Bennett gowns~Step 1~Bodice Lining

OK..... Step 1............ Bodice Lining..........

Here are explicit instructions.

First of all I took an Empire-waisted dress of mine and I traced the bodice onto paper. The method I used for this is: Take as many pieces of paper that you need and tape them together. Then pin the waist tightly to the bottom of the paper and pin the base of the armholes to the paper. Then trace that line. Then remove the waist pin and put it at the top of the armhole (stretch the fabric if there is elastic) and trace the armhole. Continue like this. Then cut it out and fold it in half. Trim the non-matching parts. Then fold muslin in half and put the pattern at the selvage edge. Then trace the pattern onto the fabric and cut it out. You now have 2 fabric pieces. Then sew the shoulders and the sides, leaving the armholes, neck, and waist open, and cut a straight line down one side, so that you have a back opening. Then try it on. If it fits, fold over all the raw edges and hem them. Don't put any fastening on, this is just a lining. Leave the seams on the obvious side, since you will put the actual bodice on that part. Save your pattern. You are now done!!!

The model for this was my sister Augusta, for whom I will be making a "Bennett" gown as well.

Halloween

I have always made a quick, dress-up, pin-a-tablecloth type of costume that has always turned out very nicely. I have made 2 saris, a sari for my doll (see October 2009), a chiton, and numerous other outfits with different clothing. I have never bought my costume, which I am proud of. But this year I intend to branch my sewing expertise to costumes and make without a pattern a Regency gown (circa 1810-1815), based on those exhibited at the Fenimore Art Museum (Cooperstown NY) to use as a costume. I will post every single step I will use so that everyone can use my pattern for their Regency gown. I have no idea whether this will be the biggest flop I have ever thought of doing, or whether it will be the biggest success I have ever imagined, but now it is worldwide on this blog I might as well try my best!!! I want to get it done by October 12th in the best scenario, since I go on vacation for 10 days on October 14. I am hoping to make it out of some blue-embroidered voile that is currently a pair of curtains or some Greek embroidered white-on-white linen. I might also use plain linen and muslin to make a petticoat. The gown will be long-sleeved (no getting away with anything but that up here) and will probably have traditional shoulder puffs, although that might be past me. It will have an Empire waist (obviously) and a long cascading skirt that is straight in the front and mildly gathered in the back for some more oomph. The bodice and skirt will be muslin lined. The petticoat, if I make it, will be Empire waisted and done in the same style as the skirt. I will make myself an embroidered sash to wear with the dress, and if it is cold I will wear a linen wrap. Let's see how it all turns out, but I feel confident!!!

autumn

Fall can be a interesting season...............

It is very flurried and fun.............

I love it..............

but it's going to be mighty busy this year.............

just you wait, Antonia, just you wait.............

summer visiting

Just saw my godfamily leave after spending 2 nights....... last week my uncle stayed 1 night....... next week friends might stay 3-4 nights.......

Doesn't summer always seem like the season of social events? I've probably been at a dozen events and dinner parties, and yet it goes so fast....... you see people whom you never see any other time of year, and yet it's so hard to absorb.........

I suppose that's the mystery of summer............