Cording a Corset

Since my last entry, I've definitely neglected my plan to blog more often. I think grandiose plans are often easier said than done. Regardless, this lack of blogging has meant more productivity in terms of sewing (as well as lots of time going to work). In my recent sewing endeavor, I managed to crank out the remainder of one of my many UFOs (unfinished objects) or as I like to call them, UFPs (unfinished projects).

This particular project started back in the fall of 2012, when I made the decision to sew a complete regency outfit for my graduation ceremony in the spring of 2014. I figured that I would complete it a year ahead of time and be super organized. Long story short, I purchased the fabric, got it all cut out and marked, and then got lost in other projects that were less daunting. I think it was also forgotten at home when I moved to Michigan for 6 months after college graduation. When I moved back to Massachusetts, I eventually came to the conclusion that I wanted to volunteer in August at Old Sturbridge Village's Textile Weekend, thus making this a perfect project to complete and wear.

There and back again

I realize it's been nearly 3 years since this blog has been updated, but there's this thing called college that gets in the way of blogging and time for myself. But since 2012, I have graduated and am back on my feet with a reasonably steady post-grad job (I work at a toy store which has its perks), plus I have time for more projects. Since my last post, my sewing skills have gotten much stronger and I've completed a whole bunch of projects. I'm also in the middle of a pretty cool (small) project which I'll post soon, but in the meantime I'll post some photos of my older projects below the cut.

New Year, New Goals

I realize I've been neglecting this blog, which is entirely because of large amounts of schoolwork, as well as stress and health issues. Lots of fun.

Anyway, with the incoming arrival of my American Duchess "Pemberley" shoes, my brain has been cranking around the clock ways that I can wear them. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll know that my very first sewing project was a regency dress made from light blue linen out of the Sense and Sensibility "Elegant Ladies Closet" pattern, sewn entirely by machine. Of course, since then, my sewing has improved by leaps and bounds and naturally I'm aching for another gown...or maybe another 5 or 6 gowns (of all different eras).

Like most costumers at one time or another, I'm currently suffering from costume ADD, with piles of goals I want to achieve. As of this second, I really want to make a new regency gown, but that would require a fresh new shift, a set of short stays, as well as a new pattern (I like the S&S patterns, but I feel like I'm ready to graduate to a better pattern, like the La Mode Bagatelle set). I'm also really yearning to make a pair of 18th century stays and a beautiful petticoat and short gown to wear on top. I'd also love to vamp up my wardrobe with 30's and 50's style clothing (which is extremely difficult in the middle of New England weather without tights and such). I can't make up my mind.

So yes, I have a bunch of goals for this year - here are the most reasonable ones (in no particular order):
- sew up the 30's circle skirt with the green cotton sateen I bought this summer
- finish the corded petticoat I started months ago
- sew a new regency shift
- make a nightgown from the Nick and Nora fabric I got in NYC a couple years ago
- fit the cover for my dress form (it's about time - I've had it nearly two years!)
- hem up the dotted 30's skirt so it's more wearable
- finish the christmas gifts I started
- sew up a wrap style vintage dress (using a pattern purchased on Etsy)

Of course all of these would be a dozen times easier with my own machine, but that can wait until I get a real job.

Oh and on top of all these, I need to apply to all of the internships in costuming/museums (especially those with a living history component) before early March.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you all a very wonderful holiday season - whether or not you celebrate Christmas. I'm very much enjoying my holiday. Earlier this morning I received several sewing and costuming books (including Lauren Rennells' Retro Makeup book) from my family, along with a note for a pre-ordered pair of Pemberley regency shoes from American Duchess. I also received a few sweaters and tights which will keep me warm at school this coming year. The best gift I have received is the snow outside my window - it's a White Christmas!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Beautiful day?

Happy Easter! So far, it has been beautiful outside (I went to brunch without a coat today), but I have been stuck inside prepping for all sorts of mayhem. We have our senior banquet today, so my entire house is setting up for the banquet in the living room. It looks really pretty. However, this morning the first years decided to make breakfast in bed for the seniors, but almost burned the house down. I guess they got toast stuck in the toaster and it started burning. Typical. So the fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate around 9:30 am. It's a good thing one of the HONS came and knocked on my door otherwise I would have still been in pajamas.

Also this morning, an alumna came and photographed my room for one of her upcoming exhibits. She specializes in photographing personal spaces and one of my peers had sent around an email that she was going to be photographing in the area, so I signed up. I wasn't actually in the room while she worked, but I do know that she used my regency dress and chemise, my corset, my copy of Corsets and Crinolines, and my sewing box in the photos, which is cool because those are some of my most treasured items I have at school. I don't know exactly when the photos will go up, but hopefully before finals. I'm also hoping to get a copy of two of the photos. That would be cool.


Now back to work on something (maybe stats homework or my Material Culture essay about toys). Au revior!

He exists!

