Costume Build List (Part One)

Also known as The UnEnding List of Things to Do, But Make Me Happy So They Are Worth It.

So I took some time to sit down and write out all my projects.  I have two lists.  One if for myself and another is for Dickens.  My list includes projects for me, gifts and projects for Victoria and Meghan (They mostly need prodding to work on their projects but still its use of my machine.)  The projects for Charlie are lower priority, mostly because the are things for him to wear with Victoria...

This list does not include other sewing related tasks such as
Historical Sew Fortnightly (but I think some will apply!)
Attending Costume College
Helping Meghan Move
Moving Victoria's Room
Re-Instating my Sewing Room

Some items have deadlines (Dickens related things)- others do not (ie Kana has been a to-do for a couple of years now)

MY LIST

• Corded Petticoats (3? - one for each of the girls)
• Queen of Hearts (Two parts - repair and make another)
• Alice Cape - blue with white stripes (note to self - purchase 1' white grosgrain - ~20-30 yards)
• Alice muff - white rabbit fur of course 
• Sash for green stripe regency dress
• overdress (regency)
• pelisse
• curacao
• Pink Plaid
• Green Kirtle
• Chemise -Regency long sleeve
• 30's Dress (I will commission this one, but I have fabric..)
• 50's Dress
• Florentine (not yet finished, but technically wearable)
• Quilted Petticoat
• Round Gown
• Pantalettes (Alice, QoH, and a spare one or two)
• Pirate shirt (Victoria*)
• Blue Kirtle (Victoria)
• Breeches (Charlie)
• Coat (Charlie) - Actually he should have a couple Victorian, Revolutionary, and Regency
• Kana (Victoria)
• Belle Steampunk (Victoria*)
• Tricorns (cuz pirates amirite?)
• Blue Dress (Meghan*)
• Pantalettes (Meghan*)
• dino corset (Meghan - tudor style*)
• rapunzel corset (Meghan - 18th century style*)
• steampunk corset (Meghan - underbust*)

Its not much right?

Florentine update

I've finished the forepart.  I actually just made a complete skirt.  I thought it would be more useful that way...

It looks like I will need to make a farthingale as the photo above shows the skirts over my corded petticoat.  The skirts just don't stand out like I want them to.

I really enjoy hemming a skirt by hand and the old style of construction where you hem the skirt and then attach it to a waistband.

As you can see below, I built the skirt with a side opening and a box pleat in the front and an inverted box pleat in the back.  That way I can change it up if I want or need to.  

Next up: the lower sleeves.  I'm debating on how I want to embellish the dress and I will still need to add a ruff.

Florentine Dress (1556 or 1590)

So my fabric is pretty, has been washed and the bodice cut out.

The fabric is cut on the bias so I can chevron the seams.  I *thought* it was a good idea.  My green fabric (that used to have an antique gold stripe before it was washed) is VERY SQUIGGLY.  So I am flat lining it.  Easier said than done.  NOW I have to make all the edges line up. Great gods in heaven this is a trial worthy of Job.

Luckily for me - after some patient smoothing, I got it mostly done.  I sewed the layers together and then in a moment of bravery went straight into putting it together.  AND OMG (SQUEEEEE!) It WORKED!!!  Now it isn't perfect but I steadfastly refuse to fuss about it.  (and I'm not sure that the casual observer will really notice)

 I do apologize for the iphone photos, but my darling girl has packed away my proper camera for her costume fittings tomorrow.

1590-ish Italian/Florentine dress

I'm going to the Shakespeare picnic in September.  I need an Elizabethan Era dress.  I've chosen this painting by Allori, c1590 (or 1555-57).  The subject (depending on your scholarly opinion) is either Maria de Medici (1555-57)or Eleonora di Toledo de Medici (1590).  I don't really care which, because while the girl is pretty - this is all about the dress.

Now while I adore the peacock blue and yellow of the dress, I fell in love with a green striped fabric when shopping, so I'm using this as inspiration for my silhouette.


The painter of this portrait lived from 1535 to 1607 and this painting has been attributed to 1555-1557 and hangs in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Austria. http://bit.ly/prw1ZR