Gallery of In Progress Projects

[Evie McCann]

Thank you ladies. Hope to have the underskirt done by the weekend. Will post when done.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

WOW Evie! THat is going to look dynamite!!!!



Just ordered 3 yards of this Brocade for an upcoming project for Lady DeLaney from http://stylishfabric.com/brocade-fabrics/jennilyn-brocade-jacquard-fabric-navy-gold.html

It's going to be used for a  Short length Lady Pirate jacket with Black Velveteen accents and Gold Buttons. Full skirting in the back with pleating for a  femminine look. Of course, the website failed to say how wide this fabric is. So I am assuming that this Brocade is 54" wide. Should I need more, I will have to order more.

[isabelladangelo]

robe a la francaise by jubileel_insaneone, on Flickr

I know it doesn't look like much yet but that's partly because it's on the "dummy mummy" and not on the real Mom.  :-)   I'm making her a robe a la francaise. 

[Lady Leo]

So I have been working on the bodice for my Elizabethan gown. All the underpinnings and skirts have been finished. I made the bodice to lace up the sides, but I don't know exactly how to lace it. There are an odd number of eyelets to lace it together with. My husband help me get everything on and attempted to lace it but did not tie it or get it as tight as it could be I think. I need a little help. I'm kind of worried about how its going to lay over the skirts.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Looks fab so far!

[GryffinSong]

I love it!!!

[gem]

It is GORGEOUS!! Love that sagey green velvet (?).

There is something off about the fit of the bodice. This is the MA Elizabethan, right? I saw your question on the YAHOO list; I'm glad you posted the photos here, too.

Odd-numbered lacing holes would indicate spiral lacing to me. Jen Thompson of Festive Attyre has a wonderful article here: Zen of Spiral Lacing.

But first I'm wondering if you're not exactly laced up properly *in the corset.* You didn't post a photo of that (reasonably enough!) so I can't tell for sure--it may fit you perfectly!--but you should be getting a little more lift and support from it. The topline should fit more like this. (That's a boned kirtle, not a corset, but the principle is the same. ETA: It's also spiral laced up the sides, FWIW!) When your husband laces you up, make sure you're doing the ELM--Elizabethan Lift Maneuver. When you're about halfway laced in, reach down inside the corset and lift your assets into place.  Then try the bodice on again, spiral lacing it, and see if that helps things!

If that doesn't fix everything, I'm wondering if the bodice is too long on you. It doesn't look like much--maybe just a teensy smidge (half an inch, maybe?). But try adjusting the lacing, and I'll bet that gorgeous gown behaves itself just splendidly!!

[Lady Leo]

The corset is a bit large. I lost weight since I made the corset. My figure is really strange. I had drafted the pattern for a size 14 bust and 16 or 18 waist I can't remember exactly and it was huge so I put a set of darts in the back to make it fit better. Now when I'm laced in it touches and doesn't feel very tight. I have a smaller size corset sitting on my desk that's almost done, but I stole two corset bones out of it to use in the bodice. I just placed on order for more boning. I was hoping I would be able to get by with the other corset for the moment, but now I'm not so sure. Pesonally I feel like the bodice maybe a bit long but not sure. I have it on the dress form now and it looks a little better, but I don't know. I'm kind of stuck right now as to where to go with this. Tomorrow I'll try and take and post so more photos. The hardest part is getting my husband to willing help he get my garb on to test fit and he doesn't take great pictures with my phone.

[CenturiesSewing]

One 95% hand sewn ruff and some home made starching jelly...

[Evie McCann]

Lady Leo, I'm loving your color, the beading and the trim. In fact, the whole gown looks fantastic.

Still working on the black/white gown.  I'm waiting for my black silk to come in so I can finish the overskirt and doublet.  I had some leftover silk from my dad's pirate shirt, so I've been able to do the outer part of the bodice, but now I have to wait a week to get the lining for the bodice.  Guess I'll work on some other stuff in the meantime.

Here's what I've got so far...

[DonaCatalina]

Lady Leo and Lady Eve,
those are both turning into gorgeous gowns.

[GryffinSong]

Your black and white gown is truly lovely. All that embroidery is fascinating and gorgeous.

[Lady Kaalyn]

Here is my current project.  I took a corset making class on Saturday and decided to go full steam ahead. (im a bit out of my head I know lol) I decided to use material that I already had and I found a really pretty purple twill material that I had a nice piece of scrap of and then I had some cheap brown fabric that I decided to use that way if I mess up it's not a great loss. 

Here is the pattern and all my notes from the class.



I am severely lacking on space so I used my bed to help me organize.  My sewing machine is actually on a tv tray table. 
I laid out my pattern and got everything ready to start cutting. (I have purchased a rotary cutter.  After using one in the class I decided I must have one)
Half way through I realized I really needed some pattern weights so I made some using some scrap material and rice.   I may make some more with actual weights and ribbon. 



So after all of that here is what I have done so far.  I prolly should not have used such a shiny material for  the outer layer for my first corset but I was just using what I had.  I am really loving the purple twill that I used it is very lovely.  I found that I am lacking enough boning to do my corset so I am on hold until I can make it to the fabric store.  I have also decided that I want a bias tape maker and will pick one up while I'm out. 

[gem]

Oooh, purty! Curvy Victorian lusciousness!

Pattern weights = anything heavy in your house. Tuna cans, your pincushion, etc. But even better than pattern weights? Iron your patterns to get those creases out. Dry iron, cool heat. Magic.

I absolutely *adore* my Clover bias tape makers (especially the 2" one). They are ridiculously fun to use. ANY OTHER BRAND? Not so much. If you can't find the Clover ones when you go out, save your money and try this free method instead.

Have fun!!

[LadyStitch]

I've been busy and will continue to be a busy girl for the next month.  Yesterday I cut out, assembled, and added the applique coat of arms for our knight.  I cut out and assembled a blood red peasant blouse.  At lunch today I cut out 3 men's tunics, to be assembled tonight. 
I have waiting to be cut out:
- A teal linen princess lined handmaiden's gown.
-A Gold brocade, and maroon Egyptian cotton Gown for our Maid Marion

Fabric Ordered and should be here by end of week:
-A matching  Golden doublet for our prince
- A Yellow shirt with matching 'pumpkin' Pants
- A black tabbard with applique Coat of Arms
- An off the shoulder medieval gown in a royal blue for Maid Marion

Still needs to be ordered to go with these yummy items :
Trims from Pillage Village
Buttons, zippers, and other notions

::Panting::  Oh yeah I still may have 1 more doublet to make, and another tunic.  And it is all needing to be done by  March 23rd.  Am I going to get much sleep?  Probably not.