1790's Bodice

Finally I've been able to catch up with my imagination! I've sketched quite a few different gowns etc. that I'd like to make and this was one of them! When op-shopping I tried to restrain myself from looking through the sheets... but couldn't... when coming across a lovely floral dooner-cover and and deep green sheet that looked so good together - I couldn't (or wouldn't) pass up the opportunity to buy them when my imagination had already envisioned a lovely 1700's frock!

My sister and I have wanted me to make a bodice or over-coat with a little peplem/frill at the back... and this was perfect for it! 

When sketching this up I intended to have it fastened up at the front with hook and eyes but, in the process, decide to have it laced at the front with little hand sewn eyelets. Also the neck line didn't end up quite as circular as I would have liked, for my corset's straps would have been visible so I need to make another one! Haha! So in consequence it makes my shoulders look rather narrower... when I already don't have the broadest... but it looks lovely with a little fichu around the neck!

ALSO - I hand sewed the lot! 

I was inspired by the construction of this Riding Habit (I really enjoy this blog, she is so inspiring!) and the loveliness of the Saturday morning, to be out enjoying the sun with a needle and thread... feeling like I was accomplishing something! 

I don't know actually how historically accurate all the seams and techniques are but anywho!  

CONSTRUCTION:

sewing the seam allowance to one side after stitching the back seams together...

what the stitch looks like on the outer... 

just a bit of calico to stiffen the front. pressed and basted.

starting to lining it.

used back stitch for seams, for putting the lining together used a fell stitch.

all the eyelets hand sewn...

Here are the pattern pieces.

the sleeve and peplem pattern.

I have decided to make the train/open-front-skirt thing (what ever you call it) detachable so I can wear it with or with out and different skirts etc. depending on whether I want it for working in the garden where I wouldn't want a too long, light coloured skirt but then, perhaps a little tea-party-picnic I'd proffer something a little different... you know!

look forward to having it completed and posting some pictures of the finished result!! Rose xx

Pretty Dresses

I am quite proud of myself to have competed two dresses in less than a weeks time! I had finally gotten around to making that Victorian (1830's) day dress that I had created and fitted the toile for, but with other projects going, had put it aside... 

This was the sketch. I decided to leave off the long puffs, just do the upper ones also add a waist band. After researching n looking at pictures of gowns at the time, the band added to it quite nicely!

I also was considering hand sewing the entire garment since I've wanted to start actually sewing historically authentic clothing since I've got couture down pat and want to experiment with how clothes used to be made and which techniques where used/fashionable which eras etc... but it ended up being the majority of it sewn with a 21st Century machine!

It didn't take me too long to whip up since I wasn't bothered about all the layers of stiffener/lining/boning etc for just a simple day frock, it was finished with in like two days so...

I WANTED TO MAKE ANOTHER

looked through my tub of sheets I'd collected from Salvo's, jumped onto Pinterest for design ideas (I was going to be using the same pattern but wanted new ideas for sleeves or something...) and the first image I saw was this!

I was like that is exactly the dress I'd like to make!

The image above is the inspiration for this next gown...

I couldn't figure out how the sleeves where done and really wasn't prepared to be frustrated in figuring out sleeve patterns, though they were so cool and I wanted them for this dress however I just used the same pattern as the first, only made them fuller,

so they have quite a POOF!

(was super chuffed when I saw on the sheet's tag that it was 100% cotton too!)

This one is my favourite out of the two... 

Ooh it's so pretty, I feel like "The Young Victoria"

 

My two new gowns! 

the bodice pattern for them both....

this is the 2nd dresses outer/gathered thingie...

They were really easy and quick to sew also look and feel scrumptious on!

Happy sewing... I think I'm ready for a little break! 

 Rose xx

Random Pictures

Inspiration for my 1830's day dress...

  

        

More FROZEN

can you believe it?

Yep, my first couture job is to re-create an inspired-by-Elsa's-Ice-Dress!
As you can see in the sketch we've not done the sleeves and added lace-up back, not going to cover the entire bodice with beading like Elsa's original, the skirt is also fuller and the cloak isn't going to be such a train!

Progress: the bodice is complete...

I am now in the process of making the skirt. More pictures to come soon...
xx

Julie Andrews Would be Proud...

my dress made of curtains...

I've not posted in yonks! Reason being that, well, I have no excuses really only that I've not been photographing the work I've been up to... I have recently had a few enquirers of my talent and had a couple of jobs in altering peoples clothes/dresses and actually have a been hired to make a whole dress for some one, which I am pretty chuffed about!!

this dress here is what I made out of a stack of curtain fabric I was given... lovely for a nice winter dress (even though it is now Spring)! I think it is the best dresses I've ever made (sewing/technically wise) it fits so well and the pressing is gorgeous! I feel so good wearing it, its nice, simple and classy but can also be dressed up to me almost like a brides-maid-dress!

and the little shoes I found at an op-shop - $1

I wore it to an even called "Cherish" which is a production our church puts on every year for high-school aged girls all 'round the place... my sister and I were apart of the production, two dances (One which I choreographed - to the song LET IT GO demi version) and extras in the skit... SUCH FUN!

then after there is an after party with heaps of food, music and photo booth etc.  

CHERISH is always an awesome time... I can't wait for next year! 

So that's where I wore the dress (unfortunately I don't have any pic of it on me... yet)