jennylafleur | berthas

I'm starting to feel better - yay!

I took a break from the endless ruffles today (I have two rows finished, I'm only doing one more until Oct!!) and worked on the bodice. The real reason to mess with the bodice is to come up with a solution for those shoulders that won't stay on. I was going to go with the cheater elastic idea but then i remembered how cold I was last year.

So I went back to the collar/bertha idea. I found several versions of this concept in my books (I will scan the for you later) so I decided to go with a "V" sort of thing. I liked the idea of more stripey fun so I cut two strips on the bias (I'm getting pretty good with all this practice!). My original idea was to gather the bertha at the front and sides. That was not cute so on to plan "B".

Trim down the size a bit and go for no gathers. I like it better but really I don't know if I like it. What to you think? Does it need something else, a ruffle or lace or something. *ponders*

Yes and kitty cuteness - Nefret was keeping me company yesterday. "I wanna help mommy!"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I love the stripes and the matching....I was going to post earlier but got distracted. I have some pics to put up with some kitty help too....You caught my eye with the word Bertha because I'm doing my first 1860's ballgown and yes, it's TV 442. I found at JoAnn's some 45" wide lacy material that I think I want to put on it but I'm not quite sure how to go about it. I just thought I'd mention and I'll get pictures posted either later tonight or in the morning. I'm glad you're feeling better.

Thanks! I like the lighter looking berthas so your fabric sounds nice... :>

I like it a lot, but yes I agree it needs a little something. Black lace, ruffled stripe fabric, black folded ribbon. You need something to break up or add to the stripes. Whatever it is, it should be black.

Anything added to the bottom would only make it look like a cape, lace whatever needs to added to the neckline. What jewelery are you wearing with the dress? That matters too.

Oh folded ribbon... that might work. I'll have to do some experimenting. I'm going to add ribbon the tops of the ruffles anyway.

As for jewelry I'm not sure. I have a large ivory cameo brooch that proved too heavy for the bodice last year but it might work now. I was also thinking of lengthening the chain on a gold & pearl cross I have and doing something like this:
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/objectid/O13834

Looking at it again, can you make the Bertha in black with black lace overlay? That would be stunning with just a little hit of black lace on the last layer of ruffle around the sleeve, just a peek of black lace there.

I thought of making the bertha in black silk chiffon actually but the contract was too much. The fabric isn't actually black or gray, it's shot white and a dark brown that somehow registers to the eye as dark gray. It's really weird actually and I gave up on trying to match thread. A hint of black works with it but too much looks awkward.

I agree, adding some lace would really pull it together. Also, I think it would be cool if the stripes Ved in towards the CF?

I think it would be cool too but I tried it and no. I can't do it if I cut the stripes on the bias and I can't get it to sweep across the shoulders nicely without the bias stretch. Moo.

Yeah for red tabby cat sewing room assistants! Your Nefret looks so much like my Pooka!

Cats are great sewing buddies. Nefret will keep me company as long as I don't get on and off the bed too much. :>

I like it and your helper! I agree it needs something though. I really like Kendra's suggestion of having the stripes chevron in the middle (if you have enough fabric left to cut a new one) and I think a little ruffle would just be too cute around the bottom!

Chevron stripes would be cool too but I tried it and no. I can't do it if I cut the stripes on the bias and I can't get it to sweep across the shoulders nicely without the bias stretch. Moo. I think you are right about a little ruffle... it needs something.

Oh shoot! Too bad about it not working but I'm sure it will be lovely.

I love the effect you get by altering the direction of the stripes. Looking smashing so far!

Thanks - I love working with stripes!

I prefer the V shaped one. Regular reminder - Hunnisett has berthas! You could try pleating the V shaped one from the neck to the edge? Personally I don't like the idea of a dark contrast, unless it was light and lace - could look bunchy and like a scarf.

Oh I forgot to look in Hunnisett - silly Jenny! I'll try the pleating idea. No I don't like the dark contrast either, it's too heavy and as you say bunchy.

Hmm, yes, the bodice/bertha needs a little something. I'm not sure quite what but you are getting closer and closer to the "aha, THAT's it" moment. Like the biased cut ruffles on the sleeves and skirt, which made your nice original version really pop into a wow-that's-cool dress. I look forward to seeing what you decide to do. Will be nice, I'm sure!

Thanks! It's good to know people think I'm on the right track... I was begining to wonder if I was way off!

i like the flat one, and i think it needs something else too, something black maybe, and maybe a bit of a ruffle? whatever you do it'll be gorgeous!!

Good, I'm glad you like the flat. I think I've been looking at it to long to be objective. I'm thinking some light black lace (if I can find such a thing in the stash) or a hint of a ruffle - don't want to go too cupcake-ish!

Such a lovely job so far!

How about piping and self-fabric rosettes?

berthas - ahhh!

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