Gallery of In Progress Projects

[LadyStitch]

If that main fabric is the same stuff that I made my husband's "Sir Roland" vest out of  I will tell you becareful.  That stuff ravels like you wouldnt' belive. And watch out for snags.  His snagged so much it was almost unusuable by the end of the season.
I will you tell you it DOES look good on though. 

[DragonWing]

Thanks LadyStitch, I already know about the ravels, same with the trouser fabric. It is a pain to work with.  But ever since high school I have always picked difficult fabrics. It's the Aries in me.

Thanks for the heads up. 

[LadyStitch]

Heh you aren't the only one.  Somehow I can pick the easiest pattern but somehow pick the most difficult to work with fabrics.  The only thing that keeps me from going nuts is pictureing how good it will look once it gets done. 

[LadyShadow]

Oh that fabric looks lovely.  And so do those wings.  I cant wait to see them finished.

[Dinobabe]

  okay, I found some motivation and started on the long Doublet. Well more like cut out.
Here are the fabrics and trim for it.

I made that coat for me as a sort of pirate coat.  I did not sew the seam up the back of the "skirt".  I was afraid it would flare too much, especially on big hips.  I assume you will stitch the seam like it says.  Please tell me how it works for you.

How to sew the crotch on the pants was not very well described and a little tricky for me to figure out.  Even my mom (sews a LOT) had difficulty understanding the instructions!  Good luck!

[ArielCallista]

You're like the 5th person I've seen using that brocade for something! Not all the same color tho. I've seen it used for a bustle skirt (mine actually), an underbust, wrap pants, and a different doublet (in silver and black). Its a pretty popular fabric, for good reason tho since its beautiful!

I've used the pattern before too, but for a much lower class look. I like it and look forward to see how it turns out in such nice fabrics!

[DragonWing]

Dinobabe, I will let you know and post pictures when it is done. Thanks for the heads up on the crotch seam. I will take that slow. 

ArielCallista, I guess it is a popular fabric, and come to think of it.    I think I saw it two years ago as a short doublet in silver and black as well, at MD rennfest.

[Tink]

I made that same coat in a faux suede fabric.  I can't wait to see how great it looks in a brocade fabric!

[Tripletap]

Cool!
I am starting that same Doublet this weekend!
I may use a solid colored fabric, I am a little nervous about matching-up prints for my second ever project, if I did use a simple pattern, would it look bad to use the same fabric for the breeches, any opinions?

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I have the jewels and pearls sewn down the fronts of the overskirt. That took a great deal of time due to it is all done by hand.

What I did was measure 7" from the serged front edge of each front panel, drew a line with chalk, measured 2", then another line. I stay stiched down the line so that I would know where to place the pearls should my chalk line wear off.

I strung up 6mm pearls on a sturdy thread and placed them over the line. Loosely with thread, I back stitched under each pearl to secure it in place. Once I had the borders sewn, measure and sew into place the Emerald/Gold plated jewels I ordered from www.sapphireandsage.com  I also used 8mm glass pearls for the clusters. There is a 3/4" seperation between each row of pearls and jewels. I guesstimated from the portrait.





There are 4-45" panels that are pinned and ready to hem. After that, I will add the freshwater pearls down the front, as shown in the portrait. I have to steam off my marks and redo some of the secured stitches. I have the picadils finished as seen in the portrait.

After I finish the skirt, photos will follow. Then on to the Shoulder rolls. The client I am doing this for had Breast reduction surgery, therefore, the bodice will be the last thing to work on. This project will be the subject of a TV commercial for her Husband's Shoe Store as well as on a cover of a Novel the client is working on..A historical biography of QEI in novel form.

[DragonWing]

Lady K that is gorgeous, I can't wait to see it in it's entirety. 

[LadyElizabeth]

Lady K, you really are amazing at replica's!!!  Can't wait to see it all done, that's one of my fav's of QE1... though every portrait of her is amazing!!

[Tygrkat]

*SWOON*

Lady Kathleen, that is positively breath-taking!

[Rosamundi]

Can't wait to follow the progress on this one - positively inspiring! :-)

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

All I did today was finish seweing the Freshwater pearls down the front of the Overskirt.

Because of some stretching due to the weight of the pearls and jewels, I have to do some adjusting to the hems before I get the pleating guide sewn in.

I will post photos when I get the skirt finished. I do have the Chemise, Underskirt, wrist and neck rufs already done.