theladyrebecca: (Default)
Friday dawned bright and early, since I had a class at 9am. My first class was 18th c Criminal Couture, taught by Emma Cross, which was very fascinating! I wore my red wool riding habit, and met up (at various times) with [livejournal.com profile] bauhausfrau, [livejournal.com profile] girliegirl32786, [livejournal.com profile] jenthompson, and [livejournal.com profile] the_aristocat, who were all also decked out in riding habits and redingotes.





                                              Red!                                                                                           Blue!



After our first meetup, I attended [livejournal.com profile] harmanhay's "Starting a Small Costuming Business" class, had lunch with [livejournal.com profile] theladysarah and [livejournal.com profile] zoccolaro, checked out the costume exhibition, and eventually attended Loren and Bunny's "We Like Big Hats" class. And then I got ready for the Ice Cream Social! I wore my Robe a la Turque, which was nice, since it meant I hardly had to change at all from the afternoon. Unfortunately, for some reason pretty much all of my pictures from the Ice Cream Social came out really fuzzy, but I loved seeing all the different costumes! Some of my favorites were the Disney Villains, Kendra and Merja's Maja dresses, [livejournal.com profile] vanessa_lynne's amazing pink 18th c frothyness, Emma's 18th c tinkerbell, and Jen's Ikat open robe.

After the Ice Cream Social (and a brief and fairly disappointing turn round the Marketplace), it was time for the Pink Princess Party! I had more fun there this year than in year's past. It's a great time to get to actually slow down and chat with people I often don't otherwise see. I wore my fairytale toile dress, and felt like a 5-yr old going to a birthday party. Can't you tell?


I'll be back with the rest of the recaps soon!

Ummm...

Jan. 29th, 2013 03:18 am
theladyrebecca: (Default)
No UFO completion for me. Or at least, not really. I did initially say I would do mending as my ufo, but in my mind, I had changed that to the riding habit (or at least the jacket part). Technically, I did actually do a little mending! I bought a fur stole off of ebay that I had intended to cut and make into a fur muff. But it was just too pretty! So instead, I stitched up the three tears in the fur, and now it's wearable! And pretty! And soft! And apparently I really like fur now. (Only vintage - I would never buy a new fur).

On the other hand, I didn't do any of the mending I had originally intended, and the riding habit jacket is pretty much nowhere near completion. At this point, the skirts have been pleated to the bodice, the collar is/was finished, but has not been attached (mostly because when I went to attach it, I found I had cut it too long, so now I need to adjust it...), and the sleeves are sewn together but not attached. And then of course there's all the trimming. Pretty sure I'm not going to have it done for the portrait sitting I'm doing next Friday, either. I've just been feeling so unproductive and unmotivated this week!

In past news, I had an absolutely wonderful time at the 18th c card party last Saturday. The pictures from my camera can be found at this facebook album (let me know if you can't see them - I have no clue what my privacy settings are anymore). Everyone looked gorgeous, and it was lovely to meet new people, and catch up with the few people I already knew. Here's a quick teaser:


Here's a couple additional pics of the completed Robe a la Turque.


And here's my mink!


This week, I'm looking forward to joining at least one of the ladies from last Saturday's card party at an Austen-based Improv Show, where I will be dressed up in my pseudo-Regency Chemise a la Reine. :)

Yay!

Jan. 17th, 2013 12:02 am
theladyrebecca: (Default)
I'm done with the robe a la turque! I do plan to make a fichu, but I don't count that, because everything I actually needed is done done done! Tomorrow, I hope to put everything on and do a photo shoot on me (and of course make sure everything still fits), so you can expect photos of that later.

But for now, here's a quick sneak peek! (Please ignore the fact that the bodices won't close on Antoinette)


Also, does anyone have a particular technique for pinning bodices closed the 18th c way?
theladyrebecca: (Default)


I'm soooo close to being done with the robe a la turque project. I literally have about 2 feet of the hem left, and that's it. Though if I can find cotton gauze at Pacific fabrics tomorrow, then I'm also going to make myself a new fichu. I don't think my old one is fluffy enough for the 1780s.

Oy.

Jan. 14th, 2013 05:40 pm
theladyrebecca: (Default)
One sleeve down, three more to go! Someone please tell me why I'm setting these sleeves in using the 18th c method on the underbodice. If I manage to finish the overgown, no one is going to see them anyway!

