the costume bug hits me once again
It was just a matter of time before I got bitten again. This time it for a dress I've had on my mind for years, now it's time to make it real. The dress in question is a late bustle Victorian in the Janet Arnold book I saw when I got the book years ago. (It's the second dress on the left on the cover) I love Victorian clothing especially the bustle era (both of them). Victorian clothing is so seductive, yet pretending not to be. One of the many contradictions of Victorian culture. But I digress, back to the dress. I have been meaning to make this dress for about three years now for Dickens Faire. I even have some of the fabric for the dress, a beautiful purple wool crepe bought at a ruinous expense last year. I have bought my patterns that I will modify. The first is the bodice . I will use this pattern and part of the Janet Arnold pattern. I could just use the Janet Arnold pattern, but it's from the garment exact and Victorian clothing was made for small waisted women and to size it up would take a lot of time drafting and making mock ups. While it would be a challenge for me, I just don't have the time for it. The overskirt will be left alone. It's not exactly what on the original dress, it's close and I like the way the back falls over the bustle. Speaking of my unmentionables here is the bustle pattern for those who want to peek. The underskirt I will take from Janet Arnold because I like the pleating. Although, I don't know how difficult this will be and I may end up getting frustrated with it and do something more simple. I will cross that bridge when I get there.
Right now the bridges I must cross are finding lining fabric for everything, the underskirt fabric, fabric for the front piece of the bodice and making a new chemise. The later will be the easiest and hopefully done in the next few weeks. I also need to find hoop wire for the bustle and get that made also. This will be the first dress where I don't need to make all the underpinnings and it's a nice change. I already have the corset and a pair of drawers. I know I should wear "combinations", but my mid Victorian underwear will do for now.
I will be journaling the making of this dress. I will hide everything behind a lj tag so if you are not interested in reading about, you make skip it and my feelings won't be hurt.