Better get crackin'

[chargirlgenius]

As people are posting Tournament of the Lily clothing plans, I'm reminded that I should get cracking on my class about V-neck gowns for KWCS. If the class notes are done ahead of time, should I post them early, so that people have more time before November?

Also, a quick note to newer sewers... I do have the construction page up, with everything from fitting, transferring the pattern to paper, all the way to eyelets and hand finishing, here:

http://www.mathildegirlgenius.com/FittingAndConstruction.htm

The class will cover specifics for the V-neck gown.

Comments

[danabren.livejournal.com]

If you hurry up and send me your handout, it can still be included on the CD.

*hint hint*

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's nowhere *near* ready. It'll be at least a week. Please don't wait!

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

Ooo, nifty! I love reading tutorials. And while I have no love for the 14th century (long story), I'm curious, is it possible to do that patterning on a dressform? Or can it only be done accurately on a live body?

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Ok, how about the 15th century? :-D

If I had a really good dress form, I'd use it as a starting point to get a mock up that was mostly there. If I have to fit myself I think that a straight front seam, instead of putting the curve under the bust, is a bit easier. Then you can put a lacing strip in the front, and, with a lot of patience, put it on, note where changes need to be, take it off, tweak, rinse, lather, repeat.

Alternatively, if you need the curve under the bust (everybody is different), and you can get your back seam set, you could put a lacing strip in the back. But that's a LOT harder to get in and out of quickly. Well, for me anyway. :-D

I don't know how early you go in the 16th century, or if everything that you do involves stays and bodies. But the very early Tudor stuff looks like it could be fitted with the straight front, or rather, a flat front panel. I know somebody who does this for her bodies, and then her next layer over it is just slightly looser under the bust, giving that smooth look. I keep wanting to experiment later, but I think that some of the principles of early 16th century can be derived from this stuff.

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

There's some 15th c. that I could be talked into (esp. since I'm in dire need of simpler camp clothing for next year ;-). And yeah, some of the very early 16th-c. could work w/this technique too. Really, I just dream of the concept of *not* wearing stays or boned bodices at a sweaty summer event!

I have a soft Uniquely You form that I can corset, not quite as squishy as me, but she's the same measurements. I may have to try this on her bec. I can never seem to find someone to pin me up.

[vanagnessayem.livejournal.com]

have you ever basted a separating zipper on the front? that is what I use, curved or flat seam in the front.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

I've heard of people doing that, but I haven't tried. Reason being is that it's usually too tight on me to meet immediately. The lacing strip allows me to tighten as I go a little more gradually. That, and I don't think I own a zipper. :-)

[sskipstress.livejournal.com]

I used hook and eye tape when I last fitted myself for a dress. I found the hard part was the armholes, not the body.

[greta-k.livejournal.com]

November? KWCS is on Oct. 9-11 (second weekend of October). Or do you mean so that those who are attending Tournament of the Lillies in mid-November can use the patterns?

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm wondering if I should post them early for people looking to make something for November. If I post them after the class there's not much time between then and TotL.

[thornbury.livejournal.com]

One lily.

[thornbury.livejournal.com]

Here's my vote for posting early for people to use for Tournament of the Lily, if they so choose.

[salviati.livejournal.com]

Mine too. I think the more info, the earlier, the better! Thanks Char!