Edit: Oh my gosh, that was sooo much better! For sleeve #2, I decided to set it the 18th c way, but so it by machine. I used a larger stitch so it might resemble hand-sewing a bit more. It took me less than 10 mins, and looks so much better than the one I did by hand. I also hemmed the sleeves (by hand), and that means the underbodice is done!!!

So now I just have to draft out the overbodice sleeves, set those, trim the overbodice, and do the hems on the gown and the petticoat. The petticoat hem is being done by machine, though. It's sheer, so there's no way I can avoid the stitches showing anyway.

Done!

Jan. 13th, 2013 12:42 am
theladyrebecca: (Default)
I finished the cloak! I'm really happy with it. I'm sure I'll post pictures eventually. And I cut out the shoulder strap pieces for the two bodices. I have to attach them, attach the underbodice sleeves, figure out the pattern for the overbodice sleeves, make those, and hem the robe and the petticoat. And I'm wearing this all in less than a week. Ahhhh!!!!

In other news, my silk came today for the 17th c gown. Of course, I'm not sure I like it. I held it up to the inspiration portrait, and the base color is the same, but it's shot with either brown or black, so the whole thing just seems so much more brown than orange! But if I send it back, I'm out like $20+. And I have no perfect fabric. So now I don't know what to do. Why oh why didn't I buy that gorgeous orange silk taffeta back at Home Fabrics?!?! I'm honestly thinking - if any of you socal readers are planning on hitting the fabric district sometime in the next couple months, would it be possible for someone to send me fabric, and I'll pay you back? Because I can't seem to find that perfect orange anywhere online...

Otherwise, maybe I'll just settle for poly taffeta.
theladyrebecca: (Default)


The cloak is mostly done. All it needs is a hem and a bit of seam binding. And someday I'll line it with silk.

 

I cut out and sewed up the sleeves for the robe a la turque underbodice, which means now I just have to set them in, and the underbodice is done. I haven't decided what to do for closures. I have a feeling for now I may just wind up pinning it shut while I figure out what method I would like best.

 

And I'm over halfway done stitching the lining down to the overgown. I did also finish stitching the skirt in the CB, so that's really mostly waiting on a sleeve mockup now.

theladyrebecca: (Default)
Here's the Robe a la Turque pictures I promised you! You'll have to wait a little bit longer for the 1950s makeup pics.


Photos Under the Cut! )



Unfortunately, I got nothing done on it today. I went and saw Anna Karenina (the art direction and score were amazing, and the cinematography was wonderful. The costumes were fantastic on everyone except Keira Knightly, who looked like she was stepping out of a Victorian-inspired Vogue photoshoot.) After running some errands, my roommate dyed my hair, I redid my nails, and I wound up having enough time to cut out the cloak pieces (minus the hood), and write this post. :) Hopefully I'll get more done tomorrow.
theladyrebecca: (Default)
All the bodice pieces are together, except straps and sleeves, for both the under and overbodices. The skirts for the overbodice are pleated and attached, though I still need to hand-sew the last couple inches at the center back, since I didn't feel comfortable doing that by machine. I also need to hand-sew the bottom of the lining down over the edge of the pleats.

I did a mockup for the long fitted sleeve of the underbodice, and while it's still a little hard to tell if it's exactly right without actually setting it in, I think I've got it (though I am going to take off about 1/2" around the front of the armseye on the bodices, since it's causing some wrinkles).

I'm feeling a bit nervous about the looming deadline (I'm wearing this on the 19th) since it seems like there's so much hand-sewing I need to do on it. Though I am feeling a bit glad that at the very least, I can wear the underbodice and petticoat as a full outfit, just in case I can't finish everything in time. I know I have over a week left, but I don't feel like I can go much longer without making the cloak from Costume Close-up. The red wool is calling me!


In any case, I did two rounds of photos today - the first was me playing around with the 1950s lipstick tutorial that American Duchess posted recently, and the second is all the robe a la turque stuff. I plan to post those by tomorrow night.
theladyrebecca: (Default)
I'm suffering from a mild case of CADD, mixed with lack of time. It's making me not very productive. On the other hand, I've come up with an idea of sorts for the pre-CosCol Disneyland trip which [Poll #1888814]

As far as the robe a la turque goes, I've assembled the outer overbodice pieces and the skirts of the robe, and have cut out almost all of the pieces for both bodices - all I have left to cut out are the straps, and the the interlining for the back and side back pieces.
theladyrebecca: (Default)
Since I've now completed the customary year in review, that means it's time to post the goals for 2013!

