LHS ball

[elizabeth_mn]

Last weekend my sister and her fiance flew into town to spend her birthday with us and attend the Living History Society's winter ball. The period was civil war era. I loaned her a dress which meant I had to scramble to come up with something for myself. I sewed frantically until the last minute as usual, but we made it to the ball!



I had just enough fabric left from my purple plaid dress to make an evening bodice. I had a half yard of acid green silk/cotton satin to work in somehow. I originally bought it to go with the day bodice, for covered buttons and trim. That didn't pan out, but I still loved the bright green with the purple.

I bought some more of the same satin in white and some gorgeous wide lace from work. With these I made a bertha with ruching and piped edges with green bows in front, back, and shoulders. I absolutely love the look of this, but it did seem to gape away from my body slightly. It didn't feel slippy but you can see it in photos. Alas. I suppose I just sew a tucker to it. I suppose this is the danger of making a separate bertha rather than just sewing trim directly to the bodice, but I like how a separate bertha conceals the closure and looks seamless.

I also made a sash with long tails in back. The sash ended up slightly tight, which made it wrinkle more than I wanted, but I can move the hooks and eyes for next time.



I really didn't get any good dress shots. We were in such a hurry getting ready, and then I didn't take my camera to the ball with me.

The ball was a lot of fun. The dinner was delish and the dancing was wonderful. I think my sister had a blast! It was so nice to have her at a costume event. And my future brother-in-law is a great dancer!

Comments

[vanessa-lynne.livejournal.com]

Lovely!

How is your bertha attached?

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Just with pins.

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

I love it! That green is terrific with the purple. Your sister and future b-i-l look really excited, too, which is fun. :) I think the berthe turned out really well. The lace, what I can see, looks beautiful. I think berthes are supposed to be removable?? Maybe tacked down or pinned? It does seem tricky to get them to fit perfectly without slipping or gaping. I have definitely seen one try to do a lei impression during the Grand March. :p The tucker is attached directly inside the dress neckline, a nice thing to have anyway.

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It is made to be removable; it's a totally separate piece. I just slipped it over my head and pinned it in place. Maybe next time I will baste it instead.

[jenthompson.livejournal.com]

You look ravishing! I love the green with the purple, and you seriously have the most beautiful hair on the planet. I'm dying over that big knot of braids.

*swoon*

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm blushing a little. I am pretty fond of my hair, I admit.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

You look great! I love the purple and green and the sash is awesome!

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Thanks! The purple and green are such a win. I almost didn't do the sash because it started out looking pretty stupid, but I was glad I pushed through.

[totchipanda.livejournal.com]

Yeeee so pretty!! I love purple and green together :D

[jubilima.livejournal.com]

You look SO PRETTY! Everyone looks so good! I can't believe you just loaned that dress to your sister and it looks like it was made for her. Must be nice to share genes like that. :)

Also, that photo of you with your husband--I love the way he looks at you adoringly!

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Thanks! We do have similar figures, though she found the corset pretty tight. Hard to say if it was just her not being used to it!

Yeah, my man does give me pretty dreamy looks. I'm lucky. :)

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

You look so pretty! The dress turned out just fabulous and I love the contrast colors!

[theladyrebecca.livejournal.com]

You look gorgeous! I love the new bodice/bertha combo, and I'm so glad you stuck with the sash - it's really cute!

[fifthlampdown.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

Well, you all look amazing! Purple and Green are your colors.

[atherleisure.livejournal.com]

Lovely dress and gorgeous hair.

[twe.livejournal.com]

Everyone looks great. The green and purple work well together. I love the sash too!

[starlightmasque.livejournal.com]

My goodness how gorgeous you look! Your gown, your hair, your arm candy-- it's all magnificent!

[the-aristocat.livejournal.com]

I LOVE the dress! The plaid and the colors! Perfect! I'm glad you had fun. :)