Gallery of In Progress Projects

[Lady Rebecca]

Nearly complete frankensmock - neckline option 1 - when you need a shirt with collar




Neckline option 2 - when you need a partlet




Detail of the blackwork and button closure on the collar, with box pleated ruffle. I'm going to redo the thread/button closure with ribbon/button, since the thread is too hard to get over the button.


Blackwork and lace cuff


This is what it looks like when the neckline is fully open


At this point, I think I'm going to add two hooks to connect the yoke fabric to the body at the bustline, and I need to switch the thread out for ribbon at the neck, fix the hem, and sew a buttonhole and a button on each cuff.

[Becky10]

Lady Rebecca I love that!

[Anna Iram]

Same here! I really like the fact that you can change it to your taste. The pleats and blackwork are lovely. 

[operafantomet]

That is both very cool and very beautiful. I especially love that first picture!

[DonaCatalina]

You did a great job with this smock/chemise. I love how all the little details work together.

[Rani Zemirah]

It truly is lovely, Lady R!  And you make it even more so... 

[Lady D1]

Girdle is done:


One of the fabrics is picked for the front of my dress and for the front of his vest.  Trying to decide between doing velvet, velveteen or something lighter.
 

[Brenna]

Oh my goodness, D! You are very talented. I think it is beautiful!

[Dinobabe]

Nearly complete frankensmock - neckline option 1 - when you need a shirt with collar


At this point, I think I'm going to add two hooks to connect the yoke fabric to the body at the bustline, and I need to switch the thread out for ribbon at the neck, fix the hem, and sew a buttonhole and a button on each cuff.

That is really cool!  Did you use a pattern?  If so, what was it?

[Genievea Brookstone]

I really really like that Lady R!

[Cori]

I've been on this forum for awhile reading all the great information so I took the plunge at making a garment, I may have been over ambitious.

I wanted to make a side lacing bodice to go with my skirt but I couldn't find a pattern from the big 3 that was exactly what I wanted so I took Simplicity 2589 and tried to modify it (by looking at McCall M4696).  It's obviously too big so I'm glad it's only part done so I can undo things easier but I need some guidance on what I need to do to make it better.  I mock laced the sides since I haven't put in the grommets but since it's too big I "belted" it on as best I can so I could take a few pictures.  

1.   What can I do so that the straps aren't falling off my shoulders?  Do I need to move them, make them wider or make the back smaller?
2.   I've read that I should have boning on the edge next to the grommets but should I have boning on both sides of the lacing grommets?
3.   Is the front point too dramatic? Should it be a shallower point?
4.   What else should I do to make the garment better?

[Lady Rebecca]

Nearly complete frankensmock - neckline option 1 - when you need a shirt with collar


At this point, I think I'm going to add two hooks to connect the yoke fabric to the body at the bustline, and I need to switch the thread out for ribbon at the neck, fix the hem, and sew a buttonhole and a button on each cuff.

That is really cool!  Did you use a pattern?  If so, what was it?

It's mostly drafted on my own. It's a blend of Simplicity 4059 and Butterick 6196, and heavily altered. Keep in mind I cut out the pieces the first week of June, so it's not fresh in my mind, but I think I took the back of the yoke from 4059, as well as the body, but I lengthened it to be a long chemise, and added side gussets. I extended the front of the yoke to take into account that men do not have large chests (though going back, it turned out too large, so I probably wouldn't do that the next time I make one). I used the collar band and wrist cuffs from that pattern as well.
For the sleeves, I blended the two patterns, using mostly 6196, but making sure the armpit was of 4059, so it would fit into the armseye. I believe I may have also made them a little bigger than the original pattern, and I always have to add 3 inches to it anyway, since my arms are long (it's my go-to plain chemise pattern). Then I did the box pleated collar completely freehand, cutting together small pieces of the nice fabric, so they would blend into one long row and keep the pattern of the fabric.
It wound up being several inches too wide at the bust, which is why you see the box pleats, and the darts. I couldn't just take it in, because I was trying really hard to keep the pattern matched in front.

[Dinobabe]

How about a pic of the sides?

I'm thinking just cut off some of the excess from the sides.

If you are interested in redoing it check out this thread.
http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=6107.0

[ArielCallista]

I don't think the point is too dramatic but it may appear more dramatic when you take in the garment. so making it a bit shallower might be a good idea as for how HA it is to have a point and how deep it should be for HA I've got no clue...The boning by the grommets. you definitely want some. I've seen bodices with both options you've mentioned. I think it depends on how sturdy you want it to be and how much stress will be put on the grommets...if you need alot of support for the girls two prolly isn't a bad idea. if you are smaller framed/chested one should be enough. Its rather hard to tell your build in that image cuz of the ill fit of the bodice.

[Valencia]

The shoulder straps can be fixed by tightening them up, and by moving them slightly wider, and changing the angle at which they attach. Can you post a pic of the back of the bodice? 

Regarding the point, you'll probably have to shorten it a bit... it also looks like the sides of the garment are slightly too long; they should stop at your waist, otherwise, the fabric bunches weird in the garment.  If you could post side pics too, that would help.

I usually use boning on the the edge next to the grommets; whether it goes inside depends on how much overall boning you need for the amount of support you are looking for. If I am in doubt, I'll usually sew some channels, insert boning, try the garment on. If I need more, I add a few more, try on, and see.