Much Ado movie garb (was "really terrible idea")

[gem]

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  , 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:


Low-calf-length cartridge pleated skirt, button-front bodice with tie-on sleeves, semi-sheer chemise 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 (??)!


Alternate woman's top, a jacket/waistcoat:


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):



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!).



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!!

[DonaCatalina]

100% cotton jacquard king size sheet
100% silk jacquard off white
White floral jacquard 97% cotton
also white floral jacquard 97% cotton

[gem]

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.

[Kate XXXXXX]

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!   

[Butch]

I was thinking along the lines of cotton bedspreads.  That's what the waistcoats remind me of.

[gem]

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.

[Auryn]

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

[Rosamundi]

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.

[gem]

Oh, yes: shower curtains can make fabulous garb! Molly Mishap made a whole Elizabethan gown out of one.

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:



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).

And 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?  )

[operafantomet]

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

[Kate XXXXXX]

Is that Tailor Andrews?  He makes all his own patterns.  Does the most amazing work.

[operafantomet]

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.

[Kate XXXXXX]

One of my all time costume gods, especially now I'm playing at 18th C costuming!

[PrincessSara]

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! 

[gem]

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.