More Madame progress

[aimeekitty]

it's getting there!
I'm not wearing my corset cause I did this too late in the evening to be bothered with that,... so it'll fit better once I do that. Plus it's not tacked into the lining yet, at all. (it's just my hand on my hip holding the fabric down)

Though, I'm frustrated at how it pulls/constricts my shoulders. It fits "fine"... I'd just like it to fit really well. Since I've only made one gown like this before, I don't know if it's user error, pattern error, if that's just the way these gowns are. (I mean everyone does joke about t-rex arms). ... It seems to me like maybe my back piece needs to be extended. Unfortunately I don't have a local friend to drape with and my dummy really needs to be padded out, too.
The fabric is a bit fragile and frays easily... I'm going to have to be careful with it.

bah, not feeling very elegant and courtly at the moment, but I'll share it with you anyway.

Comments

[macbeemer.livejournal.com]

It looks so pretty!

I think those of us with broader shoulders have the worst trouble with these gowns. It does look like the back of the gown isn't quite wide enough. Maybe if you released the pleats a little bit, you'd be more comfortable. That way you don't have to re-cut anything, either. ...Except for that binding up top, but that's just a little piece!

Is that a JP Ryan pattern? I really need to get a good 18th C pattern.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

while I was driving to work this morning I was thinking about doing -exactly- that, releasing one pleat on each side... I think that's a good idea. (or repositioning the pleats just a bit..)

There's not really much leaway at the top to release because of the cap on the top of the pleats...? but I think I might play around with it a bit.

Yes, it's the JP Ryan. I used the same company for my stays, pocket hoops and my Lia dress. Overall very happy with them, they all fit together nicely, though THIS pattern is a bit confusing in places, once you figure it out, it's not that hard. The author will answer questions pretty quickly via email too and is very nice.

[macbeemer.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I'd take it apart and cut a longer cap at the top. It looks like you're going to want about an inch more room across the back, and you won't get that if you don't cut a new piece. D:

Dooooon't mess around with the sleeves. Speaking from experience (and nightmarish flashbacks to drafting Giselle), once you start messing with a set sleeve pattern, it becomes this whole monster of its own. The pleats are super straightforward at least; you won't have to mess with any curves or weird seams. :)

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

oh, I hadn't thought about cutting a new cap. duuuuh. lol.

[laragoth.livejournal.com]

Armfitting is such a pain in the tookus, no matter what pattern it is. I have a similar problem going on with my coat for Emeraldas at the moment (the pulling part is in the front), and I thought the solution may be a combination of extending the side back piece a little and the back segment of the sleeve a little. Maybe I'm wrong :)

I think I see what you mean though...the part in the back? (the front seems OK from the photo, at least, it doesn't look stressed, though I don't know what it feels like). It could change once you put the corset on..posture changes and all, let alone minor bits of compression that might help matters too (at least I've seen that happen on me).

Is very pretty! Can't wait to see it finished..

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

unfortunately since the whole back is one huge piece, I don't have enough fabric to make a new back piece, so I think my options are,... add in an extra patch work piece.... or cut out a new sleeve with more room at the back (but still the armhole I think would constrict...?) or let out the back pleats a bit... (I think this is what I"m going to do...)

[adichappo.livejournal.com]

I watched "Girl in the Fireplace" again over the weekend and I was wondering which of Madame's gowns you were going for. Very impressive. I think it will look fabulous!!!!

[calalillith.livejournal.com]

Despite the issues, it looks really good! Is the purple underneath a shirt or will that be part of the dress too..? Cuz that might be part of what you're feeling..? :s

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

haha, no that's just my tshirt because I didn't want to get corseted up. <3 it will make it fit a little bit better without the tshirt, but it's still to constricting to my liking. thanks though! :)

[quirkybird.livejournal.com]

They used to bind kids' shoulders back then - girls AND boys! George Washington apparently had narrow, sloping shoulders from intentional corseting in his youth.

The fashion of the time definitely reflects that. (Or maybe the shoulder-binding was to accommodate the fashion - chicken and the egg.)

But that is no reason for you to suffer!

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

It's gorgeous Aimee! Seriously, that fabric just glows, it's going to be a real stunner when you're finished.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

aw thanks! I hope so! I feel a bit dubious about it right now. *___*

[niesje7002.livejournal.com]

It looks great! Nice fabric as well ^^

[puppy52.livejournal.com]

it's amazing o_o good luck finishing it! :D:D

[pirate-moose.livejournal.com]

Wow! It looks incredible! :)

[green-martha.livejournal.com]

It's gorgeous !
What's been said about the back pleats and the armscye issues.

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

This is looking gorgeous and I love the tissue look of the fabric.

Do you want some help maybe this weekend? I have some time on Sunday midday.

[jubilima.livejournal.com]

That's gonna be beeeeeautiful!

[diavana.livejournal.com]

so pretty! i wished I knew how to make dresses like that!

[praedestinatio.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I am so excited to see this in person!

[miss-jane.livejournal.com]

Wow.. you are so talented! I know it's not finished, but it looks great! I love the fabric <3

[aviaq.livejournal.com]

Such a lovely design! So pretty!

The color of the fabric actually complements your hair nicely.

[(Anonymous)]

I had the same problem with the shoulders/sleeves on my dress like that, and I wasnt using the JP Ryan Pattern, so it maybe is just something that is common with the style.
It looks very nice so far though! :D

[kairi-g.livejournal.com]

I had the same problem with the shoulders/sleeves on my dress like that, and I wasnt using the JP Ryan Pattern, so it maybe is just something that is common with the style.
It looks very nice so far though! :D

[ladyofthethread.livejournal.com]

Looks nice so far! :-)

[spritelyredhead.livejournal.com]

That's amazing! Looks very similar to what I remember from the episode. I can't even hem my pants right half the time, so to a sewing-dummy like me, you create miracles every day XD

[missmuffincake.livejournal.com]

How lovely...I especially love the lace detail on the stomacher. Very impressive!!!!

[neku-niku.livejournal.com]

wow. you are awesome.