elizabeth_mn (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
elizabeth_mn) wrote2015-01-19 04:46 pm
elizabeth_mn) wrote2015-01-19 04:46 pm
Entry tags:
the gown and the ball
I did end up finishing this in time for the Winter Ball.
I like it more than I expected. The bertha looked doofy the whole time I was making it, but when I put everything on it came together a bit. I accessorized with pink glass pearls, white gloves from Finale Gloves, and some off-white fake flowers in my hair. I just used my own hair, braided in two braids and coiled up, with a couple small twists in front.
The ball was great fun! The dance program was perfectly suited to my taste; lots of polka and figure dances and only a few waltzes. I danced mostly with my husband but with a few other folks too, including lots of ladies, because I do enjoy leading in a couple dance. But I did also polka with a gentleman and I did let him lead. So I'm not hopeless, really.
I got a few photos at the ball but as usual none really worth keeping. They are on my other camera so I might share some when I get them off there. But here are a couple more from home:
I put the timer on the camera at home and this one snapped before we were ready, but I love it because it's so typical of me to be fiddling with my HB's tie.
I don't think he minds.
The bertha is really the only trim. It's really quite handy the way this is constructed. It's a totally separate, finished piece you just slip on over your head and pin into place. I tried the pattern that came with the bodice, but it was ridiculously huge. So I pretty much began from scratch.
I lined the shape, turned it, pressed, and stitched the opening closed.
Then I started applying trims. I had no idea what I was doing here and tried a bunch of other ideas that didn't work out. Finally I simplified the whole plan and it sort-of worked. This silk taffeta is leftover from the pink ballgown, and the little ruffle is a strip of gathered netting.
I added a ruched strip of self-fabric. I thought maybe white ribbon but purple won out in the end.
The finished bertha.
And here's the back for good measure.
I hand-sewed eyelets in back using pearl silk floss. Top and bottom edges (but not the sleeve seam) are finished with a piped facing. It was really tough getting that back point to lay nicely with all the bulk of the piping!
As you can see I took everyone's advice and made the front point shorter and more blunt. I also kept the neckline relatively high and it came out perfect for me. I don't terribly like showing a lot of boob at a ball. I always get paranoid and keep checking it all night. So this neckline felt very secure and I could just ignore it.
The pattern is Laughing Moon 117. Not perfect, but it fit pretty well and worked alright. I will probably use it again.
The fabric is very light cotton sateen from Treadle. Everyone was so surprised to hear it was cotton!
I like it more than I expected. The bertha looked doofy the whole time I was making it, but when I put everything on it came together a bit. I accessorized with pink glass pearls, white gloves from Finale Gloves, and some off-white fake flowers in my hair. I just used my own hair, braided in two braids and coiled up, with a couple small twists in front.
The ball was great fun! The dance program was perfectly suited to my taste; lots of polka and figure dances and only a few waltzes. I danced mostly with my husband but with a few other folks too, including lots of ladies, because I do enjoy leading in a couple dance. But I did also polka with a gentleman and I did let him lead. So I'm not hopeless, really.
I got a few photos at the ball but as usual none really worth keeping. They are on my other camera so I might share some when I get them off there. But here are a couple more from home:
I put the timer on the camera at home and this one snapped before we were ready, but I love it because it's so typical of me to be fiddling with my HB's tie.
I don't think he minds.
The bertha is really the only trim. It's really quite handy the way this is constructed. It's a totally separate, finished piece you just slip on over your head and pin into place. I tried the pattern that came with the bodice, but it was ridiculously huge. So I pretty much began from scratch.
I lined the shape, turned it, pressed, and stitched the opening closed.
Then I started applying trims. I had no idea what I was doing here and tried a bunch of other ideas that didn't work out. Finally I simplified the whole plan and it sort-of worked. This silk taffeta is leftover from the pink ballgown, and the little ruffle is a strip of gathered netting.
I added a ruched strip of self-fabric. I thought maybe white ribbon but purple won out in the end.
The finished bertha.
And here's the back for good measure.
I hand-sewed eyelets in back using pearl silk floss. Top and bottom edges (but not the sleeve seam) are finished with a piped facing. It was really tough getting that back point to lay nicely with all the bulk of the piping!
As you can see I took everyone's advice and made the front point shorter and more blunt. I also kept the neckline relatively high and it came out perfect for me. I don't terribly like showing a lot of boob at a ball. I always get paranoid and keep checking it all night. So this neckline felt very secure and I could just ignore it.
The pattern is Laughing Moon 117. Not perfect, but it fit pretty well and worked alright. I will probably use it again.
The fabric is very light cotton sateen from Treadle. Everyone was so surprised to hear it was cotton!