Gallery of In Progress Projects

[Rowan MacD]

  Thanks gem.  I'm going to look for the bias tape for trim.....
The lining still needs hand basting, I will do that last since I keep adding things I want to insert through seams.  Instead of using grommets, I sprang for a 1/2 yard of the twill grommet tape at Joannes. (12.99 yd)  The tape has about 4-5 grommets set into the canvas every per 6".  I just cut a square with one grommet and a bit of fabirc for sewing and It makes a darn good ready made tie on tab for the sleeves.  So far so good.  I need to place a band on the edges of the doublet and set grommets there.  I like the lacing and button method of closing the front.
  What is the Jaquard trim exactly?  All the embroidered trim at Joann's is kind of busy, and none has the burgundy color in it.

[gem]

Smashing idea with the tabs from grommet tape!  Does the grommet tape come in other colors? It might actually make nice understated trim on its own.

I was thinking of a metallic jacquard trim like this super-skinny one from Calontir (maybe not this exact pattern, but you get the idea--gold & narrow):


I'm with you--my instinct is always to pick out trims that match really well, but I've noticed that sometimes things really pop when you use trims that don't have any of the colors used in the body of the garb (Sofi's does this a lot).

But the more I look at your lord's doublet, I like the idea of using something dark and solid and understated, and just outlining the the tabs and doing the chevrons like you planned.

[Rowan MacD]

  The corduroy is a great Idea! I was going to go with velveteen, but since Joann's and Hancock's don't seem to stock them in anything but primary colors, that won't do.  I held the dec fabric up to the red and...not going to work.  
  I just bought some brown x-wide bias tape to finish the hat band so I'll check to see what it looks on the tab edges. I need something to break up all that geometric pattern somehow.   The dec fabric is so busy, it would be hard to make a busy trim work on this,  even bronze gimp looks weird.  
  Hubby has a gathered shirt with tiny ruffled collar w/blackwork edge to wear under this.

  The grommet tape is available in black, white and sometimes red; gold grommets on a thick belt twill.  The biggest problem using these for other projects would be that the grommets are not evenly spaced.   It looks like they were hand set on a machine which is probably why the stuff is so expensive, but it still annoys me that it looks sloppy.  The savings in labor is worth it though especially if you only plan to use it to cut up, like I did.  
Some of the spaces between grommets are big enough to look odd if you wanted to use them for  corsets or bodice making, and they would be seen. On the plus side, the stuff is tough and the grommets are pretty heavy duty.  
  Oh, I also used heavy duty hair elastics for the sleeve button loops, I made sure they are well attached, and they are easier on arthritic hands.  I was able to match the doublet color too.

[gem]

Oh! I had another idea. What about leather or suede bias binding/tape? You could go with the real stuff, which is what I used on Milord's Gimli tunic, or microsuede, which I used on my pink corset. It adds the same sort of nice solid color and textural depth of velveteen or corduroy, but without the bulk/nap/fuzziness. I found both of them terrifically easy to work with. And the microsuede comes in every conceivable color, which is nice.

[Rowan MacD]

Oh! I had another idea. What about leather or suede bias binding/tape? You could go with the real stuff, which is what I used on Milord's Gimli tunic, or microsuede, which I used on my pink corset. It adds the same sort of nice solid color and textural depth of velveteen or corduroy, but without the bulk/nap/fuzziness. I found both of them terrifically easy to work with. And the microsuede comes in every conceivable color, which is nice.

I also thought of velvet ribbon, but quickly realized that it's not available in a big color selection either. I will have hubby dig through his stash of leather to see if he has anything he likes (he makes ghillies for himself, since he wears them out so fast). Will hie myself over to Joanns' to paw through the micro suede (like I need an excuse) . The home dec fabric is plenty thick already. 

[gem]

Get yourself the Clover bias tape maker in the width you need, while you're there. I used mine for the first time last weekend, and it's *brilliant.* It won't help with the most time-consuming and fiddly bit (cutting the strips), but it totally eliminates any effort on your part when it comes to folding. I'm buying more sizes next time I'm at JA.  (They just need to add one for French bias!)

[gem]

Before anybody replies to Pynquerose's question... Isabella made it its own thread!

http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=16062.0


(You may all resume your WIP show & tell!  )

[pynquerose27]

Hi again!

I removed my misplaced question so it wouldn't cause any confusion.

I'd like to post what I've finished on my DD's gown bodice, if I may.  I couldn't get an image to show, so here's a link: http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff400/pinquerose27/RF%20Garb/topdk.jpg  My fabric has photographed a bit darker than it really is.

I've attached the faux mink cuffs to the sleeves, but there's still a lot more work to be done on the bodice before it's ready to join to the skirt. I still need to trim the entire neckline with a wide row of gold lace, a row of "jewels" and another row of narrow gold braid.

And then I'll have to make a bejeweled necklace as in the inspiration picture: http://pjbtv.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/lanaturner1.jpg  Incidentally, over the past half century, the gold bullion on the bodice of the movie costume has tarnished, and the mink cuffs have faded. Originally, the gold was bright & the mink was dark.

I've always enjoyed sewing fantasy clothes, but I can't believe how much fun this project is!

[DonaCatalina]

Looking good!

[Anna Iram]

I haven't been by here in ages. You all have been busy!

Rowen, yay! That came out great.   Might consider a darkish grey trim? I put some grey taffetta next to some gold and burgundy just now and I really liked the combo.

The green silk gown is going to be scrumptious.

[isabelladangelo]

The green dress is already looking smashing! 

[amy]

Oh I love the green bodice.  That bead work is gorgeous and the color is to die for.  Will you be adding the other gold trim around the neckline as well?    She will be such a wow!

[Betty Munro]

I like your embroidery on the front of the gown better than the inspiration photo.  Yours looks like a dragon face to me.  Love it!

[pynquerose27]

Thank you for all your kind comments!  I really appreciate the encouragement.  

The gold design on the bodice was very daunting for me! Fortunately, the inspiration gown had been among those sold by Debbie Reynolds just two weeks before DD asked me to make hers, so I was able to find several photos of it online. I got the biggest close-up I could find of the bodice design, then enlarged it until it was life size. Then I changed it to black & white, & printed it off onto two pieces of paper to use as my pattern. I traced off the wide trim design onto the bodice, and stitched narrow gold braid with gold thread to make it. Next, I placed a very thin gold trim around, over & under the braid for the flourishes. I didn't copy the pattern for that part; I just laid out the trim until I liked the way it looked. That's why the designs are similar but different. My DD is taller & slimmer than Lana Turner, & I wanted her gown to complement her own figure. Finally, I added gold beads of various shapes & sizes, as well as pearls to finish the gold medallion.  

Today I added wide gold lace, a row of "jewels," and narrow gold braid around the entire neckline of the dress. It looks more complete now. I've also started the gold & "emerald" necklace.

My DD tried the gown on again & is very excited about it. This evening we watched the movie "Diane" again to see the original gown. Here's a link to a few brief scenes from the movie on You Tube, which shows Lana Turner wearing the inspiration gown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qrZnNrtqtc  Hers included a green velvet cape, which I am omitting.

There's something magical about embellishing silk fabric with gold thread! I told my DD: "I don't know how I'll ever be able to sew anything else after this."  She responded: "I don't know how I'll ever be able to wear anything else after this!"  

[operafantomet]

There's something magical about embellishing silk fabric with gold thread! I told my DD: "I don't know how I'll ever be able to sew anything else after this."  She responded: "I don't know how I'll ever be able to wear anything else after this!"  

You've passed the point of no return.