What I love most

The drawers are done, and although not completely the same as the extant ones they will do. I should have put side openings but left them and put a button at the back. Here are the pics .....       Now onto stage 4 - the petticoat.  I bought a pattern for a princess slip petticoat from ageless patterns, so hopefully all will be drafted up and made rather quickly so I can get onto designing my dress...

My chemise is done and I am pretty happy with it. I have trimmed the top and bottom with cotton lace and have added lace straps.  I added small gussets at the sides for ease.  When I add the corset over it, it looks like the drawings so I am content. Next the drawers... I have taken the pattern from here: http://www.tudorlinks.com/treasury/freepatterns/w1907drawers.html but made them smaller and shorter so they will look like this: 1910s (Met Museum) Just adding frilly bits now. The one issue I have is to close or keep open the crotch?? The 1907 pattern is open but the above pair (and another one from the met) is closed.  I would be happy to close them only if they are worn under the corset, certain times can get very difficult. I HAD, through some research, thought that ladies changed to wearing them over their corsets which makes sense, but I get a lot of conflicting information in favour of wearing under *sigh*, think it would be wise to make them open...

As we all know the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking is this year and our little group here are going to commemorate the occasion (like just about everyone in the costuming world) ... I have already started and have made my under bust corset (photos will follow).  I used the online pattern from bridges on the body blog  http://bridgesonthebody.blogspot.com.au/2010/12/titanic-era-corset-and-pattern.html .  Went together really well, no dramas - whew.  I just have to add some frilly bits to it. Next on the list is a new chemise.  I really want I have seen in books with a little strap like these: I haven't found any "patterns" or such so I am really guessing it is just a square piece gathered above the bust. I am debating wether to add a gores or just a slightly gathered skirt for the hips. Can't seem to find any extant examples (only those from a later period) so i guess I will make it up as I go on. I bought some beautiful fabric for my u...

Big changes have happened in my personal life - like a separation and a new house. Looking forward to 2012 and especially the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  It seems like everyone who is anyone in the costuming world is doing something for this momentous occasion and so will I. Thankfully 2 of my favourite groups - the ACG (yes I have returned as the person dynamic has changed considerably) and RIFF are joining forces and holding 2 events, so it is a day gown (or visiting gown) and an evening/dinner gown. First up of course is the undergarments and a new chemise and corset. More to follow once I get started (and finish unpacking)