Photos and video!!!

I finally sifted through all the photos my dad took and a lot of them turned out blue because of the contrast between shade and the bright sun. I had to edit almost all of them, and only the actual wedding photos are ready and online. You can view them on Webshots:

http://travel.webshots.com/album/569199722mEBMeb

I also found myself on the Austin news online. Don't blink!

http://www.news8austin.com/shared/video/video_pop.asp?destlist=59435

Wedding a Success!!!

I honestly think this was the biggest wedding Dickens ever had in the few years they have offered the service. The plaza between Yaga's and Fuddruckers was full to the brim!

I really enjoyed the short ceremony. Although, I gotta admit, it was very nerve-wracking since there were so many people! I received a LOT of compliments and well-wishes Saturday from many people I don't even know. I think that makes it extra-special, because if the wedding were private, it just wouldn't have been the same.

Also, who really can claim that they had Marley's Ghost and Queen Victoria and her entourage at their wedding? And a whole band of bagpipers too!

My favorite part of the ceremony: when my minster asked if there were any reasons for us not to marry, he said "keep it to yourself!" LOL I loved that part!

We took so many photos after the wedding, my cheeks hurt! My photographers that I hired lead a whole group of random "paparazzi" (both from professional news and amateurs) for a whole hour! We couldn't even go a block over from the plaza in that amount of time!

Luckily, we made it just in time for the carriage for the line-up of the parade. It was funny sitting in it since just with 2 ladies (my matron of honor and myself) we filled it up quite well! I can't imagine the size of carriages they must have needed for larger families, especially if they had a lot of girls!

We had a good time being in a carriage in the Queen's Parade for the first time. It was sure nicer than walking.

We even got to go back to Somewhere in Time antique shop to thank the owner there again for the 19th century pocket watch I had been persauded to buy for my husband 1 week before the hurricane. I was so grateful that we had gone that weekend because I didn't know what else to get Christian as a groom's present.

We also got to see Sandi from the Railroad Museum. I was more than a little sad to see that things still aren't up and running, and that the reception that evening would have been more accessible and successful had it been where it was supposed to be. Maybe we'll have to celebrate our first anniversary there next year and host another Victorian ball!

Since I didn't personally take any photos myself (I took the weekend off on that one!) I'm relying on everyone else to take photos. Here are some links so far:

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000014057 The whole wedding ceremony (audio only) and look for a pefect photo of our kiss in the slide show! You can also listen to our interview and others.

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/reid188/Dickens%202008/ A big thanks to my friends (and clients!) for these wonderful digital photos

http://www.statesman.com/search/mediahub/mediahub/slideshow/index.jsp?tId=136354 A wonderful photo from the Austin American-Statesman (we're #13 in the slideshow)

Sunday gown

Yes, I'm crazy, but I grew out of my regular Dickens outfit, so I really need to make a new one that fits the bust better.

I chose the 1857 Wisconsin Governor's Wife pattern because I have never really explored plaids, as plaids aren't really in style today. I found a wonderful green and black plaid taffeta on eBay at a great price. I started on the skirt panels last night and it is sooo much lighter than my wedding gown!!!

It was extremely difficult to find a feminine pattern without it screaming out "lumberjack." It was also hard to find one that wasn't too big of a plaid. I'm only 5'1" and many prints easily dwarf me.

I'll publish photos as soon as this project gets underway. I'm hoping this won't be too popular of a pattern, and at least it is very easy to change up. (My wedding gown is from the same pattern!)

less than 2 weeks till the wedding!!!

I'm just finishing up the gown today. This has taken more work than I had thought, as work has been getting in the way of everything these days. Thank God I have this whole week off for Thanksgiving!

Yesterday I finished putting all 7 alternating layers of lace and silk chiffon! All I have to do is replace the silk chiffon that goes over the shoulder because it must've slipped in the machine out of place and it needs to hang over the top of the lace on the sleeve to make things right.

