Every Day I'm Bustling

2016 is already shaping up to be FAR more productive than the previous year. If I haven't posted here much yet, it's because I've been busy making SO. MANY. BUSTLES. for a Your Wardrobe Unlocked article.

Now including combination bustle/tea service

If you want to break out of the lobster tail mold, or just see what your other options for increasing the square footage of your rear end are, go have a look! I've constructed 6 unique bustles in order to contrast and compare size, shape and wearability, among other things. Included is this fabulous monstrosity-

Have a gander, and I'll see you here next week for some petticoats to cover up all that glorious badonk-a-donk.

The 2015 That Wasn't

This is literally everything I managed to complete in 2015 (it ain't much)-

A "1-hour" (hahahahahhaha) 1920s dress that was so
awful, I have no photos from the shoulders down.

Marsh Corset worn steampunked out

Remake of the Marsh pattern with added 3rd
bust gore, more hip room and revamped back

Crocheted miser's purse.  That only took two or three years...

Stuffed whales for nephew

Spoonflower pleated skirt.

Redo of the lattice gown bodice; TBD a third
time because I don't like how it turned out

Reconstructed the ugly ass day bodice
from the Polka Dot Dress into an evening
bodice; still unfinished but it's wearable!

Skirt for the Christmas tree

And fully half of those were items started or remade from previous years.  2016, we have to do better.

Lattice Gown Revisited

Remember this old thing?

After 6 years (and a lot of butter, bread and cookies) the bodice to the Lattice Gown doesn't quite fit anymore.  I have a little bit of each of the original fabrics squirreled away, and with very careful design and perhaps some piecing, it might be possible to make a new one. 

Question is, what should the new bodice look like?  Should the lattice design from the skirt be echoed in the top?  Where, and how?  Should it include the evil gauze of evil? 

The fashion plate I based my skirt on.

The original fashion plate that inspired my skirt (above) has the latticework across the bertha of the bodice.  It didn't strike me as something I liked at the time, but now... maybe?

October fashions, 1837 France,
Journal des Dames et des Modes

I found this green dress while researching for my Romantic Era Gown.  I like the idea of a relatively simple lattice front, though the sleeves are too early era for my elliptically-shaped skirt.

I might split the difference between the green romantic dress and this one.  I'm not digging the tassels, but the shape and design is well within the right era, and I like the look of the lattice work.

Reveal: This is Pure Insanity

Luna approves of the current fabric selection.

Remember the circular ruffle tester I posted last week as a teaser?  Well, there are a LOT MORE of those ruffles in my future, because my crazy ass decided to replicate the Cinderella gown from the live action film!

Yup, that one.

This is an enormous undertaking.  I've spent the last few weeks researching obsessing over how the dress was made, and I'm determined to get as close as I can to the original (well, without spending $200+ per freakin' yard to get the exact fabrics).  I've already bought about 90 yards of fabric, and I've my eye on another 60 yards, at minimum.  Estimates put the original dress at 270 yards total, so even that is short of the mark!

I've already started experimenting with dyes and different fabrics, and have
had some interesting surprises along the way.

 I've already got a whole Pinterest board of research and screencaps, and I've gone a bit cross-eyed staring at any photo that shows the under structure of the dress.  Of course, I'll be sharing all the trials and tribulations as I go here on the blog.  I've already learned a few new techniques, and I can only imagine how many more I'll pick up along the way!

Early experiments in blending fabrics are looking good!

Speaking of crazy large projects, my friends/neighbors have an awesomely insane project of their own.  They're opening a vintage clothing store/event space in Oakland, and they need help to make their dream come true!  Watch their awesome video, spread the news about the OverAttired Kickstarter, and donate if you can.

Teaser: Circular Ruffles

Care to guess what my next project is?  Hint: this isn't the final color, this is just me testing ratios and techniques with the fabric I happened to have on hand.

The material is silk organza, and there's fishing line running through the bottom edging to give it more oomph.  This little tester is only 12" wide at the top, but the bottom hemline measures 100"! That's a LOT o' ruffle packed into a small space.

Completed Marsh Corset

Woohoo!  The second article is published!  I think the combo of leather and coutil turned out pretty great.

If you subscribe to Foundations Revealed, go take a look at the making of the final 1878 Marsh Patent Corset.  If not, here's some of my favorite articles on the site; take a look and see if a subscription looks more interesting!  (Some are viewable for free, others you'll need to subscribe to access).  If you'd like to subscribe, please use my affiliate link here!

Y&N Diagonally Seamed Corset, Part 1 and Part 2 
Laura's Jelly Fitting Method (shows how to create realistic squishy boobs for your mannequin)
Matching Stripes in Corsetry (Ah-MAZ-ing)
A whole series of courses on bra making
CAD: Corsets are Digitized
Hats and Bonnets from Modern Hats
Draft Your Own Corset Pattern

1878 Marsh Corest Patent

A few months ago, I responded to a post by Foundations Revealed asking for people to take on corset patent challenges.  Last week, the first of my two articles on the 1878 Marsh Corset Patent was published on their site!

It's subscription only, but I have been a member for years before I started writing for them and highly recommend it!  In addition to weekly articles, you get access to their whole back catalog of articles; quite a steal.  If you'd like to subscribe, please use my affiliate link to sign up- Foundation Revealed: The Corset Maker's Companion.

Take a look and let me know what you think.  I can't wait until part 2 goes live; I really like the way the final corset turned out and can't wait for everyone to see it!