Finished costumes

Well, not entirely finished. I still have to hem the chemise and fix a couple goofs on my bodice and trim all the loose threads and add those last touches, but for all intents of purposes, three weeks ahead of schedule (because usually I leave this up until the last day) I have finished these costumes. :) Go Me. (okay, except for my friend's snoods, but those barely take an afternoon, so golly, I'm not real worried.)

After seeing the dark blue dress on my friend, it was very clear that while the sleeves fit my friend to a T, the dark color did not, so I sacrificed this fabric to the cause. :) I've had it for a couple years and was searching for the perfect pattern and well...this was the perfect pattern. Literally. I had like half a yard left.

I shortened both the dress itself and the sleeves so my friend won't be tripping/struggling with it so much, but those sleeves are still long enough to use as weapons, which my friend is likely to do if she gets bored. Since eyelets are anathema (hate them with a virulent passion bordering on mania) I went with cabone rings sewn on the inside of the fabric. Not period, but much nicer looking than eyelets and more secure than hooks and eyes. The sleeves are tied on, which is a look I like.



This is the second bodice and it's even busier in person. This photo actually tones it down a bit, which is a pity. I will be wearing harem trousers under this bodice, just like the first, because when you get right down to it, I want to be as comfortable as possible and it doesn't get much more comfortable than this.

I tried to line this bodice, but finally gave up after the lining (the same as the pants and shirt) slithered out of my grasp for the ump-teenth time. I'm only wearing it for a day, I don't think anyone will stone me because I didn't line it. I did get a bit creative with the binding, however. I took the scraps from the petals (the skirt) and made the binding myself, then sewed it around the edges. I think it gives it a nice look. Also, if I had to do it again, I would not use quite so many petals on this bodice. I about cried before finally getting them on there.




And finally, the chemise I am making for my friend. She sent me the measurements, but one of us is obviously confused because, while my friend is nearly a head taller than me and I am easily 100+ pounds heavier than her, this chemise is still entirely too big. I love the sleeves though, you could hide a small dog in them.

The fabric is great. It's a very very lightweight brushed suede, nearly as light and soft as cotton, with a gorgeous flower motif. Thankfully, I have enough left over to make something for myself. :)