I tried everything on last Sunday and I think it looks even bigger on me than on my dress mannequin! (Could be because it sits in a corner.)

I bought the tussy mussy on eBay and got one for my matron of honor too. I got them both engraved. They are a bit awkward to handle, though, because they are top-heavy, of course. Because Island Flowers is still not doing business, I made the bouquet for myself and a posy for Cathy for only $30!

When sunnier weather comes (hopefully before the wedding) I hope to go to Bay Street Park and take pictures in the gazebo for better lighting and background.

Feels good to have to change my new serger's color from white to black. I'm soooo sick of white! I'm honestly surprised I didn't get the gown stained up more than I did. (I just had to dry-clean it once without the ruffles because the center fold of the fabric came dirty from the store.) I'm just worried how much this is going to take to dry-clean.

I think this should get people's attention at Dickens on the Strand.

Surviving Hurricane Ike

OK, I'm going to get a little off-subject from sewing and talk about my wedding since everyone is wondering what has been going on.

The Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) has declared Dickens officially on for December 6, although as of yesterday The Strand is still looking pretty pitiful with cleaning "parties" and gutted buildings.

http://www.galvestonhistory.org/Dickens_Press7.asp

Also, my reception hall (which we ironically had PAID OFF the week before the storm!!!) has been affected, but not so much as the others. I think the designers put in a marble floor and partial marble walls on purpose. However, the Galveston Railroad Museum only rents and does not actually own the building. I might be having my reception at my school gym, as it has been graciously offered to me, but it's just not going to be the same. We're going to hold out until the board meeting on the 29th to see what will go on, as we'd hate to bail out in a time of need.

http://www.galvestonrrmuseum.com/

I ordered some plisse pleated silk chiffon from Hong Kong on eBay and was very pleased with it. I finished one whole ruffle that goes across the bottom. It will alternate with the 6" lace I have, and probably another 6" lace I need to get as I don't think I'll have enough.

I still have to put on the sleeves and line the bodice. I started making the buttons for it but they are hard to make perfect. Here are a few pictures:

Getting fitted

My matron of honor's mom, Sandy, was so kind as to do the big job of fitting me for my wedding gown. Sadly, we decided that Harriet's pattern I bought for $40 (http://harriets.com/Ballgowns.htm) just wasn't a good fit, even though I had made it in the largest size, which, in theory, should have fit given the sizing chart. I was very disappointed that the pattern was so small, as I am clearly never even remotely the largest size in any Simplicity or McCall's patterns.

We found that not only did the bodice not fit around the bust, but also the armscye was rediculously tight, and so was the sleeve. Also, the sleeve was small in circumference where it meets the shoulder. And on top of that, she didn't follow the original fashion plate regarding the pattern of ruffles and lace.

The skirt was extremely complicated. Weird random pleats, which did not fall even recomtely correctly on my new hoop - in fact, the skirt collapsed into the little "window" in the front of the hoop, and that was the last straw.

I am very disappointed that I cannot use that pattern, but luckily I brought the mock-up of my Sunday dress - and wouldn't you know, it is a great pattern from Simplicity (http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=3727) and can easily double as my wedding gown as well as a day dress for Sunday!

New Renaissance gown

This is the one I remade because I wasn't happy with the style, as it just wasn't flattering on me. (Seems like women back then didn't have much on top!) This one seems much better :)

new pics of mom's Dickens outfit for the wedding

I made this last year, and was never quite happy with how it looked, never mind how she flat out refused to wear a hoop skirt. She just never had "the look." Now that I'm getting married at Dickens, she wants to wear one. How things change when it comes right down to a wedding! We had our little photoshoot today at the Davison home historical park in Texas City and here are some pics of her:

New Website!!!

I finally invested in a real website (and not just a blog.) Now my blog will be more personal, while my website is my Internet storefront to the world.

www.margaretsmillineryanddressmaking.com

New York City, here I come!

