madamemodiste

I know a lot of people haven't seen this movie yet, so my Sunday afternoon gown was lost on them. It was based on a gown that "Lizzie" wears upon her arrival in England in the movie based on the Edith Wharton book "The Buccaneers". Here's a screen shot I took



and here's my version (in cotton...at the time I couldn't find striped sheer) and matching hat



and another shot with the train down from this past weekend (thank you isabelladeangelo for the photo!)
( HERE )

I can't believe it's here already! Whoo hoo! I'll see you all tomorrow! I can't wait to meet so many of you for the first time and to oggle dresses and talk costuming!

LL and I had a FABULOUS time today!!! The weather really held out so we could promenade all over the Museum area. First we met in the Azalea garden for greetings, photos, and a picnic. Jason and I were up too late last night at a nightclub and failed to bring any picnic stuff, but that turned out to be ok because everyone else brought soo much food! We oohed and ahhed all over each other. LL's dress was so amazing and looked so fantastic!! And her parasol was a dream!

Then we walked over to the museum exhibit and saw the most delicious French gowns. I saw my favorite blue and white 1874 striped gown as well as a purple silk and velvet outdoor costume that was so gorgeous. They let us take pictures, but no flash was allowed. There was a constant loop of nineteen-teens fashion show films and fashion plate stills on the walls (3 separate ones), and so the room was a wee on the dark side, so I fear my photos won't show much detail on the darker gowns.

The building that houses the textiles is very old and beautiful. The old fashioned elevator still has the turn crank and tiny wooden stool for the elevator operator!

LL was adopted by one of the gangs 7 year old daughter (now who is surprised by that??). So cute! LL couldn't leave until she'd instilled in the little lady a penchant for dressing up.

Unfortunately, LL had to leave us to go back to her family, and I was so sad to say goodbye as she really made my day by playing dress up with me.

From there we took an old fashioned trolley, run by the museum, back to the main building. It had old fashioned wood and iron benches for seats. Too fun! After perusing the museum bookstore and grabbing sodas, we went outside to say goodbye and a few last minute photos when we realized we'd never taken a group picture when everyone was together! Opps. So we got a shot of those of us left.

Then Jason and I went to dinner in the city - such a treat!



And here are the rest of the photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14941369@N07/sets/72157617063601420/

Here it is! It's made from a black poly taffeta with velvet roses, lined in cotton. I will use this to wear with corsets when I got out clubbing, or sleeveless party dresses for evening events.

Thank you guys for the compliments on my latest project. I uploaded new images without railing shadows, so you can see the gown better now. Go check it out if you are bored!

http://madamemodiste.livejournal.com/79654.html

Chloeandrudy, yes, those are self fabric bows :)

Bauhausfrau, hrm, I think I can make it to Costume Con this year (I just need to find someone to room with/crash on floor as I think the hotel is booked), and I was going to bring my black pvc, but I can bring this, too!

Whoo hoo!! The bertha is done!!



*wipes the sweat from my brow*

The gown is basically done and I just need to do fiddly stuff to have it 100%. Photos of the whole gown soon. To be worn to a ball in March!

I did finish the boning and begin pinning the bias tape to the bodice (for facing) Thursday night. Yesterday, I finished applying and hand sewing the bias tape. Annoyingly, I woke up at 7am and couldn't go back to sleep this morning, so I decided to do "quiet" sewing so I wouldn't wake the husband. I made 12 covered buttons and pinned the braid trim to the apron front and petal layer. Went through all 6 yards, so I'll need to buy more to use on the bodice. That's all for this morning!

I want a motor duster. I have no conceivable reason to have one as yet, but I want one. I just figured out that to make one would cost around $70+ if you figure in pattern, fabric, shipping for pattern and fabric, interfacing and buttons.

OR I could buy one that I think is really pretty

http://greystonegardens.com/store/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=141&CFID=6840653&CFTOKEN=49234485

I'm torn because it's a lot of money to spend on something A) not black (yeah, I could dye it, but I wouldn't), and B) out of my usual bustle era. Then I'd need to start making Edwardain clothing.

So of course this makes me want to make Edwardian clothing!! I want to make the 1909 Suit from the dreaded Rocking Horse Farm. Sadly, there is very little out there for true Edwardian, I think. You'd think it would be easier to make/more popular because it didn't involve complicated undergarments (hoops and bustles).

In other news, my books from the Temple Library came. Wow. The Cut of Women's Clothes by Norah Waugh is a MUST HAVE. Yeah, it's $80.00, but I'm gonna half to fork it over.

I made this using Comic Life. It's a moodboard for my 1895 half mourning suit



Of course I spent half the morning playing around with that instead of working on the suit. Opps.

This is more for my own records, but feel free to read if you are bored!

This evening I serged the edges, made a 7" split from the top edge to create a back opening (will be covered by bodice, and I'll put it on over my head), attached bias tape horizontally to inside approx 10" down from top and inserted ribbon for gathering (first bow will cover the gathering when ribbon is pulled), gathered the top edges of back pouf section, made a waistband, attached both the front drapery and back pouf section to the waistband, and played with pleating on sides of pouf section to create poufs that are satisfactory.

Then I watched A Star is Born on TMC.

Tomorrow I'll take some photos as there should be sunlight.