Is anyone doing this? I was hoping to, but the timing isn't going to work out (unless I lose my head, which has been known to happen--witness 2010's "Much Ado About Nothing" insanity, when I decided I had time to make FOUR full sets of garb, in two months, at the same time I was revising a novel for 10 hours/day. Ahem.).
ANYWAY, if anyone here *were* going to participate, I thought it would be fun to have a sew-along thread, where the rest of us could admire your progress!
Details are available on her Yahoo listserv, but basically the idea is that you make a full gown/dress or men's doublet+breeches entirely during the time frame (April 1-July 1), using Margo's patterns (http://www.margospatterns.com/index.html) and ONLY what you already have in your stash, plus no more than $25 worth of extra supplies. The prize for the winner is mostly bragging rights, but there is a $100 GC to the fabric store of your choice.
I actually *have* all the supplies purchased for a Margo Elizabethan, but it's not calling to me terribly strongly right now.
Anyone else?
(ETA link to MA's website, for any newbies who wander past!)
I wish! We just are not going to have the time. This year seems to be going slightly bonkers...
Sounds like fun!
If I owned a pattern I would probably do it.
I'm with Dinobabe... If I had the pattern.
Sorry, if only..../sigh
These patterns for those who are beginners are excellent! Even if you are a seasoned Ren Wrangler? The written information is fantastic! They give you so much information, to help you get a complete package together, like hats, fans as well as belts and so much more. I have owned the patterns for years, and I have to say that is really does make it so much easier to bring forth the best results, now I can draft myself, but I have to say having the patterns when I was starting ...and the information that comes with can really bring the best to an outfit.
To Gem:
I am also doing this Gem! I find it so fun and I like that it gives me a deadline to get things done!!!
Cilean
Quick!!! Someone send me a pattern!! :o
I'm probably really daft, but.... why is it called Iron Dress?
Quote from: operafantomet on March 22, 2012, 12:59:33 PM
I'm probably really daft, but.... why is it called Iron Dress?
I think it is a take off on the popular tv series "Iron Chef".
Iron Chef would be my guess too, the rules are similar: Create an impressive design with only materials on hand, within the time frame of the competition.
Sounds interesting, but it does not seem to realistically be within the casual hobbyist range of skills and resources. And there is that 'honor system' thing....Call me a cynic, but I don't put much store by that one. Some people want to win at any cost, it's why I don't care to play with the SCA anymore.
The Rules:
My Lords, My Ladies, Sewers of all Stations! Your attention, please.
*Iron Dress the Forth!*
You asked for something that will take you out of your malaise, to beat
back your feeling of ennui, and now you have it.
The rules are really very simple --
START DATE: April 1, 2012 (no this is no joke!)
END DATE: July 1, 2012
WINNER ANNOUNCED: July 15th, 2012
1) The outfit must be made from fabric that you have in your stash at
the moment you sign up. You are honor bound, as a Lord or Lady of
the Court, not to run out, buy $300.00 worth of fabric, and then sign
up. Just what you have on hand, please.
2) You have an additional $25.00 for anything that is not in your stash
-- the perfect trim, extra velvet for the sleeves, lining fabric,
boning, whatever. Anything extra that you need to complete your outfit
comes out of that $25.00 -- or 15.55 British Pounds -- or 31.57 Aussie
Dollars -- or 17.95 Euros -- or 2462 Japanese Yen -- or 200 Chuck
E. Cheese pizza gameroom tokens. I'll do the currency exchange again
on the start date, and that will be the official amount you have. Little
things like thread, hooks and eyes, grommets, etc. are not under this
$25.00 and are considered "Freebies"
3) Outfit must be made using Margo's pattern. That's why we are all on
this list in the first place. Any of the Historic Costume patterns are
eligible.
4) Underpinnings such as a smock, corset, farthengale, and bumroll are
not in the competition. But you need them to make the dress look
right. So please wear them.
5) You can modify the pattern for another country, such as Italy or
Germany, or even try to make it an earlier period. Just let the judges
know what you did.
6) Sign up is from now until March 31st. The Contest runs from April 1st
until July 1st. The judges of our fair competition are me (YAY!)
and...well, that will have to wait until they get back to me and say
that they
are willing to judge. Stay tuned for the announcement.
7) The winner will be announced July 15th. Prizes shall include
a $100 certificate to the Fabric Store of your choice, as well as
bragging rights for the next year.
So let me know if you are up to the challenge, and may one and all enjoy,
THE IRON DRESS!
I'm doing it!
I signed up for the last one and then life got in the way and I never did much with it. But this time I am going to do it. I've had the patterns for awhile and have never used them to make a whole dress. Just sleeves and hats and stuff like that. But I've been threw my stash and I know what I'm going to do...pretty much.
Should be FUN!!
Good Luck!
I just might have to do this! (The practical side of me is screaming, "DON'T! Just don't add anything else to the list of things needed to be done right now!!!"
You all are correct "Iron Chef" began a lot of competitions in the SCA and Ren Faire, We have had "Iron Chef" and "Siege Chef" in the SCA. So this began a while ago we are now in Iron Dress #4. I can't wait to get this started! I have to create a gown for my Niece, so I will be checking this as well as the gown for my own!
Again? If you get friends together you all can split the cost of the patterns, so that you all can get all of them and use them there are ways of making thing worth the effort, I suggest saving because really they do help!
Cilean
It's too late for me to enter anyway.
I have the MA patterns, fabric stash, trim stash, etc. It's time I am short on due to what I already have on my sewing schedule. Perhaps in 2013 if there is another contest.
I'm doing it! Although I haven't actually started yet.... I have to get on it! ;D