I've been sewing up a storm, but they are secret projects for the Steampunk World's Fair, so I can't reveal them until May. Anyway, The Croc dress and the Madeline dress are just about finished. I found myself with Judy over at Jomar yesterday and came across a lovely black cotton with white stripes for only $2/yd. I picked up 7 yards and looked through my "striped dress" photos to see if any spoke to me. This one did:

From The Age of Innocence, this is a gown May wears on two occasions while "visiting."



( another view )

Since I wanted to make the underskirt out of plain black cotton to save the striped fabric, and I was out of plain black cotton, I started on the overskirt. Here it is shown over an old petticoat that has seen better days.

( click here to see my progress )

I just have a few minutes before I have to get ready for school, but here I am at the 18th century "Polonaiseville" tea Friday afternoon!

(I'm on the right)


...and with bauhausfrau (she's on the right), who inspired Polonaiseville and organized the tea!


[x-posted]

Thank you guys so much for the wonderful 18th century gown photos for my new fabric! Since I'm easily swayed and love to do group projects, I'm going to jump on the Polonaise Bandwagon and do Georgiana's gown from The Duchess (Thanks to bauhausfrau for the screen shots!). bauhausfrau even supplied me with a pattern that everyone seems to like: Period Impressions 1770 Polonaise and Petticoat pattern. Though one could also use Butterick 3640 (left hand version) in a pinch.



This all makes perfect sense as one of my favorite gowns from Marie Antoinette is her blue stripe polonaise (thanks to padawansguide's Costumer's Guide to Movie Costumes for the screen shots



All that floufiness is soo delicious!!



I think the fabric I have is a silk taffeta. I'll have to ask Beth for sure. Maybe it's faux? I don't know. It does seem to have a crispness to it, so I think it will work! I hope there is enough of the stripe to do both the overgown and underskirt plus trim!