I have been generously invited by my matron of honor, Cathy, and her mother, Sandy, to spend some time together at her home in New Jersey. You see, as a seamstress, it's hardest to make outfits for yourself, as it's difficult to tailor your own body! So Sandy, a professional seamstress herself, is going to help me out. Not only that, but I get to shop in the fabric district in NYC!

I'm planning on finishing up both mock-ups this week so I can ship it soon. I am going to definitely ship all my stuff USPS Priority with insurance and tracking, as my fiance advised. He said not to try to put all that weird stuff through security as carry-on, and anyway I'd hate to lose it all as I've invested a lot of time and money into it all. I can just imagine trying to persuade the secrity guard that my corset and new hoop skirt are NOT terroristic in any way! (Why is it that I can picture missing my flight this way?)

I also think I'll be sending home any fabric and notions the same way. With airports being as lazy and irresponsible as ever, I just can't trust them. How sad.

My corset is complete

Here are some pics with the aluminum flat bar Christian put into the busk as reinforcement. It certainly does its job and then some!

I might decorate the top and bottom with double-edged lace, but only if I can find some that doesn't break the bank and something that suits my fancy. Same goes for the 2" wide Venice lace I need for the bottom of the pin-tucked chemise. I've looked at HL, Wal-Mart, and eBay, and haven't found much of anything suitable.

Remaking French gown c. 1450

I think my enthusiasm for history outdid my good sense, because I'm really regretting making that Burgundian outfit for TRF last year. I guess I had no idea that so much of the festival is really fantasy, and that period accuracy is mostly for the actors who work there. It was difficult getting over this disappointment (not to mention the fact that no one really wears costumes besides Tudor, wench, or pirate) but I think I've learned my lesson and feel that this challenge is nearly finished.

I decided to re-make this gown into an Italian cioppa c. 1500. It's about appropriate for King Henry's early life, but still has a little fantasy to it. I cut out new lace-up sleeves (up to the elbow) and cut the old ones half off so that a slit of pouffy sleeve sticks out.

What took me so long finishing it was the fact that the wedding has been keeping me quite busy, and I had to find gold grommets, which I had run out of, because Wal-Mart and HL do not carry them anymore. Had to resort to Jo-Ann's, which is kinda far away. Also got some prefect thin gold braid to go around the belt, which I am remaking since the curves weren't even on both sides.

Well, I finally whip-stitched the placket in and just have to anchor it down a bit more. I tried it on tonight and it looks really good, especially with the new poufy chemise, which is light and airy because I made it out of batiste. I'm trying to keep in mind that Texas, even in the fall, gets very hot, so I ditched the kirtle. Now all I'm looking for are some appropriate shoes, stockings, and a pretty Juliet cap.

If I finish this project tomorrow I'll post some pictures.

Unmentionables

Well, let's mention them anyway, shall we?

So far I have made/re-made and completed:

1 chemise (ball gown cut)
2 pairs of crotchless pantalettes (how else do you think we ladies could go to the bathroom?!?)
1 pintuck petticoat

Now I need to focus on:

decorating the corset
finishing up making the everyday-cut chemise, and perhaps make one more if I like it

After that I should have all the undergarments made except for those bought. I actually bought a custom-made cage crinoline from alliestrunk on eBay for $150. I figured it would be worth it considering it'll be shorter than the crappy modern bridal one I have now and it'll be stronger against the wind and not trip me when it flattens out in the wind. I decided I just can't afford to have my special day ruined just because I was too cheap to buy it, especially at that reasonable of a price. Also I think it'll be great to brag about during the family costume competition!

But, I can at least write this off in my mind as an investment, as I hope to join a reinactment group sometime, and go to period balls all around in Texas. It's something I can always use again and again, unlike modern bridal stuff. The only part of my whole outfit that really won't be worn again is the actual wedding gown - the rest is completely reusable, so I don't feel so guilty about splurging.

