Gallery of In Progress Projects

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I cut out the skirt to the 2nd Victorian ensemble I am working on. A huge piece. I also cut unbderlining because the skirt fabric is thin and see through.

With no instructions, I am going to have to figure it out as to how it pleats. Wish me luck!

[gem]

I *finally* have some decent kirtle progress pix to share!!  (I took some last week on the dress form, minus the chemise, and they were unpostable. Thankfully, a nice fluffy chemise hides MANY flaws, even of dressforms!)

The construction and piping of the bodice are complete! It still needs lining and eyelets:





I have gotten all confused about how to put the lining in, and I've hit a snag with the skirt (my panels may not be long enough), so I'm sort of on hold for the time being until I can get some input at my studio tomorrow night. But so far I'm really pleased with how it's going.

[Genievea Brookstone]

Not very far along but here is the almost finished blackwork on the Tudor smock.  I just have a little bit more on the front and one shoulder left to do.

[Lady Leo]

I started my Elizabethan wardrobe yesterday. Had my mom over to help get my measurements so I could copy my pattern for my corset. I'm starting with the underpinnings and planning to work my way out. I got the pattern for the corset cut and the outside of the corset cut last night. I ran out of duck cloth so I had to buy more this morning. My Joann's didn't have any white so I settled for gray since it will be the lining anyways.




Now I just need my boning so that I can do the fitting, make any adjustments, bind the edges, and set my grommets and it will be done. I want to thank everyone who has given me advice on this subject and various others. I decided to use a differant pattern for my bodice by the way. I plan to go with the Margo Anderson pattern. I also found more of the cotton velvet if I need it.

[LadyStitch]

Ok I laid out my bodice for my new italian dress for scarby. A couple questions came up before I cut it out.
The big one is that due to Fuzzlet I'm now measureing a 40 bust, which is much larger than I use to be.  This pushes me into a size 18.  Should I use my size 18 pattern or use my size 14 with a DD Full bust adjustment?
I'd like to get it cut out so I can work on it, and the PP's new pants between theater projects.

[Genievea Brookstone]

Lady Stitch-  The girls and the belly are going to keep growing...one morning you will wake up and poof!,  there was more there than the night before or shifted to another location altogether. Personally (mother of 3) I would use the 18 to give yourself the extra room than try to restrict your self in a size 14.  The girls will need support but you will need comfort too. 

And congratz on the little one!

[LadyStitch]

Ok I have enough of this yummy dark red velvet to do the size 18 bodice... barely.  The sleeves I got some white silk satin with a shiny texture, and then I was just given 5-7 yards of a dull sheen white 100% silk satin. Not sure if I want to do the skirt part of the italian dress in that, or just go with a cotton or something.

[operafantomet]

The fit looks excellent, as always. Looking forward to see the full dress. The colour is lovely.

CenturiesSewing, evil sleeves or not: yummy!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

A new Small Chemise for a client in Royal Blue Decorative stitching...Something of a different approach.

The Linen is a Linen Jacquard that I bought at SR Harris on Saturday. There was 3 1/2 yards left on the bolt. Barely enough for a small chemise. You can see  slight feather pattern. Which is why I selected a stitch that resembled more of a feather or leafy design.

However, there wasnot enough linen for longer sleeves, so I had to piece the sleeve together. Where I sewed a seam, I did stitching to camaflouge it. I think it came out nice enough.

I am finishing up the man's shirt that also requested Royal Blue decorative stitching. Same Buttons in Blue stone on gold.

[LadyStitch]

I have 5 simple dresses due this weekend, Monday at the latest.  So far 2 are cut out, and 3 more identical in size, but different fabric left to do.   Wish me luck!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Lady Stitch!!!

Along  with me, you will be buring the MIDNIGHT OIL!!

[amy]

Lady Kathleen I think the blue is striking!  I really like it.      could you please repeat again the pattern you use for that raglan sleeve chemise?

[gem]

The fit looks excellent, as always. Looking forward to see the full dress. The colour is lovely.

Thanks, Anea! It's only pinned on there; I'm hoping it fits that well when I actually have it on!

I am posting new pix tonight b/c I have just fallen IN LOVE with a new hand stitch! It is seriously the most awesome thing ever. Check this out:



That is the hand-sewn lining of my kirtle. Where are the stitches, you say? They are HIDDEN! They are INVISIBLE because I used the ladder stitch to attach the lining. (!!!)



It's more time-consuming and fiddly than just whipstitching, but LOOK at those results! Totally worth it. I have one more side and the neckline still to do, and then it's on to eyelets! And the skirt, which is taunting me.

[Valencia]

That ladder stitch is cool! I have never seen that before!

[Lady Rebecca]

That's terrific, gem! Thanks for sharing.