Zoe: Naughty, But Cute.

I would just like to point out how difficult it is to gather the overskirt and attach it to the waistband when one of your kittens is being really cute. Naughty, but cute. Above, Zoe is playing with the strings for the gather stitch as I attempt to make skirt and waistband one.
This is Zoe checking out of the corner of her eye to see if I'm looking before she continues to chew and play. Naughty, naughty kitten.

More Underthings

The picture just does not do this fabric justice.
Lucky for me I had an old Elizabethan underskirt laying around so the only thing I had to do was replace the old forepart with the new and more beautiful forepart. Easy - probably took me 15 minutes.









Um yeah, here's a really bad picture of it hanging up in the kitchen doorway.

Who Knew?

Well, if one wants to have a beautiful Tudor gown, one must have the proper undergarments. It is amazing how many perfectly well done gowns are ruined because of the wrong silhouette caused by a modern bra or corset of the wrong time period. So.....I had to make stays...... which I've never done before, nor even come close to doing.

Much to my surprise, it was not painful. In actuality my stays may be the most uncomplicated thing I have ever sewn. Huh, who knew? Apparently I can sew corsets. Woot! Now, with a confidence boost I can move on to the gown.

I know it's not the prettiest thing, but it functions.
No one will see it anyway....
;)

Here it is sporting the colors of the Green Bay Packers.....well really now Christmas colors since the addition of red ribbon. Green cotton duck canvas, a nice heavy duty fabric that will be able to withstand the strain of tightening and steel, is what I used as the fabric. The best part about duck canvas is that it's cheap. Yes, silk is sturdy and pretty, but it's expensive. My stays are outlined in grosgrain ribbon. This allows me to create the pockets for the boning with two layers of canvas without all the tedious work of folding the edges closed. This is the economic and pretty way to seal it all off and make it look finished.


My stays were made with a custom pattern tailored specifically to my measurements. I used the drafting and making directions from the Custom Corset Pattern Generator from www.elizabethancostume.net
These guys really know what they're talking about! Read EVERYTHING!

My supplies (1 wooden busk, 12 8" steel bones, 4 9" steel bones, and two 10" lacing steel bones) came from www.corsetmaking.com
If you need it to make a corset, they have it! Speedy delivery too. Definitely buying from them again.

Soon-ish

Well, I may be getting a dress form. It's cheap and about time I actually have one. I mean, I do enough sewing of my own things that this is the next logical step for me.

So Okay, I know there's been a lot of planning and acquiring but I promise I will start in on the actual construction and sewing once the move is over. Oh yeah, did I mention I'm moving? Woo hoo for a three bedroom house. Shhh, don't tell Jesse. He doesn't know I'm converting the office into a sewing room. . . ;)

Yup, Definitely Overly Ambitious

(I really don't know why I insist on doing this to myself.) I shall attempt to make an appropriate corset, complete with wooden busk and everything. After reading the directions, I have come to the conclusion that it seems relatively easy. . . and cheap. However, I am pretty sure I shall regret taking on this task once I actually begin it. I think there shall be much cursing to come.

Oh well, if one wants a beautiful Tudor gown, one must have the appropriate underclothing.

I Heart ebay!

Thank you ebay! I swear, you can find anything you could ever want on ebay. (Except a proper French hood.) I was dreading having to make my own "B" Boleyn necklace out of some sort of crafting clay while begging my friend to teach me how to make the necklace out of pearls. I knew if I did that it would turn out sloppy, in my opinion, and not quite right. But never fear, ebay is here! And for less than it would have cost for me to make it too. So I shall purchase the infamous necklace and take pictures once it gets here. :)

Decisions, Decisions. . .

I should note here that I generally go through about a month long period of indecision when it comes to choosing fabrics and trims, going back and forth until finally I've settled on the original idea. Mostly.

The question I posed to myself a while ago was, "Do I want emerald green velvet or purple and gold brocade?" The initial plan was to go with the green and gold brocade I already owned for the forepart and sleeves, using the velvet for the gown. For a while I fancied that regal purple was going to suit me just fine. No, no. I have finally settled on a version of the original. . . of course.

After more indecision, I finally settled on some beautiful trim to place around the neckline of my bodice. It's called "Persian Rug" and is green, gold, and brown. It's hard to see all the beautiful detail online but I am sure it will look stunning against the emerald green velvet and jeweled bilaments. I am purchasing this by the yard from www.calontirtrim.com.

Emerald Green velvet. So pretty in person, especially in the sunlight. Thank you Velvet Moon! www.velvetbags.com



Now, I hit the jackpot with this one. For my forepart and undersleeves I will use this fabulous jade green and gold patterned tapestry from www.iluvfabrix.com. Normally this fabric retails over $100/yard. Thank goodness for sales! Have I mentioned that I am in love with this fabric?



I'll be honest. I haven't really decided what to do about the turned up sleeves yet. I have several options here. I like the idea of playing around with different textures, the velvet, the tapestry, and yet a different one for the sleeves. So I was thinking that faux fur in a brown tone to add another texture and depth to the gown would be a good idea. Another option would be more velvet. I'll keep you posted.