madamemodiste

Some of you have already seen this, but I'll post it again since it's related to what I talk about on this journal.

I won an auction for an original turn of the century Edwardian black silk blouse and skirt for $25.00. I was the only bidder. I have no idea why as the size is equivalent to a "medium" today. It's not wearable, of course, but that was to be expected (and mentioned in the auction).

I couldn't resist putting it on!



The sleeves are shattered and the skirt has places where the silk is shattering, but it was ok to stand still in for a moment or two for some photos.

( more photos of the dress this way... )

Wow, a woman I know made one of the most amazing versions of the Titanic "jump" dress I've ever seen!

http://cgi.ebay.com/TITANIC-JUMP-DRESS-GOWN-VICTORIAN-EDWARDIAN_W0QQitemZ300396882386QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45f10ca9d2

Puts my version to shame! Anyway, enjoy!

Got more work done on the dress. Point d'sprit net overskirt has sequin trim; bustline fringe and first layer of skirt fringe are sewn on. Whoo hoo! Need to do hem, final layer of fringe, and zipper. I think this baby is going to get done for the trip!!

Wow, it's really been a long time since I had an update over here! I ended up scrapping the boarding suit for my trip because I realized it would be too hot. I decided to go with the Jump dress instead, and have VERY slowly been working on that. I am combining the bodice from the Simplicity pattern and the skirt from the Laughing Moon pattern and making the rest up. So far, the arm openings from the Simplicity pattern would fit a thin 6 year old, so I have to enlarge those. Neckline might be too small on the lace overlay, too, but that is just as easily remedied. There will be a zipper involved (please don't take away my historical sewing card!). I hear tell zippers were around in 1913, so that's close enough. We'll say my dress maker had an advanced copy ;)

I hope to have a photo of my progress tomorrow. Wish me luck that the skirt matches up with the bodice!

So as you know I've decided to go for a Titanic-era wardrobe for Convergence 15 on the Queen Mary next month. I think I'll only have time to make one thing, and that will be the Titanic Boarding Suit. I have the Winego patterns for the jacket and skirt and have even cut the patterns out. And thanks to bauhausfrau, I have the striped linen. Accents will be black instead of purple.

Yesterday I was inspired by finding the Titanic Rose "Jump Dress" Barbie for a great price at a local shop. I tried to take pics of it, but they kept coming out too dark. If you Google it, you'll see it. Wish I had time to make a non-beaded version of that dress, too, but I'm not going to kill myself trying to make two things in 3 weeks.

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.

Ebay was kind to me yesterday! Through the generosity of the Belle Alley, I was alerted to the Ebay sale of these shoes. As they were a buy it now, I scooped them up!!



I'm very excited because they resemble Rose's "jump dress" shoes from the movie Titanic, as can be seen in the following link:

http://www.kartanonrouva.net/couture/images/titanicjump/shoe02.jpg