Irish dress help

[LadySeasan]

So I'm supposed to be making an Irish Dress for a friend, and unfortunately money is scarce so buying a pattern is out.  Now usually I don't use patterns that much anyway, but still sort of need it as a guideline.

I mean the basic concept for an Irish dress is a bodice with straps that laces in the front, and a open front skirt sewed into the waistband right?

So are there any free online sources to kind of whip this together? Maybe something like that custom corset generator, but for a bodice with straps? And you know how the back of the bodice is higher than how a corset would be-how is that accomplished without a pattern?

I am looking to do something very similar to this:



As always, your advice is ALWAYS appreciated! <3

[TiaLD77]

Hi Lady Seasan,

You are right on track , along with the corset genreator there is a bodice generator too.it should be on the elizabethean costumign page..I think...then the skirt can just be 3 or more panels pleated onto the bodice.

[LadySeasan]

I went to the Elizabethan costume page, and searched for the bodice pattern generator-clicked on it, and the link is broken

[Casche]

I believe there are instructions on making a bodice pattern from the corset pattern generator on her page....

Ah, here it is  http://www.elizabethancostume.net/kirtlepat/index.html

[LadySeasan]

perfect!  thanks so much

[LadySeasan]

I believe there are instructions on making a bodice pattern from the corset pattern generator on her page....

Ah, here it is  http://www.elizabethancostume.net/kirtlepat/index.html

Ok so I went here and reviewed the site...It is exactly what I need. I just have a few (dumb) questions

1-when you use the corset pattern generator, you cut the fabric with the right side of the pattern being on the fold, so that when you cut the fabric it is one piece of fabric with the back opened to do the lacing.  Now when making this into a bodice, I think I am supposed to switch it around so that the front is open?  And there seems to be three back seams?

If someone can take a look at this and explain it I will appreciate it. Something just doesn't seem to be clicking with me.

[GirlChris]

1-when you use the corset pattern generator, you cut the fabric with the right side of the pattern being on the fold, so that when you cut the fabric it is one piece of fabric with the back opened to do the lacing.  Now when making this into a bodice, I think I am supposed to switch it around so that the front is open?  And there seems to be three back seams?

If someone can take a look at this and explain it I will appreciate it. Something just doesn't seem to be clicking with me.

That's pretty much it, yes. To ease your confusion, don't think of it as three back seams. If you think of it as a centre back seam and two side back seams it magically goes from confusing to stylish!

There are other options for putting the seams in other places- side seams, for example, or putting your back piece on the fold and eliminating the centre back seam altogether.

http://sophiesstitches.blogspot.com/2008/06/sky-and-sunshine-bodice.html This shows pretty well how a four piece centre front opening bodice works.

I hope I haven't just ended up confusing you more!

[LadySeasan]

ah ok!  you didn't confuse me, it helped immensely! i was just having a hard time on figuring out how the pieces go-i couldn't visualize it in my head. the blog definitely did help! thanks!

so now i guess i have to start drafting the pattern

[LadySeasan]

man..i really do wish i had a dress dummy

[Cilean]

So I'm supposed to be making an Irish Dress for a friend, and unfortunately money is scarce so buying a pattern is out.  Now usually I don't use patterns that much anyway, but still sort of need it as a guideline.

This is basically an open Kirtle!  So you can make the bodice by draping and then add the skirt either by using gores, I have a how to guide if you want email me and I can send it to you!

Or you can check out these:

How to make a Gathered Kirtle  This also has generators for Pob (Corsets) and Bodices and Smocks (Chemises). Easy clear and FREE!!!
http://www.elizabethancostume.net/makekirtle.html


How to make a Kirtle
http://freespace.virgin.net/f.lea/kirguide1.html


I also have this online guide to making a 6 gore skirt but it is not 16th Century
http://patternsthatfityou.com/frskirtcl.htm




Hope this helps!
Cilean

[LadySeasan]

thanks Cilean! that helps immensely

[Cilean]

man..i really do wish i had a dress dummy

For under $10.00 and some time with friends you can make a paper tape dummy which is soild and will mimic your body perfectly (sometimes too much!)
It is very simple I just gave a class on this for Costume College, we made 6 dummys with 2.5 rolls of paper tape which I picked up from Dick Blick:
www.dickblick.com

It takes about 2 hours and they is most let drying time. You don't have to stuff it, and it takes pins easily.  So it is a great option for people, and easy to boot!

Cilean

[LadySeasan]

last time my friends and i tried to make duct tape dress dummies...it ended bad

it was three of us, we put on the tshirts, wrapped each other in duct tape, i think 2-3 rolls each. and then when we cut ourselves out of them, and saw the product, we all got upset and in "denial" about how big we were.

So we crushed the duct tape forms
then had chocolate milkshakes! lol

[Adriana Rose]

I have heard nothin but good about duct tape dummies, I was gonna have my ex help me out but at that point we uhh got distracted lol.

I am still in the idea stages but from what I have seen thats the kind of dress my mum wants

[Cilean]

I went to the Elizabethan costume page, and searched for the bodice pattern generator-clicked on it, and the link is broken

It is the Corset Generator and it worked for me

Here is the link again:
http://www.elizabethancostume.net/custompat/index.html

You then have to look for how to make the corset into a bodice which is here:
http://www.elizabethancostume.net/kirtlepat/index.html

This will get you the kirtle information as well
So I hope this helps!

Cilean