1795 Muslin Dress

What would a new pair of stays be without a new dress to go along with it? Here is my new day dress made out of a very light blue voile. It’s the same fabric that I used for my chemise a la reine, but don’t tell anyone, tee hee. I used a 1790’s round gown from Costume in Detail as a base for the closure and the Sense and Sensibility drawstring gown as a very rough guide for the pieces. Actually, the bodice is from S and S and the sleeves are from JP Ryan. What a typical Lauren costume, take a little here add a little there, and voila, you have a pattern. Aywhoo, here are the pictures. Enjoy. *Note the completely modern hair and makeup, shock and horror.*

 

Underneath it all :-)

These pics show how the dress works. The bodice ties in the front and the front skirt panel, or apron, is pinned into place.  ( I have no idea why I look so annoyed in that first picture, oh well)

I think it’s nearly impossible to not have an animal in a picture in our house. They’re just so lovey, they have to be near one of us at all times. When mommy’s home, I get to be that one :-)

 

   

Now, I’m going to be making a few open robes to wear on top. Like the one pictured above from the V & A museum.

Out of these fabrics…

That’s all for now. I hope you are all having a great week. God Bless!

Finished Stays

I finished my stays tonight after about three days of work, and yes they are entirely hand sewn. They were very easy to put together and I really like the fit, they’re quite comfortable. Here are some pics on my dress form. They fit me much better, but you get the idea. God Bless!

Stays Progress

Yesterday I started my 1790’s stays. I decided to base them off the the Kent University Stays (see pic below). So far I’m please with the result. I still need to sew the boning channels, add the boning, add straps, and bind them. Here are the pics, Enjoy!

Kent University Stays

 

The actually close all the way on me, cause I can squish, unlike my dress form.

   

CADD Strikes Again…

Dear Friends and Readers,

Firstly, thank you all so much for your sweet comments. I love blog land :-)

Secondly, I have some costume plans and changes in the works (laughs evilly a rubs hands). I’m going to try my hand at the mid 1790’s. You see, I have an event in January that I will be singing at again. Now, singing in a full pair of stays was ok since I only sang one song. However, this upcoming event I will be singing three songs through out the evening, and eating dinner in between. So, the longs stays are just not going to work. Singing on empty, no problem, but combine that with food and long stays, uhuh. So, it’s on to the late, late Georgian and very early, early Regency I go. I’m going to be doing a few things. I need a new mini me “Lady D” hair and some new dresses. So this is what will be in the works for the next few projects. Sorry, the JP Ryan stays are going to be on hold for a little while. But I do promise I will make them. Here are some pics what is to come…

I’m thinking hair about this size.

The Ball

With out further adieu, my friends, here are the pictures, and yes, video of the ball. God Bless and Enjoy!

 

I love this photo, it reminds me of an old southern house.

Angel and Me

Christian and Tara 

Christian, Brad, and Angel

Tara and Christian

This is Aaron’s favorite photo, very ghostly.

 

Tara, in the “Pixie Cage”

Stays and Other Musings.

Hello Friends and Readers, I hope you are having a good week. I don't know about you, but I'm really anticipating the upcoming three day weekend. I need it :-D Anyway, I have been practicing like crazy for our ball this weekend. I met with the pianist last Thursday and I finally feel ready to perform. It's so strange, I haven't been performing regularly for such a long time, I'm really looking forward to it again. I've really loved practicing on my lunch breaks, in the mornings, and evenings. It's been fun. It's also such a blast watching Birdie Boy's reaction to the high notes. It's hilarious he screeches and fluffs up his feathers and chatters.

I also finished my Pierrot jacket and petticoat. It's so pretty and I'm super excited to wear it. However, I intend to torture you all until Saturday. I don't want the other ball attendees to see it until the ball. Tee Hee, I'm a nerd.

I have also been doing some research on stays. I have never been completely happy with the pair I made last year. The armseyes are just a little high and when I sit, they dig into my armpits. The most severe being when I'm in the car, although I don't know if a new pair will remedy the uncomfortableness of a car ride in stays. Anyway, I was thrilled when JP Ryan came out with their strapped half-boned stays pattern. I was hemming and hawing over making another strapped pair or making a strapless pair. I decided on the former, mainly because my impression is upper class, and as a Lady I would have worn a strapped pair. And, as their site says, shape is more important than comfort. So, I ordered it, and I'm now "patiently" awaiting their arrival so I can start. I'm thinking I will do a canvas pair with a silk outerlayer and a muslin lining. I will probably use the leftover blue silk from my robe a la turque and bind the edges in a white muslin. I will probably end up hand sewing them. I have thought about machine stitching the boning chanels, but I like the look of hand stitching so much better, and it's more relaxing and accurate. So, that is the plan for the next few weeks. Here's a picture of the stays pattern. God Bless! Love Lauren.