sleeves

I am working on the sleeves of the gown. For some reason I am having a terrible time patterning it! I need to wrap my head arround it soon if I want to get started on the embroidery

Home, time to get back to work

So I am back from my family trip. I am glad I went it's been over 5 years since the last time I was there. I was able to finish the handkerchief while I was there. Now that I am home I know I need to hit this gown hard. I hope to cut the skirt panels and stitch them up and start pleating them onto the bodice today. So much to do and not nearly enough time to do it all in.

bodice

the bodice is basically done. I want to tighten up the should strap length a bit and it isn't as blinged out as I would like but it is wearable enough to start on the skirt!

Pics up as soon as I come back from my family reunion thing in Oklahoma

onward

The new Victorian gown went over very well!

So now that I got my groove back with a side project I hope I am set to dive back into the IRCC- the bodice should come together very fast now and the skirt should be just as quick. I may have some issues doing the pattern for the sleeve and with what I intend to do there will be a bit of extra time spent on doing the cut work. I am also losing about 4 days since I have a family reunion over the weekend in Oklahoma, so most likely I will just work on finishing my handkerchief.

I have the fabric for a partlet, as well as the fabric for a short cape. I am thinking the ruffs are something I will have to do post IRCC as they will take some time and I am already scheduling very tight, I already have plenty of items to make up my layer 4 for the challenge- why should I put myself in a panic over them. I need to finish my layer 3 as I have nothing finished for it yet- being that it is the main dress, anything I get done after that will be gravy.

I just need to keep plugging along.

distraction

Thought I would toss up my 24 hour victorian outfit

trim

And all the trim has been laid down!

I plan on adding some pearls but I am looking at other ways to bling this up

bodice trim

so I have started attaching the trim to the bodice. I have had this lovely silk satin in an amazing shade of blue for ages. It is an antique and it was a gift. I plan on pearling over the gold thread.

distraction

well all I have left to do is hem the cuffs of the sleeves- wow I didn't think I could pull it off. But I have a new outfit for the game this Saturday. Later today I will go pick up what I need to make the trim and get back to work on the bodice.

In the back of my mind I still have a little panic to finish everything before the deadline- but overall I think it is a goal I can meet. This has been a great challenge for me. I have really enjoyed it.

distraction

so I am pleased the bodice is coming together pretty fast. Although I am taking a bit of a break as I don't have what I need to create the trim I want.

I am also involved in a wild west LARP and I decided while I am waiting to hit the store to get what I need for the IRCC until tomorrow I could quickly throw together a new blouse to wear for the LARP. I have half a victorian gown finished, all the underwear and skirt and bustle but I haven't had time to fit the bodice so a simple blouse could make the rest of the outfit wearable. The game is Saturday so I need to be done before then- wish me luck

To Do list for Bodice day 2

so I didn't get as much as I wanted to to last night so I am really trying to keep myself on track today. I did a list of step by step to do lists for every piece of this outfit when I first started this project, sadly the web site I have been using to keep track of everything is offline at the moment so I am using this space to keep my notes in order

• Stitch boning channels
• cut bones
• file bones
• cut trim 
• Stitch trim down onto linen
• Satin stitch over edge of trim in gold
• stitch bodices together
• turn
• bias tape bottom
• stitch top of straps
• Have a glass of wine
• Pat self on back for finishing the bodice
• Go see Harry Potter movie! (If you finish before Friday!)

hit a snag I tried on the bodice after placing all the bones and I have discovered I need more in the front

To Do list for Bodice

• cut out canvas bodice pieces 1&2
• Stitch bodice 1 together
• Draw boning channels
• Stitch down eyelet tape
• cut out linen bodice pieces
• fray check linen bodice pieces (as it will be sitting on side a while)
• Stitch canvas bodice 2 together
• Pin canvas bodices together
• Stitch boning channels
• cut bones
• file bones
• cut trim 
• Stitch trim down onto linen
• Satin stitch over edge of trim in gold
• stitch bodices together
• turn
• bias tape bottom
• stitch top of straps
• Have a glass of wine
• Pat self on back for finishing the bodice

lacing strips done!

it looks good and looks like it will work but I guess I really won't know till it's done

I was asked why the bottom of the bodice looks so odd. I have added taps since I am a bit fleshy so it will sit easier over my hips and I have a space over my spine as I have found if I drop to low or had a tab there after a few hours my back would act up. Since I will be adding the skirt on by hand anyway It is safe to do longer bones without fear of having issues with my machine when I sew the skirt on

bodice update w/ pics!

So slow going, schoolwork is kicking my butt!

I have cut out my inner bodice and have drawn where the boning channels will go. Before attaching my second layer of canvas so I can sandwich the bones in between I need to attach the lacing strips. In the past I have sewn down rings- which would snap the threads and pop off when lacing if under to much strain, I have sewn down the duel lines of ribbon like Jen Thompson did for her Venetian gown, that worked pretty well but soon I the ribbon started to fray and stretch from strain. So this time I am going to try something new, two lines, because it really does help with the strain and keeping the laces straight with rings in the form of eyelet tape. I'm not sure how it will work but it is worth a try!

bodice

bodice all cut out! now starting to piece it together, stitch down the lacing strips and mark the boning channels!

bodice

Almost all cut out! Trying to lay out patterns and cut them with a 4 year old wanting to play is really hard work!

bodice

the bodice pattern seems to be worked out. I am cutting the foundation patterns now. I hope to finish the bodice quickly

Layer 1 done!!!!

with the drawers finally being finished:

I have now finished layer 1!! so two layers finished one to go

Layer 1: Camicia, drawers and stockings

Layer 2 Petticoat and pocket

loaner is here

So I dropped off my machine and the earliest I will see her now is next Thursday. Lucky I have a dear friend who has loaned me her machine. So it's back to the grindstone!

Eva is in a coma

Now it isn't as terrible as it sounds- ok maybe it is. Eva is my sewing machine. She has a blue light and the first time I turned her on my son pointed and cried out "Eva!" He was going through a Wall-e stage at the time. Tonight after squeaking, then chugging she finally seized up. I can't turn the hand wheel and I am very sad. I was busting through the drawers and making real progress! So I'll take her to the repair guy on Tuesday and I hope he can take her off life support and put her on the mend.

Lucky I have a very dear friend who is offering her machine to me as a loner cause "You have to finish this challenge."


I can feel my stubborn side kick over, with the days counting down quickly- I know I have to finish, and one way or another I will- gosh-darnit!!