However, I've had trouble with shoes. I really, really, really was hoping to buy some white kid leather/imitation button-up boots, but none can be found except for an exhorbitant amount in the UK. Also can't really find any lace-up ones without being satin, as I know satin won't wear as well on the street as leather, and will get all dusty and nasty.

On the brighter side, I did find a pair of leather sturdy ballet flats with soft suede soles which I will use for dancing at my ball. They're only $30, so I can't argue with that. I plan on embellishing them with bridal appliques or lace or something pretty. Here's the link: http://www.dyeableshoestore.com/dyeable-shoe-store/shoes-by-width/ballet-180.asp

If I can't find any good boots, I think I'll have to have a stronger type of slipper, with a better sole for outdoors: http://www.bridalpeople.com/wedding-flats/13609.asp

I'm also thinking of investing in some luxurious white silk stockings. It's my wedding day, and I want to be as comfortable as possible. With Texas weather, you never know whether it'll be hot or cold - and silk takes care of both. Plus, the silk is so thin that it won't make my feet any wider than they already are, so my shoes will fit better. Here are some places I've found online - all are imports from France (something else I can brag about in the competition!)

about $50 US from Britain
http://www.delicates.co.uk/Champs-Elysees-Silk-Stockings-By-Cervin-2061524E0F.aspx

$55
http://stockingirl.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=miccina&Product_Code=SGSS2&Category_Code=catS&Product_Count=12

$59
http://www.stockingstore.com/genuine-silk-stockings-p/cv900.htm

Now that I compared them, I'm thinking of going with the $55 ones since it's in US dollars and shipping theoretically shouldn't kill me. I guess I'll have to wait on this one, though.

$60
http://stockingirl.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=STH101&Category_Code=CatT&Store_Code=miccina

Look Ma, No Bra!

I finally figured out how to fix my corset so that I don't have to wear a bra with it. It's definitely hard being a 34G, and support is my #1 priority. However, back in December, I was rushed because the corset kit took so long to ship, and I only had a week in which to make it. Now that I have a lot more free time this summer, I decided I had to tackle that project again and make sure it was done right and better (live and learn....right?)

I had to fold the four gussets into a kind of pleat so that they barely existed - and these were a size DD! (OK...I've never in my whole life had a bra/corset be too big!!!) So back then, I thought this would run small at worst. Ends up it was waaaaay too big. Not only that, but the spiral steel boning that came in the kit were 1. too flexible and 2. too long. I wasn't able to completely sew on the edging tape, which was part of the kit and of which I ran out in that week before Dickens!!! I ended up ordering some hard plastic boning from the same place, Laci's, and it worked out well for the most part after having measured each casing myself and giving a 1/4" clearance on each end for the edging tape.

Here are some pics, but they don't show the finished project. Last night when I tried everything on, my fiance and I came across a new problem: the busk wasn't strong enough. I don't have time to order a stronger one (if they even come in stronger) plus I don't have time to rip it all apart. It kept sticking out and not laying flat - a problem I've seen on Tudor gowns worn by busty ladies at TRF. Christian had the absolutely brilliant idea of using aluminum flat bar (1/8" thick, 1/2" wide, and 13 inches long) which we bought for like $3.50 at Lowe's. He cut the long bar into what I needed and quickly filed the pointy corners down. Works perfectly now. I don't think I've ever had such a period silouette before.

I'm thinking on covering up the hand-stitching on the wedging tape with some white double-sided lace, since the machine just couldn't catch it all the time and the ordeal became very frustrating. I think I'll have to use 3/4" - 1" wide tape instead of 1/2" wide. Still looks good though, and is EXTREMELY strong now. I loved wearing it this morning, because it just felt so supportive, especially in the back. I guess I'm one of those few women who can still smile and feel good while wearing a corset!

