Queenly transformation ideas, please!

[Orphena]

Huzzah and hello Lady Elizabeth! Nice to meet someone else who travelled the same path!

Well, I've been busy, but I finally managed to make some progress this week. I found some trim - there are a few Indian Fabric / Trim places near by, and I got a lovely trim I've not seen anywhere. As my back needs a break from cutting, here are a few pictures:

My basic fabris & trim selections:


The Trim laid out:


Close up of the trim together:



I plan to put the trim as a border - a few inches from my mudguard (which is black, but will include 1 line of the gold trim), and the trim will continue up beside the center front split. I plan to trim the bodice out too, but one thing at a time!

I also cut out my forepart: and played with some beading -this is what I am hoping to have time to do:


But I figure I will start with the corners and centers, and add the black embellishments if I have time.  This will be a project that travels with me - Mom, I love you, and I'll happily visit, but I'll be doing a bit of hand stitching while I'm there!

1 set of 4 corners done. There are 114 squares left to go!

[Orphena]

Well, the skirt of the new gown is done... i think I managed to get the trim on nice and straight - it is my first try, so I'm fairly happy. While it doesn't scream queen just yet, I do need to remember that I want to use the gown as noble as well.

Here are some shots - forgive the lighting- the apartment doesn't offer many great photo ops.

I've pinned the forepart in place - but the forepart is not yet done - more beads will be added.


I have padded my knife pleats to help them stand out a bit - I cannot wear a bum roll due to the pressure it puts on my low back, so this is my solution.  I know the norm is cartridge pleats, but I preferred a combo of knife and box pleats. Handstitching the padded pleats took some time however!




It is fully lined - in person, the lining looks a little more golden:


I have about 20 of these that I am thinking of adding - where do you think is the best place to add them?

[mollymishap]

Looking good!  Keep the pictures coming!!!

[Orphena]

So, this morning I added my ornamentation to my skirt, and other than sleeves, I'm almost done... your opinions would be appreciated about my fan . .. the handle is done, I'm just not sure whether to go with white feathers, or black! I've 20 of each, but the black ones are fuller, although one or 2 of them hint of a florescent orange on the stem, which I should be able to trim off... here is the fan with all 20 feathers....

[mollymishap]

I'd say go with the black...any chance to get a pic of you in the gown?  What I can see is looking quite queenly!

[Jade]

I think the black feathers work better too.