Diary of a Costumer

Okay, I'm going to attempt to do a brief recap five months after Costume College. No idea if I'll remember enough to make these at all worthwhile, so sorry!

Friday during the day, I wore my Mary Poppins outfit I made for Halloween 2016. 



I took the Circular handbags class taught by Catherine and Bunny (pictured below), and then I went to go teach my own class, which was on 1830s sleeve supports vs. 1890s sleeve structure. It seemed to go over well, and it was fun to be able to show an extant bodice with elaborate sleeves to the class. I'd love to do more things where I can show off the pieces in my collection, but it's just too hard to transport them all to CoCo. 


I also went to the Historical Dancing class, where I learned that I really didn't make my Mary Poppins outfit sturdy enough. I'd only worn the bodice 2-3 times before, but during the dancing, both underarms shredded through the seams (and I think I tore one of the arms somewhere else, too). Any tips on repairing silk organza sleeves? I also broke at least one of the elastic arch straps on the spats. So yeah, not great for dancing, and now I have a whole bunch of repairs I need to make if I want to wear Mary Poppins again. 


For the Social, I wore my Elizabeth Swann dress. I was supposed to be part of the Keira Knopely group, which started out as about 15-20 people and ended up with just me. Oh well. I think I still did a good job on the dress, though I didn't really get that many good pictures of it. 




After the social, I attended the historical dance that was going on. I loved that they had that this year, and I wish I had worn an outfit a little more conducive to dancing. But my feet were really killing me not too far into the dance, so I didn't stay long. I made about a 3-min stop at the Pink Princess party, but it was just too crowded and too loud, so I hung out with some quieter friends for a little while instead. (Thanks Sabrina, Katherine, and Elizabeth!)

One of the things I appreciate about both of Friday's costumes is that they both contain a souvenir from when I worked at Disneyworld. Mary Poppin's gloves are actual Mary Poppins character gloves. When I worked in costuming, these came back to us with a couple rips in one of them. They were going to be thrown out, so I asked if I could have them, and they said yes! I fixed the rip, and with the lace, it's hard to tell the repair is even there. The pirate medallion I was given when I worked at the Pirates League. I was one of the first people hired there after the opening crew, and they still had some of the opening crew gifts, so I was given this and a Pirates League backpack. 


Hopefully it won't be another 5 months till I recap Saturday and Sunday!

I worked on CoCo stuff for the better part of 12 hours today. I'm feeling pretty tired, but at least I got a lot done!

Elizabeth Swann is completely done. Unfortunately, I found out that no one else in the Keira Knopely group actually managed to make anything, so I'm bummed about that, and I guess I'll just be completely random at the Social. I'll probably also use it for my Halloween costume, though, and I am happy with how it turned out, so I guess not all is lost. 

Anyway, I started making the chemise for it yesterday afternoon, using McCalls 6817 as a base, but narrowing the skirt by about 28" at the hem. I had to piece the shoulder strap, because I was literally 1.5" short of fabric. (Of course, after I put it on, I realized it was 1.5" too long at the hem. And I lived dangerously, and didn't make a mockup. I wound up taking it in quite a bit at the side seam, and a little at the CB, and I changed the shape of the princess seams over the bust, since I am wearing it over my stays. But other than that, it went together quite smoothly. I'm not doing sleeves (at least, not yet), because I don't want the extra heat, so I have left the armseyes unfinished for now. I added a drawstring at the neckline, and the front spiral laces with eyelets going down to just above the hip.

I also finished the hook and eye at the waist of the skirt, and yesterday, I finished all the frogs/buttons/pickups on the overgown. And last night, I did one coat on my shoes, then I did the other coat and the finisher today, and put in the buckles. 




But that wasn't all I did today! I also made my earrings for the gala gown, and the headpiece. For the headpiece, I took a circle of millinery wire, wrapped it in white velvet ribbon, and then dyed it turquoise. Then I added a huge triple bow of the turquoise ribbon, and a lace bow with hanging tails. It needed more, though, and many of those headpieces seem to have a piece that runs across the top of the bun or curls, so I took the leftover pleated ribbon from the train, and it fit perfectly! I also dyed some ribbon millinery flowers, which I will either fix onto combs or barrettes, or I will just twist into my hair, since they are on wires. 



