Draped to the Ankles

Bustle Dresses

There is a Most Beautiful Bustle Dress in the World Contest going on right now over at Bustledress.com. I urge you to click on over there and scroll down to have a look at these entries. These are the seamstresses that make me feel like a complete failure. My dresses never look like that!

Of course, I am 1) lazy, and don't spend as much time on my creations as I should and 2) poor, and can't afford the lovely silks and satins that they use. But I think my ultimate reason is that I tend to make gowns more for everyday, middle class women who couldn't afford a House of Worth gown. I get my inspiration from photographs, while I noticed that most of the gowns in the competition are inspired by fashion illustrations. I am sure that every few people actually wore those kinds of outfits. After all, how many of us can buy an original Givenchy creation?

Still, I would like my current projects to be able to stand up with the dresses on that website and not look too shabby. My saloon girl one is shaping up to be outstanding, one because it's so pretty, and two because it is unique while still being period. I'll be posting pictures on that soon.

New Stuff

I recently realized that I could actually make my own every day dresses. It started with a dress I saw in "Under the Tuscan Sun." It was a very 50's, retro dress, and the fabric was to die for. I realized, hey, I could MAKE that dress. So I found a vintage pattern on eBay. Then I realized that I could make other dresses and blouses of the type that I like but can't find - or can't afford. So I've been window shopping at Macy's and Dillard's, and then heading off to the 99 cent pattern sale at Hobby Lobby. Cheap patterns, and fabric found at Savers and Goodwill, and I'm set. Normally I think it would not be cost efficient to make my own clothing, especially since I'm a second-hand clothing type person to begin with. But you can't always find what you're looking for, and as long as I keep the fabric purchases at Joann's and Hobby Lobby down to a minimum, I could make this work. I'll post whatever I come up with. But I'm so busy right now, I don't know when I will get around to sewing things for myself again!

Also note that I have added several vintage/retro sewing blogs to my blog roll. I'm really glad I found them, because they are inspirational.

Annie's Dress - Half Done

I have finished the basic sewing of this outfit. Now I have to get her over here to do the fitting. Then, I only have to add the sleeves and trim. I will use the same little gold and white buttons you see on the back. The hem of the polinaise will be trimmed in the same red lace as the back of the peplum. Then I have a really neat red/black fabric that changes color depending on how you view it (what is that fabric called?). That will be the box pleats at the bottom of the skirt, probably about 10 inches high, to just under the corner of the polinaise. I need to find some red ribbon to match the other trims - I need to finish the pleat at the back of the sleeves with a bow (and perhaps more lace). I will also be adding the lace to the throat, and I think adding ribbon would give it a more finished look.

The last picture is closest to the actual color. My camera is old for a digital, and it never wants to give me the colors as they are. These images have been fiddled with, but it's tough to get the colors right. Too bad, because the color of this fabric is a rich rust color. It's also polyester, which I would normally abhor, but I really wanted something that would look spectacular without breaking the bank. I don't even want to think what that much silk satin would cost.

1836 Dress Finished

Yesterday the dress made it's debut. It may be the only time I ever wear it! I'll hang onto it just in case, though. You never know when we'll need to reenact the Battle of the Alamo.

The first two pictures were taken at a friend's house, with the pelerine. The Pelerine - or fichu - was made out of a big scarf folded in half. I sewed a nice lace around the edges. The silhouette is good, but I ultimately didn't wear it, as you can see in picture three. I thought we would be outside, and the polyester was just not that cool. Oh well.

I made the hat, too. I have the book "From the Neck Up: An Illustrated Guide to Hatmaking," which has lots of patterns and instructions. This hat just used two layers of heavy interfacing under two layers of fabric, all sewn together. I got lazy when I was finished with the sewing part, so the brown velvet ribbon is just pinned on, and the feathers are attached using a cameo broach. Works quite well, and you can change it whenever you want.

I got lots of compliments, and I was the only woman dressed up for the event. Three of our gentlemen were there, two of them did a little skit about the events that lead up to the treaty, then they unveiled one of two original copies of the Treaty of Velasco. They were quite proud of it. Nice evening all around.

Another 183o's dress...

... not mine. I just stumbled upon this version of the same dress. Looks very much like mine, but hers is better - she added piping, where I'm just too lazy to do it. But what I really like about this blog is that she does some gorgeous repro stuff. Check out Wearing History.

I'm off to make the hat now.

So Sari

I had to share this find from Savers the other day. It's a Sari, probably made of rayon or polyester of both. The colors are off here, but it's tan, with dark blue flowers and edging. I saw this huge length of beautiful fabric, so I picked it up for 4$. I wasn't sure what I would do with it, but once I got it home and looked at it, I realized it would be nice to just have a sari. So I looked up How to wrap a sari and tried it a couple of times. I'm likin' it. And the fabric smells nice, too.

I also picked up a dark blue beaded shawl/head scarf that looks like it goes with it. Yay, Savers!

1836 Dress

I have gotten quite far on the 1836 dress. I had yards and yards of this one calico for it. It's an overall small design of tiny red flowers, black vines, and white and green leaves. Unfortunately, I didn't realize until too late that some of it was slightly different - the bodice fabric has more green leaves in it. I don't think it makes that much difference, though. (You may notice that I am NOT a perfectionist).

I really had some trial and error with this one. I made it too big, but since the fasteners are in the back (what was I thinking!?!? I live alone!!) I am going to have to go find help for a final fitting. I haven't put the lining in the bodice, yet, either. It calls for doing that last because it covers the ragged edges where the skirt is attached to the bodice, and makes it look nice on the inside. Then I will add 3 buttons to the sleeves, and take up the hem. I'm thinking of adding just a touch of brown lace, but I have to be real careful that it doesn't seem un-period (yeah, I AM a perfectionist about that.)

And those sleeves! I love them, but when I made them I did not account for the fact that the sleeves are off the shoulder. Now they are too long. Won't matter, though, once I have them tightly buttoned. I do have to put some kind of support in them to fluff them up a bit.

I will try to get a picture of the finished product in action, so to speak.