Gallery of In Progress Projects

[Lady Rebecca]

This is the costume I'm working on for The Echo Waltz, for the upcoming production of Dames at Sea that I'm in. I took this a couple days ago, but at this point, I just have to hem the chemise (and figure out if there's a way to take it in a little more), do the eyelets on one edge of the bodice, shorten and sew the straps together, and bind the bodice. And make a pair of short cotton bloomers. I've been debating about putting some sort of pink trim on the bodice, too, but I don't know for certain if I will or not.

[gypsylakat]

I really like the idea of pink trim on that bodice

[ArielCallista]

I'm finally getting around to making myself more basics...I bought linen today at Joann's (yay for coupon commotion week)...teal ayet for surend orange for 2 circle skirts, and black from a new chemise...possibly/probably a cropped chemise especially since there was only 1 yard...I'm small enough that 1 yard will do it but it will either have to be short sleeves on a regular torso or a cropped torso with elbow length sleeves...which works well for my style anyway...Pics soonish I hope...depending on how long my commissions and asssignments for class take...

[Lady Rebecca]

Oh dear... The bodice seemed like it was going to be a great fit just a couple days ago. But now it seems like it might be too big (at least for faire purposes, after the show). So now I don't know whether I should fix it or not.

Pros to taking it in - better fit for faire, post-show
Cons to taking it in - I'm not sure how well I'll be able to sing in a tight bodice; - I have to do a pretty quick costume change to get into it (that's going to be a challenge already!); - I did flat-felled seams, and stuck the boning inside the seams of the canvas lining...

[ArielCallista]

Can't you just take it in after the show? You'll prolly have to pull out a bunch for seams to do so but it"ll prolly be better in the long run since you'll get more use out of it...

[LadyFae]

I was thinking that too...  Wear it as is now and after the show adjust it for Faire wear.  As it is, after you wear it for the show you may decide that there are other things that you want to tweak just a bit.  =)

[LadyStitch]

Trust me, alter after the show.  Unless you are use dto singing on a corset already we dont' want you passing out.  My tutor said she had he opera singers starting to sing in their corsets early in rehearsals so they got use to the way their rib cage would move with it.  Some of the old timers prefered to sing in corsets because it gave them more support and something to 'push' against.  take that how you will. 

Regardless I am with the others. Alter after the show.

[Lady Rebecca]

Sounds like a plan. Thanks for your input!

[LadyStitch]

Why is it when you have a photo to DL is when you can't find your disk reader? 

3 of the dresses are complete, hemmed and gorgeous.  The last one belongs to the cast Diva, and she is already having tantrums.  I had to tear her dress apart and make it smaller to fit her frame, but she decided she didn't want to wear a long line bra under it which changed it again.  I had to let it back out 2 inches, and alter the neckline to give her collar more support.  It means taking half the bodice apart but I refuse to put bad work out there. The dress isn't due until tomorrow so I think I can have it ready by then.   Though choclate ice cream and Dr Who  might be involved.

BTW I have found I love minions/ assistants. They needed hand stiching practice, so they did the hand sewing for me while I did the major sewing.  It was so nice....

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Lady Stitch, I feel for you. Divas are b!itches in the sense that they think nothing in their costumes are too good for them. They are called DIVAS for that reason! No one else can outshine them.

I will be doing another play myself in the coming months. Designing and making Peroiod Clothing for the 1880's to 1912 for a 3 Women play on the first Mayo Wives. The Mayo Clinic is historic in the part of Minnesota where I live. Photos as I progress.

[ArielCallista]

I wish I had some minions/assistants...

[LadyShadow]

I second that.  Mine are not old enough to be of any real use or help.

[ArielCallista]

I'm kind of hoping in the next few years I can find some freshman who want in the program that I can have help me out and teach them...as kind of an intern situation...

[Valencia]

I third that. My minions have paws and are completely useless, except for being fabric weights when I'm trying to cut something out on the floor, lol : )

[LadyStitch]

3 of the 4 dresses are COMPLETE!  YAY!  I have photos but my card reader has disappeared , grr!

One of my good friends stopped by last night and asked, "Hey can I help?"  Hehh.... she ended up staying and doing the hand stitching/tacking down of last minute stuff for me last night while I dealt with  the biggest diva tantrum I had ever seen. ( The Director and her had a little 'chat' about it later ::cringe:: )

The diva's dress is nearly done.  She can fuss that I have to pin her into the dress tonight, because the way things are going I'll have the zipper in and she will have done something else to mess up the fit. I'm working on 4 hours sleep. If she doesn't like it then...... Anyway, the end is in sight.