Oh, and I tried on Mary Poppins, and despite the weight loss, I don't need to move any hooks and eyes. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing... I'm thinking about possibly wearing my skating bustle on Friday to teach, though, and doing Mary Poppins and the pelisse on Sat or Sun. I still haven't decided what to wear when, but I should probably get on that. 

So at this point, I think this is what is left:
-Make order sash and paint order medals for gala gown
-Try on gala gown so that I can put hooks and eyes at waist of train
-Prep class materials for my class
-Buy supplies for the classes I'm taking
-Make a skirt or dress for Disney, if time

I think that's it, but I'm sure I'll find other things that need doing. However, I'm definitely feeling more relaxed now. 

I finished the cartridge pleating yesterday at lunch, and started on the hem. I was able to knock out about 2/3 of it at rehearsal last night, and I hope to finish it today at lunch. My frogs arrived, so I can sew those on, too. I also forgot that I still had the sleeve ruffles to do, but yesterday I tea-dyed the cotton gauze I bought, so I think I should be able to assemble those this afternoon between work and rehearsal (especially because I managed to finish mowing the lawn yesterday). There's also a little lace I want to sew on the bodice at the neckline. I'm thinking there might actually be the tiniest chance that I can finish all of that today, but I'm not sure. 

I don't have rehearsal tomorrow night, so I should be able to come home from work and go straight into the chemise. I'm free Friday, too, so maybe there's a chance I could do it all by Friday night? That would be nice!

Apparently, I've been sewing and not posting. Whoops. 

Anyway, the Elizabeth Swann gown is nearing completion. It's been going much slower than I hoped, because I forgot just how much hand-sewing is required of 17th century bodices. Anyway, at this point, I have to finish attaching the cartridge-pleated skirt to the bodice, and then I have to hem the skirt and the underskirt. When the frogs I ordered get here, those and a few decorative buttons will be added to the bodice as well.

Until they arrive, though, I'll be moving on to the chemise. I'm not worried about doing this one accurately to the movie, since a) I am wearing it over my stays and a regular chemise, since I didn't feel like boning the whole bodice, and b) the only parts of it that are going to show are possibly the neckline, a tiny strip of the bodice front that can be seen through the bodice h&e closure, and the skirt, since the other skirts are open down the front. So actually, I think I may save myself some time and some heat, and just make it sleeveless! I can always add the sleeves in later if I decide to. 


That's the last full thing I have to make for CoCo. So for my own sanity, this is my CoCo To-do List over the next two weeks:

Elizabeth Swann - attach skirt to bodice, hem skirt and underskirt, make chemise, add frogs/buttons
Turquoise Gala Gown - try it on and add h&e to waist of train, make order sash and medals, figure out hair accessories, make earrings
Mary Poppins - try on and possibly move h&e at waist on waist cincher and skirt.

If I have time, I'd also like to make a new skirt or dress for Disneyland. And today, I have to make a skirt for an etsy order. 

Other than performances, work, and rehearsals, I've been mostly resting my swollen foot for the last few days, but I have managed to get a little sewing done. The Elizabeth Swann underskirt is complete except for the hem, and today, I cut and sewed together my first mockup for the bodice. Hopefully, I'll have time to try it on before rehearsal tomorrow. Fingers crossed that it works!

Oh, and on Sunday, I went to an estate sale, and managed to snag nearly 6.5 yds of navy with red and white plaid worsted wool fabric. I got that, two wooden folding chairs for picnics, a large vintage hatbox, and some flowers to put on hats, all for about $12.50. I'm excited for the wool - I think it's going to be made into a bustle dress. 

Just in case anyone is interested in another option for group costuming at CoCo next year, there is a group of us doing "Keira Knopely" next year. Basically, it will be any relatively bad Keira Knightly costume, particularly the period ones. Please join our facebook group if you're at all interested! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730543827220351/