Miho's New Gown

6/9/2021

Well, I finally finished Miho's new gown yesterday. It took me three weeks of constant redoing, and it ended up quite different from what I had originally envisioned, but It's finally done.

I had envisioned a stand-up collar of flower petals around her neckline, to match the petals on the under skirt, but after struggling with it and picking it off four times, I finally realized the dress only wanted a simple row of small flowers. And of course I didn't have any the right colour, so had to stain some white ones with diluted, purple metallic paint.

I had thought to use the same trim for her waistband that I used on the front edges of her underskirt, but that didn't look good either, so I ended up with a trim that had the colours reversed, with black spots in the middle of gold trim.

I think I need to make her a wig. I tried all the ones her size that I have, and none really looked right. The Paige wig she had been wearing made her look too old, like she was Monica's Mother, which wasn't the look I was after. My favourite was a long wavy one, but it was pale blonde, and she isn't a blonde. So for now she has a long straight dark brown.

Once she gets a better wig - in dark brown with streaks of purple - I will figure out what she needs on her head. Right now she has a simple circlet made of beaded gold trim.

I was going to make a beaded necklace, but found this one in my BJD jewelry box...

She also needs some wings. I looked through several boxes of fabric, but I don't have anything suitable, so I'm going to wait until the stores open up again and I can go look in person. So for now her gown is considered done...

earthspirits

6/9/2021 01:16:26 pm

The new gown is exquisite and the purple and gold tones are perfect for her. Very regal and magical!

Martha

6/9/2021 03:40:28 pm

Thanks. I had envisioned her as a Sorceress or Dark Fairy Queen, which is why I chose purple. Now I just have to make all the 'accessories', like wings, new wig, and maybe a staff.

Donna

6/9/2021 01:22:25 pm

Her gown is beautiful and perfect for her. She looks like a queen from an exotic far away land.

It has been so interesting watching this gown help design itself. Thank you for sharing the journey.

Martha

6/9/2021 03:42:14 pm

Thanks. It is very nice, but was quite the struggle. I don't even get upset anymore when I have to redo stuff for the second or third time. It would be nice if the gown didn't fight me at every turn, but it is what it is.

kenaiqueen

6/9/2021 03:04:57 pm

Gown looks gorgeous! It may not be what you started out to make, but it's beautiful and balanced and looks great on her. I agree about the wig. It just doesn't seem to fit the dress. I'm sure you'll come up with just the right one. I'm so jealous of the wonderful fabrics and trims you find. My area is too rural for much choice and even ebay doesn't seem to have what I have in my head these days. Congrats on a great finish!

Martha

6/9/2021 03:50:41 pm

Thank you. She's wearing the best wig I have at the moment. I need to make her one out of mohair - dark brown or black, with purple. I have purple mohair locks the exact same colours as her dress. It's rather wavy, but I did like a certain very long, wavy, blonde wig best, so it should work.

Everything I used came out of my stash, some of which I've had for many years. Although the purple velour came out of Fabricland's bin of 'Fancy Stretch Velour Ends' not that many years ago.

The trims are the really difficult part since none of the stores I originally got them from exist anymore. And I don't like buying stuff online, unless I know EXACTLY what it will be once it arrives.

Jitka

6/10/2021 05:46:05 am

Wow, this gown is wonderful. Your hard work has paid off, Miho looks absolutely fantastic.

Martha

6/10/2021 09:48:39 am

Thank you. I just realized that the purple lining in her dress might cause a stain, so now need to sew a white lining inside to protect her body.

Dorothy

6/10/2021 01:49:29 pm

The gown is stunning.

I actually like her wig. It makes her look exotic.

I can envision her at the architectural ruins site

I see Lisa's pillow in the photo. How lovely.

Martha

6/10/2021 02:39:09 pm

Thanks. Way back when I made her green dress, I bought a couple of different brown/black wigs for her that worked with that particular gown. This one looked the best with this new gown, but it's not the look I'm after.

Yes, she would work nicely at the Ruins, but first I need to feel better so I can go there.

The photo was taken in a 'photo studio' setting in the middle of another doll's 'magazine photography' session, and I figured I could just take a quick photo of Miho there. The white background helps to show the details of her gown.

Brigitte

6/11/2021 04:24:16 am

The long smooth wig supports Mihos exotic look. I like that. But to be on par with the new gown, she needs something more prominent, otherwise Miho will end up as a display dummy wearing "The Gown".

The gown guided you very well, it is awesome.

Martha

6/11/2021 07:03:19 am

I like the gown, but not the wig. It was the best wig of the ones I had, but isn't right in my opinion. I wasn't aiming for 'exotic', rather something that would fit in with my Fantasy-Medieval gang. She also needs something else on her head, but that has to wait until she has the right wig.

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Miho's New Gown

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