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More Challenges

3/24/2015

12 Comments

 
The four Renaissance gowns are presenting me with new challenges at every turn. First there wasn't enough of several of the fabrics I wanted to use, so the under-dresses had to have 'pieced' skirts. One of the skirts refused to let go of it's creases, and then the iron fought back, spilling water on the satin and making permanent stains. 

I designed the sleeves so the lower part could do up with snaps instead of lacing through eyelets, since it's so much easier to do up.  But even though I thought I added enough extra width to the bottoms of the sleeves, after all the layers of fabrics and trims, they would no longer overlap at the wrist. But I hadn't planned on using eyelets so the trims were not sewn on leaving spaces for eyelets. Okay, so the sleeves will now have snaps partway down, and the wrist will get tied shut with ribbons, which I still have to sew on.

This morning I stripped my Rosy so she could model along with Ryung. The underdress went on fine. Rosy isn't quite as large in the bust area as Ryung, so the dress fits a bit looser, but the over-dress can be laced tightly over top, so it doesn't matter.  BUT, then when I tried to put the over-dress bodice on Rosy, her one hand wouldn't go through the sleeve. I had designed the sleeve to let through Ryung's hand, but hadn't considered some other dolls of similar size have wider-spread fingers. Rosy's hand will have to come off in order for her arm to fit through the sleeve. Which means I need to design some 'dressing balls' to include with the gowns. 'Dressing balls" are wooden balls, a bit larger than the wrist opening on the lower arm, and they have an open screw-eye hook on one end and a closed screw-eye on the other. You gently pull the doll's hand, hook the 'dressing ball' into the arm elastic, remove the hand, and then dress the doll. After you are done, you pull the 'dressing ball' to expose the arm elastic, and slip the doll's hand back on.  Always something!

Anyway, here's Ryung and Rosy, both in their under-dresses, trying on a bodice with one sleeve...
Picture
The bodices won't get their edge trim and eyelets until after the over-skirts are attached. The wine and gold sleeve still needs some decorative beading and the snaps sewn on so it fits tight.
12 Comments
Donna
3/24/2015 02:20:13 am

Oh, wow, they are already looking beautiful! They'll be amazing when they're done!

Thank you for sharing the challenges you run into along the way. It is very helpful to see how you trouble shoot and find solutions as you run into problems. The final results are so worth your efforts!

Reply
Martha
3/24/2015 02:42:17 am

I especially love Rosy in these costumes. I think it's because she has a bit smaller head so is a bit more proportioned.

Sometimes when I run into trouble I'll start over, but with these outfits there's already too much gone into them to throw them out and start over. They aren't particularity cost-effective to make in the first place. So that means pressing onward with alternate solutions.

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Brigitte
3/24/2015 05:23:05 am

They are so beautiful. I love them both.

Thank you for sharing your challenges. I'm relieved to see this also happens to an expert like you and not only to an amateur like me. :-) I'm very good in 'running into trouble'... ;-)

Reply
Martha
3/24/2015 05:43:10 am

Oh yes, sometimes a dress almost 'makes itself', while other times it's a non-stop struggle. It happens to even the most experienced of us. Most of the time I don't say anything and just quietly find a solution, but this time I felt like letting off some steam.

Reply
Jane
3/24/2015 05:46:30 am

My goodness there are so many problems to sort out on the way......I so admire you preserving with the issues.

The girls are both gorgeous but I have a big soft spot for your Ryung......I love her face-up so much.

Reply
Martha
3/24/2015 07:07:59 am

Normally I just quietly deal with any issues that come up, but March has been rough. However, the dresses and the month are almost done. I always like seeing when everything comes together.

Neither girl has been out of the cupboard in years, so it will be nice to see them in something new, and to take photos. They are so beautiful. Both face ups are by Charie Wilson.

Reply
Muriel
3/24/2015 06:37:30 am

Allez ! Courage ! Votre travail est tellement fascinant et c'est un régal pour les yeux.
Mes bjds sont habillées de costumes historiques et je suis dans la période renaissance, donc je veux une de vos robes !!! ;)
Je suis de tout coeur avec vous pour finaliser ce grand projet.

Reply
Martha
3/24/2015 07:03:47 am

It's just been a very rough couple of weeks, so I don't have the patience for costume problems, but The end is in sight, and then it starts to get exciting. I always love seeing the costumes come together.

Reply
Carolina Gonzalez link
3/24/2015 07:16:33 am

"sometimes a dress almost 'makes itself', while other times it's a non-stop struggle"
Ain't that the truth!!!!
When I get to that state of non-stop struggle, I usually do something completely different to let off steam, like sculpting or painting, before I just throw the sewing stuff off the window :D.
Your work is looking beautiful, despite the challenges!

Reply
Xanadu
3/24/2015 08:50:52 am

Well as perfect as your garment results are Martha, it's heartening for us seamstresses to know you still have your challenges along the way like the rest of us. (I mean that in the nicest way)

The colours and fabrics you have chosen and combined in these outfits are simply superb, so regal and I think the end result will, once again, be wonderful.

Keep on keeping on! We are right behind you. :)
Hugs,
X

Reply
Jay
3/24/2015 03:09:39 pm

I agree with everything else everyone has said. Your creativity extends even into very clever problem solving! Kudos to you!

Reply
Catherine Lewis
3/25/2015 05:29:33 am

I agree also, knowing your challenges and finding wonderful solutions is something that lets all of us gain courage and knowing its 'normal' at times 2 feel this way. You are a gr8 problem solver Martha, keep up the wonderful work, you will feel 'more' proud when they are finally completed.

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    Martha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes.
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