Lazy Summer Days

The warm weather has come...and all I can think of is landscaping and making smoothies and reading in the shade.

Makes me wish I had a Marie Antoinette dress finished so I could have a picnic.

Well, Regency will have to do as the tea is almost here! I'm almost finished with my short stays and then I'll start my dress. I do seem to save things for the last minute all the time. *sigh*

Marie Antoinette Fingerless Mitts

I made these while watching Little Dorrit last night. (which in my opinion, keeps getting better and better!) They made me think of Marie Antoinette's Pink and Yellow gown.
They're now in the SHOP! :)

Summer Sewing List

Here are a few things I'm planning out to work on this summer. But I may change my mind at any moment and add or take away from the list. This is just an idea of what I'm working on in my mind. :)

The beautiful pink and yellow dress from Marie Antoinette:

I've got the underskirt fabric but I still need to find the perfect fabric for the bodice. I also might need to find a better pattern. The one I have is too small for me so I'm not sure if I want to bother sizing it up or not.

The black and white dress from The Duchess:

I'm working on a dress inspired by this, it's not exactly like it, but still Duchess worthy! ;)

Titanic Jump dress:

This has been an ongoing project which may take me a long time to complete. I made a really rushed version of this once but it didn't work so I'm going to take it apart and start over. I also decided I think I want to be a crazy and go all out and completely bead the bodice because I just love that part of the original. I'm currently working on making the hand beaded trim. I'm thinking of starting all over from scratch and using the fabric from this dress to make my Moulin Rouge bodice.

Here is my rugged unfinished first attempt:

Elizabeth Swann Underpinnings:

I'm half way on my corset! I really need to get that out and finish it. Now that I'm done with some of my custom orders maybe I can. :) I'm also planning on making panniers and they will all work under my Marie and Duchess dresses as well.

Will Turner pirate costume:
Yay! I'm so excited about this one! I have almost everything I need to make it now except buttons for the coat and vest. But I have vest fabric and a second hand leather coat I'm remaking into a piratey coat. I still need to buy fabric for his pants though.

If only I could get some of those boots.....:)

Okay...that's all I'll list for now. These are my HOPES of what to work on. We'll see how far I get.

Noteworthy Underpinnings

(above corset & shift from the film "The Patriot")

I can't explain why I have so much interest in underpinnings. I just love chemise/shifts, corsets, panniers, hoops, etc. It may have something to do with underpinnings being the core of the costume. They define your shape and give you that feeling of what the women from that era felt like. So often in films the costume designers make sure that every single person is dressed right down to the stockings in accurate clothing, even extras, because it gives each person a sense of who they are portraying.

Here are a few of my favorite finds over time.

18th Century

(above photo from the film "Marie Antionette")

I love this 18th century shift in this Simplicity pattern. It reminds me of one that Kirsten Dunst wore in Marie Antoinette

(above photo of the stays worn by Keira Knightley in the film "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl")

Butterick Patterns has a lovely 18th Century underpinnings pattern. This one has the option of laces up the front or not. I'm using this pattern right now for my Elizabeth Swann corset and I'm liking it so far! :)

(above photo from the film "Pride and Prejudice")

Past Patterns has a new pattern I can't wait to try. Check out these Transitional Stays.

19th Century

I love this beautiful embroidered corset from the film "Gangs of New York".

(above corset worn by Cameron Diaz in the film "Gangs of New York")

I've heard wonderful reviews of the Silverado Corset from Laughing Moon Mercantile. It's on my "To Buy" list. :) Katherine made a beautiful corset from this pattern HERE.

*sigh* Now I'm inspired. Maybe I shall work on my Elizabeth Swann corset! :)

Some Marie Antoinette Therapy...

This film has got to be the most amazing when it comes to the incredible costumes. There are over 60 scrumptious gowns in this film...(worn by Marie Antoinette alone...that's not even counting everybody else) How can the eye even capture so much in one viewing? Thanks to Costumers Guide you can swoon over each gown in great detail.

Just a small taste to wet your appetite. ;)