Tentacles! - Revisited.

I had a little bit more of the dark green acetate taffeta lying around, and I thought the Tentacles looked a little bare and in need of embellishment. Step one was a gathered ruffle about 7 inches wide before hemming. I used three lines of stitching for a nice tight gather, and zigzag stitched it to the 1878 fantail skirt, hanging down about two inches lower than the hem. The skirt was just a bit too short upon examination of last year's Halloween pictures.

I'm looking out for some dark green venise lace about 3 or 4 inches wide. So far, all I found was an esty seller who seemed to be all out. I wonder if I buy just plain white, some bridal shop can dye it for me. I might also need some velvet ribbon or an inch-wide row of ruching out of the same taffeta to hide the edge of the ruffle. To me, Victorian-inspired Lovecraftian creature costumes look better with heavy embellishment.

Victorian Vinyl: Too big?

I had some fun figuring out the zipper. I had to cut it down about half an inch, and then stitch the top teeth by hand to create a stopper, as I cut off the one that it came with to get the correct length. It works well enough, but The fit looks a little wonky in the PVC. I may need to take it in a little. Should I futz with it, or just leave it? Where can I take it in?

Update: I took in the darts in the front for a much tighter fit, but I think there is still more I can do to make this perfect. Also, I may add some kind of tail or ruffled embellishment off the back to cover the open lacing panel the skirt has. Better?

Sewing Vinyl

Sewing the vinyl went a bit easier than I thought until I came to the sleeves. That was approximately as difficult as I thought it would be. I got through one before I started giving serious thought to sewing the second one in completely by hand. No sooner did I got both in place then I realized they were ever so slightly too tight. I'm going to stretch them a bit and see what that does, as it's a mere fraction of a inch. I really don't want to re-cut them. I also don't want the ugly sausage effect on my arms.

Victorian Vinyl

I love the juxtaposition of period lines and ultra modern, nigh futuristic fabrics and themes. I guess we can call this an off-road adventure in Victorian cyber-goth. The plan is to use the pattern from the tentacle dress and proceed from there in shiny black PVC. This got started because I'm cheap. I have been daydreaming about a Meschantes vinyl corset for over a year now, but I can never seem to scrape together the cash. I got the idea instead to make a ballgown type bodice to go over my existing red corset. I even mashed two sleeve patterns together and did a little trial and error to finally come up with a non-puffed sleeve for this 1870s-inspired off-the-shoulder bodice. The vinyl and lining are all cut out. Now I just need to decide if I want the hidden zipper in the front of the back. Any opinions out there?

Navy Blue Anglaise

The silk charmeuse is gorgeous, and moves beautifully. However, I used a really crappy inter-lining, and the fit is awful at the shoulder and neckline. I think the white stomacher is a little too much white, and I will re-cut the bodice entirely with a cotton interlining.

I think it is time for me to say goodbye to the JP Ryan Anglaise pattern. The damned thing just never fits quite right at the shoulders and neckline. My next attempt will be with the "Period Impressions" pattern.

This thing also needs some serious sleeve flounces and about a mile of venise lace.

Costumes for Sale AND Taking New Commissions

A costume closet clean-out featuring Goth boots, a steel boned black corset, a pirate coat, a Chinese-inspired ballgown, and a sewing machine.

http://shop.ebay.com/jeriquan/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

Also, I am taking commissions for costumes for this year's convention season (and beyond). I specialize in the 18th-19th centuries, but I can do a lot of things. Go take a look at arachneattire.com for a few ideas.

Essex Regency Ball

Me and my mom at the Essex, CT Regency Ball. I made mine out of an "art silk" sari, and hers out of a scandalously little amount of sage green silk charmeuse. The pattern is a mish mosh of the JP Ryan Anglaise pattern I have used many times, and the sleeves from an 1870s ballgown bodice. The rest is loosely based on an illustration in Janet Arnold.

Both gowns went together quickly, and were easy to wear. My mom is so skinny, I didn't even bother with stays for her, and she has good enough posture and carriage that I don't think anyone really noticed. I wore 1770s stays, but really wished I hadn't. If we end up doing another Regency event, I can maybe justify making pair of stays from the period.

It's amazing how much easier it is to move your arms in a puffed sleeve. Trying to do the waltz in a fitted 1880s long sleeve was less fun.