All In A Hard Day's Leisure

Somewhere in between sitting in bed reading, playing badminton, laying on the delicious grass, and drinking coffee, I managed to put together the remaining elements of my bonnet today. I spent far too much time trying to decide how to decorate it. I had planned on using a large bunch of feathers and a flower, but wound up omitting the flower, tearing apart the feathers, and arranging them delicately on either side. I also committed the ultimate sin of using the glue gun. Hopefully the hot June weather won't melt it while I walk down the streets of Virginia City.

As you may have noticed, the bonnet goes with the day dress that I have pictured a few posts back. If you look at the ensemble from a small distance it looks quite authentic!

When I feel up to the task of putting on this gown, I will relieve Victoria (my mannequin) of its weight and have some pictures taken. In the meantime I will leave her clothed and ready to frighten me whenever I happen to wake up the night.

Not So Bleak House

I recently watched the 2005 Masterpiece Theatre Bleak House. The costumes were designed by Andrea Galer, who also did Persuasion, Jane Eyre, Mansfield Park, and many other period films. Her work is always very tailored, period-correct, and elegantly simple. I particularly like Esther's gowns in this film. Unfortunately, there are not many pictures of her gowns on the web. I think my next project might be to re-create one of these gowns. The biggest difficulty is finding the right fabric at an affordable price!

This is the finished day dress that I was working on earlier. I finished it over a month ago, but never got around to taking pictures. It is my favorite of all the dresses I have made so far because I think it looks very authentic and because of the beauty of the fabric.

It was also very time consuming and fairly detailed for a day dress. I covered my own fabric buttons, pleated the skirt, and attatched a bunch of hook and eyes/snaps to the front closure. Not to mention the bodice is hand sewn.

At the moment I am working on a matching bonnet that I can't wait to post pictures of. Soon....

The skirt is coming together. I admit it resembles a wedding dress right now, but I still have a few things to add to the skirt and bodice that will [hopefully!] change that. I tried taking pictures in different lighting, but nothing captures the actual cream color of the fabric.

My latest project - the ballgown for the 1865 dance. I tried a different neckline this time, and I am very pleased with how it is looking. It took me ages to decide on a fabric, style, and embellishments. The fabric flowers are from a antique gown I purchased on ebay. The gown was well worn and originally homemade, so I didn't feel too bad ripping it apart. Everything on the ebay gown, including the flowers, are made from a very soft silk dupioni. I intend to use the actual gown fabric (a rich irridescent brown) for two wide panels that will come down the side of the ballgown.

I misplaced the pattern I was using, so I just went and started making it up from where I left off. The sleeves are my origianl design. They are made from a stiff dupioni that makes my mouth water. Each sleeve is made from about one yard of fabric that has been gathered, gathered, and gathered some more. I think they look like sleeves a princess would die for, don't you?

Back to sewing again!