madamemodiste

Wow, thank you all so much! I loved wearing the pvc bustle gown and am so happy that I finally got around to making it after all these years.

The most popular question is: Was the pvc hard to sew?
Answer: Not at all! The underside is fabric-backed, so when you sew right sides together, it's like using any other fabric. It's not really thick or stiff. I'd say the feel is like a slightly thicker satin taffeta to handle.

When it was time to sew on the trim, I took someone's idea and snapped a Teflon foot onto the machine (gotten at my local sewing shop for a few dollars).

Other popular question: What patterns did you use?
Answer: All Truly Victorian! I used TV 416 ballgown bodice (sleeves left off), TV 305 bustle overskirt, and TV 261 underskirt.

Well, my dad ended up visiting unexpectedly and stayed all day. After he left a got a little work done, but not as much as I had hoped. So today by 3pm I must...

Overskirt:
make and apply a waistband
put in buttons and buttonholes
make and apply ruffle trim
put in bustle ties and tack up poufs

Misc:
Fix buttons on Jason's "Evil Coat"

Photos later, I hope!

Today after brunch with friends and a much needed nap, I began work on the pvc bodice again. I finished hand sewing the bias binding, put in the button holes and sewed on the buttons. Aside from turning under the armscye, it's finished!

Tomorrow I'll work on finishing up the underskirt. When last we saw that, I had sewn the pieces together. I still need to put on the waistband, hem it, make the ruffle and attach it. If I get all that done tomorrow, I can start on the overskirt, which is already cut out.

It's been nice working on the bodice while watching The Forsyte Saga. So many great bustle gowns to keep me inspired.

****
Weather report has changed for DC for Jan 3rd for anyone considering going on the Winter Stroll and visiting the museums. Sunny and 46 degrees ~NO rain! Not bad!

I made this yesterday evening. Well, most of it! I accidentally sewed the ends together before I pulled the cord to the right side and had to unpick it and fix that. Opps! Anyway, here it is from Butterick B5265



Took me hours to get the pic up because J changed some settings and didn't update my Cyberduck so I could upload photos. All fixed now! Yay, Jason!

*SOLD*

I'm giving Etsy a try this time

clicky link:



go check out my new mini top hat, or send a friend :)

Thanks, guys!

Forget line drawings!! We now have LIVE coats posted to Truly Victorian! See two versions...

http://trulyvictorian.com/catalog/560.html

Heather said, "One is the thigh length, coat sleeve, storm collar, fitted coat. The other is the knee length, bell sleeve, notch collar/lapel, semi fitted coat. I am thinking I am going to go ahead and put dart into the other coat and make it fitted too. I really like the fitted look."

The only problem I have with the pattern is that she recommends cotton or calico for the lining. Coats should have a slippery lining so you can easily slip it on or off, shouldn't they? Personally, I'd line it in lining material. Thoughts?

Once again, I want to thank you guys for your input. Half the fun is deciding on details, and sharing ideas!

Here is the finished outfit that I wore last night. Pretty much what you saw before for Saloncon, but I added the birds, the cane (I made that two summers ago. I had trouble getting the pieces to stay on, so two different friends offered to fix it. One kept it for a year, the other for a few months, but it's finally done), and various "birdwatching medals". Steampunk birdwatcher!

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 )

(mm)
I had such a great time with bauhausfrau and padawansguide at SalonCon this weekend! We had connecting rooms, which made hanging out so much easier, too.

Where to start? Friday night was the Steampunk meetup, and wow, did everyone bring out their best! I was very impressed and we had a great time chatting with new and old friends. As we were plum tuckered out from the drive up, we made it an early night and went to bed by 11:30pm.

We attended the "Underwear Breakfast" Saturday morning at the hotel restaurant. Not a ton of people participated, but a few did, it was fun! Especially since there was a soccer convention at the hotel. Tons of young men wondering why there are ladies about in corsets and petticoats!

After breakfast, I changed into my Tissot striped bustle gown while L and M changed into 1830's gowns. Headed down for registration and the early Salons. After oogling costumes and participating in mutual admiration and photographs, I attended the ballroom dance salon. We learned the gothic dance and the traditional waltz. As I was a single lady (J stayed home from this convention), I was paired up with a single gentleman also wishing to dance. I was nervous at first, but soon it was clear he knew what he was doing and helped me along! It was so much fun! After that I attended Loren's Hats and Shoes salon, where we learned how to mod hats and shoes as well as tips on creating them from scratch. Oh, I almost forgot! L and I attended the "Period Details" salon, to which the speaker never appeared. L and I ended up hosting it and did our best to answer questions about Victorian clothing period details.

Then it was time to change for the Cream Tea into my 1830's gown and hair.

Oh my...this gown and hairstyle was SO much fun! At first, I forgot one of my hair decorations, and L reminded me to go get the fan that was supposed to be incorporated into the sculpture on my head. Some photos have the fan and some don't, so keep an eye out for it. I had a blast with this hair and can't wait to do it again! After Tea, I attended the Steampunk Primer salon hosted by squirrelmadness and jaborwhalky. I learned much about the beginnings of steampunk, and how it got to where it is today. A very fun and informative salon!

We had a rest, champagne back at the room, and changed for the Chrono'Nauts Parade (steampunk costume contest). So many people showed up to both participate or watch, and I think it was the hit of the day! Everyone really went all out and hammed it up. People performed hilarious skits, and there was much silliness going on. L made a mini top hat from scratch that had a working clock built into the hat tip. It was such a show stopper and she looked great! Somehow, I got chosen for the top 3 and then went on to win the Single Female (not in group) category! I won a lot of really cool prizes like books, DVD's, an art print, Lip Service products, BPAL, and a Pretty Pretty Princess makeup kit. I was so honored and thrilled! My new friend Stu won the Single Men's category with his Steampunk German doctor costume and skit. Yay, Stu!

After that, we perused the vendor's room where I got a pocket compass that looks like a pocket watch when closed. L and M came away with hats, shawls, and other lovely goodies.

A break for dinner and to change into our ballgowns, and we headed down for Abney Park and the "dancing hour" afterwards. Unfortunately, Abney Park went on so late that the DJ section of the evening was canceled. We ended up sitting around waiting for the show to start, which made us all realize how exhausted we were, and we lost steam. When the Abney Park show was over at 1:55pm, we headed up to bed, pleased with a great day of costuming and friends!

Now that you've been so good as to read all about my weekend, I will reward you with pictures!

SEE THE PHOTOS HERE

I'm sure bauhausfrau and padawansguide will post lots of pics, too, and you can see more over at salonconvention as people put them up.

I got a VERY special gift in the mail today!!! Immediately, I began ironing so I could put them on and waited very impatiently for Jason to get home from work so I could have them photographed!

Presenting....

Kat in very special goth frillies made by Lady LaSalle. THEY ARE SO FREAKING BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! I am wearing them now and have no plans to take them off.

(It took me a minute to figure out how to wear the drawers!! LOL! You all would have died laughing watching me put them on backwards!)


( SEE SEVERAL MORE PHOTOS! )