1911 evening gown plans

[jennylafleur]

*drumroll* My 1911 evening gown plans. *Ta da!* :>

Can you tell I have been having way too much fun with the costume already? *grins sheepishly* It's funny how circumstances, supplies and inspiration can suddenly and perfectly come together for a frock. I was bitten by the 19-teens bug last month when I started work on my kimono. I think it was re-reading all my Titanic books. And I have some very cool Titianic books too. :> When Bridget and I came up with the idea of doing "Opera" as our theme for Twelfth Night 2006, I knew I wanted to wear a teens dress.

I also knew I wanted to use this dramatically orange ribbed silk. Okay, so it's not actually silk but it looks like it. Lovely stuff really. My fate was sealed when I pulled out this cream and orange silk chiffon. The chiffon is actually silk and it matches the ribbed "whatever" almost perfectly. I've all three pieces of fabric for years now but never thought to put them together before! *duh*

Originally my concept was for more of a teens era fancy dress costume but as I started to narrow down my design ideas, I moved more toward a simple evening gown. Those fabrics just don't need much to "pop".


I was heavily inspired by this c1911 gown (I *think* it's from Karen Augusta but I collected the image so long ago I'm not sure) and this 1912 fashion plate from elegant_musings's collection. My sketch isn't great I know but it gives you an idea of where I'm going. The colored version is a very rough idea for sure. I definitely went a little heavy on the blue there.

I'm not entirerly sure how I'm going to mix in all the fabrics at the top. I think this is one of those costumes that is going to evolve as I work on it. I really want to showcase my lovely fabrics/colors and that will require hands on draping and allowing them speak for themselves as I work. Should be a fun challenge.

I really like the idea of having one large piece of beading and leaving the rest simple though. I haven't decided what the motif will be exactly but I'm thinking a stylized butterfly or poppies would be fun. I also like the idea of adding some blue/turquoise to the color scheme. It would set off the orange so beautifully. If I go with poppies I may add some red and/or amber as well in the beading. We'll see.

So what do you think? :> Any ideas for a name for it - "my circa 1911 evening dress" is so boring.

Now I really should work on my day dress design so I can make that up first… this project just seems more fun at the moment for some reason…*grin*

Comments

[elegant-musings.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess the difference is your post is public and mine was highly restricted (for critique only! ;). :D

Well, the orange isn't understanted, but it isn't as highly embellished as we had been scheming about. ;)

Yeah, underwear and day dresses. :p B-O-R-I-N-G!! :D *winks*

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, it was locked huh? You secretive thing you. :>

Yeah, well... I started looking at my 2005 sewing schedule and knew I won't get some of our more outrageous schemes even started let alone finished. Besides I like this particular fabric as is.

Someday maybe I'll go all out though... :>