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

Saturday, February 1, 2014

A New Titanic Wardrobe: Part A

Aaaaah....the best laid plans of mice and men.  You know, you have this great idea in your mind, say, the fabulous 1920s wardrobe you want to create for the year 2014.  You do hours and hours of research, watch Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries 4 times all the way through, spend Christmas gift cards on fabric that you painstakingly research and adore, acquire patterns that will work just perfectly and your well oiled creative machine is chugging along at a lovely rate of speed.  Theeeeeeeen, the monkey wrench gets thrown into the gears and the whole machine blows apart and you have a total and complete Squirrel Moment...

Doug from "UP" will demonstrate....


My Squirrel Moment came about a few weeks ago when the lovely Judy from The HasBrouck House announced that in May The HH would be hosting another Titanic Event.  I went through several emotions in the blink of an eye.  Excitement and joy were the ones that lept to the forefront, then came anxiety and frustration.  I had for months been looking forward to creating a fabulous 1920s wardrobe for this year and so of course my creative mind irritatingly took over and proclaimed that "We Shall Endeavor to Create a New 1912 Wardrobe!"  Hip Hip Hooray.  

Sooooooo...back to my "to do" list I went.  I found an image of a suit in the color scheme of purple, ivory and black.  These colors I had in my stash along with some fabulous antique purple buttons, so that is the first dress that was going to be created in my wardrobe!

What I have done so far....my Mom and I found the hat in Spokane for a ridiculously low price.  It is a FABULOUS antique hat...I will take pictures of it for a later post!

Stash fabrics.  Ivory dupioni silk, antique spiderweb lace, purple faux dupioni, black velvet.  These incredible buttons were a gift from a great friend...Sherry Birch.


Close up of the buttons.  They are so incredible.  Thank you Sherry!

For the bodice, I used Truly Victorian TVE41...1903 Plain Blouse Waist.  Of course this is not the actual pattern...I took another pattern (when Simplicity, McCall's, and Butterick patterns go on sale for 99 cents, I buy the Huge patterns like civil war era dresses and use them for tracing paper....) and traced the front bodice out.  I like to keep my good patterns in one piece and trace the size that I need...



The white muslin piece is the mock that I made.  I was actually going in a different direction so had cut out a "V" neck...where my finger is pointing...then decided to do something different.  

The teens waist line is a ways above the natural waist line, so after making and failing at several mocks, I finally got it right.  For my torso, I cut the bottom front of the bodice 5" up from the original pattern then cut the bottom hem on a curve to the bottom of the side hem and it worked perfectly!
I do hope that what I just described is clearer than mud!  For the back of the bodice I used the back of TVE 41 with no alterations.  The next step is to set the sleeves and make the skirt...which I already have done.  A wonderful costume friend Val LaBore of Time Traveling in Costume had asked how I made a teens bodice from an Edwardian one, so this post is for you Val!!!

Be blessed my friends!!!

g

14 comments:

  1. Aah, can't believe you're so lucky in getting antique stuff! I first swooned over your 1860's props, but this... I just can't... And I know perfectly well what you mean - I've been planning my bustle dress for months, but there are just so many cool events I need new dresses for that I honestly have no idea what to do. Well, actually, I've already decided not to attend majority of them and concentrate on the bustle! Ha!

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    1. Thanks Eleonora!! I ADORE my fabulous hat!! It was such a sweet surprise to find it! I think I am learning to just go with the flow when it comes to my costuming...after years of being really unbending with it, it is so much nicer to just say, "Ok, well the 20s will go on the back burner and the teens will be a now project. Whatever." It is less stressful that way! What fun for you to be able to attend so many events!! And I sooooo cannot wait to see your bustle dress! I will be watching for news of its construction and completion!! Huzzah!!

      Blessings!
      g

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  2. This is gorgeous! Such a lovely colour scheme! I have been thinking about a purple and black dress! I have some violet fabric, but I really want to find some purple too!

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    1. Thank you so much Laura! I am loving the color combination! It is rather fetching! I hope you blog about your purple dress when you get around to making it!

      Blessings!
      g

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  3. Ha, yes, I understand how one's plans can be derailed. These colors and fabrics and trims look lovely together, though, and it's exciting that you'll have an event to wear them to! Can't wait to see more.

    Best,
    Quinn

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    1. Ha! I am glad I'm not the only one! Thank you for the lovely compliment Quinn! It will be a super fun event and I can't wait for it to happen!!

      Blessings!
      g

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  4. Love it, thank you for sharing how you altered the bodice pattern. I love the shape of the bodice you have created. Yeah for Doug and squirrel moments!

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    1. Isn't Doug the best!! Love his so much!! You have chicken moments, I have squirrel moments!! hahahahaha!!! Thank you my dear friend!!

      Blessings!
      g

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  5. Well, my (vague) plans for this year are Teens era and 1920s, so I shall look forward to seeing whatever you make. Love the colour scheme and what you've done so far - and those buttons are soo pretty. Plus, I have a serious case of Hat Envy!!

    Squirrel moments are a new one on me, but the feeling I know all too well!

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    1. Hello Black Tulip!

      Oh how fun that we are revolving around the same costuming era! Thank you for your compliment! The buttons are so very wonderful! My hat is one of my favorites!! It is such a great inspiration piece!!

      Can't wait to see what you come up with this year!

      Blessings!
      g

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  6. Your design is beautiful! Thank you SO much for posting how you got the new shape! I learn so much from you :)

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    1. Oh thank you so much my friend! I am happy that my vague explanation made sense! Sometimes it is hard to put down in words how I do something!! Aaaaand...I learn so much from you too!!

      Blessings!
      g

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  7. Hi there! How can one message you?

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    1. Hello Johann,
      You can email me here,
      rlnwht@gmail.com
      Blessings!
      g

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