More Doctor Who party plans.

I've now had another thought as to what to go as for this Doctor Who party.

And we can go as a couple this way! I already priced a roman outfit from a costume place. Apart from it looking tacky, I could make something for less than that! And I think I just might. Mr A can go as Rory the Roman and I can go as Amy the kiss-o-gram police officer.

Shouldn't be too hard. And I hope not to eat my words!

Next project

Now that the Queen Victoria outfit is complete. I have to focus on finishing another project started at probably the same time as the corset, if not earlier. My red and black dress. I have to put the zipper in and hem it all and bind it and it should be done.

I've had a few requests to do some costumes for friends and friend of friends short films for school. But their timing is rather questionable. I would prefer a month in advance, and 2 weeks is a big no no. I have many things, beside my own projects, work, a partner, a house to maintain, work, youth group beside just living and winding down from a days work.

I have my partners family new years eve party to attend this year and it's fancy dress. I was going to drag out the Queen Victoria dress, but after being in it a few hours and it being hot, and it's not really summer yet, I may have to rethink this. I would love to use the sash and tiara again, so I might just go as some Regency Royal. Any suggestions would be awesome!

Friday night's a great night for...sewing? O_o

Well in this case it is. It's a little chilly and dismal outside and it's supposed to be like this all weekend. Might be a chance to finally get started on the dress as the corset is complete!

Pictures as follows as modelled by the lovely Gertie:

Thought I should include what I used and where I got the notions. I used the Laughing Moon pattern, the Straight Dore corset to be exact. I used Aussie Corset Supplies for the bones and busk. Now the only problem I have with this website is that the bones were far too thin and flimsy. The busk was fine, you can't really differ I've found in the quality, but this place seemed to offer them a little cheaper and now I know why. If you want light boning I highly recommend this place, otherwise if you want something more sturdy, I used Gallery Serpentine for my original bones, they make some 'out there' stuff if you're not accustom to it, but gorgeous none the less. I emailed them for an up to date price list, ordered my bones and took a nice little drive to Robertston to pick them up. The lady I've usually dealt with (whose name escapes me was always lovely, Annette I think), but apparently there is a slightly snarky lady there now. The blue silk was from Spotlight, as was the herringbone weave under layer. All up I think this corset has cost me under $70.

And to show the bad weather we've been having, this is what greeted us on Wednesday afternoon. Impending doom:

So far...

We have almost completed the corset, I have 3 more flat felled seams to sew, all the boning channels, then binding and just adding the cord with which to pull it all together. I ended up just giving my chemise a good washing, I could not be bothered to make a new one.

I found a little brooch to wear at the bust of the dress today, it's a lighter blue than the one in Queen Victoria's portrait, found it at a $2 store in Figtree.

My mate is doing another short film for his film school, a fantasy medieval thing. And asked if I would like to do the costumes. I have more time with this one, unlike the diocese costumes.

So far all I know is there are 3 main characters, an evil prince, a farmers daughter and the hero I suppose.

I know I'll need 2 cloaks for woman and the man, the prince, I'm not sure. But he'll probably be in darker colours, for the woman, I'm looking at paintings and colours, it's an Irish setting. She is a farmers daughter after all so not a high station, but that's perfectly fine by me. Less detail!

Stripes and Rain

As promised, pictures of the green stripe dress. I hand sewed the sleeves entirely, the bodice pleats and hand sewed them to the skirt by hand. I wanted the sleeves to be cut unlike how they are, but meh, it's all good.

It's raining as it has been all day. I visited the wollongong museum and got some more ideas for the australia post film. Got some more angles to film from and ideas on how to do it. Lovely little place in there. Small but nice. Lovely ladies in there too. I think I may hae been the only one to visit today. So I had the whole place to myself. Am still on the lookout for the big old victorian post boxes, one that works or at least has been looked after over the years. I might go down to Kiama next weekend, if not I have a feeling Bowral or the highlands will have what I'm after. Sydney will, but thats a little too far.

I have started to pull apart the grey robe to make into the cloak. It is going to have a few seams in it, but as its wool, you don't notice it as much.

The cast list so far stands at:

1860's girl - Me
Post office Lady - As you don't see this lady's face, I can change costume and be this lady as well.
Postman Modern post office lady - Caz
Modern girl - Cookie
Modern post man

Hopefully if Cookie says yes to helping us out I can get the ball rolling!

But enjoy the pretty pictures. This goes with a new set of stays as posted a month ago.

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.

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.