Jenny La Fleur

I finally got the pattern to print late last night . I had to do it on Dad's computer/printer but I got it done. Stupid computer.

The first toile was *eh*. It needed a fair amount of work, which was disheartening, but I really liked the shape of the pieces and how they looked on me. The way the front panels looked with the stripes was just what I wanted.

I thought again about ditching what I wanted for another pattern but then thought "I CAN DO THIS" and went back into my room determined to beat the wretched project into submission. (Take that you costume!) Then I realized that part of my problem might be that I hadn’t added seam allowances before I cut out the toile. Duh!

So I've re cut the toile, tweaking it here and there per some of the issues I noted with the first and adding proper seam allowances. I'm just taking a break now before sewing it together. We are supposed to go out for BBQ to celebrate the Jayhawks victory over VA Tech (yay!) anytime now so maybe I'll just leave it there for now.

Not much to show for my sewing day but really toiles are a pain and my attitude is much better now so progress has been made.

As most of you know I'm accompanying several LJ friends to Edgar Allen Poe's home in Baltimore to celebrate his birthday. In costume of course.


The only snag in the plan is that I don't have anything remotely 1830s-1850s, so a new costume is in order. I blame watching North & South and drooling over the recently auctioned Tasha Tudor collection but the 1840s suddenly seem almost pretty. It's never seemed attractive before this year. In fact I swore I would never make an 1840s dress, which just goes to show that you should never say never in costuming!

I decided that to avoid the cupcake look (which this era tends to favor on me) I needed to keep the lines as simple and uncluttered as possible. Simple also fits my deadline. I drew my inspiration from the above gowns (found via Demode's archive).


I was tickled when I found the exact pattern for the style in good old Hunnisett. *hugs book* It even has the option for the collar, which I'm not sure I'll do or not but it's nice to know it's there as an option. :>


The fabric is a medium weight grey stripe of questionable fiber content. It's been in the stash so long I don't even remember which state it was bought in. It may have even come from Wal-Mart’s bargain table, I really don't remember. There is a good amount of it so I shouldn't have to scrimp on the skirt or trimmings - yay. I love the idea of using the stripe as a design element on my rather plain gown, should help it look more interesting. Some striped pipping or ruffles would be fun, although I'm not sure I'll have time to mess with such details. The event is on the 20th of this month after all.

All this will be worn under my (yet unmade) bustle chemise, Frederick's reboned corset, & my old civil war ruffled petticoat. (I'll have to re-pleat the waistband on that I think.) To finish off I want a simple lace collar, brooch, lace mitts and shawl. All of which I have (I'm hoping there is a lace collar in the stash, if not I can piece one. Hey I might even have enough of my Liberty of London lace to do it umm..). I'm not even going to attempt a bonnet, not with my tight deadline so I'll have to go without, unless anyone has one I can barrow. *bats eyelashes*