Moving right along

[mala_14]

My ballgown bodice is actually progressing, slowly but surely, with few hitches (so far *fingers crossed*). After dealing with the mock-up and it's misfortunes, I was able to get the silk taffeta layer and muslin lining cut out Saturday night. Sunday morning I sewed the pieces together and, heading off to a living history sewing day gathering,

Comments

[quincy134]

That's a scrumptious inspiration image!

[mala_14]

Isn't it? I also love the weird dots on the bodice fabric. They look so modern.

[nuranar]

It's going to be SO pretty. Trim ideas for this period are scrumptious.

What are the facings for? I haven't seen them in 1860s, so I'm trying to figure out how that works.

[mala_14]

I hope so! I really wanted something froofy.

The front facings are for the button-front opening that I decided to do. The bias facings are to finish the top and bottom edges instead of piping. In my research I found the ballgown bodices from the 1860s and 70s often had piping, but also frequently weren't piped. I figured that using a bias facing was a good way of finishing the edges, but no idea of that was how it was actually done, although the Worth gown below seems to have maybe a bias or ribbon facing to finish the waist edge. A couple of bodices sans piping at the waist:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/565131453227005620/
http://www.extantgowns.com/2015/08/for-what-its-worth-late-1860s-ball-gown.html

[atherleisure]

I like the inspiration bodice. There are so many nice things from the very late 1860's or early 1870's; I think it's one of my favorite periods.

[mala_14]

It's one of my favourites too. There are so many interesting details in gowns from the era and the lines are really pretty and graceful.

[atherleisure]

Yes, there's an elegant simplicity with enough detail to be interesting but not enough to be over the top like the mid-1870's. It's great that you have events that call for this period dress.

[mala_14]

Well, the ballgown is for CoCo because our living history tends to focus more on working-class type folks. But between Canada's 150th this year and the upcoming 150th for Manitoba in 2020, I'll have the opportunity to wear more clothes from this period.