Jenny La Fleur

*waves*

Yes I’m still alive. This week has been insane with insane amounts of costuming, giggling, eating and party prep going on. Not much time for sleep, LJ entries or sanity. It’s been fun though and I’m pleased to announce that I’m almost finished with the costuming.

I will probably end up with a bit of sewing to do tomorrow (which I did not want to do) but we did push the party back over an hour than previous years so that gives me a little leeway. Also the table is set, most of the party preps done and I’ve dressed in my basic costume a dozen times this year. I’ve even done the hair style before. I’m so glad I went 18th century for the party!! :>

I better get back to my handwork. I’m still working on the stays binding, almost finished with the bottom half. The top half should go much quicker and then I have 3 eyelets and it’s done. I’m still trying to get the sleeve flounces on my sleeves (don’t know if I’ll make it) but I did get the trim on with help.

So far this has been my favorite Twelfth Night. It’s been crazed but the four of us (B, C & L) have all pitched in on finishing up each others costumes and party projects, using our strengths to their best advantage. It’s been interesting and fun.

Tomorrow is going to be such fun, no matter what happens!

The obligatory progress pics of the day. We weren’t able to work on the costume much today (household things, errands and such got in the way) but B and I had another productive evening sewing session. B got most of the stomacher embellishment done and I worked a more eyelets. I know – we need to pick up the pace! :P


My shoes arrived today. Cute huh? :> I wasn’t quite sure if I liked them at first but after wearing them for a couple hours around the house I found they were quite comfortable. The leather actually started to mold to my feet so that they became more comfortable the longer I wore them. I still don’t know how comfortable they will be for dancing (it’s so hard to tell without the buckles or until I dance in them) but I say they are keepers. Anything has to be better than what I have now – they aren’t even comfortable for standing. I’ll have Dad help me with the buckles and wear them to dance class tomorrow night.


I did mange to work a bit on my gown today. After much fussing, I finished pinning the trimming along the neck and one sleeve. I still have to make trim for the other sleeve and then tack it all down.

I popped into Hancock’s today and picked up some sparkles for my ball gown as well. I just couldn’t stand it! :> Since I couldn’t find small (4mm) flat sequins by the packet I bought a length of trim to salvage. I even figured out a way to remove the sequins intact on their string! I’ll use them lose on the ball gown (applying them here and there along the gold trimming) but the string of small sequins gives me evil ideas for other projects. *rubs hands together* Small sequins are so cool! *grin*

Thank you so much for your kind responses to my newest frock. You spoil me so! *curtsies humbly* I’m a bit in awe of how well it turned out. I keep looking at it on Narcissa and thinking “I really made that in 2½ days!”. It helped that this was the second time I'd made that exact dress (hence the better fit) but still... :>

Scotchtown turned out to be the home of Patrick Henry. B informed me of the fact just before I left yesterday. I should have known that I guess. *is ashamed* Anyway, it was a nice event. I ended up sewing most of the evening, although I did sing a little (at last my voice is getting over the flu) and danced one set Rufty Tuffy with Tina. It was a modest house but the hall was lovely for dancing. The acoustics in that room were surprisingly wonderful.


I worked on the trimming for my dress after all. It occurred to me yesterday morning that I was going to wear this on Twelfth Night so I really should work on it. I don’t know why I was thinking I didn’t need to wear it again until the spring! Brain-freeze!

It took me a little while to work out what I wanted to do with the trim but in the end I lined my fabric strips (torn off my extra fabric about an 1¼” wide) with two rows of the gold trim. I then used those basting stitches as gathering stitches and gathered the trim up a bit. I pinned it on the frock last night to get the effect and I like it a lot. It's simple but it adds just enough glamour to work.

The trim will go along the neck and sleeves. I also have some sleeve ruffles ready to be cut (to which I’ll add a bit of the gold trim) but I have to run out and get some fray check before I can do that. I also need to find some lace or embroidered organza for the sleeve flounce…

The dress is done! *whoot*

I'm off to do my hair and depending on how well that goes I may have time to pop some trimming on the frock. :>

*stretches* Okay, time for a break! May I just say it’s been really fun to do nothing but sew the last two days. I haven’t had a sewing marathon like this in way too long. I see still being slightly sickly has its advantages. :>

As you can see I’ve finished up the bodice. I haven’t finished the sleeves because I want them a little shorter. I have to try the gown on to determine the new length and I want to get the skirts on first (or at least that back section secured). I’m going to eat some dinner and then start work on the skirts. My goal is to get them pleated and attached before bedtime. That would leave only the hem and hooks & eyes tomorrow. *squee*

I’m so happy with how well this project is going! I may have time to do sleeve ruffles and some fabric trimming after all – woo hoo! :>

I’ve finished up the back (bodice) so I’m going to call it a night. Yay!

