a ball gown is begun

I'm just taking a break from sewing (yes - don't faint!) so I thought I would check in here.

I'm finally getting around to working on the gown I'm wearing on Saturday. Yes, I'm insane, it's okay. I don't know why but my costumes either take 6 months or 36 hours to make. I can't seem to get my act together to sew in a more reasonable fashion. *sigh* Still, my gown will be done and it will be lovely and then I can move on to the next thing, right? If I survive of course. :>

So I'm making the green 18th century ball gown I've been talking about for months. The fabric I'm using is a poly/something from the stash. It's actually not the ideal 18th century fabric as it's a bit thick and heavy but I think it will be pretty. The thread counters can just snark behind my back. :> The second fabric in the pic is the left over cotton sateen from my teens Cream Tea gown. You can't tell in pics but it's actually a light green, rather nice with the green ribbed fabric. This will be a petticoat if I have time (if not I'll just wear my cream linen one). I'll trim the neckline in a simple manner with the gold trim for a hint of glamour. I’d like to have some sleeve ruffles but I don’t see me getting to them this week.

I'm using the same pattern as my red stripe, just tweaking the fit a bit. That is what I'm taking a break from at the moment. With Mom's help, it's looking pretty good. I have a little more to take up in the back and it should be good to go. Of course when I trimmed up the waist (which I shortened in the process of making the red stripe if you recall but never changed on the master pattern) I forgot to factor in a seam allowance so I have to recut the lining. No matter, now I can use this lining as my new master pattern.

My eventual plan, once I have another proper 1770s ball gown, is to convert this gown to a 1780s "zone" front gown. I'm thinking an arrangement where the zone part is made of my custom dyed green silk and worn with the matching quilted petticoat would be very dashing. :> That will be a late 2006 or 2007 project though...

Okay - back to work! :>