A New Dress

3/19/2023

I started work on a new dress for Naomi. She will eventually need a high-waisted dress to accommodate her 'baby bump', so I went with something Italian Renaissance inspired.

I chose three red brocades; dark red for the bodice, a red and gold brocade with a woven border for the main skirt, and a brocade with a larger design for the front panel of the skirt.

The biggest challenge were the intricate sleeves, and how to create the look of embellished panels tied over a puffy chemise underneath, but all in one piece.

it took considerable planning, and LOTS of handwork. Each decorative element had to be basted in place first before machine stitching. Then there was lots of hand finishing, and beading.

The bodice and sleeves pinned in place to test the fit...

Then the almost finished sleeves could be sewn into the bodice...

The next step is to sew the underarm seams, and add the skirt.

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3/19/2023 09:09:17 pm

Hi Martha!
This looks like it's going to be another fabulous authentic-looking costume! Where in the world do you find all those wonderful in-scale fabrics? I recently found some metal "lace ribbon" (at dollar tree (in AZ) of all places!) and thought I remembered that you had once talked about making metal crowns for dolls out of something similar, but can't find anything on your blog about it. Was I imagining it? Also, do you have a search funciton on your blog that I can't seem to find?

Martha

3/20/2023 07:45:26 am

I have a huge stash of fabrics that I've saved up for the past thirty years. It's my go-to place for fancy fabrics when I need something, since there's nothing like them available in fabric stores. However, it is sometimes possible to find used clothing at the secondhand store that has nice in scale fabrics.

I've never made a crown out of wire, just out of gold trim. And I don't think there's a search function on my blog. Sorry.

Svenja

3/20/2023 09:47:30 am

You can use google to search on a website. Just type in site:antiquelilac.com and the search term you are looking for.

Dorothy

3/19/2023 10:27:59 pm

I love this outfit already. It is so elegant. I think it is in keeping with her new status. She is royal now, right?

I see the BIDs (I think they are BIDs) standing in the background watching you and cheering you along.

Martha

3/20/2023 07:49:41 am

No, she's not royal, but she is a 'noble'. Baron's mother might be a Fairy Queen, but that doesn't make him royal. Just a high ranking noble.

Donna

3/20/2023 11:05:21 am

Naomi's new gown is so beautiful! She will make a stunning mother-to-be in it. The sleeves are works of art!

Martha

3/20/2023 11:34:33 am

Thank you! Those sleeves are the most intricate I've ever done. It was quite some job to figure out how to make them. But they turned out really well.

Brigitte

3/21/2023 04:54:39 pm

Wow, you're doing your magic again. The sleeves are a piece of art.

Martha

3/21/2023 06:42:15 pm

Thank you.

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A New Dress

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