Or, how to turn three shower curtains into a gown fit for a Queen…
Here’s a teaser just to keep you interested:
And here’s a view from the front. I promise, more will follow soon!
There’s only so much time in a day…
The bottom picture shows the “true” color of the fabric better. It’s a shot rust/black poly-silk embroidered with a design of vines in an old-gold colored thread. …I know what you’re thinking: “Gack! POLYESTER?!!!” Before you think less of me, just remember that it was a shower curtain and is therefore WASHABLE!!! I never, ever, have to worry about a dry cleaner touching this gown. And because of the open front of the bodice it’s not at all hot to wear. Just remove the sleeves, and with the sheer embroidered linen sleeves of the chemise, I’m good to go! I wore this to a show where it was sunny and HOT and I was as cool as a cucumber!
OK, so on to the construction!
I think that I’ll need to split this page up into several otherwise it’ll be too long. Eventually, you’ll see links at the bottom of this page to the skirt, the bodice, the chemise & ruffs, and the sleeves.
But until I can work on it more, for now here follow some images of the skirt construction process:
On the left you can see one of the shower curtains in the process of being cut up into usable panels. The curtain was made up of a center panel of the embroidered material bordered on the top and bottom by a perfectly matching non-embroidered fabric and separated by a band of trim. Initially, I just cut the fabric off as close to the trim as I could, and I later on I scavanged the trim off the solid panels for use on the sleeves and hem. But I’m getting ahead of myself…
…so I’ll just continue from the start. Once I had the panels cut up, I had to un-stitch the side seams and re-stitch the panels together to form the skirt. My intention was to start with the skirt and then work with whatever fabric I had left to make the sleeves, bodice, etc.
It was important to me to piece the panels carefully, so I first lined them up and sewed them *wrong* sides together, then I trimmed the seam allowance carefully and took great pains in pinning each motif together so that they would line up just so when seen from the right side…I think it turned out pretty well. You can see for yourself in this picture on the left.
UPDATE- 12/22/07: Well, it seems that this particular dress diary has gotten linked to by a popular website, and I’m thinking I probably should add a few more pictures to the process in order to answer some questions…but not tonight.
Stay tuned over the weekend and I’ll add a few more things!
(BUT in the meantime, if any of you happen to know any Renaissance Festivals in search of a new Queen–or other lead character, I’m not particular–drop me a line! One can never have enough gigs!!!)
UPDATE! 2-27-08: The HAIR!
UPDATE! 2-28-08: The Skirt!
UPDATE! 2-28-08: The Bodice!
wow this is fantastic! I’m hoping to be a costume interperator one day aswell, at the moment my costuming skills are no where near as impressive as this!
Thanks, Roxi! One of these days I’ll post the rest of the pictures of this dress…the skirt now has pearls sewn on to each intersection of the embroidered vines…but I’m thinking of adding more. You can never have enough bling, you know?
I don’t know how I got to your website but I’m glad I did. The dress is amazing and to think it’s from a shower curtain. Keep creating!!!!
Some people have brilliant imaginations. Looks like something from out of a Kings Court hundreds of years ago. But I am sure the “fabric” would not have been recognized. LOL
What a fantastic job. It is very wonderful to see and it must be as fun to wear. I like the Renaissance look and would love to view other pieces in this era.
Abosolutely gorgeous!!! You truly have a gift!
omg!! this dress looks like its from the midevail times. Its so ugly.
ADMIN’s reply: THANKS! ROFLMAO!!!
I think it is very creative. Takes time to make things from your own hand. And woman that can make things from her own hand can go a long way in life. I would not however wear this myself. But I do have to say it was a wonderful job on doing it. Good work!
Very talented! With standard fabric widths 45″ and upholstery 54″ or so, shower curtains and sheets should be remembered when you need a very wide fabric. I especially like the removable sleeves for hot weather. Clever, very clever!
Sew on and on……..
Beautiful! Thats fantastic work- beautiful and delightedly frugal of you
I have a renaisance dress I bought as a halloween costume dress that I (still am working on) altered to be more period and elegant (and less tacky- bye bye plastic gemstones that were glued onto it lol) Great work!
I have a feeling you have made your niche in the fashion world. Stay with it and i’m sure we’ll see your name in magazines before you know it. What a lovely gown with the material you have worked with. Amazing
WOW……I am so impressed with your ability to see outside the box and put your artistic talent to work. Thank you so much for sharing. I couldn’t wait to share with my sister who use to do all the faires and make her hot, but ever so beautiful, costumes.
I can’t wait to see your other designs. and your right, there is no such thing as to much bling.
Mary
I think I must have gotten linked to by someone popular because this is the most comments I’ve ever gotten in a single day! Thanks to all the well-wishers, and especially to “Amanda”.
ADDENDUM: OK, I figured out where the link is. Here’s a hearty “THANKS!” to Ilona Peltz whose blog entry at aisledash.com sparked all the commenting!
Very nice! Wish I could do so well. All I can do is mending. This however is beautifull!