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

I went to the Met today for a school field trip, and I took time to visit the 18th and 19th century European Paintings. Seeing these paintings live was awe inspiring! I had no idea they were so huge. I actually sat down breathless when I came to Madame X, and I would have sat down when I saw Mrs. Astor, but there was no bench. I felt like I was seeing celebrities!! And I was!



This painting is so big that I couldn't get any closer or I'd lose some of the frame. HUGE!!

( VISIT THE GALLERY )

I've never put pockets into anything before (except for one welt pocket once, but I forget how I did it), and the directions for this 18th c. riding jacket are confounding me!

Here and here are the directions.

Here is my pocket:



And another view ( here )

Whoo hoo! Not that I have any fabric yet, but my pattern is here MY PATTERN IS HERE!

Anyone have a link for some medium weight, red tone-on-tone floral brocade for the jacket (see previous entry for pattern)?

What do you think of this fabric for the riding jacket?

http://warehousefabricsinc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WFI&Product_Code=FLEBRK&Category_Code=JACQRED

I have posted the images over on Photobucket! Here are all the pics I took!

http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n68/madamekat/18th%20century%20Tea%20Party/

The under chemise requires flat felled seams. This is my first try at such a technique! Fiddly, but not too horrid.



One sleeve down...one to go!

I'm using the Simplicity 4052 underthings pattern for this chemise. I already made the short stays 2 years ago.

Sort of like Oz: Do not look behind the curtain...I mean, too closely at the binding along the bottom edge. But I think I did OK for a very first corset!!



( AND THE BACK )

I have just a few more inches to apply the bias binding and then to do the back grommets and the corset is done. However, it's too late. I need another hour to finish, and I simply don't have another hour.

I'll have to wear something else to the wedding.

It was a valiant effort!!

OK, I know several of you have warned me away from the Rocking Horse Farm patterns, but I have an opportunity to get one on sale, and I wanted your opinion.

Has anyone tried the "Colonial Riding Habit" pattern?

http://rockinghorse-farm.com/store/large/pf9k/Colonial/Colonial_Riding_Habit.html

It's to recreate the famous Dangerous Liaisons yellow traveling gown that Glenn Close wears. Is it an ok pattern? Terrible? Should I get it?

OK, Ladies! Here it is! You can't even tell, but there is a strip of gathered self fabric running up each side of the over skirt opening just like on extant gowns. The pattern is so loud that you really have to look to see, but it does give it a bit of dimension in person, so that's good.

I put it on and wore it around the apartment tonight. I felt so powerful and regal!! Like a pretty bulldozer! And the cats had no idea what to make of it. They just ran away, poor things.

Piccies of me wearing the darn thing coming Thursday.







Ha ha! The gown couldn't close over my mannequin's bust. I guess she's better endowed than I am!! So sad!