Dicken's Fair Costume Approved!

My Dicken's Fair costume has been approved.  Yippee!   

So the long and the short of making it.

The Skirt.
The skirt is actually 7 panels (gored) using the skirt pattern from Butterick 6196.  The regular pattern only uses 5 panels, but I added two when I bustled the skirt a few years ago.  I re-hemmed it so that it sits a few inches off the floor.  I just pleated the into a waist band and added a placket.  I made the skirt large enough to wear with or without a corset.

The Bodice.
The bodice is made using the lining pattern from TV456.  I used the upper sleeve pattern to make a pattern for the sleeve.  I did the math for the cuff as I wanted to be able to slip my hand through the cuff and not have to fasten it.

The Shawl.
Hand crocheted from about 5 skeins of gray lambswool blend.  Its big enough and basic enough to be used for several centuries of costumes.

The Tucker.
That would be the white blouse part in the close-up.  I went shopping at the thrift store for a blouse that closed around me neck and had pretty embroidery.  It cost about $4 at the thrift shop.

The Underthings.
The corset I've talked blogged about before here.
I also wore the corded petticoat and the cartridge pleated petticoat.

The Bonnet needs to be embellished but I'm very excited!

sewing projects

So this weekend I did some sewing.

First I finished my DTD affectionately called "Molly" - which was super frugal as now I have a dress form custom sized to me! time + energy + 3 rolls of duct tape = dress form that could have cost $300.



Then I made a pair of regency pantalettes. Normally these would be two separate tubes that each tie around the waist separately. I modified this because except for this photo not a one of you will see them in action! So mine are a bit more modest, and only use one string to tie on. Hopefully this will let me avoid any possible calamaties that befell women of the period.



I also started the shift, which is almost finished AND started crocheting a cloche to wear. What makes all this frugal? I had everything I needed at the house. woo hoo!