Goodbye For A While

Hi everyone, just a quick post to let you know that due to work and life getting in the way, I will not be blogging for a while. I may return at some stage when I have more spare time to do blogging justice!

Thanks for reading my small addition to online costuming and keep sewing. =)

Medieval Faire Aftermath (Or 'Much, Much Later')

 
  As it is nearly time again for the Abbey Medieval Festival, I think I should quickly post what I wore last year. In case anyone was wondering, yes, I am still here, but I have been very lazy for many months, not posting anything. General busyness overall. There are so many sewing UFO's lurking around my workroom, which you shall see in good time. Spoilers!

  I didn't end up finishing the SWATH dress after all, since I want the time to make it as close to the movie as possible. So I dragged out a dress that was shoved away in disgust from the year before. 

I know this outfit is not the most historically accurate, but at short notice I am pleased with how it turned out. And at least I had something to wear! The undersleeves scrunch up at the wrist when worn just in case you were wondering if I have abnormally long arms.

  I quickly whipped up an underdress to fill the low neckline a little more and give the skirt some volume and shape. I also faked full undersleeves, to minimise bulk under the arms, by sewing them to the ends of my overdress sleeves. Which I had stupidly cut off at three quarter length for a planned underdress that was going to be green, but ended up rolled up and stuffed behind the sofa when I had a small tantrum over the underarm gussets.

American Duchess 'Nankeen' Regency Boots

Everyone, get busy, for American Duchess is having another fantastic shoe giveaway!

 Just look at them, can't you imagine frolicking through the misty morning dew to meet Mr Darcy? Or kicking up your heels at Caroline Bingley as you show her your effortless fence climbing skills? She, of course, is left dangling by her petticoats halfway over. Haha!

Follow this link to enter yourself:
http://americanduchess.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/nankeen-regency-boots-giveaway.html

Steampunk Bustle (And an Old Blue One!)

Here is a little bustle I whipped up a couple of weekends ago. I wanted something that was easier to wear than my blue bustle (which I will also show you!), that I could also wear with shorter steampunk skirts.

I have made it from Truly Victorian pattern TV101, but modified the lower half by completely omitting the lower ruffle and cutting the lower edge of the top half on a curve, so that it pulls up just at the knees, making movement easier. I added my own small ruffle to the bottom edge.

Bustle front.

Better view of the curved ruffle.

Bustle side.

Mmmmm, lace!

I've made this bustle from sage green & cream striped material, which I have no idea what it is made from, but definitely not cotton! Trimmed with pre-gathered cream lace and flat cream lace trim with chocolate brown ribbon threaded through and some little ribbon bows. The inside ties are cream ribbon, which could be a little bit more ... grippy, but at least they don't slip when I tie them.

Through the front opening to the bustle ties.

Lying flat on the floor with the front of the skirt flipped up.

The blue bustle mentioned earlier. Also made from Truly Victorian pattern TV101 in dark blue drill with no trimmings. The first time making this pattern, and as I expected from TV, it was very easy to put together.

View of the bustle under the ruffled over-drape.

The only thing I would do differently if I make another full length bustle would be to cut the top half of the bustle in a slightly bigger size, since it hugs my legs quite firmly. My fault though, I just cut it all the one size instead of measuring myself properly and choosing a size to fit each part of my body.

Etsy Discount Code

This is a little bargain for anyone who might be reading and wants to check out my Etsy shop.

I have added a couple more corsets that don't quite fit me properly, and if you quote NEWYEAR13 at the checkout, you get 10% discount!

Yay!

I will update sometime in the new year, have been too busy for any sewing, much less any blogging.