Gallery of In Progress Projects

[Maggiedoll]

Okay, I don't usually say much here..  gotta say all of the talent is a bit intimidating. 
I've been taking AGES working on my Tudor dress, mostly just procrastinating parts of it, although some of those periods of procrastination have been because I didn't understand how something was supposed to go together. 
But, while it's not done.. it's getting closer!
All the trim is just pinned on right now..  the neckline isn't right, so I've been debating trying to redo the shoulders.  But if I don't do that before the MD faire starts, I might just put it on. 
My pictures always turn out so bad.  Although, on the dress form usually looks better than on me!  For some reason, I don't photograph very well. 

[LadyShadow]

It is coming along very nicely.  Love the color combo that you are using.  And good luck fighting the procrastination. 

[Maggiedoll]

Thanks!  Although I have to admit that the colors were a bit accidental.  I found the jacquard awhile ago in the $1.95/yard section on fabric.com awhile ago, and the red taffeta was the only thing in my stash that seemed like it would work for the contrast. And I swear.. next time I'm doing something that's easier to get in and out of!  It presents great problems in fitting when you can't try something on without help! The hood is still a bit mishapen, so I'll probably redo it in a remnant of red velvet, which will also increase the resemblence to this picture of Mary I:

[Lady Isabella]

very pretty!

[LordPaulet]

Looks GREAT!!!

I will say that hoop #2 looks like its a little out of proportion from #1 and #3 and causing your dress to have a hoop ring in it right in the middle. (sorry its one of my pet peeve things )  Otherwise its BEAUTIFUL! and what luck finding that fabric so cheap !!!!

[auntiegiggles]

Maggiedoll - your gown is amazing!  Great job!

[LadyFae]

Love, love LOVE the color combo! =)

[Maggiedoll]

LordPaulet, that's because there are no hoops #1 & 3.    Gotta get up to Lowe's for more PVC piping.  

[LadyStitch]

I was thinking of doing that tonight.  If anything I'm also sorting my fabric. All red stuff in one box, blue in another, white, on another , and black in another.  All bits to small to be used for something practical end up in my skirt.  Anything too small for that ends up in the bin.
Do you think a layered skirt would be too heavy?  Or should I just do a really pleated skirt?  I really can't deside.

As promised, here is a photo of what I have so far.  It is  1 yard by roughly 2 yards so far.  I want to get it to at least 5 yards.  I decided I'm going to do it as a regular gathered skirt with a fixed waist band.  The reason being that if I try draw string or elastic it will be too heavy to be supported by it.

What do you think? 

[Marietta Graziella]

What fun!  I have been wanting to do a scrap skirt or bodice for some time.  Just never seem to get the pieces sewn together properly.  I started it, but I can't get it to look right and not pucker.

[LadyStitch]

The trick is making sure each piece is pressed flat and you lay it out on a flat surface. I ususally piece a 1 foot square piece at a time, and then go to the machine. I also do not like too many curves as they have alot more "give" to allow for puckers.
You also have to be careful of "crawly" fabrics.  I have some bloucey satin lepord print I like to use but, it is easy to crawl so i'm only using it in small pieces in non-stress areas. I also try to make sure I only put light to medium weight, and medium to heavy, never lightweight with heavy.  I like raveling but I don't want THAT much.

Oh one fun thing I'm doing is using either white or black thread that I have on multiple bobbins, then using those odd colors of bobins that I have hanging around as the top thread.  That way i have various colors of fabric AND thread on it. Depending on how things are going I might even go back and try out some of my decorative stiches on this.

[Auryn]

ladystitch thats pretty cool
Are they attached to a base solid piece of fabric or just all attached to each other??
I'd love to see the finished product

[Rani Zemirah]

I was watching some crafting show or another a couple of years ago, and they were talking about a way to lay out a pattern for a quilt that was sort of cheating a bit, but made the piecing go so much faster, and it was simple.  They used a roll of fusible backing and just laid out their pieces on that, then ironed them down. That way, when they went to sew the seams the pieces were already secure and they didn't have to worry about anything slipping during sewing.  Of course, they had to fold over to sew their seams for quilting, but you could just do your zig-zag stitch right over the top.

It's coming along beautifully!  I love all the colors, and the obvious scrap shapes are soooo much fun!!! 

[LadyStitch]

Nope there isn't any backing fabric.  It is just scraps out of my scrap box. 

A few years ago I did an appliqued skirt out of velvet, satin, beads and other pretty things. It was gorgeous.  Could I do it again?  Yes, would I want to .....maybe. 

I have to say there is something relaxing about making order out of chaos. 

[operafantomet]

The so-called "Elissa" project is coming along nicely. The backdrapes are insane! 10 meters of fabric; 5 of red brocade, 3 of shot polyester, and 2 of a stripy brocade (or actually the backside, the front isn't stripy). They aren't finished in the picture. I need to experiment with draping it to make it look good both from the front, back and sides. But it'll be waterfall drapes, and with a pleated "peplum" in the waist. Slowly getting there...