dressdiarywhitefairy

Inspiration

The first is a Mercedes Lackey (Black Swan) cover and the second is a custom made doll. My gown won't look exactly like either, but it may have elements from both. I'd love to take a stab at the doll's crown. I've purchased a plastic mask form and will try cutting that. Maybe it'll work, maybe not. I'm also loving the doll's wings, a combination of white "netting" type material and feathers. I'd like to give those a shot. Again, it's hard to say what my efforts will turn out like.

My first attempt at the bodice. I'm using Vogue pattern 7733 but made some alterations. I'm long-waisted, so it had to be lengthened quite a bit. Plus, I wanted to have "tails". See below. I'm actually quite pleased with the results.

You'll note I've put the word medieval in quotes. There's an obvious reason for that. This gown is NOT going to be historically accurate. Not by any stretch of the imagination. It's for a "fairy ball" and thus will have more than a few fantasy elements. But it will have the shape of a medieval gown. After toying around with different time periods (including late Elizabethan), I decided I'd be true to the period, if only in spirit :)

When I launched this site, I'd already done a bit of work on the gown. I have taken a stab at the bodice, have sewn the skirt and started the train. But there's still plenty of work do to yet. I'm hoping to even give some hand sewn embroidery a try. I'm kind of scared of that. I SUCK at embroidery if it isn't cross stitch.

Here's the mock-up bodice with the actual skirt.I'm using silver uber-shiny satin (gag!) for the gown's underskirt, but there's a sheer white overshirt toning it down. On the left, you can see the tail end of the train.

The bodice back. Note the gap. That's intentional. There are flaps for the closure (it'll be laced). Plus, I'm leaving some room in case I lose more weight. I'm starting this gown 9 months before the event, and am hoping to lose another ten pounds. After last year, I don't want to take any chances. It's no fun trying to do major alterations after the bodice is completed.

The detachable "feather" train in place. I used the same pattern as the skirt, but cut only the center portion of the back panels. There is a white silk foundation layer and then several rows of sheer fabric cut in faux feathers sewn on top of that. I'll be tying the train onto the bodice with ribbins, which will allow me to take it off at the party if it becomes too burdensome. I expect it'll be stepped on quite a bit on the dance floor.

A close up of the bodice fabric. I didn't want an all white gown, fearing I'd look like a bride. It took me forever to find this fabric, but it's going to work nicely. It's fairly heavy (upholstery fabric), which I prefer when sewing bodices. I like them to be stiff, hold things in :) Since the bodice won't be boned, and I won't be wearing a corset, I needed something that would keep its shape.

The final element: the REAL feathers. I can't believe how lucky I was. The ONLY white Indian peacock in the area was molting when I took the kiddies to the farm and I was able to gather dozens of gorgeous feathers. They're super long. I'll be permanently attaching them to the train in rows, longest on the bottom, shortest on the top and sides. Because I won't be able to fold the train once the feathers are attached, I'm not sure how I'll get it to the hotel when the time comes, but oh well. It's going to be stunning when it's done.

Worked on the sleeves and bodice tonight. The sleeves are only pinned on at this point because I'm working on the lower inner sleeve yet. Those I'm making out of white silk. I'm making the plunge and trying some "blackwork" embroidery.

I love the swirly-curly variety (which is no doubt probably NOT medieval, but that's okay). After digging around on the net for hours, and checking out some samples, I drew my own pattern, a simple swirl and leaf pattern. I think it looks pretty darn good!

Embroidered center panel in place, outer sleeves cut into "feathers", and trims pinned.

I spent hours at JoAnn's yesterday, dinking around with trim. I came home with a gorgeous red, black and gold embroidered ribbon, but the red was too much contrast. I wanted this gown to be more monochromatic. So instead, I decided to stick with black and silver accents. And on the sleeves, I machine embroidered a section of silver satin. I'm thinking of putting some kind of fancy button or something in the center of each sleeve for a little extra bling.

Still working on the embroidery for the undersleeves. Next up: the girdle.

I'm also on the hunt for matching pins for the sleeves, a brooch for the bodice and a second brooch for the girdle. Checking eBay first.

I tackled the tail today. I can't tell you how long it took to glue all these feathers on. Hours. But I love the results. I concentrated the majority of the feathers on the center of the train, but fanned some out toward the sides so that they'd be visible from the front.

Front view with train gathered around one side of the dress. You can also see I've started working on the girdle. At this point, it's a little rough, but it's coming along. I couldn't find a ribbon I liked, so I was forced to make something. Starting with a base of the silver satin, I machine embroidered a diamond pattern (UGH. Tedious!) on the strips of fabric. Next, I'll trim it up and make it pretty. I'm thinking it needs some pearls. And something extra special for the center. Haven't found anything yet.

A close-up of one completed sleeve. I completed the embroidery on the undersleeve, added tiny faux pearls to the hem and hand stitched a silver wire trim as well. The outer sleeves are gathered and basted to the under sleeve, so that they aren't hanging over my hands and I added some pretty metal beads up high, one in the center of the silver band (the lower part dangles) and one just below the silver band. I am loving these sleeves!

I started the "crown". It began as a cheap plastic mask form and a paper plate. I'm nothing if not resourceful :) I cut the front shape out of the mask form then drew and cut the background shape (feathered part) out of the paper plate. I covered the plate in white silk and hot glued the feathers. Then I covered the front part with silver satin and hot glued the front to the back. Next, I glued three white peacock feathers to the back of the feathered piece--two swords and one eye feather and glued the back lining in place. Next, I'll do the fun part--add the bling.

After staring at the dress for a while, I decided it needed more layers of "feathers" to the skirt. I cut panels of sheer white fabric, cut the edges into feathers and pinned in place. This shot kind of shows them. It also shows the embroidered girdle. You can't see it, but it's lined with faux pearls down both sides and has pearls stitched to the front.

Everything looks so shiny in these pictures, but they aren't. Honest! LOL It's the reflection of the flash. The look is much more muted in real life.

I made the jacket. After seeing the sample above, I knew it was what my dress was missing. Not to mention, it'll be a practical way to attach the wings, since the back laces would present a problem without it. And for kicks, I lined it with snow white faux fur. It looks like feathers.