The 18th C. riding jacket almost done

[madamemodiste]

I got the buttons and button holes done. I admit, some of the button holes look as though I'd had a few drinks! I think my machine needs a tune up. I'll take it in Monday. Still need to do the decor on the cuffs, and it's done. Here's a preview shot



It kind of fits. The waist is still too big, the area right above my breasts is a smidge too small, but the jacket does button. I'm just not sure how comfortable it'll be. We'll see. Maybe I'll take bauhausfrau's advice and wear my 18th C. corset underneath (if it'll fit under there), so if the jacket feels too hot or too annoying, I can take it off. !!!

Now, since it's Halloween, I feel like I'm allowed to make it look a bit slutty. I was thinking of just wearing a short poufy skirt over my panniers with the jacket. The Dracula's Ball is crowded, so not many people see what you have on below your waist anyway. Should I do that or wear the original long black 18th C. skirt? And if I do that, should I wear colored tights with my black velvet platform shoes? Change the shoe laces to red satin?

Tonight I am attending two parties. I will wear my Steampunk Birdwatching ensemble, for which I got those birds from Michael's yesterday. I think I'll pop one on top of my hat and put another on the cane (yes, I got my steampunk cane back from Jason's friend, who was sprucing it up).

Now, which bird arrangement do you like for his outfit? #1 has 2 birds...one raven and one gaudy bird of paradise. The other is just the raven alone. Vote for your favorite!

VERSION #1


VERSION #2

Comments

[belladonnas-web.livejournal.com]

Love the outfit, I say go with the shorter version for Drac's. Nothing like having your skirt ruined by someone trampling on it.

The hat is so cute! ;-D

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

The jacket looks great! The idea of a short skirt sounds pretty cool.

And I like hat option #1. The extra feathers on the second bird really add to it.

[valleyviolet.livejournal.com]

I think the bird of paradise is awesome! The gold sparkle totally brings out the metallic sheen of the hat. :D

I'm not going to be really helpful with the skirts sadly. I tend to want to wear long skirts most of the time, since my available shoes are not nearly as fabulous as yours!

[my-stitching.livejournal.com]

Like the rest, I vote for the 2 bird option and the short skirt. And definitely change the laces for red.

And if you really want to slut it up a little, wear fishnets! Or how about red tights with black fishnet over the top (or vice versa)?

You are going to look so cute!

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Hat option number one, and the shorter skirt!

Happy Halloween! :)

[jehanni.livejournal.com]

The wire mesh is wonderful--and I'll bet it protects your brain from electronic interference, too! Not only steampunk, but a farraday cage!

I like the two birds.

[aseret-black.livejournal.com]

That is a simply gorgeous jacket!!! <3 <3 <3
I'm voting for version 1 of the hat and the short skirt.

And black fishnets!

Happy Halloween!

[verlise.livejournal.com]

I vote version #1. Although, if you drop it down to one bird, I would keep the one on the brim. Definitely short skirt, but I was thinking ankle or calf length. :) Any way you decided, I'm sure you will be lovely.

[harmanhay.livejournal.com]

Number One, definitely. More is more on Hallowe'en. The riding habit looks fantastic! Well done with the buttonholes; I think they are sent to try us on any machine. :)

[cigarettes214.livejournal.com]

That jacket is gorgeous! The colors really make it :)

Oh, and I vote for the first version of the hat, plus the short skirt

[oldhalloween.livejournal.com]

The jacket turned out wonderful! The problem with those crows is that you need a very stable base to wire the feet in. If not you get a horrible wobble that pulls on your head. My concern for you and bird on top of the hat is he might bob because of the mesh. I'd give him a serious trial run wearing around the house and moving around a lot for a half hour or so. :0 ) Its why I take the legs off and nest the little beggars. LOL
Hope you have a blast!

[lapetitemort73.livejournal.com]

Love hat #1. Looooooove it.

You are so freaking talented. I wish I had enough focus to work on my sewing like you do.

!!

[cfilson.livejournal.com]

the jacket looks fantastic! especially over the hips.. was wondering the other day what that would actually look like in reality- lovely!

and i think i vote for the raven-only hat if you're wearing pants/bloomers. for a dress, i'd go with the 2 birds.

great work!

[padawansguide.livejournal.com]

Wow that looks fabulous! :-)

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

Your jacket looks SO fab!! Maybe we can wear em together at costume con next year. ;)

The short skirt sounds like a good idea at a club where people might be stepping on and ripping a longer one.

I like the first hat better, the sweeping curve of the peocock like bird just makes it.

[lisotchka.livejournal.com]

Great! I love it! You make me xwant to do one...You're evil...
I vote for the first version...

[animegrrl.livejournal.com]

Your jacket is spectacular!


Definitly voting #1 and the short skirt. ^_^

[nehelenia78.livejournal.com]

I'd go for just the raven. Oh, and I love your outfit and the icon you used on this post!! Adorable!

[vienna-la-rouge.livejournal.com]

It looks fantastic!!
I've had that pattern for a year or two now, and really need to get cracking on it for spring events (now that I can actually attend Bay Area Costumer's Guild events ;-)
Not sure what color to do though. Maybe a lavender silk brocade if I can find some?
Or an Ice blue paired with a cream colored skirt?

I love the top hat, lol! and I can't decide which version I like better. Leaning toward version #1 though.
There is a shop here in Campbell called Beverly's that is a lot like Michael's, and I found some glitter covered teal peacock birds much like those ones last week. I had to snatch a couple of them up. Not sure what I'll use them for yet but I'm sure they will end up on a hat or some fantastical 18th century wig ;-)

xoxo

[lady-anne-clare.livejournal.com]

The riding jacket is gorgeous :)