Friday, May 13, 2016
Saturday, April 30, 2016
More sewing projects in my future.
I wore my new plaid bustle dress and realized now I need a new chemise and a new corset cover. The new neckline is not working with my current chemise and corset cover. I had to do some last minute adjustments Friday.
And then there was the "bump" along the lower edge of the neckline. I thought it was fixed when I did little tacking stitches along there. That edge is a little thick with the pleating and the velvet piping. I then realized that when I sewed that seam the plaid fabric must a slipped a bit on that edge and there was just extra fabric. I took out my original tacking and pushing up the fabric toward the piping, I tacked it down there to use up that extra fabric. There was plenty of room to pull it up on the piping. So I think it is really fixed this time.
This dress is a lot easier to wear than I thought it would be. It is trained, so the back stays in the back. I actually forgot there was a train most of the time. And there isn't a hoop bustle, just a couple of trained petticoats. It is a little difficult to get into the car, with all that fabric in the rear....don't want to leave anything outside the door!
I won't be wearing this dress while giving tours though. I have people occasionally step on the back of my skirts without really a train. I will be wearing it on "Station Days" for school classes, when I stay in one room and pass the class onto the next room, and on "Flow-Through" tours that we have on big events. Our guest can flow through the house at their own speed as the docents stay in one room.
Now I will start having to look into patterns for a new chemise and corset cover. And my corset is starting to show a lot of wear so will think about making a new corset also.
All these projects will keep me busy as I wait of lift off day in June!
And then there was the "bump" along the lower edge of the neckline. I thought it was fixed when I did little tacking stitches along there. That edge is a little thick with the pleating and the velvet piping. I then realized that when I sewed that seam the plaid fabric must a slipped a bit on that edge and there was just extra fabric. I took out my original tacking and pushing up the fabric toward the piping, I tacked it down there to use up that extra fabric. There was plenty of room to pull it up on the piping. So I think it is really fixed this time.
This dress is a lot easier to wear than I thought it would be. It is trained, so the back stays in the back. I actually forgot there was a train most of the time. And there isn't a hoop bustle, just a couple of trained petticoats. It is a little difficult to get into the car, with all that fabric in the rear....don't want to leave anything outside the door!
I won't be wearing this dress while giving tours though. I have people occasionally step on the back of my skirts without really a train. I will be wearing it on "Station Days" for school classes, when I stay in one room and pass the class onto the next room, and on "Flow-Through" tours that we have on big events. Our guest can flow through the house at their own speed as the docents stay in one room.
Now I will start having to look into patterns for a new chemise and corset cover. And my corset is starting to show a lot of wear so will think about making a new corset also.
All these projects will keep me busy as I wait of lift off day in June!
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
The Plaid Bustle Dress
This project was a lot of fun. A plaid fabric, first of all. I really don't know how to match plaids the "correct" way. And it was a new bodice pattern and skirt also. They are both Truly Victorian patterns:
I changed the bodice back a bit. I shortened the tail, left off the collar and made the sleeves 3-quarter length.
As always with a new pattern, it has to be traced.
One problem I had was getting the swag folds to lay right. It took me a whole day to finally figure out what was wrong.
A bit of planning where pleats, etc. would go.
And then I added the frou frou.
I still have the waist fastenings and closing to finish, then I'm done. Too bad I didn't have it for the Scottish Day at Ardenwood a couple of weeks ago.
As always with a new pattern, it has to be traced.
One problem I had was getting the swag folds to lay right. It took me a whole day to finally figure out what was wrong.
A bit of planning where pleats, etc. would go.
I decided to make the bodice before adding all the trim on the skirt.
I still have the waist fastenings and closing to finish, then I'm done. Too bad I didn't have it for the Scottish Day at Ardenwood a couple of weeks ago.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Ardenwood Opening Day 2016 is coming!
I am looking forward to April 2nd, Tartan Day at Ardenwood!
What will I wear? I don't have any plaid.... mmmm. Maybe I could wear my black mournng dress and make a sash out of some cotton plaid. They say it is ok to wear tartan even if you are not of that heritage. My maiden name is the name of a city in Scotland, Wick. It was supposed to have been created by Scandinavians (Vikings), does that count. There is a tartan for Wicks, but it is not easy to find. We will see.
What will I wear? I don't have any plaid.... mmmm. Maybe I could wear my black mournng dress and make a sash out of some cotton plaid. They say it is ok to wear tartan even if you are not of that heritage. My maiden name is the name of a city in Scotland, Wick. It was supposed to have been created by Scandinavians (Vikings), does that count. There is a tartan for Wicks, but it is not easy to find. We will see.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Guess what!
My daughters and I have been planning a trip to France. It is a few months off though. Dad, who doesn't like to travel will be at home holding down the fort.
When we are back I will post some pictures.
When we are back I will post some pictures.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Robert's knickerbockers
I've been working on Robert's knickerbockers for a bit now. It has been very interesting working with men's tailoring.
Robert did a fast little fitting with the mockup after the Egyptian Expedition event. After that I started working with the "real" fabric. This is fabric that I bought when I was up at Jen's house. There was a fabric store going out of business and Jen and I visited them twice! I bought this fabric (with no info on what it is made of) for $3 a yard. It is like a tweed, somewhat loose weave. It probably has polyester in it. . . and maybe some cotton? I did shrink it by misting and steaming it. It does wrinkle somewhat.
I was so happy how the pockets turned out. I thought they were going to be really puckery.
This is in the middle of the project with the Laughing Moon pattern #119.
This is where I am at now.
There are a lot more buttons than you would imagine.
I need to get the buckle for the back strap and the buttons for the suspenders. They had the buttons even though they may not use suspenders.
And then I will be starting the bands around the bottom of the knickerbockers.
Robert did a fast little fitting with the mockup after the Egyptian Expedition event. After that I started working with the "real" fabric. This is fabric that I bought when I was up at Jen's house. There was a fabric store going out of business and Jen and I visited them twice! I bought this fabric (with no info on what it is made of) for $3 a yard. It is like a tweed, somewhat loose weave. It probably has polyester in it. . . and maybe some cotton? I did shrink it by misting and steaming it. It does wrinkle somewhat.
I was so happy how the pockets turned out. I thought they were going to be really puckery.
Monday, February 22, 2016
The Egyptian Expedition
Last weekend was the Greater Bay Area Costume event "The Egyptian Expedition"! It was held at the Rosacrution Egyptian Museum in San Jose.
My phone camera was a total flop on photos of the event, but luckily Jen's worked fine.
My phone camera was a total flop on photos of the event, but luckily Jen's worked fine.
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