Major project update 01/04/21

New update!

So for the past few weeks, I've been working on the top skirt, which is huge and also starting on the bodice. I also managed to do a small fitting for the chemise, corset, petticoat and underskirt!

Fitting photos

As you can see form my last post muy corset looks different. I was super unhappy with how it turned out and was fully prepared to make a new corset instead. My tutor then told me to do something as easy as bend the bones in the waist to et a more dramatic look, which worked perfectly!

There is a lot of stuff on this corset i would have done better, i didnt file the bones well enough so some of them are very sharp, but im gonna fixt that by adding some supporting flossing all over.

It took me two days to cut out the skirt fabric because of how big it is and having to do it on the floor, which isn't optional with a bad back. God, I miss the big tables in the studio back at AUB.

The skirt is a full circle skirt for the extra drama it will create. It measures 4m in length from the front to the back which creates almost a 2m train at the back!

It's cut out in this beautiful fabric from Minerva Crafts and then backed/lined with white cotton. I chose to sew the right sides together and then turn it inside out to save myself from having to hem the skirt edge if I had flat-backed it instead. By ironing the edge of the top fabric ca 2cm up on the inside it creates a crisp edge.

The skirt mock-up and then the skirt in top fabric.

For the bodice, I draped it on my dress form by experimenting with a more victorian shape. I draped the off-shoulder look with the detachable arms that I bought with my dress form. The bodice consists of 4 pieces, with the front panel cut on the fold so a total of 7 pieces.

So far I've made a mock-up where I ended up altering the armhole a tiny bit, and then finally cut it out in the cotton drill backing. I've chosen to bone the bodice to get the right structure and all the boning channels are drawn on.

Bodice pattern and mock-up.

A last-minute design/decorative decision is that I've made an embroidery design for the front panel/stomacher. It's a simple design and should go well with the other decoration on the dress.

Bodice embroidery design. Boning channels for the front panel is also drawn on.

I met some hindrance these last week when it comes to the embroidery. I ordered two spools of thread and the so-called gold thread is way too yellow. Lessoned learned and now I've ordered some thread charts from Madeira so I can make sure to get the right colour!

Ordering fabric and thread online has been a challenge, but hopefully, I can use the thread for a future project so it's not a total waste of money!

The top embroidery design is with the yellow thread adn the bottom one is my original idea and thread choise. Non of them work well with the fabric as i want a more white gold look.

It's Easter break now, but because of corona, I'm not able to go back home to Norway. I'm gonna use these two weeks to relax but also get some things done as I want as much time possible when it comes to the decorative part of the gown. I'm definitely treating myself to a good meal during this break as well!

See you soon for a new update!