Una poca de gracia

[gwendolyngrey]

It seems like I've done nothing but application stuff recently... for grad schools and summer stock work; and when I DO sew, it's on a veeerrry late gift for somebody which is taking an age to finish.

I haven't put a stitch in a new dress for myself since last June!  This, however, is about change.



Quite a few of you are probably familiar with this dress of rvqavalon's which she made for the annual regency ball last spring.  The other night, however, Katie surprised dandytailor and I with a declaration of her dislike for the dress and her plans for getting rid of it.  Preferring not to sell in on ebay, Katie was wonderful enough to give it to me along with the extra yard and a half of left-over fabric so that I could make a new dress for Greenfield out of it.

I am, to put it bluntly, thrilled.

Silk taffeta in white and blue windowpane check?!  Nothing less than awesome!

The skirt of the original dress is made from three panels of 54" wide fabric, and as such, is a great width for going over my hoop.  I'll have to let the hem out a little, but aside from that, making the new skirt'll be really straightforward.  I figure the extra yard and a half will be plenty for a bodice and sleeves, and I can use the fabric from the original bodice for trimmings.

I'm planning on making something similar to these:
   

I love the v-neck style, pagoda sleeves, and ruched trimming, but I haven't quite decided yet whether I want a straight waistline or a pointed bodice... would one be more fashionable than the other?

Also, Katie bought me an early birthday present... a bonnet kit from Timely Tresses!  I'll be making the Mildred Augusta bonnet in the early spoon style.  So.  Excited.  I adore all manner of hats, bonnets, and headdresses, and as of yet, I don't even have a single 1860s bonnet!  But, thanks to Katie, this calamitous state of affairs will shortly draw to close... I'm quietly gleeful.  :D

Also.

Yo no soy marinero.

Bonus points for guessing which song is stuck in my head... ;)

Comments

[ktlovely.livejournal.com]

Oh my God you have La Bamba stuck in your head and I love you.

[idlewild-grey.livejournal.com]

Para bailar la bamba etc etc... ;)

I made the happy mistake of watching the movie La Bamba this afternoon, and not only was it surprisingly good, I now find myself listening to Ritchie Valens' music over and over on youtube.

[ktlovely.livejournal.com]

I think I might have mentioned this before, but the fact that you have La Bamba stuck in your head while writing a post somewhat about me is so insanely right that I can't even articulate. That's "our song": song--my dad and I used to dance to it. And by "My dad and I," I mean my dad, holding his infant daughter over his head and dancing like nobody was watching...that's how far back it's been "our song."

[koshka-the-cat.livejournal.com]

By the 1860s, a straight waistline was more popular.

And I love V neck pagoda sleeve dresses as well, as seen in my icon :)

[idlewild-grey.livejournal.com]

Straight waistline it is then! And I have to say that the dress is your icon is perhaps my favorite of all your dresses. So dreamy... ;)

[reine-de-coudre.livejournal.com]

ditto on the straight waistline with katherine. v-necks are so underrepresented; i'm so glad you're doing one.

and i myself am about to get started on the eliza coretta from timely tresses. can't wait to see how your bonnet turns out!

[idlewild-grey.livejournal.com]

I was initially torn between the Eliza Coretta and the Mildred Augusta... I'm really looking forward to seeing how yours turns out! I wish I could get started on mine right away. Having to wait for the pattern and materials to arrive is very hard!

[reine-de-coudre.livejournal.com]

i was too! but i already have a black hemp marie stewart mildred augusta, so i decided i should have an earlier 60s bonnet to span the entirety of the war. i got the deluxe kit so the hard part is already done for me! :-P

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

Are you wanting this more 1850s or 1860s?

If you're making it 1860s, there were indeed pointed bodices. Not as common as straight, but plenty; both single and double points. A common 1850s waistline dipped low in front in a sort of shallow scoop or point. The second picture is a good example of that.

It looks like the first two pictures are 1850s dresses. The sleeves in particular on the first look 1850s; rather big and oblong and gathered/pleated straight at the top. The waist is straight, but that could easily have been altered/updated by the owner. I remember when you posted pictures of the second one! It's 1850s in bodice shape - not just the length and the scoop/point, but how it's rather full in the upper chest and over the bust, to be pulled in snug beneath the bust; and the point of the V being just under the bust. Low V's weren't very common in the 1860s; the lowest typical is to the point of the bust. The short length of the inside sleeve is also more 1850s. The trim placement and design, though, is perfectly applicable in either decade. (And gorgeous!)

The third is definitely 1860s, if not applicable in a couple years from either decade. (Some bodice/pagoda shapes really do stay the same, whereas others are more specific.) The very smooth fitting of the bodice is more typical of the 1860s than the 1850s. And I *adore* that trim.

I just started writing an ended up with an essay! :p I just wanted to throw those indications out there. This is going to be an amazing high-fashion dress, so it needs to fit its time right!

Do plan out your pieces and layout before cutting! Trim and especially sleeves can take more than you plan.

[mlsdesigns.livejournal.com]

What a lovely gift! And it's going to be just as gorgeous in it's new incarnation!! (and I love that style too :) I'll have to make me one some day!)

[vanityfairy.livejournal.com]

Soy capitan?
You lucky girl to get all that pretty fabric!

[idlewild-grey.livejournal.com]

Si! ;)

And I am very lucky... I'd already resigned myself to not having a new dress this year.