I've had a really *terrible* idea, and it won't let up. Sigh.
I've decided I need to make "Much Ado About Nothing" movie garb for me, Milord, and his parents to wear together at Fair this fall. The costumes in the film have such a breezy, charming look to them, and the semi-historical details are really neat (even if they mingle time periods).
So now I'm trying to pull together ideas for fabrics, as well as ideas for constructing the bodices (which are pretty unusual). The main thing is that, because everything is WHITE :o, it must all be very, very washable. I know I'll be making the skirts from the 5.3 oz linen at Fabrics-store.com, but I'm hunting some sheer embroidered cotton or linen for the chemises, and I have NO CLUE for the bodices--which have some really wonderful texture to them. Upholstery fabrics come to mind first--but not for washability!
So... does anyone wanna muse over my terrible idea with me? Here are some screencaps:
Basic woman's ensemble, as modeled by Emma Thompson:
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23310958/388817664.jpg)
Low-calf-length cartridge pleated skirt, button-front bodice with tie-on sleeves, semi-sheer chemise (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23310958/388817666.jpg) with a front opening. (I will NOT be making underbust bodices).
And here's the back of the bodice. Check out those fabulous 18th-century style pleats! And also (??)!
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23310958/388817670.jpg)
Alternate woman's top, a jacket/waistcoat:
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23310958/388817720.jpg)
Basic male ensemble (I know I can't do the military coats, and I don't think they'd be that flattering on Milord or his father, unfortunately):
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23310958/388817668.jpg)
Milord has a lead on buying the blue pants, and I think the waistcoat/vest should be simple enough. I think a nice cream cotton twill should work fine for that (assuming I can find one!).
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23310958/388817829.jpg)
So... any ideas, suggestions, observations, musings, slaps upside the head? I'll leave the chemises for last, since I have a couple that will work in a pinch. I might do a different look for Milord's father, which would be fun. I have never made pants, so it would be great if I could avoid that bit, but I think 18th c. style pants may be outside my budget.
Thoughts?
Gramercy!!
100% cotton jacquard king size sheet (http://www.amazon.com/Angela-300-Thread-Count-Cotton-Jacquard-Sheet/dp/B000AMKOL8)
100% silk jacquard off white (http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/catalog_itemdetail.aspx?ItmID=EE324)
White floral jacquard 97% cotton (http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/catalog_itemdetail.aspx?ItmID=JJJ134)
also white floral jacquard 97% cotton (http://www.denverfabrics.com/catalog_itemdetail.aspx?ItmID=JJJ134)
Dona C, great links!! And you've given me a brilliant idea (to compound my terrible one! LOL)--the silk twill + the sheet set made me think of waffle weave shower curtains. I could easily get two bodices (plus sleeves) out of one curtain, for around ~$20 or so, and get a really nice texture plus the durability I need.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Z%2BxBO3opL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
I like that waffle weave. A cream one would make good waistcoats.
I love the film. Always have. And it sounds like it's already developing from an Idea into A Plan! ;D
I was thinking along the lines of cotton bedspreads. That's what the waistcoats remind me of.
Happiness! As it turns out, Milord actually has a vest/waistcoat nearly identical to the movie ones (it even has the nifty corset-lacing in the back). So now I'm down to just making 2 bodices/sleeves, two linen skirts (easy-peasy), and shirt/pants/waistcoat for Milord's father.
...This might actually be doable!
I'm currently combing through my pattern books/stash to see if I have any instructions for those Chocolate Girl pleats on the back of the bodices. If not, I might ask for a couple JP Ryan patterns for my birthday in 2 weeks.
ok first of all I have to tell you that "Much Ado about Nothing"
is one of my all time favorite movies (granted I love most anything with Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh - they are the only actors i would ever actually lose it if I met them in person- anyway).
I love love love the costumes in that movie so I am totally behind you.
I think you could totally do the military jackets
I might not be able to provide a lot of guidance and help in the sewing part but I am all in on the emotional support for this endeavor of yours :)
LOVE this idea and can't wait to follow your progress on it! Sounds like your checklist very quickly shrank down to a manageable size. Sweet!
I don't know enough about fabrics to offer suggestions, but the shower curtains sound like a good plan. I'm very glad to hear that shower curtains work well for garb, btw, because I just added a red brocade one to my own stash.
Oh, yes: shower curtains can make fabulous garb! Molly Mishap made a whole Elizabethan gown out of one (http://www.myfairelady.com/?page_id=9).
So, one more step down: Looks like the Simplicity POTC pattern (which I have in my stash) has the right sort of breeches, plus a longer waistcoat for Milord's father:
(http://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/simplicity/4923/4923fb.gif)
Now I just have to figure out how to do those crazy pleats on the back of the bodices, and how to adapt a lace-front bodice for *buttons,* and I'll be mostly all set. (I was also pleased to see Ursula wearing a white wrap around her neck/shoulders during the masque scene, since Milord's mom is very sensitive to the sun and shouldn't have any skin exposed).
QuoteAnd it sounds like it's already developing from an Idea into A Plan!
Ha, Kate! Funny how quickly that can happen, isn't it? Milord is wholly on board with this, so I'll have someone here to keep me on task. (What Margo Anderson noble's gown? ::))
Quote from: gem on June 22, 2010, 12:26:27 AM
Now I just have to figure out how to do those crazy pleats on the back of the bodices, and how to adapt a lace-front bodice for *buttons,* and I'll be mostly all set.
I've never tried it myself, but I know a fellow costume friend who made a similar garb recently. Not sure what pattern he used (if any), but the pleats in the back is a separate layer attached. You can see it here:
http://www.my-drewscostumes.dk/maid.htm
Is that Tailor Andrews? He makes all his own patterns. Does the most amazing work.
