18th Century Casualties

Damned cat peed in a box that contained the better part of my 18th century wardrobe. It's currently in the wash. I'm trying to save it, but it doesn't look good.

Of course then, I had to be an idiot and put the Indian sari regency dress in with the others, and the dye bled. It's a disaster. I think the synthetics may make it out alright, but the green silk taffeta might be unrecoverable. The petticoat might be ok, but the gown might have danced it's last ball.

Plaid Horror Final Fitting

So my friend who commissioned this monstrosity recently started seeing a nutritionist. I ended up having to take it in almost an inch and a half on each shoulder seam and an inch at the back. I guess the exercise in tailoring an already-finished garment was worthwhile, but more than a little obnoxious. Now all that needs doing is attaching the flat hooks on the skirts.

The whole idea behind this dress was the contrast of the close-fitting, tailored bodice cut to fit over a corset, the elegant drapery of the 1880s, and the mismatched fabrics. It had to fit perfectly.

As for process, I started with several ugly non-flannel plaid shirts from several different thrift stores, clean and pressed. I used cotton twill as an interlining for added stiffness and basted the two together. The lining is a simple white muslin, and the edges of the armholes are bound in different color plaids. My cat, Marco helped. The front closure is a series of hooks and eyes about an inch apart, and there are a pair of cable ties in the center front helping the bodice to not appear puckered.

1880 Natural Form Research

A totally surreal experience this morning googling "natural form overskirt" and "1880 overskirt", I kept finding images of my own work. I don't know whether to be happy about that, or disappointed.

The Plaid Horror

Fabric / Materials: About a thousand old plaid shirts.
Pattern: Truly Victorian with some modification

Introduction: Setting the Wayback Machine to 2006, I made a hideous plaid evening gown for a friend. Recalling it, another friend commissioned a gown with a similar concept. It was dubbed the "Plaid Horror", and work begun on 1880s inspired thrift store chic formal attire. The skirts, both over and under, are adapted from Truly Victorian late bustle patterns. There are larger picture available on arachneattire.com. Just click the picture.

Black Victorian Peachskin Wardrobe Pieces

I've been busy re-organizing several things, and working on several commissions. The only thing I've really had time to photograph is this growing wardrobe of Victorian wardrobe bits made of synthetic black "peachskin" fabric. The overskirt is new, as are the 3/4 length sleeves. I was going for an allusion to mourning without following the actual constraints. Click the picture to see the page on arachneattire.com.

http://www.arachneattire.com/blackpeachskinvictorian.html

Found an excellent pic from last year

Busy busy busy working on the Plaid Horror - photos soon to come. Also working on a few new black Victorian wardrobe bits.

An Update for the Navy Blue Anglaise

I whipped out a matching navy blue silk charmeuse petticoat and a stomacher. Click the thumbnail for a full-length photo. I am now lamenting the fact that I had no decent interlining fabric on hand, but I think for a one-shot, it will work out fine. I intend to wear it like this only once before a full re-working of the bodice.

The only real problem here is the weight and flashyness of the buttons. The character I intend to wear it for detests ostentation. I may change out the silver buttons for black.