Materials and Pattern

I bought the hoop already made, but I used this pattern for the chemise and corset, aka payre of bodies.
This wasn't my first choice because I thought I would look bad in it but the corset makes all the difference. This one looks more fun, anyway.

This gooooorgeous trim is from eBay from a seller called heritagetrading. It is handcrocheted and hand-beaded with teeny little pearls in India. I sure hope it wasn't made in a sweatshop. It sells for $17.99 for 4 yards, free shipping from India! Shipping was very quick, too. My mom asked me, "Where's the blood??" but even she agreed it was too good of a deal to miss, and anyway, I don't think you can find goodies like this anywhere in the states. Being hand-made is even better. God bless the person who is talented enough to do this. Only problem is, it's a very deep gold and the trim I had chosen for the forpart of the skirt is much lighter. Might have to forego the forepart trim or get some new that matches.

This was also from eBay from a seller called lilys_fabric. It sells for $12.99/yard and you can get as many as you want. I love it!!! It makes a fantastic forepart.

I dn't have a photo of the blue velvet I bought on eBay since it was so long ago, before I moved into the new house. Alas, I lost the info on it so I'm not sure what I paid or where I got it from. All I know is that it was 7 yards of 54" wide cotton velvet (yes, cotton, not poly!). The yardage is a hair short on the sleeves, and I don't think I'll have enough for the outer part of the lower sleeves, so I think it'll all be in black as a nice contrast. I've seen the same done in that YouTube costume show I saw so it must be legit. I'm thinking a black real silk taffeta might do the trick. I'm also thinking of a medium-weight white silk for the false sleeves since I don't need too much. Jeez, this gown is gonna cost me about $300 at least when I'm done with it. Better be worth it. I got tired of my husband being asked to have a photo with random people, and me being left out, so if this one doesn't catch anybody's eye, nothing will.

And if anyone is to blame, it's my husband. He started it when he shopped at Pendragon and got all that fancy garb!!! So he better not complain about it!!!