Category Archives: Danse Libre dress

So, let’s talk about innards. You know, of the Danse Libre bodice. The part that costumers love and geek out over, and the rest of you are welcome to be all Front seams: Pressed open overcast each side individually Boning … Continue reading →

Since I don’t have photos yet from my friend who took them, here is a sneak peek (which is not really sneaky, given it’s 2 weeks after I’ve worn the dress)

Just in time for Viennese Ball tomorrow, I have completed the finishing touches on my bertha. Lace, and what I believe are technically known as “big-ass bows”. (Note, these are not to be confused with “big ass-bows”, which I believe … Continue reading →

Just wore the dress for the first time in rehearsal! There are things that aren’t perfect – mostly 5 feet issues (aka, you won’t notice them if you are 5 feet away). Even the 1 foot issues probably aren’t noticeable … Continue reading →

Finally have the bodice in a completely wearable state. I won’t consider it done until it has a bertha (and maybe tucker), but I could wear this to a performance if necessary. The sleeves were pretty straightforward. I used the … Continue reading →

I finally finished the bodice mockup, and got to sewing! The bodice is silk taffeta, interlined with silk organza, and flatlined with plain white muslin. The silk organza adds crispness and body, without adding bulk. Took a while to cut … Continue reading →

Quick interlude on how I did the scallops on the skirt flounces. First, finding a scallop-on-scallop pattern is not easy. I finally got the idea of image searching for scalloped doilies. Found one that was round, cropped off the piece … Continue reading →

Holidays are good for making progress. I finished tracing all the scallops on the flounces, cut them all out with pinking shears (my wrist still hurts today), gathered one flounce over a cord and have it pinned to the dress: … Continue reading →

Sometimes getting a mockup to fit is like this: I ended up throwing out the mockup from Peling’s bodice, and starting over with my Truly Victorian pattern. So far it seems to be the right move, but the TV still … Continue reading →

First template traced: 460 inches to go. At least the cats are helping.