In the Queue

So, I thought it would be a good idea to make a list of costume ideas and inspirations that I have so I will remember them and because it is fun. Some of these are actually in the queue to be made and others will probably never get done but are fun to plan at 3 in the morning when I’m laying awake figuring out how I’d make this or that. So here is some of my pending garb and here are some on my wishlist.

1912 Day Dress

This is going to be my next project-I think.  I’ve been wanting to make a 1910s dress for sometime and I really like the shape of this one, plus it combines other historic elements, which I like a lot.

One of the things the I’m trying to puzzle out is how the dress opens.  Part of the problem is the lack of a face-on picture.  I’m thinking that the bodice opens a bit on the side, under the flower corsage.  I do wonder if it is all one piece, which seems standard for the time period, or if the lace skirt is separate.  Hmmm…  Also, how large is having a flower corsage on my waist going to make me look?

I don’t know about what undergarments would be appropriate for this period.  I think a long, narrow corset like the Edwardian corset from Truly Victorian might be the key.  Plus there are some really pretty underthings patterns on that site.  Yay for lacy drawers!! 

The other awesomeness about this outfit is the possibility of a GIANT hat.  With plumes. And a big bow.  And we all know I’m a sucker for a good hat!

1888 Worth Gown

The other gown I’m thinking about making for D*Con is a Victorian Day Dress.  (Apparently day dresses are all the rage with me!)

I don’t’ know exactly what attracts me to this dress so much, except that I love the swooping trim in the front and the sash.  The upside of making this dress is that I already have all of the undergarments that I would need for it.  However, as my other Victorian is the same color brown as this one, I think that I’ll change up the color of this one.

For the trim, it is the same motif over and over, swooping up the front, overlapped on the bodice and peeking out the sleeves.  Luckily, cheeptrims sells appliques by the bagful and I don’t think they will be that hard to aquire.  I love the beading on the tassels and in the split of the skirt.  Again, that should be fairly easy to do.

I don’t have a pattern that even roughly resembles the layout of this dress, so it is going to require some serious drafting and playing about with muslin to figure it out.

Another detail I really like is the pleated skirt peaking out from the bottom.  That is the best thing about the Worth gowns, all of the meticulous details.

The other upside is that this dress also deserves a fun hat!!  I think this time, I’d really like one that ties under the chin

Elizabethan Lady

I have 10 yards of peach silk that yearns to be made into this dress. I’ve probably had the fabric for four years and when I bought it, this was the idea in the back of my mind. The beginning problem is undergarments. I have an effigy corset, but it sits too high and needs to be remade and I just can’t make myself do it. Once that is done, I need to make the wheel farthingdale. It is definitely doable, I just need to find the motivation for the undergarments. I want to make the full dress with the hanging sleeves, the big “Medici” ruff, and gloves to go with it. I’m undecided as to whether the dress will be open on the front with an underskirt or closed. The gloves are also an upcoming project and may get done before the outfit ever makes it off the drawing table. I also want to make a really beautiful embroidered stomacher for this dress, much like the one in the Tudor Tailor. Hopefully, if I can get started on the gloves, it will inspire me with the rest of the ensemble.

Pet-en-l’air or Robe à la Française

I’ve wanted to make a sack-backed gown for quite a while, then Scott and I went to Colonial Williamsburg during the summer of 2010 and a sack gown became a necessity. It is rather hard to justify, because I can’t wear it to SCA, but I already have an 18th Century corset (I mean, who doesn’t ;P ) so the gown making is ready to commence. While in Williamsburg, I bought the Mill Farm Robe ‘A La Francaise pattern, a pair of stockings, and an embroidery pattern to make a pocket, so I’m all set.

I think this is one of the most lovely gowns in history. It is so graceful. I just want to make it and parade around in it.

If I ever get around to making it, I’d like to do it in some sort of stripe, maybe with a floral pattern. They have the perfect fabric pattern in the ticking section of my Joann’s, but I don’t know that pillow ticking would make a great dress. Maybe I could do an experiment with it and see if it can be made into something other than a pillow. Hmm.

Janet Arnold Victorian Promenade Dress

Does anyone want to play Victorian with me? I have a compulsion to make Victorian garb, but nowhere to wear it. Whatever… sometimes costuming must be done regardless of reason.

I have an absolutely huge list of Victorian costumes that I desperately need. I truly believe there is nothing better than a bustle! To the left is a picture of the Janet Arnold dress that I have a hankering to make. It is a premenade dress c. 1873-1875. I want to make it in a blue and white stripe with navy trim. I’ve wanted to make it for years, ever since I got Patterns of Fashion 2. I already have the corset and bustle that would be needed to support the dress. Now it is just finding the time and resources to make it.

With SteamPunk being so popular nowadays, Victorian goes over very well at Dragon Con and maybe this will be one of my costumes at an upcoming Con.