Sneak Peek - "The Young Victoria" inspired costume

Just finished draping the bodice of my newest costume of the year! {see picture above.} Like my only costume so far in the year 2010!

This is the dress I'm getting my inspiration from. It is from the movie, The Young Victoria {2009}.

I hope to have more pictures and maybe, video of me making the dress later today, or later this week. =)

~Ashley

An idea....

I have come up with an idea. Why not do a modern take for the "Double Period Project"?

 

I can make a jacket like Lydia's....

Or I could base a jacket off of this....

 

Or even this....

the choices are endless!

I'm considering taking this route. It would also be cheaper, as I wouldn't need as much fabric.

~Ashley

A Side Project

blogging, drinking chai tea, eating pistachios

In the mist of planning my 1860s dress and deciding what I'm going to do for the Double Period Project, I have been working on something else. A little girls dress for my upcoming etsy shop.

 

I'm using a vintage pattern from the 1950s. And you see those buttons? Those are vintage too! From the picture I'm guessing 1930s or so. But I can easily be wrong. :) I can't wait to show you the finished dress. I'm going to have a very hard time selling this, as I love it too much. ;0 

~Ashley

1860s dress plans

For my 19th birthday last year, I was able to pick out some fabric from Abraham's Lady in Gettysburg, PA for an American Civil War dress. It is very pretty and would you believe it - a shade of pink! I find myself lately picking out more and more pink things. I wonder why?

Here is a picture of the fabric.

I also have all of the supplies for my 1860s corset. I just need to have the pattern draped on me with duck tape.  I know it sounds weird, but it should work! Draping my own pattern I think is the best way for me. As I would have to do many changes to a commercial pattern.

Helping me through this process is Mrs. Clark "Practical Prinkery" book. http://www.elizabethstewartclark.com/PP/index.htm (Scroll all the way down)

I haven't decided on my dress style yet, though I should. Any ideas anyone? Oh, and I'm hand sewing my chemise right now.

~Ashley 

A lovely purple gown from....

The Portrait of a Lady (1996)

 

 

  

 

This film is set approximately in 1876-1879. Isn't this dress drool-worthy?!? The beading and color are so lovely! (Disclaimer: I've not seen this film. Only pictures of the dresses.)

~Ashley
Images from: http://www.costumersguide.com/

Inspiration from the 1870s

 I have found some lovely inspiration in screen-caps from the movie "Daniel Deronda" (2002). Once again, I have not seen this film, only the screen-caps. :)

Daniel Derondo

 

  

  

  

Isn't the sea green delicious? And the bead work! I love it!  

~Ashley

Images from: http://periodmovies.blogspot.com/

More about the Double Period Project

The Gallery of HMS Calcutta (Portsmouth) by: James Tissot (1877)

After I posted my first post, I thought that I should give you all some background on the Double Period Project. :-)

The event is hosted by Your Wardrobe Unlock'd were the members of the "online magazine" are given a chance to make something from the chosen eras. For example: their are two eras to choose from and they are The Revolutionary era 1770-1789 and The Natural Form era 1876-1882. We are allowed to make anything from these two eras.

Here are some quotes from the article on the event. 

The only thing that all our projects will have in common is the periods we all started with. Some of you will want to strive for historical accuracy; others will want to update the period costume for the modern world or a future or fantasy world; some of you will want to take a theatrical approach and make it a costume for a particular real or fictional character. As long as you make it clear what you had in mind in your accompanying email when you enter (more on that later), we'll be able to judge your entry based on what you were aiming for.

YWU is the costume maker's companion, so make any costume you feel inspired to make. Design it how you like, tweak it as you like, put it together any way you like, just as long as its inspiration fits into the period 1770-89 or 1876-82.

If you make an entire outfit from the skin out, as it would have been done in period, the number of garments you'll be making could become overwhelming (especially if you're going Victorian.) We realize that that's a very tall order, so we're also going to open that up to your discretion. Make as many or as few garments as you please, as long as you begin with the period inspiration. A beautiful pair of stays or a fabulous Natural Form era hat will be just as eligible as an entire outfit.

Doll enthusiasts, feel free to make your entry doll sized!

A Passing Storm by: James Tissot (1876)

And I have a year to work on this, as the event end on February 7, 2011. :) And the prizes are amazing! First off, there are three categories for each era: Beginner, Improver, and Experience. These categories are based on your sewing skills. For each category there is a winner and they would receive: 

• A year's free subscription to YWU, worth $120
• A special "Award Winner" icon to place on their website, blog or forum profile.

Then there is the grand prize winner. Now the winners of each category are also eligible for the grand prize, a $500 gift voucher for the online store of your choice, such as Amazon.

Now if you make a corset you will be eligible for the Vena Cava Design corset prizes, partly sponsored by Vena Cava Corsetry Supplies of Poole, UK: a $200 gift voucher for the online store of your choice for each of the following...

• Best Revolution era stays
• Best Natural Form era corset

So this is quite a competition. And I'm thoroughly up for it! Just have to get started and decided on what I'm going to do. ():-)  

~Ashley
Image from: http://www.erasofelegance.com/