Gallery of Finished Projects

[CenturiesSewing]

Tixi that looks awesome.    Are you going to make a few sets of under sleeves to go with it? Maybe nice dark crimson for contrast.

[Rani Zemirah]

Tixi, those sleeves are amazing! Lovely work!

Goody, I ADORE those slops!!!  It looks like the entire outfit was made at the same time, and you have matched everything perfectly!  Congratulations! 

[Kate XXXXXX]

You did a fantastic job on those slops!  Well done!

[Tixi]

Thanks!

Ah I should have taken pictures of all of this! Too bad I was in a hurry =)

I just posted a VERY detailed explanation of how I made them on the blog entry.

Long story short, I used McCall's 2806 #4 and #5 pieces for the base and puffs in view "A" on the left and added the panes and band:

[LadyShadow]

Very lovely work both of you.

[operafantomet]

95% Completed: Middle class fashionable gown.

Made with less than 6 yards of fashion fabric ("Crown Blue" linen from fabrics-store.com)

This was my first *successful* attempt at 'draping' a bodice from scratch without using a pattern. I did use a pattern for the sleeve cap bases and puffs because I failed at my first attempt to make the Bronzino sleeves. I did not use a pattern for the skirt (rectangular panels or panes (rectangles) on the sleeve cap panes.

It is heavily boned in reed, so much so that a corset is completely unnecessary.

All natural fabrics (yay comfort!). Below the medium weight IL020 fabrics-store.com linen, it has two layers of cotton drill sandwiching the boning and it is lined in lightweight cotton broadcloth. Definitely a summer gown!

This was my first go at blind hemming on my sewing machine, and it went well. I only had to tear out stitches once!

The entire dress was made in about a week.

It fits so perfectly I'm reluctant to add a modesty panel because it's just more work! I do need to add some kind of hooks or ties to keep the skirt opening in the back center from opening up. Details, details. I have some hand sewing to do to tack down seam allowances, etc, but it's mostly done.

It looks wide on the dress dummy – it fits normally on me. Shown over a bum roll.

Even though I know I should have spiral laced, should have made the front 'flat' instead of the pleats going all the way around (Even though the Bronzino portraits I found showed pleating in the front but it doesn't look good on me), the original plan called for side-back lacing which failed, should have taken more photos along the way, should have done a number of things differently, I'm so proud of myself for making this without a pattern, for using all of my skills including cartridge pleating, boning, and blind hemming, and for not ripping out a billion stitches (only a million!)

I definitely feel like all of my reading and research and failures in the past have paid off with this one. I was able to do things with ease which were once difficult. I was able to think critically before making mistakes. I was able to do things I never thought I could do.

It's not perfect, but I am getting better.

How do I keep the boning from showing through? It seems like no matter what I interline with, the bones always show.


   

 





 

More photos over at my blog:  needlewoman.org

Ooooh, so lovely!! Brava!

As for interlining to conceal the boning/stiffening, they actually used thick stuff back then. Wool felt occurs in several sources, and they would try to use lining and interlining of the same colour as the dress. Synthetic stuff bought by the metre rather than a "lump" can also do the trick. It's often used in professional costumes, as I first noticed when I did some repairs on this costume:
http://whichwitch.no/media/ppopups/pt19.htm

So use softer and thicker stuff than you think. Do a mockup with half and half and see which one works best.

[Tixi]

As for interlining to conceal the boning/stiffening, they actually used thick stuff back then. Wool felt occurs in several sources, and they would try to use lining and interlining of the same colour as the dress. Synthetic stuff bought by the metre rather than a "lump" can also do the trick. It's often used in professional costumes, as I first noticed when I did some repairs on this costume:
http://whichwitch.no/media/ppopups/pt19.htm

So use softer and thicker stuff than you think. Do a mockup with half and half and see which one works best.

Oh - very interesting - I will have to try that next time! Thank you!

[DonaCatalina]

I love the solid blue! It looks so comfy too.
Here are my finished slops/trunkhose/venetians/pumpkin pants on a happy guy. Considering the doublet was made in the 80's I think they look quite faboo together.

LOVE IT!

[LadyElizabeth]

Well my twin sister finally had her wedding and since I was in the wedding, I don't have many pics yet.  Other friends took tons, but I think they're revamping them and will send out later.  So here are two pics of her gown.





Here are two pics of my gown from the wedding, and likewise, didn't get too many pics.

[gem]

SPECTACULAR, Lady E!!!  That second one of you in profile is positively stunning.

[LadyShadow]

Oh such lovely work.  Great job Lady E.

[FortuneRose]

For Halloween, the theme this year is Bonanza. I didn't want to wear a boring prairie dress, so I am making a steampunk saloon girl costume. I finished the bustle skirt a few weeks ago, and today I finished the corset.  I still have to add accessories (and I'll ditch the hot pants for a short satin skirt, which I still have to make).  But I'm really excited with how it turned out!

wow, beautiful ensamble on a beautiful model! 

[Valencia]

  Thank you, I really appreciate it! I still need to finish all of the accessories, but I've started working on a frock coat, and we know how that goes, lol... : )

[Cilean]

Lady E!

You both looked stunning! She was glowing! Your gown was fabulous as well, and Brava dear!!!  I know weddings all that planning and then? Gone like that, it is good to look at the photos to remember the days!! LOL

You did a great job!
Kudos!

Cilean

[Dinobabe]

So the last time I posted about my noble garb was in the "in progress" thread and it was August 19, 2009!  BUT, I am finally finished!  YAY!!
I think I will go back and redo the pleats on the skirt but it is totally wearable as is.  I have a few other tweaks here and there but I really love it.  The sleeves are reversible to the same green as the forepart.