Gallery of In Progress Projects

[Margaret]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! I've got pearls on the shoulder rolls and the waist tabs and skirt guards, and now you -- correctly -- say I need to put pearls on the front too? All I can say is, since beading drives people crazy, I'm just glad it's a short trip for me.

Wait, that's not all I can say. I can also say, is there any way for you to illustrate what you mean by pearl clusters and where? I was considering putting pearls on the bodice front but could not figure out an attractive way to do it. I'll post what I did with the waist tabs and guards in a bit; I used a geometric brocade for those.

I would have to argue against the clusters of pearls on the bodice.  There is no good pattern to follow in the fabric - as there is in the geometric stuff you are using for the tabs and guards.  The random clusters would just look 'off' to me.

It looks good with the beading on the guards and sleeves, but if you were to do something on the top of the bodice, I'd just do some beading along the top edge of the neckline.

[Wickedvox]

^^^Agreed!^^^ I *like* just the touch of beading, it compliments the bodice fabric *just so.* I say don't touch it.

[gem]

Iain, that's looking tremendous! Just because lots of other people also like the same fabric, doesn't mean it's not beautiful!  And I think your trim looks fantastic as is--but also agree that IF you wanted to add more, a band across the top would be the way to go. Very Tudor.

***
I am FINISHED (with the sewing bits) of my FIL's new doublet! Huzzah! And it came out almost precisely like I'd hoped! I just have to give it one last good pressing (things got a little rumply as I hand-stitched the skirting on)... and work up the nerve to add the grommets (gulp!).









I have to say that the blue twill was THE most disagreeable fabric I have ever worked with. It was hard to find, and even harder to sew. The silly stuff didn't like any needle I tried with it, and I learned to take apart parts of my machine I didn't even know about to undo the tangles it made. Sheesh! I thought twill was supposed to be one of those basic fabrics!

...And, of course, it's going to be muddy this weekend. Pox.

[Wickedvox]

You had me with the black and tan, then BAM! blue with suede! LOVE it! And I'm glad I'm not the only one who trembles at the grommeting stage 

I've never had any problem with basic twill  Maybe your tension was off?? I don't adjust tension to fabric weight, but a lot of people do (I probably should and just don't realize it lol).

It's great! You should do a tutorial on reversible doublets

[gem]

...And it's DONE!! All grommetted up. I will post pix in the finished projects thread later this weekend, after my FIL has a chance to model it.

[Ser Niall]

Very nice work gem.  I agree, a tutorial on how to make the doublet reversible would be great.  What pattern did you use for it?

[gypsylakat]

Ooo I like that suede trim.. I need to get one of those trim maker tools...

[gem]

As requested, here is your Reversible Doublet Tutorial!:

1. Select a pattern for a doublet that calls for a full lining.

2. Instead of lining fabric, buy something pretty.

3. Assemble per the instructions.

Voila! Reversible!

Seriously, that's all there is to it. I lucked out with Simplicity 4059 because it uses the same pattern pieces for the fashion fabric and the lining, and because almost everything is clean-finished by machine (you do have to hand sew one side of the peplum (I did the gold, because I wanted to make sure that the leather trim lined up perfectly, so it was easier to machine sew the blue side, and then hand tack the gold over the raw edges--but that was a decision I was still making at the very last minute!). The machine-finished side seams are especially nice for reversibility.

(But, I did document most of the process with photographs, so a more in-depth project report is possible... and I don't have any menswear on my website, so I might just go ahead and post something next week. I'll keep you posted.)

Kat, I do have a couple of Clover bias tape makers, and they are AWESOME, but in this case, I used 1.25" suede tape I picked up a couple of years ago on ebay (probably here). Really easy to work with.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

My client's lined Cloak. Made from the same Scarlet Drapery Denim, 100% cotton, lined with Skulls and Roses. I still have the sewing at the neck to do and sew on 2 sets of black Frog Closures. The added trim is an Upholstery Gimp that added a nice finishing touch. The Reversible Corset is at the Shoe Repair getting grommetted.







Cavalier/Pirate Hat. I need some Black Plumes

[Wickedvox]

How much fun will *that* be to wear?! Good stuff Lady Kathleen!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Thank you wickedvox!

It will be a joy to attend a Pirate Wedding on Saturday with the Bridal Couple wearing garb that I made. They are going to Florida and DisneyWorld for thier honeymoon. They  planning on wearing the garb there as well. I CANNOT imagine which ride they are going to go on first!!!

Wanna guess???

[Baron Frederick]

I'm staying out of this one!!

[Rennigirl]

I'm staying out of this one!!

Well - they don't call it the "Happiest Place on Earth" for 'nuthin!!!!   

[Ser Niall]

After many headaches, I finally completed my slops!  I still need to add something to close the fly, probably hook and eyes, but other than that, finished!  I just need to get buttons sewn to my doublet, and the outfit will be complete.

[Wickedvox]

They look fantastic Ser Niall!! I can't wait to see the whole outfit all put together! Be proud, they look great!