In need of help

[Kymberleigh]

I am trying to fix a bodice of mine and need your help/opinions, since most here are more experienced than I am at this.

Background:
For the past 2 years I have worn the same garb to the Ohio Ren faire and on Halloween.  It is made from Simplicity 4488 (bodice with an over skirt attached), and I, with the hlep of my mom, followed the directions. (looks back and shudders).
Unfortunately following the directions included using grommets and punching holes in the fabric, and a few of the grommets popped out and cannot be fixed.  I liked it so I have decided to remake the bodice, but make it better.  Unfortunately I have come upon two problems.

Problem 1:
I went Jo-anns and could not find a match to the fabric except for some realllly expensive organic fabric which my pocketbook cannot afford (the symphony broadcloth is on sale for 1.49/yrd).  What should I do?

Problem 2:
Not really a problem.  I cannot gather real well (my mom is the one who did them before).  Should I just buck up and do it, or is there an easier alternative for my more math oriented mind?

Thanks

[Lady L]

If you can pry off all of the grommets that need to be fixed, you could try sewing around the hole by hand, until you have made the hole much smaller. Then add some locktite glue to the edges, so they won't ravel. After that dries, you may be able to regrommet it. I have fixed some holes that way. You need to re enforce it with interfacing, too.
Are you trying to make the bodice out of symphony broadcloth? That would be too lightweight, unless you are using it as a lining. You should have the outer/pretty fabric, then canvas in the middle and then lining on the inside. You can use the poly cotton, although 100% cotton is not that much more money and would be a lot more comfortable.

Gathering is just sewing two rows with a long stitch, then pulling up the threads. The gathered part would attach to the bodice or waistband. Not sure of the pattern, but sounds like you want to attach it to the bodice? You would sew the skirt onto the good fabric, then turn under the lining and hand stitch it down, over the seam, to cover the rough edges.
If you can post a pic, that would help us to help you.

[operafantomet]

Lady L has many good suggestions and points!

Would you be able to post a picture? It would make it easier to see what the issue(s) might be, and to give you feedback on what needs to be done.

[gem]

Is this the pattern you mean?



Did you make the *gown?*  (Guessing, since you said "bodice with overskirt attached.")

I, too, hate to gather.  There's no reason you can't pleat the skirt instead.

I agree with Lady L that broadcloth will probably be too light. You want something with a more mid-weight feel to it, like cotton twill, velveteen, linen, corduroy, etc.  If budget is an issue, make sure you've signed up for JoAnn's mailing list, so you get the 40% off coupons that come out every month.

Good luck!

[Lady L]

Oh, Gem, you beat me to it! I was just looking up the pattern number. Here's a review, if that helps.

http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/patterns/sewingpatterns.pl?patternid=11562

[bellalye]

Heeho!

You could also skip gathering all together and use knife, box, or rolled pleats instead.  http://www.elizabethancostume.net/pleats/

I understand that pleating is a far more period method of gathering a skirt at the waist, so your piece will probably end up looking a bit nicer to boot!  (and, personally, I think it is waaaaay easier.)

toodles!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I have that SIMPLICITY patern myself. More for the Chemise and Hanging sleeves that I like to  tweak, rather than for the Bodice and Skirt.

A good pattern overall.

[Kymberleigh]

Thanks for the advice so far.  You guys are great!

Gem: That is the pattern I used, though I didn't attach any sleeves

Lady L:  The bodice is a lost cause.  If I take the grommet's out and try to fix them, I will have a quarter size hole.  Along with loosing some weight since I made it, and since it fit "well" (but I can do better), I figure it would be easier to just redo the entire bodice.

I wasn't going to use the broadcloth, unless I couldn't find a better option.  Unfortunately, since I am reusing the skirt, I want the color to match, but the color is an odd one.  It's not navy blue, not a royal blue, but something in between.  Should I keep looking for an exact match, or just go for a heavier weight fabric with an almost color match?  Will it look too odd?

I think I'm going to try and pleat the skirt, since to my mind it sounds easier than gathering.

[gem]

This will make it look less period, but what about buying an entirely different fabric for the bodice, like a damask or tapestry?

[Lady L]

What type of fabric is the skirt? Is it broadcloth? Is it a solid color? If it is solid, you could use a print for the bodice part, which could match or contrast.

I agree with making a new bodice. I would rather start over than try to fix something, myself. I thought you wanted to fix it, though.
I prefer gathering to pleating, but if you like pleating, or the fabric is heavier, that's ok too.

In today's world, we like everything to match, but back then, they used all kinds of color combinations that we wouldn't. If you have blue, you could go with a darker or lighter blue, if you can't find an exact match. Or a print, or a golden yellow, or rust, or burgundy.