Gallery of In Progress Projects

[LadySeasan]

All that is left with my pink gown is to hem it properly and apply trim and embellishments. And add the grommets for lacing .I am at a lost on to what trim I want. I really want a wide trim at the bottom. I'm so indecisive!

[LadyShadow]

I hate those.  Just keep a look out for that one piece of trim that jumps out.

[GirlChris]

Or, look for SEVERAL pieces of trim that go together and make something fabulous when layered. I like using several pieces of upholstery braid; it looks so cool...

[DonaCatalina]

All that is left with my pink gown is to hem it properly and apply trim and embellishments. And add the grommets for lacing .I am at a lost on to what trim I want. I really want a wide trim at the bottom. I'm so indecisive!

I like to use a combination of flat patterned ribbon edged with braided trim. That was I get lots of width but I can get it on curves and corners without the difficulty of working with 4" wide trim.

[Sorcha]

I like to use a combination of flat patterned ribbon edged with braided trim. That was I get lots of width but I can get it on curves and corners without the difficulty of working with 4" wide trim.

I'm looking for something that gives a lot of trim width for a project I have as well.  I'm interested in seeing this idea.
DonaCatalina~  Might you have a photo example of your process?

[LadyStitch]

I did 3 layers of different lace widths onto a twill tape then added a goldbraid to make the trim for the pink pirate's cuffs.   I also found a great 1 inch wide trim once, then added a gold piping to each side to make it a good 2 inches wide.  Made for a great forepart decorative trim. My old tutor always said "If you don't like your trim, make your own".  It just takes time.

[gem]

I finally have a progress pic of the Much Ado project!



This is the first skirt, for my MIL. It's muslin, and it hasn't been hemmed (MIL is about 5 inches taller than I am, and in another state, so I will let her do that), so it doesn't poof like it will when it's the proper length (I am wearing 4" wedge heels in this picture and it still brushes the ground! Ha!!). I still want to make my skirt from linen, but I'm dithering over the 5.3 oz (for opacity) or the 3.5 ounce (for lightness).

And the quick and dirty bodice mockup (one layer of canvas/no boning, to test the sizing and the buttons). The fit is OK, but I think the buttons won't take the strain as well as lacing will, so I want to make it a bit looser in the bust, particularly since I think it will be even more snug when it's 2 layers of canvas + one layer of cotton outside + one layer of muslin lining + boning!  But I haven't exactly figured out how I'm going to do that (let out the S/As? Move the buttons? Advice appreciated!!). (Also, I put the buttons on the wrong side. Feh.)

BTW, those are my very first cartridge pleats AND functional buttons, thank you very much! 

[Kate XXXXXX]

They look pretty good.

As for making it a bit less neat in the front...  Just ad a quarter inch to each front piece side seam.  Or half an inch if you want it a whole inch bigger.

[Lady Rebecca]

Your pleats look terrific! Great job!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Looking good, gem.

I have both sides of the Pelican portrait bodice pearled and one already embellished. Tomorrow I will take photos before I finish the other side. The comes the fun part of slashing and making the silk poofs that will poke through.

[CenturiesSewing]

I've been working on a mostly handsewn wool kirtle made from only 3 yards of 60" wide fabric as a self challenge. 


The pattern, based off of "a kirtle from cloth of rash" from Juan de Alcega's Pattern book. I actually managed to cut this with less with 3 yards so I have enough left over that I can make a matching doublet and/or sleeves.


The skirt is unlined so I finished all the edges by folding them under and running stitched them down, the skirt pieces were then whip stitched together. It is a nice no fuss method as long as you have an iron handy. Next time I think I will make a jig to help double fold over the seam allowances.


The inner bodice guts! All the basing stitches are still in, I used my usual method of construction for it, but ended up machine sewing the interlining to the muslin. My thumb made friends with a bench grinder and that much hand sewing was not going to happen.

I am now up to sewing the eyelets on the bodice while watching Elizabeth R.


All the bits pinned in place over my hoop. I am not sure yet if I am going to trim it with anything or what to use if I do. 

[Kate XXXXXX]

I'd be tempted to leave it plain.  It looks good like that.

[Genievea Brookstone]

Gem that looks really good!  Are the *IL's* going to be coming to KC?  I would love to see that on her!

CS- WOW, my hands cramped just thinking of the possiblity of doing all that hand stitching.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

What a lovely Kirtle, CS!!  My fingers are screaming bloody murder from all the handsewing I have been doing. Yours must be as well.

Progress update on the Pelican portrait gown. The Bodice so far.


Then pearls in place where I will embellish. 6 hours total for both sides to pearl.


You can see the marks for the slashes. I have the other side to do.


The picadils that wil finish the bottom edge of the Bodice. I did those last year.

[Becky10]

You all make such great looking stuff! I am very,very jealous!

So after discovering how hard it is to watch shows in full noble garb I am making myself some peasant garb! The skirts are no problem, the bodice and what colors are. I was thinking a burnt orange and a turmeric yellow(or dark mustard) for the skirts and maybe a green patterned fabric for the bodice. Would these colors look good together? I have no idea what I am doing so this should be interesting!