My college does Big Sib, Little Sib for all the first years in the houses and it has been an awesome week so far. Monday I received a little labrador retriever figurine in a doghouse made of tea on my door. Tuesday I received a sparkly red ornament that was a replica of an 1890's period shoe. Today I received a pretty pink rose in a vase with a card signed by Mr. Darcy. This is enough to make my life!! What other girl has the opportunity to receive a flower from one of her favorite fictional men? And I am now very thankful to have the same name as his romantic partner.


Also, this is my 50th blog post. Huzzah! I feel it right to celebrate with an appropriate quote:

"A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment ~ Jane Austen"

Another Regency dress

I've been planning another regency dress for a while now and I hope to finish it before going to school. However, I'm torn between fabrics:

A pretty purple vine pattern with a cream background or...

A red diagonal dot pattern? I like them both!

By Jov! I think we've done it!

That is On the Razzle has opened (or will tonight). It's been a crazy whirlwind of a week, trying to finish everything for dress rehearsals, but the costumes are all ready to go! I watched from the sudirence last night and everything looked good (except the little boy playing the Ragamuffin needed to be dirtier) for the most part. I'm so glad that it all feel into place.

Now I'm waiting for my college roommate and housing assignment. We were told we would receive them today, but due to technical issues, it won't be for the next few days. Bummer.

Now that Razzle is done, I can get back to my summer projects. I still haven't made a new regency chemise, but I may forgo that for a bodiced petticoat because A) I am too lazy to make stays and a chemise and petticoat and B) a bodiced petticoat would provide the same amount of coverage as the previously mentioned garments. One problem is that I'd also be motivated to make a new regency dress from this fabric. To make a bodiced petticoat, I'd also need to buy this pattern becasue I have a different pattern and it doesn't accomodate the bodiced petticoat.

My corded petticoat is also behind. Oops.

At some point, I'd also like to make an Alice in Wonderland dress for Halloween (complete with poofy skirt and apron) but it's on the same list as a new Regency Spencer, a Cinderella costume, a pair of 1770's stays, Early Nineteenth century stays, and a Titanic era white dress. If only my wallet could afford all of this!

What to make next?

Now that I've finished my corset, I've opened up tons of costuming doors. The corset ranges over a 60 year time span, meaning I need to make a skirt support to make a new outfit. But what to make? I'm defintely planning on:

- a new regency chemise
- finishing my corded petticoat
- hemming my chemise

I'd love (if my bank account allows it)
- making a new hoop skirt and petticoats (and then maybe a dress)
- making a bustle
- making a pair of stays and then an 1830's dress

We'll see how the summer goes. I'd also like to get a photo of me wearing my corset so I can post it here.

Oh and I'm also helping with Vokes' "On the Razzle" this summer so stay tuned!

Second Regency Dress - Fabric

I found some potential fabric choices for a second regency dress. One problem is that several are white and see-through so we'll see. I already have a blue dress, so I'd rather not choose a pattern with blue in it. It might not be bad to wait and see what other fabrics pop up in the next few weeks.

(images from reproduction fabrics.com)

 

(image borrowed from NauvooQuiltCo's etsy page - no copyright infringement intended)

Regency Chemise

This is a Regency era (1795-1815) chemise, made from white cotton broadcloth. It was sewed completely by machine. It was made from the Sense and Sensibility Regency Undergarments Pattern.

 

The sleeves have a gusset at the armpit, practical for this time period.

The neckline closes with a ribbon drawstring and casing. I had trouble with it and it doesn't look that pretty :) I also had issues with the initial fit because it ran really big. The photos don't show it well, but I had to make the whole chemise narrower with a set of flat felled seams running down the front.

I'd love to make a better chemise eventually, but I have too much to sew!

Regency Era Pelisse

This is a Regency Era Pelisse (approx. 1800-1815), made of green wool with polyester taffeta lining. The pattern is the Sense and Sensibility's Regency Spencer and Pelisse pattern. I bought the wool on a trip to New York last summer - all 4 yards! I must have looked ridiculous carrying a massive plastic bag into Wicked later. Sadly all the photos I have are really bad. I'll have to take better ones later, when it is sunny.

Front View of the coat (closes with hooks and eyes)

Front View with Lining. The lining took forever to get right. I had to re-hem it several times because it just didn't look right!

After finishing it, I guess it looks okay. I had hoped it would fit better and hoped it wouldn't just hang. Sigh.

Regency Afternoon/Plain Evening Dress

I made this Regency era (1795-1820) dress in the Summer of 2008 as a first sewing project. It is made of a light blue linen and was stitched by machine. The pattern is the Drawstring dress with ballgown sleeves from Sense and Sensibility's Elegant Lady's Closet Pattern.

Close up of the front of the dress and the drawstring closure.

The back of the dress and the tie back. The skirt is gathered to the bodice.

Overall, this dress came together wonderfully. I had very little trouble with my first attempt at sewing. I love how airy and free this dress is. I just wish I could wear it more often. It also could double as a costume for Wendy from Disney's Peter Pan.