Gallery of In Progress Projects

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I have to agree with you, Rowan, the soft Blue does indeed make the trim pop.

Going to be Lovely Lady R!

I will be making myself some new garb as well as I am on a Weight Loss Program. 13 pounds lost already since 3 June.

[DonaCatalina]

I think the turquoise piping makes a nice contrast. The trim might have gotten lost in all the red otherwise.

[Lady Rosalind]

Thanks!

I had to order more of the red and gold trim, as it turns out I used 15 yards of it in my black gown! I only had 5 left! I ordered 13 more yards, so I am hoping that will be enough.

I replaced the piping around the red and gold narrow trim with a bias strip, and will keep the piping on the outer edges of the wide trim. I just couldn't cope with the idea that I would have to make over 30 yards of piping! I will still have to make about 20 yards, but that is doable.

I sewed what trim I had to a 1.25 inch bias strip, leaving a narrow border of the turquoise around the edges.  I used my Simplicity Bias and Piping maker to make the strip, and I am mostly please with how it worked, although there are some areas that are narrower than they are supposed to be.

I'm still getting used to it to that little time-saver machine, and have not yet tested the piping option, as I had to get a spool of the fusible web that it supposed to go with it. That should make the 20+ yards of piping go faster. The machine took less than 10 minutes to iron about 15 yards of single-fold bias tape, and NO STANDING AT THE IRONING BOARD! 

I also decided to make an Italian bonnet to go with this dress! Total departure from my tall hat obsession, but my latest tall hat is black, and there isn't a scrap of black on this dress! Rather than just make another tall hat, I dug out my unused-purchased-4-years-ago Lynn McMaster's Italian bonnet pattern, and decided to change things up a bit!

Anyhoo, I will be starting to cut out the skirt panels tonight, since the rest of my trim won't get here for a couple of days. Photos will be forthcoming!

[GryffinSong]

Such beautiful projects! You're all an inspiration!

I have a new linen gown I've made, but haven't yet got a photo of it. Will post eventually.

[Rowan MacD]

  I need one of those machines; marathon fold/pressing is maddening.

I have the same trim...in emerald green.   Also only 5 yards of it.  .
I'm waiting on some wider trim anyway.
 
I hope you post some pics of this in progress! 
I remember a red dress you had a few years back, before you started wearing the black silk . Red is definitely your color.
I am moving to earth tones. gold, green,sage and brown for my next project.

I have the LM tall hat pattern cut out.  I want to do this in sage green velvet.   Now I just have to quit making excuses and start making it. 

[gem]

I actually LOVE the pressing part of making bias tape! What I need is a machine that measures, cuts, and sews the strips together.

I replaced the piping around the red and gold narrow trim with a bias strip, and will keep the piping on the outer edges of the wide trim. I just couldn't cope with the idea that I would have to make over 30 yards of piping! I will still have to make about 20 yards, but that is doable.

Lady R, you might check out this video tutorial for faux piping from bias binding. There are still a number of steps involved, but they all take place at the sewing machine, not at the ironing board. (The beginning of the video is a nice basic pieced bias tape tutorial, also worth watching.)

It's a technique mostly used by quilters, but I don't see why it couldn't work in costuming!

[Lady Rosalind]

I actually LOVE the pressing part of making bias tape! What I need is a machine that measures, cuts, and sews the strips together.

I replaced the piping around the red and gold narrow trim with a bias strip, and will keep the piping on the outer edges of the wide trim. I just couldn't cope with the idea that I would have to make over 30 yards of piping! I will still have to make about 20 yards, but that is doable.

Lady R, you might check out this video tutorial for faux piping from bias binding. There are still a number of steps involved, but they all take place at the sewing machine, not at the ironing board. (The beginning of the video is a nice basic pieced bias tape tutorial, also worth watching.)

It's a technique mostly used by quilters, but I don't see why it couldn't work in costuming!

Thanks a TON for that link, Gem! The bias joining part was super helpful! I knew I had seen something similar before, and was trying to remember how it had been done with no success. That video was PERFECT!

I'm not sure how the faux piping would work on this project, but I can definitely see it will be a useful technique to learn. 

[Rowan MacD]

  So this faux piping is like the contrasting decorative stripe you can see on some sheets, not actually '3D', like regular piping with a cord in it?

  This might be useful for edges that are located in a section that gets snagged and rubbed a lot, or for garments where a cord might be uncomfortable, but you still want a contrasting  edge. 

[CalliopeCC]

Gem -

Thank you for posting that tutorial! There was a really great technique for getting that last join on the binding to fit perfectly. I have struggled with that-- and doing the corners-in the past. Who knew it was so simple?   

[Rowan MacD]

  The newest project-Still needs lacing holes, straps and shoulder rolls sewn down.  The skirt will have a sage velvet gaurd and matching trim and piping. 
  I'm thinking of a light sage forepart or a gold Duponi. I may make both.  They will need decorating.  I have 5 weeks to finish this.
  If I have time- I'll make sleeves.

[Lady Rosalind]

Very pretty, Rowan!

[Rowan MacD]

  Thank You!   

  The trim was not my first choice, but I had it on hand.   It's a bit on the sparkly side, but as long as the skirt has the same stuff it should work. 

  I really need to make paned sleeves, in a plain gold that I can use with future gowns.   

[isabelladangelo]

Rowen, I really like the color combos.  I'd love to see the outfit when it's completely finished. 

[Rowan MacD]

Rowen, I really like the color combos.  I'd love to see the outfit when it's completely finished.

Thank you!

   The picture is pretty true to color (I used a camera, not a phone) The brocade is a small green on green vine pattern (frays like a beast).       The preferred trim I ordered was a 2" wide stylized leaf pattern I ordered form Celtic Trims that arrived 2 weeks late, after I started the bodice.
   The Pillaged Village trim is a 2" wide brown and gold braid that was on sale.  I will need more of it for the skirt.
   The stomacher and shoulder rolls include a sage green velveteen. I used a Simplicity pattern for the shoulder rolls, rather than the  MA one.  They are more complicated, but look much better. 
   I will use the green velvet for a skirt guards.   I will post more pictures when I start constructing the skirt.
  Right now, I'm working on a matching tall hat in the green velvet.   

Thank Gawd, I made Milords matching outfit already.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

OMG Rowan! 

That Sage Green is Striking. That is going to be a fantastic gown when you are finished! Cannot wait to see it all when finished.