I really need to learn how to pose properly. I look awful in this picture, but at least you can see the dress! I forgot my petticoat, so the skirts felt a bit limp, but it all turned out OK. I think the kirtle skirt ended up too full overall, so that'll be something to note for next time.
(Ugh. I really do look bad in this pic. I felt so fantastic that day, and actually felt really pretty. I'm kind of let down by the photographic evidence.)
This has nothing to do with the remainder of this post - but I've been noticing lately that a number of Italian gowns have HA-UUUUGE patterns (Like - way bigger than I had ever imagined would be the case, since I had never really noticed or paid attention before.)
Exhibits A, B, C - They're all three Florentine, if that makes any difference.
Anyway, back to the regularly scheduled blogginess -
I'm closing in on the finish line (only hemming and shoulder treatments to go!), and I'm feelin' like TEH STIG. (Yes, once again I've moved half my sewing room down to the living room. *sigh*)
Ok, now, really, back to what I am supposed to be bloggity blogging about - Aiglets! Because this project was super-duper last minute-y, I didn't think about aiglets until I had finished the sleeves and went "wait, wut?!" and realized I needed more, since Jaquelinne kindly bailed me out last time I needed 'em. (My aiglet stash ran out about a year ago, and I've not replenished. Bad seamstress, BAD!)
I went on a futile search for the filagree aiglets I normally used, and was at my wits end last night - I bought a whole bunch of 'cone beads' all in a huff last night thinking to myself "Well, if all else fails, I can figure out *something* to do with these....." and was all angsty and bummed out I couldn't find my regular aiglets. I went to a couple more stores after finding these and realized that this was it - this is what I was gonna have to 'make it work'. (My hubby totally said that to me in the Tim Gunn voice when I was getting all stressed. It was the best - I laughed and stopped stressing so much)
I felt they were a little to small, and too plain, but then I realized that they're just perfect.
So - this is what I did.......Last night I had measured off, knotted the ends, and attached the ribbons to the top of the sleeves, so I was ready to jump right in to the aiglets before sleep took me.
The knot is knotted in such a way that the ribbon kind of curls in on itself into a tapering point, rather than a bunch mess. (Folded in quarters before setting the knot in the end) I shoved the cone bead on the end, then used the tip of my pliers to really pack it down as much as I could. (About 1/8" or so. I could/should have taken the time to dab some glue down in there, but I didn't. Do as I say, not as I do.)
Then, I took the same pliers and crimped the tops down around the knot. On some of them, I had to go back and do a bit of damage control on the seams and squish the shape back into place, but more or less worked out great. I tested each one by yanking on it to make sure the crimping covered the knot completely. So far, so good.
Repeat 20x and you've got some pretty OK aiglets!
It's coming together! (The sleeves really not as baggy as they look in that last pic - I was trying to hold them up and take a picture at the same time. Not-so-Stig-like.)
I'm running a test of the button class at FP this week - hopefully I will get all the kinks worked out before I head out to Collegium. I have the PPT presentation all set up and ready to go for the buttons (hair is being worked on at the moment).
Jaquelinne very kindly has given me a ton of information (and a tin of nibs to borrow!) on the hand I'm trying to do for an upcoming scroll. I'm pretty nervous about it, so I hope it turns out OK in the end. (See angst at the end - this is very much related)
I'm such a dork - there are things I know, and then immediately push them to the back of my mind, only recalling them when they're brought up by someone else - like......the Queen is wearing purple "Italian" for Solstice. What do I decide to do? (Because I'm frustrated with German right now) Yeah. Purple Italian. (sigh) I'm actually making this gown specifically for Collegium - depending on the workload before 12th Night/Solstice, I may be doing a more-different-other out of one of the many gold brocades I have hanging around.
Speaking of purple Italiana......After three different bodices in three days, I finally decided to give up German for the time being and go back to Italian. (grrrr) I have the side back bodice done - eyelets and all (prettiest eyelets I've done to date, if I do say so myself), and the skirt is waiting to be attached. It's pretty enough (I think) to wear it on it's own without the over gown if I don't get around to it.
My starting inspiration portrait is this one here:
Which is very much like my black gown. (I still love it, but I've worn it to death, and it is getting the not-so-new feel.....the 8" rip in the skirt (from the first wearing) is bugging me more and more, and I've gained just enough weight to make it not fit quite as well as it once did.)
I'm going to be changing up a few things on this gown, namely the high doublet neckline and the tabs at the waist. (I may actually add the tabs after it's all done if it still feels like it's missing something.) My new kirtle gives a much more straight front than my old black silk one - I'm not terribly pleased about that, but it'll do. I'll also be repurposing the high partlet I made for the black gown for this gown.
The gold cord will be outlining the bodice and creating the button loops, just like on the portrait. I have this snazzy trim that matches really well too, and I'm not sure where (or if) to use it. (Perhaps on the neckline of the kirtle?) The brocade will take the place of the striped fabric in the portrait, and the black-looking velvet on the right is actually a deep plum that will be taking the place of the blue (satin?) of the over gown.
I'm a bit stumped with the sleeves - I think I might want to make them open on the seams (and button back together) - do I do front and back seam, or just the back??)
I need to run to the fabric store tonight and get moar gold cord (yes, yes - I need more gold cord - I don't have enough of the same size to do all the stuff I wanna do.....)
......which brings me to my last point. I've done something terrible to my right wrist, and I'm all splinted up. What I did, I don't know, but my range of movement is hampered for the foreseeable future. GRRRRR.
