I must have lost my mind

[jennylafleur]

This week has been pretty *eh* so I just indulged in a little retail therapy and ordered myself the early Christmas present of some costume patterns. Yes not only am I starting a CC project this month but I’m actually using patterns, think of that!

Unhappily my scanner is being a butt at the moment so I can’t fill in details with pathetic sketches and evil plans but lets just say that the company I ordered from this evening is known by the title Truly Victorian. Yes you wicked CC Victorian costumers, you win!! To the dark side I go. pinkdiamond’s latest picture post (of her gorgeous Wishing Gown) was the last straw. But really I blame jennil & laurenmonkey most of all. You are such a bad influence – all of you!

I got the underwear patterns (TV101 & LM100 plus the bustle wire) for now. As boring as it is, underwear must come first. These things seem much less painful on the checkbook when bought in pieces anyway. :>

Comments

[lindseyerin37.livejournal.com]

I'm heading that way too. Scarey, isn't it?

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Totally! Just when I thought it was safe to say "I will never"!! :>

[dormous.livejournal.com]

Yay! I think you'll really enjoy this period. Can't wait to see what you do! You know you've come over to the Dark Side when the costume eras you DON'T make get less and less!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

I hope so! It is certainly more complicated than the 18th century construction I've been in lately but I think it will be fun to wear. Really, what says "princess" more than a frilly bustle dress?! :>

[jennil.livejournal.com]

YAY!!!!! I'm SO looking forward to seeing what you do with the bustle era! And oh so proud of myself for being one of the bad influences to suck you into this! *pats self on back* ;)

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

*hee hee* I figured you would enjoy the news. I'm not sure whether to thank you or kick you... I guess it depends on how fabulous I look at CC. :> *LOL*

Really, I'm excited. It's been so long since I looked at a picture or pattern and said "I want that" and just did it. As opposed to making something I happen to have the fabric for or have an event for or know that won’t break my budget or having to compromise what I want for what is appropriate for an occasion. Yay for CC where no one cares what I wear as long as it's pretty!!

I'm a bit nervous diving into a period which I have no experience with (and without the time to research it like I have with past projects) but with Hunnisett and the TV patterns that I have heard nothing but good things about and so many costume buddies familiar with the period (you'all have to help me you know!) it should be okay.

Besides I keep noticing all the 18th century touches. I love that so much is just a Victorian version of the late 18th century style. :> I really want to do one of those 1880s watteau back tea dresses now. I love how fashion is never really new!

[jennil.livejournal.com]

Don't be nervous, you'll be awesome at this, I just know it! :) And the patterns you've picked are great. The TV #101, I was nervous to try, and it really made sense and went together just fine! And of course, I'm a fan of the LM #100 too. :) The only thing not awesome about that one is that the chemise has some fitting issues around the arms. There is mention of it at the GBACG web site, in their Great Pattern Review. It worked out okay for me with just tapering the seam allowance a bit, but now that I've worn it a couple of times, I'm thinking I would have liked a bit more room, so next time I'll fix that. . . And if you do lace trimmings, definitely be careful to choose something very soft indeed. I did a poly lace and it scratches me - very uncomfy in such a tender spot as the underarm area!

I too love how fashion trends keep repeating themselves! I have a blouse I bought within the past couple of years which is SUCH a short 18th century chemise. Gathered at the neck by a drawstring, and sleeves that are just slightly loose, elbow length, and also gather on a drawstring. I ♥ that blouse. :)

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the tips and hints! I'll be needing more as I go along I'm sure. :> Oh yeah chemise... I'll need one huh? Chemises and shifts have to be the least exciting things in costuming! Oh well. *grin*

[laurenmonkey.livejournal.com]

Woot! Welcome to the dark side! Muahahahaha!!!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

You and your black mourning gown are entirely to blame you know! I adored that outfit, especially when I found out you used patterns that didn't require scaleing up. What bustle did you wear under that skirt by the by?

I won't be too enthusiastic, I'll be pestering you with questions and demanding your opinion on it before long! :>

[laurenmonkey.livejournal.com]

Wow! I'm beyond flattered! Thank you!
The bustle was the Truly Victorian one- the ruffle butt one without the hoops at the bottom... the name escapes me. With all the weight of the other fabrics it was a blessing to be able to actually SIT without hiking up hoops. I absolutely love the thing and it was super easy to make! If you make it with eyelet lace it will go by like a dream! I'm actually going to try to make a garment district run sometime in the near future so if you want me to pick you up some of the same lace I used let me know- I adore the stuff and might pick up a bolt of it.
Yeah, TV patterns are your friends... I've scaled up an arnold bodice, but with the exception of that all my victorians have been from TV bases... all the successful ones, anyways ;)
I'm so glad you're making one! And yes, pester away! I love it!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info! Oh I'm liking the eyelet idea (hemming is so evil). Yes please pick me up enough eyelet for the ruffles next time you are up there (whatever you used plus enough for another row - I'm taller than you ;>) and let me know what I owe you. Thanks!

[lmcbeth.livejournal.com]

hahahahahahahaha!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you are to blame too! Stinker.

[chloeandrudy.livejournal.com]

Victorian rules!!! Frilly. Frothy. Poofy.
What you'll love about TV, other than the pattern is already made, is the variety they have and you can mix and match since the bodices and skirts are separate. You can go very elaborate or very plain with the same pattern.
Hmm. Don't have an icon in any Victorian dress. I'll have to work on that.

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've enjoyed trolling through the message board looking at the different combos people have come up with. The fact that I don't have to scale up or figure out what the correct proportions are for a modern figure makes me quite giddy. Not that I don’t enjoy the challenge of said to achieve the results I want but what just use a pattern - what ever shall I do with myself?! :>

[laurenmonkey.livejournal.com]

Eyelet pics for you :)


I have 15 yards, and it's about 10" wide. If you like it and need more, let me know by saturday morning if you can, cause I'll be without internet for the weekend! Oh, and it was $2.50 a yard. If you don't like it, no biggie- I can use it to make more pretty underwear :)

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much - oh I love it! I just sent a note to the e-mail on your website (blacktopjuly at gmail dot com)...