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SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 2-#22:Tail bodice completed!

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Oh my poor digits!  Around the neckline:  I row of black lace edging, two rows [actually one long loop] of purple velvet ribbon, 1 row [applied in two pieces so the directions balance] of the shell-smocked ribbon.

It’s taken AGES.

I’ve also finished the tweaks to the silver skirt:  I smooshed out that annoying droop on the front panel, removed the waistband and lowered it by a scant half inch, as the skirt ended up  a teeny bit too long, and added a draped piece of black lace.  I’ve left the end on my hip loose, as I quite like the swag effect.  I intended to make it the same at the side seam, but it just looked messy, so I did a bit of faffing, trimmed away the border on the would-be swag, and neatened it all off.  I rather like it.sewing stuff 001

It’s inspired by a dress that I’ve loved for years, ever since treating myself to Janet Arnold’s Patterns of Fashion, an absolute bible for makers of historical costume.  It contains meticulous line drawings of garments in  museum collections, dissected so that you can make your own.  I never have, I just love to pore over the drawings, diagrams and descriptions.  Luscious!

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Plus, I got to use one of the pieces of rather lovely wide black lace which I’ve had in stash for years and years.  Of course, partway through applying it, I realised that I’ve put it on the wrong way up.  Meh, only you guys will ever know!

I decided on this because with the cutaway nature of the purple bodice, the large expanse of plain silver satin looked…plain.  I like the drama of this effect.

This outfit was originally intended for ‘dinner with her majesty’ but has been switched to ‘an evening with Flash Gordon’, for which I will add a large, elizabethan style collar for my ‘Minge the Merciless’ character. I may need a raygun for my chatelaine… Watch this space lol

Speaking of the chatelaine, I just put in a bid for a rather sweet little boothook/pencil holder on eBay…fingers crossed.

23 thoughts on “SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 2-#22:Tail bodice completed!”

      1. Jaw properly dropped! Clearly there are some uber-serious costumers. Totally amazing. Also clearly: you’ve obviously been at it a bit longer than we have here. Or maybe it’s just that you’re more densely populated, so those who like to play are not that far between and can easily both be found an corralled into a big gathering.

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  2. That coat looks absolutely wonderful. Like the skirt as well but the coat surpasses everything. I have a chatelaine chain that belonged to my great grandmother but not the attachment unfortunately, but I do use it attached to a small pocket watch.
    Will you be going back to work for a rest? Your poor hands will need it.

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  4. Super coat, the trim is just right on it, and the shape, with pleated tail is elegant – makes you wonder why we abandoned such grand sweeping garb.

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    1. My wife was very unsure about the amount of trim on such a fancy fabric, but I feel like an iced cake lol. Oddly, someone on FB described it as a ‘sweeping’ outfit. Maybe I need a broom?

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  6. Just Googled and my jaw did drop. I watched a video on YouTube (with music by Alice’s Night Circus) and loved that. How on earth do they make those metal costumes, accessories etc? I love yours though, it may be understated in the land of Steampunk but it is beautiful and elegant and fun. So looking forward to seeing the whole collection now.

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    1. I told you! SOme of the metal is really metal, some is worbla [a plastic that’s heat mouldable], painted to look like metal. Some of these guys are absolute geniuses. I love Alice’s Night Circus, she’s very good. We hope to see her this year

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    1. hairstyle? Hardly, I’d spent some time before this trying to pin various hairpieces on…and gave up for now. I need to work something out, as some of the hats I’ll be making soon need to be perched on plenty of hair, and I don’t want to go with a full wig. Time will tell!

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  9. Gorgeous!! I hope to one day do historical patterns — I just can’t get enough of them! Amazing work — you look incredible!

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  10. Absolutely stunning. Take a bow, or a curtsey, or anything you think appropriate.
    Hope your fingers recover quickly, but it was so worth it.

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