I finished fitting the toile (ooh it looks so much better!), made a master pattern in interfacing and re-cut the lining. I decided to start with the back section, so I first sewed up the back lining. I added a length of Rigiline down the center back this time. I thought it was a good idea since my fabric has a bit of body but without any stiffness. So far it’s working well.

I then cut a length of fabric for the back and began pleating. I used my red stripe as a guide, creating three pleats (one towards the center and two facing out). I did all the pleating flat on a board (rather than trying to pleat on my own back or Narcissa) – it’s so much easier this way and I haven’t noticed a problem with the shape not being right on the shoulders. Once it was all pinned, I hand stitched the pleats to the lining. Once I was done I basted along the edge of the lining piece and then cut the fabric to shape. I roughly cut the extra away – I’ll probably trim some away when I get to the skirt.

I’m really happy with what I’ve accomplished today. If I keep up this pace I will definitely get this done in time, and with sleep involved. :> So tomorrow it’s on to the rest of the bodice…

Thanks you so much for the excellent responses to my last question (which I will respond to individually in a bit) - you guys are great!

I have another question for you'all...

When exactly did close-fronted gowns come in? I'm attending a dance that is set in the early 1770s and I'm wondering if a closed front gown would be appropriate or if I should really have a stomacher and robings.

I'd much rather go with the closed-front gown as it's simpler and I have to make said gown in short order but I don't want to be horribly in-correct. :P

I must also add that I started work on my ball gown today as well. Yep, the ball gown I have to have finished in15 days. Yep, I’m insane, it’s okay.

I am trying to keep it as simple as possible though. I’m using the same pattern as my striped English Gown, with a better fitted back and a square neckline. The fabric is a dark green something-or-other from the stash with a petticoat of the leftover greenish cream cotton sateen from my Cream Tea gown of two years ago. I have some delicate gold trim for the bodice, some lovely silk flowers for a bodice corsage and I may use my Liberty’s of London lace at the neck and/or sleeves. Very simple indeed.

Anyway I cut out my lining today. I’ll use that to fit the back and adjust the neckline before I cut out the green fabric. That is the plan anyway. :>

At the risk of having tomatoes and other produce thrown in my direction I must announce that Bridget and I have decided to change the theme of our Twelfth Night party. I know, I know - but the reasons to switch are very good! :>

Instead of “opera” the theme will be “tavern”, an old fashioned English tavern. Colorful tavern signs everywhere, tankards, wooden plates, the warm glow of candlelight and yummy pub food. The result of too much BBC lately and reading a bio on Shakespeare I think. But who can really tell where this sort of inspiration comes from. :>

The opera theme was just not gelling and B and I were beginning to get frustrated with the whole thing. Not good. We just couldn’t afford or find the things we needed for it. With this new scheme however we are back to being enthused, excited and motivated about the party again so it was the right decision. You know we changed the theme for the last party about this time of year too. :P

The only costume plans (that I know of anyway) that are really ruined are mine. The other plans I’ve heard about should work just fine - this theme actually works better for the pirates I think. I just can’t picture the 1911 opera dress in a Jacobean type tavern, can you? Not that guest attire must match the theme, but I know some have expressed interest in doing so.

While I don’t regret the change in plans (those tavern signs are going to be a blast to make!), I am in a bit of a quandary about my projects for the next 6 months. I could go ahead and make the opera dress as planned but it’s tempting to put it on hold and make something that will fit in with the pirates a bit more now. :> It’s especially tempting when I consider that I could make something to wear for both the October ball and Twelfth Night.

I don’t know. I didn’t realize how much I was looking forward to working on the opera frock until I started contemplating putting it on hold for a while. The excuse and time to make something nice for the ball is tempting though. I don’t really know what I want that project to be, no real inspiration so far. I need to drag out the “fancy fabric” bin and see if there are any possibilities inside, any fabric that “speaks” to me. I don’t have much money for the project as I have to start buying supplies for the *secret* one so soon so using something in the house is best.

I’m up for suggestions if y’all have any though. Any 18th century frocks/styles you’ve ever looked at and thought “Jenny-Rose should make that!”? Yeah I know. *grin*