Bridal Wreath and Veil

I had my best friend, Linda, put together the bridal wreath, which came in a kit from Laci's. (http://www.lacis.com/catalog/catalog.html ) I was very disappointed that they were yellow, as orange blossoms are supposed to be white, and on my screen they certainly looked white. So I called her for the complaint and found out it can easily be remedied by bleaching them in the sun, which was fairly but not completely effective. I guess it's good enough, considering I really couldn't find it elsewhere. But, at least I didn't have to go through the rest of the frustration - making it! Thanks, Linda :)

Here are some pics of the wreath with the veil. (Still need to finish edges with my rotary cutter and attach the veil to a better comb but you get the idea.)

Other frock coat with effects

My client sent me more pics of his new duds. Here they are. Looks like he is certainly ready for PyrateCon in New Orleans.

bridal pantalettes are finished

I used Simplicity 9769 and I used this for my first set, but they still came out too big in the waist even though I was careful about choosing the right size and cutting it out. Little disappointed, as I totally don't feel like taking out the waistband and replacing it. I actually had a hard enough time with certain parts of this - I can make extravagant things without major problems but not sew something simple made of batiste. Go figure. It turned out pretty good though - the flat-felled seams were actually hard this time around, as I don't remember it being like that last time I used this pattern.

The other frock coat

Officially beginning wedding projects!

Finally finished the last of my client stuff for now, and finally I can focus in on starting my wedding projects! (Pictures of the remade frock coat will be posted soon.)

Luckily I had 2 3/4 yds of white batiste left over from what I used on my ren faire chemise, so I was able to just barely cut out a pair of pantalets. It's a very easy pattern from Simplicity, and I used the pattern before on my old pair. Very happy with the crotchless style - definitely comes in handy when you need it in the restroom!

Still at a loss of where to get the super-wide eyelet I need for the flouncing on the petticoat. Walmart is so expensive, and I need many yards of it. I keep looking on eBay but no luck. Might have to splurge on it and at least be able to say I finally made one the way I wanted, because the old one I made just doesn't do it with the plain ruffle. Sure hope something works out soon.

reconstructing an already-made frock coat

My pirate friends have come to me again, this time with his first pre-made "off the rack" (so to speak, bought at ren faire) and he has decided that he wants me to make lapels, a matching mandarin collar, MUCH bigger cuffs (they were extremely narrow), and a tab on the back.

He picked out thick jet black upholstery-grade linen, which really looks great on the coat. The other coat has lapels made from a similar-looking fabric, except it was man-made. This stuff is really nice to work with.

It took me a while to figure out how wide I could make the cuffs without it being too wide in proportion to the narrow wrist edge of the coat. Also had to knock off a number of inches from the bottom which connects to the wrist edge - the original pattern was made for a hole like 2x that size or more. Finally got it in proportion to the opening, and even added the gold zig-zag faux button hole stitching on it and put on the buttons.

Now all I have to do is mark the placement lines on the remaining cuff and both lapels, sew using the gold thread, place the buttons, and baste and sew on the double-wide bias tape. Can't wait to finish! This project has been running too long, but work and other obligations got into the way.

Wedding dress material and lace; solution to the tiny pleat problem

I've been picking up random stuff whenever I find a good bargain (as weddings can be OUTRAGEOUSLY pricey!) so I have been very lucky lately to find things such as these:

14 yards of quality "rustle-y" bridal taffeta, 40% off at HL.....$62...originally $8 a yard/$104 (with 1 free because of defects)

20 yards of 6" wide lace for $13 (with shipping!)


20 yards of 3" wide white eyelet lace on eBay for $8 (with shipping!) (for pantalets)


8 yards of 1" wide eyelet beading for $1.27/yd at HL....$10.16 (for pantalets)


3 yards of small lace for .99/yd at HL....$3 (for chemise)

5 yards of sheer white batiste at HL for $1.67/yd....$8.35 (for chemise, pantalets, and petticoat...all that was on the bolt, need more)

2 packages of 1/2" wide twill tape....about $3.50

Hardest thing to find is 14" wide eyelet lace for the flouncing on the petticoat...last time I made one from that pattern I had to resort to just a plain batiste ruffle, but since this is my wedding and I WILL be using the undergarments in years to come....I'm not letting this one go.

