Sewing History 1 - First Ever Project!!

This is the first historical costume that I sewed, many years ago when I was much younger. I used Simplicity #4940, view B without the vest. I fell in love with the long medieval sleeves, and I loved them until I tried doing normal things while wearing the dress. Now I'm not so in love with them. Sure, they look beautiful, but they are highly impractical. Try eating in them!!

Who would like some 'garnish a la sleeves' with their meal?!

This was also probably as high as I can raise my arms in this dress. And as you can see, I'm struggling between standing up straight and trying to hide my feet, so another valuable lesson was learnt with this. I always add length to whatever I sew now, since I am taller than the small people most patterns are designed for.=)

KCI Brown Stays

One of the projects I'm working on right now is an 18th century corset. When it is finished, it will hopefully turn out like this one, from the Kyoto Costume Institute.

Or this one from the V & A Museum. I can't quite decide which would look better. Or maybe I should find the easiest to make.

I'm working on the pattern for the KCI stays at the moment, and the process is making me grumpy, because I am trying to draft my own from the book, where there is a picture of the pattern they made.
I could probably make a Victorian corset from scratch with my eyes closed by now, but I have only made one 18th century corset. Which was a horrible disaster. So I am very cautious about making this one, since my sewing skills are a little unfamiliar with the period.
I used the Butterick #4484 last time and stupidly chose my dress size instead of the size I wished to become. So it is far too big to be useful.
Next time, if there is one, I will know better. Soon I will get around to posting all my older, completed projects, since I don't have any photos of the 18th century stays to put up with my complaints. =)