To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

1881 NFE Ball Gown: Rogelio De Egusquiza Barrena Project

Aaaaahhhh....I am at the sewing machine again!  The time is closing in on when Mom and I will be taking off on our Mother/Daughter Port Townsend trip and I am trying not to panic.  I have my day dresses down, I will be wearing my three sailor dresses as it is a Port....Huzzah...and so all that I need to do is make my ball gown and a hat for Mom's bustle era dress.

I had purchased a quantity of butter yellow dupioni silk from Home Fabrics and really wanted to make a dress that used JUST the yellow as it quite literally glows.  I was perusing Pinterest one day and the below image popped up on my home screen.....

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!
(That would be the heavens opening up and the angels singing!!!)

Source:  Wikigallery

The dress that started it all.... "Bella Joven (Young Beauty) by Rogelio De Egusquiza Barrena.  I found it on my friend Josie's Pinterest board "Dandelion Fluff on a Spoon".   Isn't that the most awesome name for dresses that do in fact look like dandelion fluff?  LOVE it!!!  Anyhoo, I saw this dress and just about sucked down my tongue, I took in so much air!!!  I was in LUST LOVE!!!  I had some left over yellow dupioni silk from the Spelling Bee project and it was just screaming to be made into something like this.  I instantly texted her and begged to make this.  Being the kind and benevolent friend that she is, she said, "Of course!"

I have slowly been working on the bodice and I am almost finished with it.  I just have to tack down the bottom of the silk tulle collar thingy....Then on to the skirt!!!!


I'm so glad this image is blurry!!  You can't really see that I'm not wearing any eye make up!!  Aaaack!!  Naked eyes!!!  Anyhoo, I am really loving the fit of the bodice.  I used TV490 1892 Ball Gown Bodice...with the bottom lengthened by about 2".  The painting shows the lovely lady with her straps off shoulder, but I don't like off shoulder straps as I always feel like my bra strap is slipping off!!!


Playing around with the trim...I tried several different laces, but even though it was very delicate and light, looked weird and heavy.  So, I pulled out the left over silk tulle I had from when I made Lizzie Bennett's wedding bonnet and loved the look....it carried on the Dandelion Fluff on a Spoon theme!


After the boning was all in with the Royal Family Orders!!!


I'm wearing eye make up!!  No naked eyes!!


I will be tacking the tulle down at the bottom...it flops around too much.

Ok....off to work on the skirt!!!

Be Blessed my friends!!

g

14 comments:

  1. Ohhh I am swooning- you are fortunate, yellow is a tricky cor but I agree this is golden glowing buttery goodness. To give credit where it's due "dandelion fluff upon a spoon" is the name of a dirigible from the parasol protectorate series by Gail Carriger. I adore outrageous literary references. I Envy your ability to focus on an evening gown. I was just lamenting I start planing for evening and end up gazing at walking dresses - every time. Can't wait to see the skirt come together! Mother - daughter time is the best!!

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    1. Oh my word...I think I need to check out this Parasol protectorate book series!!! What fun! Walking dresses are most fabulous and I have more opportunity to wear them, so most of the time I am right there with you!
      Blessings my friend!
      g

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  2. Gosh this is gorgeous already! You have such a perfectly Victorian shape. I can't wait to see the finished ensemble - you always impress me.

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    1. Why thank you so much Lauren! I do love the Victorian Era so very much...It makes me happy!
      Blessings!
      g

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  3. Ooooooooh!! Yellow gowns!! I don't know why but I'm instantly drawn to them. I'm dying to make a 1760s sacque with all the trimmings. Can't wait to see how this trims out. And I agree the silk tulle does add that touch of "Dandelion Fluff". :)
    -Emily

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    1. I feel the same way you do about yellow dresses, Emily! They just glow don't they? I hope you do make your 1760s sacque!! I am sure it will be fabulous!
      Blessings
      g

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  4. It looks so nice already, I love the painting. I agree with Lauren, you really have de Victorian shape.
    Love the yellow on you :)

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    1. Thank you so much MaiLoan! This shade of yellow is a very good shade for my complexion..but get a yellower shade and I look sick! hahahahahaha!
      Blessings!
      g

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  5. I can honestly say that when I saw the first photo I didn't for a moment notice your eyes, I just thought, "Wow AMAZING fit!!"

    This is going to look gorgeous.

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    1. Thank you BT! I am getting better about letting people see me without make-up and your comment has helped me with that!
      Blessings!
      g

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  6. Wow, I can see how easily you fell in love! You ROCK this color and that silk tulle frill is making me internally explode with happiness. I hope one day I can look this beautiful in Victorian gowns!

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    1. I love your wording!! Internally explode with happiness! I need to remember that one!! You look wonderful in everything I have seen you in Gabriela!!! Keep up the good work!
      Blessings!
      g

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  7. Oooh! That is such a pretty color on you. And the tulle fluff really snazzes it up, for as relatively simple as it is.

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    1. Thank you Jennifer! I am really struggling with the simplicity of this dress, but don't want to do anything that distracts from the glow of the yellow or the gorgeousness of the painting...the tulle does indeed help!
      Blessings!
      g

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