Presents in the mail!

[mandie_rw]

My mum's all, What did you buy?

First, the Timely Tresses bonnet form. The brim's actually bigger than I wanted, but it's kind of hard to tell til you have it on your own head! No biggie, just trim a couple of inches and sew the wire back on.


Taffeta from Renaissance Fabrics to cover said bonnet.


Because I really really thought I had cream-colored silk in the Stash somewhere, but apparently it was more like beige, and I was really very set on a cream-colored bonnet!

And a very big long box from Fabric Guru...the silk for my new sack gown, and a cotton "indienne" print that was so cheap I couldn't resist. Good thing it was so dirt-cheap, because I don't like the weight at all - far too heavy for a gown. Well, at least I'll be set for interlining for life!

But the silk's the most important thing, and I'm awfully happy with it! I had to unroll it and sit on it and pet it for a while (as one does), or I'd have posted sooner...




Is that perfect, or what? Well...actually it's not quite perfect, but it's not half-bad! And yeah, that's all silk. Don't ask me how much it cost. (Actually less than you might think, but still probably more than I should have spent!) The scale of the print would actually do better for an early-mid-century style dress I think, but since fabric was precious and sometimes hoarded for years before a gown was actually made from it (hey, we have something in common!), or old gowns were remodeled...I feel perfectly secure in using it for a 1760s gown. Which, unless a better name presents itself, is going to be dubbed "the expensive sack gown."

The only drawback to the fabric is that there were only 6 yards of it, so I'll have to get some coordinating silk for the petticoat - how terribly unfashionable, a non-matching petticoat! Horrors! You'll all just have to deal with it. ;)

Comments

[clarey-h.livejournal.com]

That silk is so beautiful! Can't wait to see what you make with it.

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I just couldn't resist it when I saw it! Now, hopefully I'm not too terrified to cut into it...it's expensive enough that I might be!

[blackcat452.livejournal.com]

Score! That is going to look amazing

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

I hope so! Fabric like that, though, I don't think I could make look bad! It's just too good! :D

[colev.livejournal.com]

You could always make a really early century mantua or a gown with closed skirt front! Oh, and definitely save any scraps larger than 6x8 (that would be a good fabric to make shoes out of!).

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

That's true! I'm pretty fond of the 1760s but I might have to think about that for a bit. And, shoes! Excellent suggestion, I didn't even think of that!

[heidilea.livejournal.com]

Maybe you could do a "forepart" of sorts on your petticoat--only have the gown fabric where it shows? That's period.

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

I'll have to see...if I can get a petticoat front of it I may do that. Gotta make the gown first though, I guess...eep!

[ladyxjade.livejournal.com]

cannot wait to see the finished dress!!!!

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

Me too, haha! I'm a little afraid to cut this fabric...I kinda wish it would make itself this time!

[padawansguide.livejournal.com]

Oh, very cool! Lovely fabric!

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I thought so! ;)

[hiraimi.livejournal.com]

Oh that's just lovely lovely lovely. I can't wait for the sewing (and pictures...) to start.

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

I kind of enjoy petting it, I won't lie, haha. I want to start it NOW, but so much to do first!

[girliegirl32786.livejournal.com]

That is going to make a gorgeous francaise!

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I hope so!

[rose-bertin.livejournal.com]

!!!!!!!!!

Also the English would sometimes mix and match robes with petticoats, so it's period.

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

:D And I've got a tendency to go with English style (except for those boxy, ugly-ass paniers. Do not want), so, yay! That works. I totally meant to do that! ;)