1. Finish the riding habit. It's at least about half-way done at this point. The skirts of the bodice need to be attached, I need to figure out how to do the huge collar, the sleeves, and all the trimming.

2.
The Robe a la Turque. The petticoat is done. I'm currently working on the gown - the bodice and skirt are cut out.

3. 18th c red cloak. I already have the fabric.

4. 17th c gown. Based on this portrait. I'm in the process of buying fabric - I'm actually springing for silk taffeta!

5. Regency corset. I wanted to take the class at CosCol last year but was waitlisted. Maybe I'll get in this year?

6. Regency day dress. I bought swiss dot last year. I'm just waiting to make the corset first.

7. Regency overgown. Again, I already have the fabric.

8. Edwardian jacket for my mom. The mockup is done - I just need to actually make the jacket now.

9. Victorian waistcoat for my dad for Dickens next year.

10. 1950s cotton-printed dress to wear to Disneyland before CosCol.

11. Victorian button boots. I will probably make two pairs. I'm going to try making it from canvas first, and if that works out, then I'll spring for leather.

12. Possibly a pet en lair or caraco.

I think that's enough to be getting on with.
theladyrebecca: (Default)
I don't feel like I was all that productive this year, probably since the early candy bustle wound up taking up soooo much of my time, but I did make a fair bit leading up to CosCol.

Pictures under the cut. )



My goals for 2012 were:
-a black knee length skirt. I didn't make one, but I bought one!
-the 1869 Pink Candy Striped Early Bustle Gown. Completed!
-Titanic gown. I started one, but I never finished it. The skirt is done, and the bodice is partially done. Now it's languishing as a ufo.
-Teens-era corset. Completed!
-Ballgown bodice for my black and gold plaid Dickens dress. Completed!
-Late Victorian jacket for my mom. She decided she wanted an Edwardian one instead. I've fitted the mockup to her, but haven't actually started the final jacket.
-Late Victorian bathing suit. Completed!
-18th c Robe a la Turque. Not for 2012, but I've finally started it!
-18th c quilted petticoat. Completed!
-1780s-style red wool Riding Habit. Started, but not yet finished.
-18th c red wool cloak. Nope, not yet.
-a Victorian waistcoat for my dad for Dickens. Nope, but I'll do it this year!
-18th c mitts. Nope.
-Regency corset. I didn't get into the CosCol class last year. We'll see if I can manage one on my own before this year's CosCol.
-Regency day dress. Nope.
-Regency overgown. Nope.

Overall, not too bad.
theladyrebecca: (Default)
I love 18th c petticoats. They're so quick and easy!




And a close-up so you can see the weave of the stripes. The fabric is either a poly or poly-blend, probably intended for window sheers. I found it in the back corner of Home Fabrics in the LA fabric district at CosCol this year. It's 120" wide, and between  [livejournal.com profile] llyrafantasyfae and I, we split the entire bolt.



And now it's decision time - to do a ruffle, or not to do a ruffle? And do I want to make the under bodice parts (the long sleeves and the stomach area of the zone front) out of this fabric, or just a plain white? The rest of the robe will be a "silk-blend" blueish-periwinkle-ish taffeta. Any opinions?

Project #0

Dec. 30th, 2012 02:53 am
theladyrebecca: (Default)


I started on the robe a la turque petticoat after work today. I washed the fabric, cut it, serged the edges, and assembled the pieces. It's such a lightweight fabric that I'm doing four panels instead of my usual two, so it will hopefully have a lot of nice pouf. Tomorrow, I'm going to pleat it all up and attach the waist tapes (note to self: buy waist tapes). I'd like to finish it, minus the hem (which as usual I don't plan to do yet) by tomorrow night. I was originally thinking of adding a ruffle to this petticoat, but now that there's going to be so much fabric in it anyway, I'm not so sure. Plus, I don't get my discount at work until Jan 10th, and I would need a new pinking sheers if I'm going to do a ruffle.

 

Also, I hate Downton Abbey. That Christmas special was just plain cruel.

 

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