Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Whatever shall I wear?

While I have been slowly chugging away on my sewing projects, I have admitted defeat on my Under The Redcoat project. I just don't have time to get it finished. I might get my stays done in time, but there's no way I can get a dress patterned, sewn, and trimmed (with matching hat) in 1.5 weeks. I need to win the lottery so I can devote myself full time to my costumes! :)
My half-boned stays are coming along quite nicely. I have sewn in the lining (I'm loving the blue gingham!!) and gotten the edges partially bound.The top edge is complete, but as these pins prove, I'm still working on finishing up the bottom half. It is, of course, the more difficult half thanks to all the tabs.I did get the eyelets all nicely hand-bound. I found some beautiful silk embroidery floss when I was in Charlottesville a few weeks ago and used it. I still prefer silk buttonhole twist, but since that's not always available the embroidery thread was a nice substitute.Another reason progress has slowed down a bit on my projects is because I'm working on a commission. It's a fully boned pair of 18th century stays. I'll post pictures once I'm finished, but here's a sneak peak. Isn't the color fabulous? I love the gold silk.
I ordered 50 yards of plastic boning for the commission stays. I was really worried that I hadn't ordered enough...but here's what was left in the end. Talk about ordering just the right amount!

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Bound Eyelets

I hate doing posts without any photos, but I thought I'd mention that I've finished hand-binding the eyelets on my stays. I managed to find some silk embroidery thread in Charlottesville and used it to bind the eyelets. They turned out very nicely, but since it's white on white I had a really hard time taking a photo of the eyelets.

The lining is pinned down, and tonight I'll start binding the edges. We're in the homestretch.

In other news...I don't think I have a prayer of getting any of the outfits that I'd wanted to complete for Under the Redcoat and Gettysburg. I'll have this weekend to work on them, but since I don't want to rush and mess up, I'd rather take my time and wear them later.