Sewing for Costume Con 27: Duchess Polonaise

[madamemodiste]

Whew! Man I have a lot to do! I just started on the bodice of the Period Impressions polonaise and I find I'm not in love with it so far. Thank god bauhausfrau already warned me that it is short waisted. Wondering if I should have stuck to that Butterick pattern I already made up a few years ago after all as I think the back pieces are shaped better (3640). Well, we'll see. Don't expect the best fitting bodice! Makes me feel bad because this is silk taffeta and I can't usually afford such nice material.

I hope I get a chance to make some trim. School keeps getting in the way of my sewing! I also have to trim the lovely hat I got from bauhausfrau last summer, but that part will be fun.

I haven't yet worn my black 18th c stays AS stays, and I'm wondering 1)how black stays will look under large 1" repeating cream and silver stripes, 2) how it will change the fit of the bodice, and 3) will they actually be comfortable under a bodice when I can't access them to tug them about. Please don't let it be hot on April 30th!!

Is it awful to have black shoes with a silver and cream gown? It's all I have at the moment as most of my wardrobe is rather dark. I could make little shoe clip cockades of the dress material.

Oh and I WISH I'd had enough time to make a matching parasol! I have a black silk with a black handle, a white with black lace overlay with a blonde wooden handle, or a white sutler parasol I trimmed with venise lace and ruched white netting a few years ago. Which one do you think I should bring?

Comments

[nex0s.livejournal.com]

It is not awful to wear black shoes with a cream & silver gown. I would use either the black parasol, or the white with black overlay, to tie the shoes in, and avoid the fully white one - even though it's pretty :)

N.

[sadievale.livejournal.com]

I have only black shoes as well (I have a hard time finding appropriate shoes that fit!), so no worries there: sure, I'd say the black, or white with black overlay sounds pretty! You always seem to have a lovely parasol!

[ghost-ofa-rose.livejournal.com]

I'm really curious how your polonaise gown will turn out. Good luck with the sewing!

[cfilson.livejournal.com]

Love the shoe-cockade idea! Think it'll really tie things together.

[chloeandrudy.livejournal.com]

I actually like this pattern but then I'm shortwaisted. Although I learned today that the neckline is a little high, and should be cut down the just above the top of your stays.