1830's gown update: The Beginning

[madamemodiste]

For SalonCon in 2 weeks, I'm making an 1830's evening gown of purple/black shot taffeta. I am using Heather's Romantic Era gown pattern and modifying it to have a bodice like this:

http://tidenstoej.natmus.dk/periode1/dragt.asp?ID=10

Minus the fancy embroidery. If you click on the photo with graph paper, it shows the pattern for this gown.

So, I've never piped anything before and I need some encouragement! Getting around the points of the zig zags is very difficult!!

I've made the base, attached the ruched middle layer, and cut out the "zig zag" top layer. I want the edges of the zig zags on the top layer to be piped as well as the neckline. Here's what I have done. Am I anywhere close to doing this right???



The yellow circle is the area I did a closeup on in the next photo

Comments

[padawansguide.livejournal.com]

That's going to look awesome!

[madamemodiste.livejournal.com]

I hope so!! If not, I'll stick a bunch of flowers or something over it to hide it!! Or borrow a fichu!

Am I doing the piping right? After I pinned it, I left it alone until someone said I was doing it right. Or can't one tell from my photo? Tell me what you think.

Any updates on the curly hair falls for the sides of the head? If you order them, I'd be happy to Paypal (or send check or MO) if you picked up an extra set in jet black for me!!

[padawansguide.livejournal.com]

Loren just posted the site for the curls and is doing a group order! Go check her LJ!

I have no idea on the piping - I think it looks good, but I've never done edges like that either! :-)

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

I wish I could offer you some advice, but I've never dealt with that level of complicated decoration either! I have faith in your skills to figure it out, though. It really looks beautiful so far.

[marcine.livejournal.com]

This is looking great! Can't wait to see it finished. And it looks like you are on the right track with the piping. It should work, unless the fabric decides to mysteriously misbehave, which sometimes happens (usually without warning and with little regard to the ability of the seamstress).

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

I wish I had better advice to give you, piping can be a bit of a bear. What you're doing looks right to me. I guess if you wanted sharper triangles you could cut the piping and use two pieces crossing over at the point.

[valleyviolet.livejournal.com]

So, the only advice I can think of is to unpick the piping, cut the cord inside at the point and then hand tack it so it won't slither away. Then you get a good point and only one piece of piping, but man... too much hand work for me!

[standgale.livejournal.com]

This is going to be awesome!
I don't have any piping advice either - I have only done it once, it was on a straight line, and I made it up. Maybe try handsewing it in first to see if it's going to work - why handsew? because it is easier to take out without damaging the material. Conceivably handsewing the whole lot might work better than machine sewing.