Mrs. Lovett's Costume

As promised a couple of pics of my Mrs. Lovett's Costume. Just kind winged this one. Studied a lot pictures and created a composite look that I liked.

Mrs. Lovett and Rasputin's Costumes

Since we are strolling down memory lane, I thought that I would share a couple more of my costuming pics. Mind you now, I have only been sewing, self taught, for about three years.

The pictures above are Mr.'s Rasputin Costume, commercial pattern from Butterick. A choir robe pattern was used. I am pleased with the difficult pleats on the back of the robe. The middle picture above. I lined this robe with some light cotton teal fabric. He was very pleased with, I repurposed yet another yet another shirt. I know, its quick and he really didn't care in the least

bit.

Pirate Costumes

I was invited to attend pirate jamboree party, so you know, I had to make something to wear. Plus, couple of other attendees needed things as well. So, off I went to Jomar to gather the material and some trim.

I mentioned in the 1780s Shirt post that I had another shirt. As you can see, there is far to much frill on the shirt. I actually repurposed two oversided white shirts that were being trashed. I removed the collar and added a much larger one and added the large frill to the front of the sirt. The frill was cut from the back panel of the second shirt. It worked well for this costume.

I used a commercial pattern to make the waistcoat, it is lined and I found these great buttons. Actually, a neighbor gave them to me and they were perfect. Unfortunately, I don't have a close pic of the waistcoat and buttons.

1780s Shirt - The Pattern

I mentioned yesterday that I no longer cut up my patterns. Instead, I trace a copy from the original and use that as a working copy. I like having the original to refer back to if there is a need.

What you see are the cut out pattern pieces. I found a cotton shirting material from my local fabric store, JOMAR. I love Jomar, the prices are really great and reasonable even for some of the more normally expensive fabrics. Anyway, I found this cotton shirting in the back area for $1 a yard. It think that it will do nicely
for the body of the shirt and sleeves.

I originally planned to make the shirt front frills out of it as well, but changed my mind. I had some sheer cotton with some poly in it that I think will work better for front and cuff frills.

Following the instructions, I had the dickens of a time figuring out how to add the frills to the front, but I finally managed. Also, perhaps, I just have a heavy hand, but the rolled hem the instructions called for, didn't work that great for me.

I finally, just used a narrow flat hem on the long sides of the frill. It turned out great as you can see in the picture. The front frills are standing up proudly.

I seem to be having a bit of a problem with the blog editor. Can't put the pictures where I want them.

Next, I will be putting in the shirt collar gussets, than I will add the shirt panel reinforcement which goes over the fold at the top of the shirt that forms the shoulder seam in modern shirt construction.

I hope that I can figure out this blog and picture editor thing................P

1780s Shirt

Started to work on the inspiration costume, the first item will be the man's shirt. I got this pattern from www.lostcoastpatterns.com just a few weeks ago. She was having a warehouse moving sale. So, I snapped it up along with a couple of other patterns.

Within the last year, I have made an effort not to cut up my original patterns. Instead, I trace a copy from the original using light cheap fabric. This way, I have the orginal patterns all together, which can easily be used as the reference copy. Also, I save my new pattern pieces in a separate plastic ziplock bag. The pattern is labeled with the new pattern pieces and I keep the original pattern and instructions together.

I am sure that everyone does this, but I will mention it here anyway. When I purchase fabric now, I label the fabric with the type of fabric it is, if I know what it is, the quantity, the width of fabric and lastly the date of purchase, you can add the cost per yard if you like. I cut up a little card, note all of the pertinent information and pin it to the fabric. When I go through my stash, I can see when the fabric was purchased and how long it has been hiding in my closet.

It's a little extra time and a few extra steps to create this working copy of the pattern, but I really think that it is worth it.

Actually, I had a shirt pattern which I had purchased from Butterick last year sometime and made a couple of shirts from that pattern. I noticed with that pattern, the sleeves were extremely full. That worked for the pirate costume that I was making for a friend. However, I wanted this shirt to be more historically accurate. We shall see.

1780s Suits

The above pictures are additional inspirational images which I have found. Costumers Manifesto contains a wealth of images from many different historical periods.

The promenade suit that I will be making will be a composite of these three plates.

1787 Promenade Suit

Let the games begin. This is my inspiration for my next costume. It dates to about 1787 and the fashion plate is from the Museum of London.

I like this suite, the cut is the similar to a court suit of the same period but without the excessive embroidery and trim. I find that I like the simple clean lines. Since I am new at this, I do not know how to drape, so I rely on patterns.

The patterns that I have are:

Shirt- 18th Century Shirt by J.P. Ryan

Waistcoat - 18th Century Men's Waistcoat Pattern by Lynn McMasters & Gail Nichols

Breeches - 1770s - 1790s Fall-Front Breeches from Reconstructing History

Frock Coat - 18th Century Gentleman's Frock Coat by J.P. Ryan

The two suppliers for the patterns were:

http://www.lostcoastpatterns.com/

http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/

Both vendors will respond to emails, if you have questions about the patterns and will provide suggestions to help you.