Getting There

In regards to costumes, I am basically done. A button here, a button there, I'm good. Our filming dates however have been pushed and pushed back. So the final dates stand at starting on the 2nd of January 2009 and finishing on the 4th. With a due date of the 15th.

I can't understand why all the topsy turvyness of it all. Granted when we filmed we were all high school age with weekends free. But we simply got everyone together for about 2 weekends and filmed non stop. It didn't matter if someone wasn't required for a scene. They simply waited. And this was for a short film too. The St Marys Ice Pix Festival.

But anyway. Its not my film. But thats just me. Get it over and done with as quickly as possible. I was tempted to suggest that the director put it off till next year, wait for the new topic to be announced and then just simply add it in. That way we have a whole year ahead of us to film, make costumes, prepare, and everything!

I think I will go into spotlight today, pick up some boning and some binding. I started making a new set of regency stays using the Sensibility pattern again. I love how these patterns are so easy to use and just brilliant overall! I decided to make another set as the first pair I made, apart from being very dodgy (it was my first pair after all) they are a little grubby. And I decided our actress could do with a nice new pair. I would keep them of course, but a new set was in order anyway. The gussets on my last set were a little too big. They are dark blue on the outside and white on the inside. They will be nice.

So here I sit, sewing the hem to the gold gown and getting a text saying the director wants a 1900 priest outfit, but he'll get it himself. I really hope he knows what he's doing. The way I see it for an edwardian Irish priest is simply a black suit and black shirt with a priest collar. Bobs your uncle. We'll see what he comes up with though!

Toodles!

Patterns of the Past

I think a run down on all patterns used is in order. I did use some of the big 4 patterns, for time and money. And altered where I could. I know I cringe too at some of the big 4 models they use. Eugh!

Inspiration from these books. I don't know what I would do without them!

Fashion History - Kyoto Costume Institute

Janet Arnold - Patterns of Fashion 1660-1860

Sensibility Regency Gown Pattern

McCalls 4626 - Altered

Simplicity 3758 - Altered, took a lot off the sleeves, they were huge!

McCalls 5414 - Altered

Simplicity 4092 - Altered from Janet Arnolds Patterns of Fashion

For the edwardian era, I found a shirt in an op shop and the skirt is the altered skirt from the Regency Gown Pattern. Simple yet effective I believe.

Almost done

I travelled to Camden on friday to fit the little girl. And the dress fit perfect. I had to stay at our directors house and quickly whip stitch the hem of the underskirt so she didn't trip. But that only took 5 minutes.

Our director posted some quick shots he took from the tv of what he filmed, and I am kicking myself that I wasn't there. I asked if they had a singlet top or t-shirt she can wear underneath and you can see it! I only found my 2nd fichu last night, so short of redoing the takes, I don't know what to do. I suppose I just have to let it lie, I can't do anything about it now. But I'm going to have to be there from now on, so I can hide any modern clothes and undergarments. I didn't want to push having to make undergarments for the little girl and making her get changed, I didn't want the mother to be uncomfortable at all. So the dress simply sat on top of her normal clothes.

Here are a few pictures, I won't include the one of her face, wouldn't be fair. I just wish I was there now! Can't do anything now though. But at least we have something filmed. I even offered just to get it all out of the way that I can be a stand in for the actress, just back shots and what not, as were the same height, hair colour and build. Has to have some perks being this odd shape of mine eh?

Pigeons in the water tank?

Alright, I admit I was watching probably a little too much Fawlty Towers over the past two days. But anywho. I have started and should finish the Edwardian costume in the next few days. I have pinned darts in the back to make is somewhat fitted for a size 14 woman, compared to the seemingly size 22 it is (for there were no tags on it). I think it looks remarkable for a $5 find, I've arranged it so it has the pigeon breast look to it. The skirt material is another op shop find, about 2 meters for $1, a brown twill. I've added a photo for inspiration and for its sweetness from the time.




I can't remember if I told, but I caved and bought a McCalls pattern for our little girl and adjusted it as necessary. It was too much of a hassel to do it any other way. And this way it is quick and simple, as it is, I have just to add the sleeves and sew the skirt to the bodice and hem it. And all should be done with it. I am just waiting for the little girl next door to come home with her mother so I can double check the fit and I should be laughing!

That is all that is pertinent at the moment. I am off to sew....again.

Yet again

I have started on the little girls dresses. I was busting my brain to find a little girl who would be the same size as her because I have not made things for little girls yet. But there is always a first for everything and I don't have a pattern. And so I remembered at work the little girl next door. How could I be so forgetful! She is pretty much spot on for size, give or take a cm. So I've started on the underskirt, I sewed the panels and gathered them all last night. A red underskirt and a blue overdress, something similar to this actually, but the blue will be light blue:

Anyway. Thats what the next few days will be dedicated too. Filming has been postponed again due to the owners of the Cobbity farm not being comfortable with something or other, thats all I could deduce from the voicemail on my phone. Either way. It gives me heaps of time and our poor director not enough!

The T'ings

Titled as Mr Bernard Black would put it.

I purchased some small buttons for the waistcoat and coat and some cord.

