Back to college, new students to knock into shape, usual chaos, confusion, and nothing much that was promised is in place. Sigh. And another year on the treadmill begins.
So, to cheer myself up, my brain has been accelerating away planning a showstopper for next year’s Asylum. Or at least, a really nice frock to wear. I’m all inspired by the pictures we took of the cathedral in Lincoln, and assumed at first that I would let the idea grow slowly, Pin some ideas, and let things take their course.
Nope.
Fairy overdrive kicked in, and while absently browsing for fabrics, intending to just mark the pages, I accidentally ordered some. then some more. Then some more. the first ones are already arriving, and my Pinterest board is taking off nicely. Take a peek, and you’ll get the drift. I rarely share my sketches/doodles, because they are very poor, and just for my own benefit, so you’ll have to imagine where I’m going for now.
I was originally going with the tried-and-tested bustle style dress so beloved of all steampunks, but I really am making more of the 1890s-1900s styles lately, and I find them comfortable to wear, and rather elegant, so my plans shifted.
The colour scheme is dictated by the cathedral itself, and would be out of my comfort zone in beigey golds, if it wasn’t for the judicious inclusion of lots of contrasting black. I’ll be posting more images here of course, but they will be chosen from this IMGUR album. https://imgur.com/a/Xutvl
Anyway, some of the images here for those that don’t like following links. Some of this is going over my worktable to keep me on track [Hah]
Fabrics so far
I’m all excited! Can you see it yet? [Channelling Rolf Harris there, gawd help me]
thedementedfairy 
That blue lace top with taffeta skirt is amazing. Somehow I don’t think it would work well on the farm while I feed the chickens, lol
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It’s one of my favourite gowns! That asymmetrically draped skirt is the key thing for this project, although the colours are more me in general!
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This is so exciting. I am loving it. And, as ever, I am sorry that work is not entirely to your liking. That is stressful.
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There’s no escape from the work stresses other than leave altogether, and finances do not allow that. I just aim to work to rule, and survive week by week.
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Which is my favorite photo? So many amazing images to choose from! I love the green and black gown, of course. and the blue lace with green. Also the macrame/ lacing down the spine corset thing-a-ma-jiggy. Also love the black laced corset with all the ties coming from the side seams– Yummy!!!! I might need need to “borrow” that inspiration…
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The ‘ties coming from the sides’ is called fan lacing. You can get the special fastenings for it from Vena Cava and the like. there are loads of stunning images on different styles, some using multiple fasteners. It’s supposed to make it easy to lace from the front, but is very decorative. I don’t suppose all of the inspiration ideas will be used in one outfit, but there’s so much to feed on!
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Beautiful inspiration shots, and the fabric looks fab too. Strange how many of us spend our working lives trying to escape by one means or another isn’t it? It surely was not meant to be like that.
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Oh I don’t think it was meant or not meant, it’s just the way it is. Those people who are lucky enough to enjoy the work that makes their living are few and far between. Most of us suffer through it. Life is better now I only work 4 days a week. If I could afford to drop to 3 it would be even better! We should be taking more time NOT working, more time living. Maybe give up on holidays and other luxuries, as we wouldn’t need them to de-stress so much? Working towards lol
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Looking forward to seeing this take shape!
Possible helpful hint? Clover makes 1/4″ fusible bias tape in black, or gold. It can also be sewn through. I don’t have the patience to try and get metallic fabric through the bias tape maker, so it’s worth the cost of buying ‘ready made’ for me.
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I’ll keep it in mind thanks. I usually just make flat bias tape, and if it needs to be folded, I find the needle method on the ironing board faster than the tape maker gadgets [although I do have a couple]
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Elaine- can you email me, please? coutureellen5@gmail.com I have a proposal for you …thanks, Ellen
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Fabulous dresses! I love that “era/style” but I don’t think I have the patience to sew those. I’ll look forward to seeing what you sew up instead!
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I am in love with the green and black number. Perfect for trips to [insert generic supermarket name] or just weeding the garden. If I had that dress I would never take it off. Actually if I had that dress I would never get it on but that is another story……. You fabrics are gorgeous. I love the shot cotton. I am really looking forward to seeing what you come up with. As an aside I saw Rolf Harris at Glastonbury. Oh dear. 😦 Xx
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Rolf Harris lol Oh dear indeed! I only have a bout three steampunk items that I can get into without appropriate scaffolding, that’s thew whole point! The shot cotton has arrived and it’s perfect, very thin, drapey and stretchy. Fabbo!
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