Practicing new skills

Hello everyone :)

My Victorian sewing is progressing nicely. This last week I have been working on my first chemise.
I am using Laughing Moon #100 as a pattern, and it has been a nice experience. The fabric I got wasn't batiste, but ok for my first try. Totally usable:)

I am also doing the split crotch drawers, to make a full set of unmentionables. I haven't started on those yet, though.

The chemise pattern is kind of a blank canvas, so any embellishments of any sort is up to the maker. I didn't add any lace trim to the neck or armholes, simply because I didn't know if the chemise would have a good fit on me right out of the envelope. I drafted a size 12, and it was pretty much perfect. I did however add some tiny pin tucks to the front and back. They are quick to do and really make a big difference. I pin tucked the fabric before cutting out the pieces, so it was really easy, and no need to calculate extra fabric on the pieces to be tucked.

I also wanted to have my monogram on the chemise, so some embroidery was in order. This was done after the chemise was sewn, but before fastening the facings on the insides, as I didn't want any stitches to show on the inside. Surely, it would have been easier to do before cutting the fabric piece, but again, I didn't know the fit. It was no problem. I used an embroidery ring/hoop, and slid a post-it note between the two layers of fabric to prevent the needle catching the facing.

I haven't done much hand embroidery in the past, but I think it came out ok. The monogram template is from on of my 1919 fashion magazines, and the leafy ring around it was me expressing some artistic freedom.

In other news, my corset is on the back burner for the time being. I needed some notions for it that had to be ordered fro the UK, and the darn shipment is sitting at customs due to "lack of documentation". I guess the seller marked the shipment gift, and now they're  harassing me to spill the beans on the value so they can charge me the taxes. Well, I am sure I'll get my goods eventually.

Have a lovely weekend, and happy sewing ;)

Butterick #5880 - the dress that changed it's mind.

Helluuuu!

A couple of posts ago I mentioned there was a dress to be blogged, and if you've been here before I think you might recognize it :)

Remember this one?

I started this dress in early June, but I cut a size too small and it ended up in a bag.
It really was a huge disappointment, as I had saved these precious three yards of fabric for a special dress, just waiting for that perfect pattern. I pondered a while on what to do with it once the disaster was a fact, and just moved on to other things.

Pretty details :)

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to pull it out and finish it. It was bound to be a pretty dress, so better to sell it, than to have it in two halves in a bag somewhere. Since the plan was to take someones money in exchange, I kind of put my soul in it. It is fully lined with french-seamed cotton voile, I added a waist stay, and did decorative stitches by hand along the neck- and armhole edges. Even tea-dyed the embroidery floss! I hemmed it with me-made bias tape, invisibly, by hand.

I really went to town...!

When it was done, I put it on a hanger and admired it. It was my best work to date. It was perfect.
Just for the hell of it, I decided to try to put it on. I had my underbust corset handy, but pulled the dress on without it. I knew I could get it on with the side zip open.

I slowly pulled up the zip. And it closed all the way! What the ....???

It fitted me, like a glove. Perfect fit! How on Gods green earth did that happen???
Obviously, the dress changed it's mind and decided to fit me, after all :)
(OR; all joking aside; I think yoga is what has happened. I have practiced every day for nearly three months, and I have probably toned up. Who would have thought?)

The only curse now, is that I tossed the (alterated) pattern pieces. Ah the irony!
And needless to say; the dress is no longer for sale ;)