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.)