping petticoat!

Version two of the above gown with some piping on the bodice and hem.

Huge Muff

$1 Paisley Stays (J.P. Ryan pattern with added shoulder Strap) 

 I also got some smaller projects done; toddler chemise, toddler bloomers, toddler strapped petticoat, 18th century toddler dress,  18th century cap, ribbon garters, several chemises, an under petticoat, and an Victorian travel bag.

This year I hope to do a better job of keeping to my list and completing the Historical Sew Monthly Challenges. ( and take better pictures!)

We Shall See!

An Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge Completed!!! Yellow ...

My apologies for the delay and lapse in posts.

Business has picked up for custom girls dresses...

I finally completed (over a month ago) a challenge from the Dremstress's Historically Sew Fortnightly!

I'm very bad with deadlines at this time in my life, especially if its not 'mandatory'. 

Yet, I saw the challenge posted and kept saying to myself.... 

I have yellow fabric and trims ... 'just do it'!

So I did ! 

Alas, not for myself but for 'lil bit'.

I actually created two dresses. 

Unfortunately, I only have pictures of the sewing process for one :(

The Challenge: Yellow

Fabric: 100% cotton

Pattern: Self drafted

Year: 1850's

Notions: Thread, 4 yellow buttons

How historically accurate is it? The 1850's dress is about 75% historically correct. I have alot of difficulty with the sleeve attachment and placement

Hours to complete: 2 hours

First worn: Just to try on

Total cost: $0 all from my stash

Hand pleated front bodice.

Larger hand pleated back bodice.

Hand gathered skirt waist.

Waist band for skirt, basically made like bias tape.

Pinned bias tape/waist band to skirt and top to bodice (matched seams of skirt to bodice).

Adjusted gathers to fit in each section of skirt and bias tape.

I use a darker color thread to gather so when the pieces are sewed together I can clip the end and pull it through and use the thread again.

Bodice, bias tape/waist band and skirt all attached. 

 Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of the sleeves and how I attached them. It was a trial and error. None of the extant pictures used gave clear pictures of the sleeves and how they were attached. I cut two rectangular pieces and created a sleeve and left enough excess fabric at the top to attach my bias tape along the complete bodice top (sleeve and bodice area).  I then cut away the part of the dress in the arm pit so 'lil bits' arm could fit comfortably. The top hem as mentioned is finished with self made bias tape around the complete bodice top.

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To go with her dresses I also made 'lil bit' a petticoat from a bed skirt I purchased for $2 dollars at Goodwill. I initially cut about 24 inches of the skirt for her petticoat. I hand gathered it and sewed it up with grosgrain ribbon for the waist band. 

But when I put the skirt on it seemed very thin and not full enough.

so dismal ehh!

So I cut another 24 inches of skirt material, sewed up the side seams, created a placket in the back, regathered the edge and attached to some double wide bias tape. I added a button and a buttonhole for closure. 

The 2nd Dress........

The Challenge: Yellow

Fabric: linen blend

Pattern: self drafted

Year: 1650's Kirtle

Notions: grommets , thread, yellow ribbon, bias tape to hem edges

How historically accurate is it? 50% (lol)

Hours to complete: 2 hours

First worn: Just to try on

Total cost: $0 all from stash

 

 

 

 

Best picture of 'lil bit' and the only one not blurry... She moves fast!