Looked on eBay and it looks like the cheapest runs at $2 a yard, as Wal-Mart wants $4, and I need like 7 yards, so that adds up quite a bit just for one thing.

Also looking for light blue or country blue ribbon that fits the eyelet beading but no luck yet.

Also keeping my eye out for Venician lace on sale, need 2 yards for the hem of the chemise - might as well go all out.

And, since they didn't have enough batiste, I'm probably going to need another 10 yards or so.

Finally, I think I found the solution to the tiny pleat problem. Plisse pleats will not work on non-silk, so I found a tool called Clothilde's Perfect Pleater that should do the job for about $30-35 and says it is permanent. Hope it works, because I would much rather have the pleats than the ruffles or pleat by hand!

Making my own Victorian wedding veil

I decided to definitely opt out of paying rediculous prices on wedding veils, and ended up buying 5 yards of 108" wide white illusion/tulle for only $13! (Would've been cheaper if HL carried it, but they only had 54, and I'm not sure if that's wide enough!)

So, with the $2 or so I spent on the baggie of plastic hair combs from HL, that leaves me with a grand total of $15!

I've been looking at other fashion plates, and have decided to keep the veil raw edged (as it seems almost completely see-through at the edges) and a hem would most cerrtainly ruin this effect. I also noticed that the fancier the dress, the more ornate the crown and the less ornate the veil. Here are some examples:

Bridal crown from Godey's Ladies' Book December 1860

Godey's April 1861

Godey's January 1856

Godey's 1861

Godey's 1861 (same fashhion plate as above)

Songwood and learning things the hard way

Heard that Songwood, the new ren faire in Manville, did not yet get their permit for large crowds, and it's only a few weeks until opening weekend. I'm kinda worried, because I really was excited about a new ren faire on MY side of Houston, where much of the population is! Now the website doesn't exist - last time I caught it online most of the pages weren't working - they must've been taking it down.

Not looking good at all. :-(

I still have some hope for it, considering they already have a list of definite shops that will be there, as well as entertainers. I was actually impressed with how large it got, but I hear they're out-pricing TRF by keeping it "low" (which probably equals "sort of affordable" in TRF terms) and so they were more successful in attracting all sorts of sellers.

Been thinking of how stupid my outfit looked, and how rediculous the Texas heat is. I honestly thought at least one weekend this past fall would be cool, but obviously that was too much. So, I'm going to re-make the gown, and keep the kirtle as a separate costume, as the layering (as much as I tried to be accurate and to avoid dry-cleaning costs) just made it too bulky and hot.

Changes from a 15th century houppelande to a late 15th century Italian cioppa:

1. Ditch the fur. I know it's period, but evidently no one else knows, so it just doesn't work.

2. Change the sleeves, from solid to slashed.

3. Add the belt I had originally made for it out of the same fabric (I was avoiding a cross-wise seam because my bust is so large) plus buy a gold frog for closure.

4. Make a gathered-neckline puffy-sleeved chemise. I'm using an old pattern I have, and instead of using elastic (uuugh!) like they say, it'll be drawstring. Plus, this one is supposed to show, and I won't have worries about the kirtle sticking out in the neckline.

5. Add a basket instead of a purse. The purse gets way too heavy, and does not close well. It got pretty frustrating. Note to self: do not make drawstring purses out of satin, no matter how pretty they look.

6. Make a golden Juliet cap with gold trim and maybe a fancy overlay.

7. Eventually buy period shoes (now that I chose a more comfortable and socially acceptable period!) and buy some linen hosen and garters.

