I'm poring through my costuming books looking for the perfect Victorian ball gown to make in MSD size for an Iplehouse JID, but I think I'm going to have to make up my own using some of the features I like best from many different gowns. One of the most challenging things when making an outfit for such a small doll is the scale of the fabrics - ie. the thickness. I'm obviously stuck using regular fabrics intended for human-size clothes, which is fine as long as I stay away from making puffs and ruffles, as they will be too stiff and stick out too much and ruin the look. Unless I can find very fine fabrics. But there's not really a lot of choice in the few fabric stores left these days. Pleats are lovely though, especially when made from wide ribbon.
Many people mistakenly think "Victorian" is any dress with a long skirt, but true Victorian has a very specific look - a small tight bodice, and a very elaborate series of long flowing skirts and draperies with a bustle in the back. There are actually three different Victorian styles, but I'm going for the first, more feminine, one. These are all from that particular period. It's interesting that all the fashion illustrations from the period rarely show the front of the bodice, as it's the skirt decorations - especially at the back - that always seems to be the main feature.
Many people mistakenly think "Victorian" is any dress with a long skirt, but true Victorian has a very specific look - a small tight bodice, and a very elaborate series of long flowing skirts and draperies with a bustle in the back. There are actually three different Victorian styles, but I'm going for the first, more feminine, one. These are all from that particular period. It's interesting that all the fashion illustrations from the period rarely show the front of the bodice, as it's the skirt decorations - especially at the back - that always seems to be the main feature.
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