Quote from: Kate XXXXXX on June 22, 2010, 02:27:24 AM
Is that Tailor Andrews? He makes all his own patterns. Does the most amazing work.
The one and only. He doesn't make historical garbs, he make pieces of art.
One of my all time costume gods, especially now I'm playing at 18th C costuming!
I LOVE that movie, and I adore the costumes! Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson are two of my very favourite actors ever and Much Ado About Nothing is probably my favourite movie that they've done. Also, it has Little Wilson!
Ahem. Anyway, those blue pants look pretty standard, you might be able to alter some bought pants if you can find something without a really obvious fly. And I think to alter a front-lacing bodice for buttons you could just extend the front edges until they overlap enough - at least that sounds right in my head. The bodices could be made from a medium weight cotton upholstery, or even a linen (I think fabrics-store.com sells linen jacquards).
This is such a great idea - I think I know what I'm going to be for Halloween now! ;D
Oh, Sara--if you do it, we definitely need to compare notes (and you should come down to KCRF to join our party! Ha!!)!
I had the same thought you did re: buttons in the bodice; I'll make a mockup from my current pattern to see how it works. I was also wondering if a fake button panel would be possible, but I think doing it for reals would probably, ultimately, be easier. Just, um, less forgiving in case of weight changes. Sigh.
I'm still not sure about the pleats. The separate layer theory looks like the easiest option, but in looking at a closeup of Hero's back, I can see several seams running down the length of the back, but none at the waistline, so it doesn't *look* like a separate piece. I need to dig out FASHION IN DETAIL to look at the gowns/jackets there to see if I can get a better look at the construction.
Talk about fortuitous timing! Fabric.com is having a sale on WHITE fabric right now! (Actually red, white, and blue fabrics, for Independence Day.)
I've found this *washable* poly/cotton matelasse (http://www.fabric.com/red-white-blue-sale-white-fabric-waverly-matelasse-tonga-snow.aspx?cm_vc=756b1813-cbc1-43b3-84bd-29889bf8fb7b):
(http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/85949bf9-5587-43a9-8bfe-ecb7159f92d9/Images/Medium_UG-054.jpg)
I think it would be great for one of the bodices/sleeves, but at $13/yard, it's still kind of pricey. The sale goes through Monday, so maybe I'll get a chance to go prowl about for alternatively-sourced fabric ;) this weekend.
We're trying to decide whether to enlist Milord's parents' help with this, or whether it should be a surprise, or some combination thereof. I need to do complete sets of measurements for everyone this weekend (they're coming down for a visit, probably the only time we'll see them before Fair), so that's Step 1.
Right now I'm thinking blue corduroy for the men's pants. I'm still dithering about having Milord's father wear something slightly different (a la either Leonato or Brian Blessed's character), but Milord is leaning toward having him in the same blue pants/cream vest ensemble.
Heart the blue corduroy pants idea. How about Milord's father wearing a darker brown/tan color in the same corduroy? It still works given the photos you've posted and would look great with the cream vest....
http://www.smoke-fire.com/
Try page 4 of Men's Clothing. Someone as clever and talented as you I'm sure can use/alter anything or get ideas from what's presented in that catalogue!
Good luck and I too, LOVE "Much Ado About Nothing"!
Sigh no more ladies, sigh no more....
*sigh*
Whoo this sounds fun! Okay I well suggest some places to get the different fabrics!
Linen:
So for the Bodice? I can see perhaps using Fabric-Store and doing the 7 ounce Linen for the Bodice, you can get it in white, but if you want breezy? So If you use the 3.5 or less for the Smock and then use the 5.0 or 5.3 ounce for the skirts.
Some Blends:
Or if you get from Joann's the 100% Linen they have in white (and you can order yardage which I would do) it will also be $7.50, try the "Tissue" Linen which is a blend with cotton and feels awesome and they also have the Linen/Rayon Blend for your Skirts.
Cotton:
If you really wanted to have some fun? Check out Ross, Marshall's and TJMaxx, use white cotton damask table cloths for the bodices and Men's Jerkins!!!!!!!
Okay if you get Cotton Batiste!! It would be fabulous for your Smocks for the Family. Cotton Muslin for the skirts, so you have the washable and will make it easy to get back to
Silk:
Just some suggestions, for Silk? Denver Fabrics has some Silk Twill which is not bad at all!, also Silk Chiffon would be awesome for the Smocks. Silk Dupioni as the petticoat with Duchess Satin as the over skirt! Of course? These would never make it to faire but just thinking!! LOL
It would be fun, and light and airy!
Good Luck with this!
Cilean
Well, the other 2 members of our Much Ado party are visiting this weekend, so I've had a chance to measure everyone.
As I hoped/expected, Milord's mum fits well into the bodice I plan to use as a pattern, so I'll just make up two that are the same size. Milord's vest turned out to be too small for him, but fits his dad, so that answers the question of what to put Milord's dad in!
As for the pants, which I think will be the trickiest part of the whole project, I am dithering among a few different patterns:
--Simplicity POTC/4923, with the fall-front breeches (sounds like they're baggy in the seat, tho, and I don't know how to alter for that)
--(OOP) McCall 4864 (http://www.clevercrow.com/mewed/Patterns/M4864.jpg), which I like b/c it has a flat front but elastic back, so I think construction and fit will be more forgiving
--(OOP) McCall 2258
(http://www.debsrecycledsewingpatterns.com/images_pat/mc/mc2258.jpg)
I also have a couple of full-length Butterick pants, which might be my best bet (so they stay tucked in boots), but I'm trying to find something with a slimmer fit, not so baggy as we usually see Ren breeches.
Hoping to get out tomorrow to look for fabrics; if not, I'll be ordering stuff on Monday.