Autumn Queen Crown Part Two

I gathered together all my mismatched gold button, beads and rhinestones for the fun part of making my crown for The Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge #7: Tops and Toes. The glue I used is E6000. It dries clear and has a flexible, permanent hold. It works much better than hot glue.

It's a little messy from the tube though, so I used a tootpick to apply it

I wanted the crown to look rough, not pretty pretty princess. The jewels and buttons I stuck on have an almost random quality, although they were all very specifically placed. I may in the future, dull down the shine on some of the plastic buttons. Right now, I like the way the different colors of gold and silver give it a mosaic quality.

To see how I started this project see Autumn Queen Part One

I really love it. I think I might just have to start wearing it all the time. I may need to add some hair combs to the inside to help it stay on.

The Queen spent all her money on her crown and is neglecting her bangs

Autumn Queen Crown Part One

For the Historical Fortnightly Challenge for Fairy Tale, I  wanted to make up my own Fairy Tale with an older woman as the protagonist. One of the things I was inspired by was the Dolce and Gabbana crown from their 2013 collection.

I like the Byzantine feel of this

Here's a closeup

This is a different one, but I wanted a closeup for reference

I wanted to make something similar. I found several tutorials on Pinterest for lace crowns and it had potential. I found some cotton lace at Beverly's and bought a half yard for about $3.00

Very happy find

First I wrapped a wig stand in plastic wrap so it wouldn't stick to it.

No idea why this is sideways. It wasn't when I uploaded it. Odd.

I whipstitched the crown together after fitting it to my head and then sprayed it with this stuff

It wasn't particularly stiff or quik. I needed about five coats and I dried it overnight.

Most of the photos I've seen online looked like Lace sprayed Gold. I want mine to look like gold shaped into lace. After I let the lace dry overnight, I mixed up some Rub n Buff with some Diamond Glaze and painted it on.

Rub n Buff contains real metal powder

I had no idea if this would work, but I've used it to seal paper beads and it works really well on those

After letting the painted on gold dry overnight, I have this.

It still looks like painted lace, but the rub n buff makes it a little less delicate which I like

Tonight, I'm going to go to town with beads and baubles and shiny things. Stand by!

1660's Autumn Queen Fairytale update

Sorry I haven't posted in a bit. I've been embroidering til the cow come home. Darn cow, always wandering off. I had originally wanted to make this for Historical Sew Fortnightly #14 Fairy Tale challenge. My inspiration was some beautiful fairy tale illustrations I found on Pinterest. Like this one:

Snow White Illustration by Jennie Harbour

I wanted to make it in the style of a 1660's gown. Something like this portrait.

Hortense Mancini Duchess of Mazarin (1646-1699) favourite niece of Cardinal Mazarin and a mistress of Charles II,

I found these curtains at the thrift store. They are cotton, and these dresses would normally be silk, but I really like the exaggerated pattern and the colors go well with my Autumn Queen idea

Original fabric

I wanted it to look more like an illustration, so I made it impossible to finish the challenge on time, by hand embroidering an outline on all the motifs.

For the outline, I just used DMC pearl thread in black and used a backstitch

It really makes the motifs pop.

I will also add some beading and gold cord

Here's all the pieces, not put together yet.

Here are all the outer pieces, not yet sewn together

Watch the Windows! or The Regency Short Stays

My mother was always very sensitive to my concerns about my ever expanding bosom. When I would turn around to show off a new blouse or shirt she would say "Watch the Windows!!" so this was my first thought when trying on these stays. Actually I can't even show you what they look like when I have myself all hoisted up in the correct manner. I'll just let this lady show you.

You're right. It's so distracting that this is a picture of the wrong time period.

I completed these for Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge #3: Pink so I had to photograph them.I kind of re-arranged things to be a little more safe for work. Here's me.

 

Is that the prow of a ship?

If you aren't too distracted to look at the actual stays, they look pretty good if I do say sew. (see what I did there?) They are all hand sewn. I used some leftover silk from a dress I found at the thrift store. I also had some Coutil left over from my victorian corset. The boning are 1/4 inch cable ties and the eyelets are all hand sewn. Badly. I will redo them when I have a chance.

I look downright tasteful in this one

The pattern for both the stays and the chemise are from Sense and Sensibility Underthings Pattern If one must be altogether truthful, ladies of my extreme age and bodaciousness weren't really wearing this style of stays. If I was wearing this style at all, I'd be wearing longer stays that are a little more like a traditional corset. I am, in truth, mutton dressed as lamb in this get up.But you know what? Pffffthhhh.