Unfortunately, there's quite a bit to do. All I really have is my corset and my bustle. Everything else still needs to be constructed. First on the list, a proper frilled petticoat. The bones in the bustle have this nasty habit of peeking through if they aren't covered up by flounces, so that's first on the list. While I'm not using the Truly Victorian pattern, I am shooting for something like their TV101 pattern. I just love all those ruffles in the back, and the soft look they give your skirts when you wear the petticoat. So, that's step one.
Step two is the gown itself. Now, if you remember my List 'o Many Tasks, I was shooting for the black gown in this fashion plate. I've spent a good deal of time staring at the plate, figuring out all the details, and I think I'm good to go. I'm actually pretty optimistic that the thing will go together fairly quickly once I get my hands on some fabric. The thing that's going to take the most time is all of that pleated trim! Especially the micro-pleats, since I'll have to press each pleat to make them form correctly. Ugh. I can't tell from the plate whether or not the micro-pleated trim is meant to be scalloped or if that's just the style of the artist, but in some areas it looks like the pleated trim is actually box pleated onto the skirt. So, it's either scalloped or box pleated...or scalloped and box pleated. Yurg.Anyway, I'm actually excited about the overskirt, of all things, because it'll be a good test run for how tedious the skirt itself is going to be, and, well, I just really like the overskirt.
I have a couple of commissions to finish up over the weekend, and then this is at the top of my list. It's also sort of crunch time, since this event kinda snuck up on me, so I'm hoping to get allot done in a relatively short period of time. Fingers crossed!
Wow! That's an amazing dress! I can't wait to see it in person, and I'm so glad I'll get to meet you at this event! Are you going with another costumer group? I was wondering if the steampunk folks would be interested in this one.
ReplyDeleteNope, no other group, this'll be my first time going to a DFWCG meetup, so I'm all excited about it. :D I'm trying to convince a couple of friends of mine to come with me, since they're into historical costuming, as well, so hopefully I'll have some others with me.
ReplyDeleteI think the Steampunk folks would love an event like this! There used to be a DFW Steampunk community on livejournal, though I couldn't say whether or not it's there anymore. You could always post a flier up at the Generator coffee house in Garland, they have quite a few Steampunk events there. I know they're having a Steampunk swap meet there tomorrow! (16th)