This gown was one I've had lingering in my mind for a while. And while the photo does not show all the details on this, it still was pretty decent. The forepart is a pressed velvet that I managed to score big on. It was a remnant piece and cost me less than $10 (no lie). I cut it and beaded the bejesus out of it with red glass beads. It shines in the sunlight but doesn't pull away from the design. The gown in this picture is not quite finished, as I have since put on shoulder rolls (no pic of them) and had the trim beaded in pearls and gold beads. Thanks to a dear friend of mine who took the time to complete the skirt for me.
Now, yes, most of the time the swallow sleeves are much longer, but I didn't like the idea of them almost dragging on the ground and on my short frame, they seemed overly long enough. It was also my first time working with tabs on the bodice, and I wasn't impressed with the way they turned out. Maybe next time it will work better, right?
This was the first time I did not use my own patter for the bodice. I broke down and purchased a Margo Anderson pattern and I can say that I was not impressed. However, I'm going to give it another go this season to see if it was my grief hazed mind that couldn't work with it or if it were actually the pattern. I also have to make a new corset and chemise for this upcoming season. My corset (the one in the blog) got ripped apart this last season. I lost so much weight from the stress in my life that I had to cut out the back and put in extra lacing. Since then, it's been up and down and there has been too much stress on the grommets. Besides, I don't like the way it fits, so it's on to a new one! I already have the fabric picked out for it! I have two gowns I'm planning on for the upcoming season and one that will be just for fun!
This first picture is fabric for an Italian style gown I've been dreaming up in my head.
I've decided to go with the gold background and black motifs. I'm not fond of the it being the other way. It's a wonderful taffeta with cut velvet motifs on it. I'm not planning on much embellishments for this gown. Trimming it in simple black velvet ribbon will be nice. This is the style I'm thinking of doing.
I love this gown and the style of it. I do have a soft goldish chiffon that will need some stiffening to make the trim on it, unless I can score big on some form of lace that will work for the ruffle. Maybe in black??
The next gown will be in the Elizabethan style that I'm so fond of. I'm still sorting out the details of the sleeves etc, but it will be in this fabric.
The green is a nice darker olive green light weight taffeta. It will have to be lined with something and I have yet to figure out what. Something that is heavier weighted, but will still give the flow of the taffeta. A flannel perhaps? I'll let you know what I figure out. The yellow fabric is (at this point) designated as the forepart. I have my eye on a different fabric for it and since it will be the forepart only, I won't need more than 1 1/2 yard. I'll let you know if I get it and what the final cost is.
Finally, for fun: I've seen this, but not done in the misguided seamstress way...so this will be my fun gown for the season:
I just hope I have the ambition and the drive to get them all completed. It's been a rough year and I'm hoping that with it now being over a year, I can finally concentrate on completing the work the way I know I can, and not just 'theater'ing it. Keep watching as I begin my journey!
