Gallery of In Progress Projects

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I met up with Lord Paulet, a.k.a Lord Austin-Tatious. He is a warm and welcoming person. We had a nice visit on Saturday.

His sewing skills are coming along nicely. The  ensemble he wears in his avatar photo is well designed and done. i am so glad that we met.

[Merlin]

So I say to my wife... "How about we go to Middle Faire this year"... she replies with "Well... I'll need a new dress since it's a new faire to us" ... Off to Joannes and in a day she comes up with this:




The plaid is from material left over from my clan tartan kilt.

I was planning on wearing my new Texas Blue Bonnet kilt but I guess I'll go with the Gunn Tartan so we match.

[Kate XXXXXX]

A bit OT, but pix from my 18th C collection construction diaries:

       

   

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Looking good, Kate!!!

Gotta love those hips though!!!

[Kate XXXXXX]

Pocket hoops rock!    I just love filling that doorway...

I think I did post the pocket hoops, but here's a reminder:



Big enough to hide a pistol, a stolen necklace, my character sheets, and anything else I need to secrete about my person.   

There's a lilac satin petticoat to go with that caraco, and a purple petticoat with black lace and silver lace to go with the sacque.

The complete (scary!) list for one weekend reads:

3 shifts
1 pair of stays
2 under petticoats
1 pair of pocket hoops
1 false rump
2 caraco jackets
2 satin petticoats
1 sacque with matching petticoat
1 Robe Anglaise polonaise with matching petticoat
3 hats
1 mask
1 velvet Domino

[Merlin]

2 days of sewing and the new dress is ready for Middle Faire.

She works fast.

[Amyj]

Nice!!!  Way to go...um....Mrs. Merlin!!!! 

[LadyShadow]

   

This looks so lovely.  And I love the fabric that you picked.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Thank you.  I didn't pick the fabric: it was a prezzy!  My friend that is also involved in this project (she's doing a sacque, stays, petticoats, and a gentleman's suit) brought me it as a thankyou for my time and input.  She remembered exactly the piece of silk and cotton satin I have, and brought this and a matching piece of silk chiffon crinkle fabric for a fichu! 

I have the space, so we convene the coven at my house for a weekend here and there and do nothing but sew.  This time we had a bank holiday, so three whole days of sewing!  My menfolk kept us fed.  Next one will be the end of October.  Progress will be reported!

[Valencia]

Kate, that is GORGOUS!!! I think I drooled on my keyboard!!! I am starting an 1880 ensemble as soon as I get a few projects off my table, I cannot wait. Your work is spectacular, and your fitting is amazing. I love it!!

Ms. Merlin looks fantastic in her new ensemble. I love the colors!

[Valencia]

The 18th century frock coat is coming along. I finished putting the lining in today, and I'm almost done. I still have to do more trim and buttons and tack in pleats, but that shouldn't be too bad.  The lining is a bag lining; once I hung the coat, the lining is a bit short on one side, and causes the coat to lay funny. Has this happened to any of you, and do you know how to fix it?





The trim on the buttonhole side. I agonized over how to make this happen, I finally just had to get in and do it, lol : )

[operafantomet]

Getting there... Sleeves has been revamped, trim is sewn on in the back (only halfway in front, so slow work!). I'm thinking the sleeves will be tied to the bodice with black bands. Unless any of you have a better solution? I though about buttons and loops, but it sounds like so much hazzle to get it right. But other ideas?

[Kate XXXXXX]

Thanks, Valencia.   

I love the frock coat.  Looks almost like fine grained leather...  Is it"  or satin?

About the shorter-at-one-side issue: it'll need unpicking I'm afraid...  Check your seam allowances!  A small discrepancy can make quite a wrinkle or hobble in fit...

Opera - the blue is looooverly!  I think go with the black bands.

Mrs Merlin!  Looking great!  Loving the red petticoat!  (Wants excuse for red flannel petticoat...  )

[Valencia]

Thanks, Valencia.   

I love the frock coat.  Looks almost like fine grained leather...  Is it"  or satin?

About the shorter-at-one-side issue: it'll need unpicking I'm afraid...  Check your seam allowances!  A small discrepancy can make quite a wrinkle or hobble in fit...

Crap... okay, I thought so. Thank you for the advice. : ) I'm hoping that isn't the side I trimmed the seam allowances on, but I bet it is... I guess worst case scenario is to pull that whole front panel off, cut a new one, sew it onto the lining, and then finish the bag lining more carefully this time. I wish there was an undo option in real life, lol...

It's actually a shantung silk, but it's not super slubby. I picked that particular fabric because the inspiration from the coat is from Plunkett and MacLeane, one of the guys was wearing one with this same color and sheen, and I couldn't stop drooling over it, so I decided to make one.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Rather than recut the whole thing, add a band to the hem.  You could do this to both sides to make a 'design feature'.