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

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Dressing The Victorian Bride


Well, the big event that I have been planning for and sewing for is over.  Yesterday, The House of Whyte did a fund raiser for The Bishops House in Boise, entitled, "Dressing the Victorian Bride" and it was incredible!  I have done many, many underwear shows in a variety places, but I must say that doing it here was the best experience ever!!!  TBH was build in 1889 and Elizabeth Yates, executive director, has kept it looking very much like I would imagine it did back then.  All the charm and beauty and awesomeness of the Victorian Era can be seen and felt in every room.  I must be honest with you, I covet this house.  We wants it precious!!!  It was the PERFECT place to do a Victorian Underwear Program and I am so happy that Mom and I were able to give them a helping hand!!

After the program was over and everyone had taken their leave, Mom and I did a short photo shoot in the yard.  I am not a lover of heat by any means, so this day had been hard on me so the shoot was a super short one and for some reason Mom's camera did not live up to it's lauded praises...but that's ok, I have the memories of how the dress and hair piece looked on me and that will keep me smiling for months to come!

As said in the previous post, this project has been the most expensive, time consuming, all encompassing, involved project I have subjected myself to.  In all, I made 17 items, and I am totally counting the bodice, skirt and belt for this separate as they were uber involved (the skirt had many layers and took about 3 days to complete!)

Orange Blossom Flowers and Veil
(Links Here and Here)

1. Headpiece
2. Corsage
3. belt cluster
4. bouquet
5. Veil

Underwear
(Links Here and Here)

6. Stockings Belt and Supporter
7.  French Drawers
8.  Petticoat Chemise
9.  Corset
10.  Small Bustle Pad
11.  Lacy Petticoat
12.  Corset Cover

Wedding Gown
(Links HereHere and Here)

13.  Bodice
14.  Skirt
15.  Belt

Mama's "Mother of the Bride" Dress
(Links Here and Here)

16  Bodice
17.  Hat


I know that many costumers keep track of their time on a project and the cost of all the things used on their project and I probably should do the same.  I just can't bring myself do to it.  It may be that it would take the joy out of what I do...or it may just cause me to cry. Whatever the case, I have no idea how much I spent it time or money, I just know that I am thrilled that it is over!!

Because I have already posted pictures of both Mom's and my dresses in color, I chose to edit most of our photo shoot in sepia tone to give it that Victorian Wedding look...I hope you enjoy them!  Mom refused to let me take any pictures of her stating that I already had some of her in her dress...Next time I shall twist her arm a wee bit harder!



































The Artifacts from our Traveling Wedding Museum

Mom and I have been collecting antiques for as long as I can remember and one of the pleasures we have is sharing our findings and family heirlooms with others.  We had the opportunity to do just that yesterday.  It was truly a delight!












I can honestly say that I am happy to be done with this project. When it is so all encompassing for such a long time (I have been working on this since April) it can get taxing on the creative juices and when that is all I have been blogging about and thinking about, I could have gotten really tired of it.  I think, personally that the time is just right that I don't hate the whole thing entirely.  I still love the dress in all its fluffiness and all the things that go along with it.  Now it's time to tackle something else.  The 1860s croquet dress that's been on my "to make" list for a long time?  The hunting dress that I just re-discovered?  Who knows!  All I know is that for today, I shall not think about sewing...
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Yaaaaaaa riiiiiiiight!!

Be Blessed my friends!

g


20 comments:

  1. OH MY GOODNESS!!! Amazing job Gina! SO excited to see these gowns completed in all their glory, beautiful photos and what a wounder idea for a traveling exhibit! :)
    -Emily

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    1. Thank you so much Emily! It has been a very long 5 months, but it is over and I'm thrilled with how well the show went! The traveling exhibit added so much to the show and brought to "life" the fact that brides really did use beautiful things and kept them along after the wedding was over! So much fun!
      Blessings!
      g

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  2. Ha! YES, it so fun to do giant projects and then so, so amazing to finish them successfully and move on! :) I love the pictures of you on the wrap around porch, in particular. Isn't it amazing how many layers there were to the clothing? Enjoy your rest and lovely memories.

    Best,
    Quinn

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    Replies
    1. Oh Quinn! If you ever get to Boise, you MUST go and visit this house! It is spectacular in its beauty. I agree with the feeling of moving on from a project...feels so good! And yes...I had more layers on under this dress than I have had with any other dress! Crazy!!
      Blessings!
      g

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  3. The Romanic era archery dress that you have dreamy dark periwinkle for? I lived watching this whole process and I look foward to your new adventures in costuming!

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    1. No, I am wanting to do a teal velvet and brown silk bustle hunting outfit...but that 30s archery dress is still on the list! Someday it will be made. I am just so happy this chapter has come to an end with all its time consuming process! Now for tea and relaxation!
      Blessings!
      g

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  4. Amazing project, fabulous dresses, beautiful pictures. No more to say really.

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    1. Thank you so much BT! It has been quite the project...
      Blessings!
      g

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  5. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO beautiful!!! Great work Gina! Ah I'm having a hand-flutter moment over here, it's just so perfect!

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    1. Thank you so much Crystal! I am still quite happy with how everything turned out...The dress gets a special place in my upstairs closet so it won't get squashed! hahahahaha!
      Blessings!
      g

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  6. Hi! It was fun to watch and learn from your process, and the dresses are truly amazing! You both look wonderful and happy, probably the best dresses for you and your sweet mom ever! You should really make more turn of the century (belle epoque) gowns, because the moderate bell skirts and slightly puffy sleeves bring out the best of your figure!Have a restfull week :)

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    1. Thank you Melinda! I do love the 90s! When I first stared sewing Victorian dresses 13 years ago, that was my all time favorite era, then I discovered that I loved other ones as well! I do have more 90s planned...I need a time traveling device so that I can make all the dresses!
      Blessings!
      g

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  7. Congratulations! You both look wonderful and I'm sure your audience was thrilled to learn from you :)

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    1. Thank you so much! Yes, we did have quite a bit of the ladies chat with us for a long while after the program...it is always fun to pass along what we have learned!
      Blessings!
      g

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  8. Your gowns & florls are wonderful, wonderful! Beautiful work and a real treat for all to see. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. Thank you so much Nancy! Your pattern really helped us as we made our fun dresses!
      Blessings!
      g

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  9. Such incredibly pretty wedding ensembles. These made me think instantly to those worn by some of the characters who tied the knot on the classic Sullivan Entertainment series Road To Avonlea (my absolute favourite TV show as a child and still, to this day, a firm fave).

    Thank you for sharing the magnificence of another of your jaw dropping creations with us, sweet lady.

    I hope that you're doing great and enjoying a wonderful, sunshine filled summer.

    Big hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Dear Jessica,
      You are always so very encouraging and lovely in you compliments! I just want to tell you how much I appreciate them! Thank you so very much sweet lady...You have made my day more beautiful!
      Blessings and I hope you are having a magnificent summer!
      g

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  10. Thank you for sharing this day with us all. It was so beautiful.
    This sounds like something I would love to do too but not on the scale that you did. I too don't like to keep track of the hours it takes to make something that is a labor of love, and sometimes don't even want to know what it cost me.
    I have that same Butterick pattern on my planning table but I wondered, did it make you feel overly fluffy on the bodice? I certainly don't need any more fluff than already have.
    Val

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  11. There are truly no words to compliment you completely on the dedication and talent you have to complete something to this level of perfection! *standing ovation* *throwing glitter*

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