Post Dicken's Fair Blues

We had a great time yesterday, despite the fact that I was up til 4pm sewing the bodice and I wore my boots for the first time and they pinched my feet. Since my guy has a very small car and my costume has a very big skirt, I didn't get completely dressed until we got to the parking lot.

Note evil plastic markdown boots from Ross

I was literally putting my headdress together in the parking lot. I'm not sure if I got a very good picture of it. I wanted it waay more elaborate but I ran out of time.

See the green stripe down the front? That's because at 3am I realized I had no hooks and eyes (not that I could find anyway. So, I made it work and cut buttons and buttonholes off a green silk blouse I had. It looked fine, but not particularly historical or finished.

oooh, are these Tavistock boots?

I think I underestimated my need to stand out in a crowd. Difficult at the best of times at Dickens, but especially hard in what reads as beige. I think next year I'm going to have to go bigger and more colorful.

Thanks for the photo Nedy

All in all, we had a great, if exhausting time. Ken picked up some fabulous men's fashion accoutrement. I spend all my money on booze. I wish there was a vendor there that specialized in historical fabrics and notions and such. I would probably have bought something. I didn't really want to buy any costume pieces since I'm learning to sew them myself.

Teasing pictures of Dickens outfit

First of all, since everyone seems to have pictures of their cat sitting on their fabric, I present my dog snuggling with mine. I apologise for the partial shots. My mirror is very narrow.

That's Amos. He is a good boy.

After about twenty minutes of struggling, I finally managed to get my corset on by myself. I took it in, but its still too big. Essentially, even with the back laces meeting completely,  it's still my same waist size.

On the upside, the steel spiral boning make it super comfortable. I wore it most of the day so I wouldn't have to struggle into it when I tried on my skirt.

I found a really poofy bridal underskirt that gives the right silhouette. So it's going to have to do for now until I can make my own ruffled petticoat.

I don't even want to KNOW what's it's made of

I did make a regular petticoat. It's just three one yard panels make from a sheet and cartridge pleated to the wastband.

And then the skirt. Also cartridge pleated.

It's poufier than it looks in the mirror.

I really love cartridgle pleats. They add zero bulk to the waist, so you can wear several layers and they look nice.

Not shown, the three times the pleats came out before I realized I was using my thin decorative cotton thread istead of my super sturdy buttonhole thread.

Using plaid fabric really helped with the spacing of the pleats.

Dicken's Fair Dress

I bought some fabric for my outfit for the Dicken's fair, but it turns out that it wouldn't be historically correct to make up a plain skirt and a plaid bodice as I was planning. I got very lucky though. I found a $100 cotton plaid on sale at Joanne's for $2.99 a yard.

A little dreary, but I think it will look good with the pattern I'm using

I'm going to use the Truly Victorian Pattern TV456: 1856 Gathered Dress. Which has recieved good reviews.

I think the gathered fan front will be more flattering on my generous bosom, than a high necked fitted bodice.

I got free shipping, so I have to wait 7-10 business days for the fabric. I'll just make all the other parts of my costume first (including a corset. Ack!) and then whip that baby right up.This will also fit in nicely for the Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge #26: Celebrate!

Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge #24: Re-do

For my Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge #24: Re-Do I decided to do the Challenge #3: Under-it-all.

Here are my first pair of crotchless drawers. Ooh la la. I made them for Dickens Fair, and they'll be hidden under at least two petticoats and a skirt, so they aren't really very sexy. They were historically for convenience purposes, and will be so again while negotiating porta potties at the fair.

Don't you want me baby

Another sheet bites the dust in the name of fashion

They have a drawstring waistband and are made from 100% Cotton.They have little pintucks on the legs. I'm practicing my straight stitching and getting better, but it's a work in progress.

Good thing this will be UNDER wear

Doncha wish your girlfriend was hot like me.

The Challenge: #24 Re-Do or #3 Under it All
Fabric: cotton
Pattern: Laughing Moon #100, Ladies Victorian Underwear 1840-1900
Year: 1840
Notions: Cotton Thread, Cotton Cording
How historically accurate is it? I did everything by hand and it's all natural materials. If the pattern is historically accurate then it's at least 95%
Hours to complete:24 hours , the pintucks and the self bias binding added time to the mix
First worn: Just parading around my house making my daughter laugh
Total cost: Cording 25 cents, sheet $1 . So $1.25