Isabella's Project Diary

Actually, it's a problem with the couching/embroidery/whatever you want to call it. The cord I'm using is fraying at the ends a couple of hours after I attach it. I've tried tucking the end under but that doesn't help. I might go to the old stand by of clear nailpolish but is there any other ideas out there? In order to slip the ends under the bodice and re-sew them in, it would mean taking apart the dress the way I have it sewn. If I have to, I will, but I'd like to hear other options/ideas/thoughts first.

I might end up using a different, thinner cord for the decoration part of the embroidery. I've only finished the outlines for now. The thinner cord is the same color so it won't be glaring, just a thinner cord bound on either side by a thicker cord.

If anyone wants pictures, just ask. I'll take 'em tonight probably.

It's not THAT pink and the skirt is sticking out funny because I pulled it that way. I wanted to show that it wasn't a pencil skirt. My dress dummy doesn't have hips and everything falls perfectly straight down on her. I have hips. Things do not fall straight down on me.

True color pink. This is the back of the dress. It's pretty voluminous in the back but I think it's supposed to look that way.

I didn't sew up the inside when I took these pictures. I just don't have the time right now.

I only got to sew the back of the bias trim on to the neckline of the Eleanor gown. I had a choice; do sewing or actually look through that stuff upstairs for your yard sale on Sat. The latter won. Sorta. I finished doing all the rooms upstairs so I now have five boxes of stuff to sell ready. It looks like this will grow to ten or so. I need to go through everything in the sewing room and the living room still but most of that should be pretty easy...hopefully. I'll go through it tomorrow.

I did get rid of one bag of garbage after going through the rooms. The rooms still look a mess but at least I know what the heck I have now.

Like I said, the bias trim (all pinked even) is full attached. I might just pin the skirt for now to the bodice because I'm curious to see if the bodice might be a bit too big. I've said it before: I'm squishy; my dress form isn't. I'll punch out a few eyelet with the awl, lace it up, and then see if it fits. If it does, I'll sew it up. If not, I'll cut the sides a bit.

The skirt to the gown is done. I'm not sure if I'll add embroidery to that. I really don't see it in many of the portraits from the time but then again, very few paintings show the hems of the gowns. I think the bodice might be enough for now. There are more photos of the skirt and the sleeve pattern are up on my flickr account. The link above should take you there without any problems.

I did something sewing related! Woohoo!

The pattern I'm using for my gown. I'm a bit bigger than she was. :-) I tried modifying an existing pattern and that was a no go. I then tried draping and that just came out really funny. So I took the draped pattern and pinned out all the bad stuff to get this pattern. This pattern looks and fits right.

The fabrics I'm using. I've since ironed the organza on my new ironing board. (My old table top one is going to be on sale at the yard sale. $5 if anyone wants it.)

I did buy 9 yards of gold cord. I'll probably need a few dozen yards more but the 9 should work for the neckline of the gown. I do have some cotton/linen blend that I think I'll use for the chemise....

I was thinking (Yes, I know. That's dangerous within itself) that I might just take the old watermarked Italian apart and reuse the skirt as the upper back and inside sleeves for the late 16th c/early 17th c coat. (Patterns of Fashion pg 122. Also in Historical Fashion in Detail pg 174). The silk of the gown is about right for that and no one will care (much) if I use watermarked silk for lining (the watermarked parts will probably be used, if at all possible, for the lining of the back of the coat). I have the right colored velvet (it's not cut velvet but it's a nice mulberry~ish color) and I have the right trim so the silk from the gown should work.

I can also keep the bodice and just use it to draft out future side lacing patterns....

Other sewing front stuff:

18th C corset - If I can remember to work on it, it will be done by the end of May.

Gothic Fitted Gown - Yes, it's "officially" done but I decided I want to make it more period and add tippets. Once I do that, it will be really done.

Pennsic Project - Umm, yeah. I should start on that, huh?

I should also mention that the yard sale will be on May 10th. I decided this last week but I kept forgetting to post that. I just really have a lot of stuff to go through and the whole pricing thing will take a while...

It fits! I need to move over the top button to get the full correct look but other than that, it's fine. It's very 1370's~1380's in look. I just need to add tippets to the sleeves. I'll take pictures tonight. All and all, it's very comfortable and will look awesome with the darker violet hood.

I think I'm going to wear my peacock 1550's Italian gown tomorrow at NCRF. It's a blue gown that shimmers in purple and green. It has purple and gold rope trim and "peacock" feathered brocade sleeves. I think I might have enough time to edit the old purple velvet surcote to make it more in line with an Italian surcote and wear that with it. I also need to make a sleeveless chemise....

The red and gold gown ummm...yeah. Unless I want a really weird line around my waist, it just isn't going to work. I think I need to add some more material right at the waist. ::sigh::

Anyway, I will be there tomorrow. I will be dressed in garb. I just need to remember the directions and the tickets. Ginsie is already over at Mom & Dad's. She, of course, is happy as can be. My Aunt Marilyn said I could bring Ginsie down but I know how Ginsie is around other dogs. She'll be okay after a couple of minutes around most dogs but she *must* be the Queen or she gets very very angry. (I'm totally thinking of making a "Queen of Hearts" outfit for her. Tee hee) So, it's safer to leave her with Mom and Dad in a house she knows well around another dog she knows well. That, and my parents know what to do if she has a seizure...

Mom decided I needed kidnapping today. We took Dad to the airport and then went to Tysons (Corner Mall, 8th biggest mall in the USA). The Hallmark store there was the only store left (that I've found) that has(d) the "New World Candles". It was a group of candles that Yankee Candle brought out in 2007. Mom LOVES the Mediterranean Cypress and I love the Moroccan Rose (It smells like Egypt! Honest.). I also like the Indonesian Ginger (it smells yummy). So, we each bought a ton of candles (Pennsic will smell really nice this year!).
I took Mom around the mall which is always interesting. We went home and I got a bit of sewing in (I brought my 18th c stays with me and worked on those) as well as some knitting (it's looking like a blanket!!!). I also played with the baby and told him all about the contrast and comparisons between the old Charlie and Chocolate Factory and the new one. (Hey, it was on! We must integrate the child into geek...er pop culture sooner or later. Who cares if he's only three months old and thinks Aunt Sissy is amusing?)
Also, it looks like I will be teaching a class at Sapphire Joust. This should be funny....it will be on early 16th c Italian styles (How they vary from region to region, the variations in the first 30 years or so, how to recreate them, ect...) I'll bring (probably be wearing at least one) a few examples and all..

I've decided that I finally know what I'm going to do with the maroon velvet that I've had for four years or so now...it will be a coat. Specifically, the coat on page 122 of your Janet Arnold book as well as page 174 of your Historical Fashion in Detail book. I have pink silk (somewhere. I think it's in Harry Potter's room.) I have silver lace with spangles (Thank you India! I've gotten some amazing trims from people in India...). All that with the maroon velvet should make for a similar looking garment....

I'm making a short list because if I make a big list, nothing will ever get done. See? I'm learning...slowly.

Finish up the Regency gown tonight and tomorrow night. I think a forest green sash with the thing will look lovely (the dress will be a coral rose color). I promise to post pictures.

Once I get that done, I'm going to take the red poly satin stuff I have lying around (bought it online years ago and was told it was silk. It's some sort of poly blend) and make one of the Dangerous Beauty type gowns. I have enough and I can easily make the dress and pants to go with it. This should work for the weekend of the 12th and 13th, don'tcha think? :-) Now, If I can get the person I'm bringing to dress up too...that would be good.

After that, back to Regency and make the short stays. That shouldn't be too bad...hopefully.