I am bidding on this gorgeous edwardian blouse. I've always wanted one, this just made me get it a little earlier. It is a very handy thing that our actress is the same size as me!

My little sisters friends father said he may give me one of his mums old singers and a heap of her old patterns. She used to make tudor peices by the sounds of it. Sounds so nice of him!

I must get back to the grind as it where. I have the measurements for our little girl, a georgian and a regency gown is in order for her. I am trying to get my hands on some brown material for her dress. So far, no luck. I may have another dig in my stash.

A light at the end, which is not a train for once

The Gold Gown is complete. The lace at the cuffs is sewn on, the hems are sewn and its ready to go!

I'm scouting ebay for some edwardian peices that I can use. And I get to keep them afterwards, because I don't think I can pull off an edwardian blouse myself. I did go op shopping yesterday and found a blouse that I can pull apart and possibly make something out of. I'll see. At the moment I have my eye on this whit tuck and lace bastiste blouse and a black bodice and skirt.

I sewed the majority of the gold vest together last night. Again I wont make button holes functional as I probably won't have time. I'll see. Filming has been pushed to the 6th, naturally I won't be there as I'll be at Twicon. But I hope to get out to our directors during the week to make sure the actors can get in and out of their costumes without me. Or he might change his mind and film on the sunday. I don't know and it doesn't matter to me. As long as they can dress themselves properly. Its one thing to dress yourself in modern clothes its simple. But historical fasion dictates some things go on first and how and where they are pinned matters!

We'll see how we go!

Photo update

I have decidedly finished the gold gown. I will simply pin the bodice into place on the actress, as most of the girls on the time did anyway.

The coat just needs to be sewn, well the darts need to be sewn, add some silver thread and bobs your uncle. That is if your uncle is called bob. But anyway, I have decided to add the collar, that is just sitting there on Gertrude. Yes. My dummy's name is Gertrude. After a great-great aunt.

So here follow pictures of the coat as it stands as of last night. I have just to sew it up and add some silver thread for looks, and it will have to do.

Filming has just been cancelled, due to weather. Shame. But its not me calling the shots. Personally I would still go. But we may go out on Sunday.

An unworthy update

So far the gold robe a la anglaise has not been worked on. But its a matter of finishing it tonight or be damned.

I have cut, sewn and pretty much tailored the burghandy gentlemans coat for Andrew. I have just to add buttons, which are simply going to be sewn on and will not be functional. I am in a quandry if I should or should not add a collar. I've seen examples with and without. I may add one. It may not be entirely correct, but its for show. And I don't have the funds to be entirely correct.

I will make tonight the gold vest to go with the burghandy coat. A simple affair, again, it will have buttons with no function. Time is of the essence here. Filming begins on saturday at 12pm.

I have yet to add a slit in each side of the damask underskirt to allow for proper walking. With the petticoats underneath there is not much room for the normalities. And since walking is an essential in this life, well I ought to make it happen.

And so here I sign off to sew yet again.

The seam so far

I gave in and decided to make the robe a la anglaise to my size. It is very very good luck that the girl is somewhat my size.

So I provide picture proof of things so far. I am to make a burghandy coat for our leading man.

It has taken me roughly 4 days to put together this dress. And I have yet to hem and finish it properly.

Periods to be used in Film

Periods to be used stands thus far, after another mind change from the producer. I'm trying to remain calm. Honestly. I am. He is letting me have a pretty free reign on design and so forth.

1700's
1800's
1900's
2000

Each of these corresponds to a season and a mood. And also colour plays a big part in this.

The 18th Century represents Summer. For this I aim to use a material I bought from the Smith Family. A yellow cotton unknown material with a sheen to one side and course on the other side. This will more than likely be a Robe a la anglaise.

The 19th Century represents autumn. For this I will more than likely use my spencer coat. A teddy bear brown chamois and dark chocolate brown velvet collar. This is obviously the regency era.

The 20th Century represents Winter. For this I will use a basic A line skirt in a brown twill and a high collared white blouse. Some thrift shopping may be needed.

The 21st Century represents Spring. For this I will use the actors clothes. What ever bright colours they posses will be used.

I am a little anxious as I have yet to receive any measurements for my actors. As they live far away from me I am relying on them to be somewhat accurate.

Proposed 10 step plan for making costumes

How to make six historical costumes in two weeks and ten easy steps.

Step One
Talk to your director. Always a good first step. Find out what he wants. Where he is coming from. What he see’s in these characters. What they should be feeling. What season we are in, what country is never a bad question to ask, their station, age etc.

Step Two
Gather/purchase material.

Step Three
Get measurements for your actors

Step Four
Get your patterns, cut, trace and alter like your life depends on it!

Step Five
Sew. HA! I wish it were that easy.

Step 5.5
Try to avoid panic attacks and remind self to breathe.

Step Six
Fit your costumes on your actors and adjust as necessary.

Step Seven
Fit your actors again and with any luck they are right for acting!

Step Eight
Stress clothes a little bit. Don’t be afraid to get them dirty, after all none of our clothes are pristine, and why should theirs be?

Step Nine
Stand back and watch your clothes work miracles.

Step Ten
Laugh and cry as necessary.