8. Either buy some period drawers or wear a pair of modern linen shorts I have. (TRF got really hot and uncomfortable without these, since stockings don't go all the way up!)

9. Sew in the gold placket, now that I know what I want, so it won't slide anymore.

Looks like I learned the hard and expensive way of how not to do Burgundian fashion. Italian Renaissance sounds much better now, and at least I can say the gown isn't a total loss!

Found the right wedding gown, still need to figure out a few details

I finally decided this is going to be the one I'm going to wear, although I'm still stuck on how to make those plisse pleats you see in the alternating ruffles. I've spent hours and hours and hours on trying to figure it out, but all I found is this - it's not hand-made pleats, but rather they are made by the shrinking of the silk created by the addition of lye to it. Well, the big question is: is this treatment permanent or will it come out if I wash/dry clean it? I'm really not up for the experimenting since it is so important, and I do want to dry clean it once I finish so all the markings and hand oils will be cleaned off.

Also, I want to make it out of modern bridal satin (polyester) because I heard from an heirloomer at the Houston Bridal Expo that silk is easily stained, and many things stain it for life (especially wine). As much as I'm in for historical accuracy, it's really not worth wearing a bunch of potential stains all day long. Plus I want to wear it in the family costume contest the next day, so it's gotta be able to take a beating. And, I'm wearing it all day Saturday and I don't care what anybody says - I'm not changing into another dress till after the costume contest on Sunday!

Which brings me to the point that I've definitely chosen my wedding gown but not my new walking dress, as last year's died and er..the dry cleaner must've shrunk it too...so I'm still looking.

Just ordered some fashion plates and one month of Godey's (January 1851) on Ebay. The Godey's was an e-book, and all you do is right click the link and save it and double-click to unzip it. How easy was that! And I got it immediately. Gotta love e-books - especially since I can flip through it all I want (unlike an antique book/magazine) and I don't have to worry about roaches eating it (yes, they eat paper!) or mice or hurricanes. I highly recommend this seller, e-booksdownload. Not all her stuff is an e-book, as the fashion plates are coming in the mail on CD. But her prices are extremely good, and I hope that she sells more of Godey's.

Lastly, I've finally figured out how to make a bridal veil, and that illusion and tulle are the same thing. I think I'm going to get some extra-wide veiling since the dress is going to be so big, and gather it up into a barette so it will look like it's attached to the orange blossom crown but it can be easily taken off if needed. Think waltz-length will do since I'll be outside and I don't want to drag it. Hard to tell how long it is in the fashion plate because she's sitting down.

Whipped it up in two weeks!

OK, this was fun...but the time-frame was a challenge. I just finished this for pick-up last Wednesday so my client could wear it to the Z Krewe ball on Saturday.

Glad to report it was a success! She received lots of compliments, and was quite fitting for her part of queen. I will post pics from the ball when I receive them, most likely tomorrow.

*Please note we did notice the petticoat peeking through....it was because the petticoat wasn't on tight enough, not due to a lousy hem job! We were hasty on trying it on because it was after work and we were both very tired!

Mardi Gras Queen

Finally I'm getting into Mardi Gras. I recently have a client who needs a full gown made in two weeks, due Jan 12th, the day of the ball. And to top it all off, she's the outgoing Queen of her krewe, and she just has to look the part!

The theme is pirates, so I came up with this pattern, and my client did an awesome job of choosing suitable fabric. We are using brown satin and gold tissue lame (lam-AY) as well as ecru lace. It came together quite quickly, thank goodness. This is the fastest project I've ever had to make for anybody (including myslelf!) so I'm glad I'm ahead of schedule!

So far the whole dress is together, just need to hem it, put in the zipper, and lastly put the trim on. In these pics I just laid on the trim, it's not pinned or sewn on yet - they are just to get the idea.

I've got to admit, it sure is nice to make something without having to worry about historical accuracy! This was a really fun project to do - a great break inbetween my crazy historical projects.