I recreated the dress! Ophelia 2018 Teal Costume

 

You might recall that a year ago (plus a little extra time) I had said I was going to make this dress. Well, I finally did. It stretched a lot of skills, and added new ones, and I used a different pattern overall as the base...but it is about 95% finished and I am extremely pleased with how it turned out! 

Hours of work: 40+

Fabric: 7 yards teal crinkle voile cotton, 5 metres of patterned sari silk.

Pattern used: Butterick 4827

Pattern modifications: altered so closure of spiral lacing was in front, added front facing, and remade the sleeves so the seam was on the top. 

I really can't explain all the lunatic steps I had to take to make the gown resemble the one in Ophelia. What I can say is that the bodice area is fully lined in teal cotton, all the seams are finished, and the complete width ("52, I believe) of the cotton voile is used in the side panels. There are only four seams on the outside if the dress, two in front, two in back, but the fitted bodice lining has six in total. 

The sleeves have three parts: 1. A fitted sleeve lining, 2. Cotton voile gathered and sewn to the lining, 3. A strip of silk backed with lining cotton for the sleeve panel, that runs from the top edge of the sleeve to the wrist. The sleeves need a raw edged ribbon added down the edges of that panel, still to come. The dress also needs me to finish stitching down the side volume "pleats", and buy handsewn silk cord for the side lacings. I also need to shorten each length of the silk belt, it is much too long! 

I learned how to sew hand finished eyelets for the spiral lacing and use a tapestry needly to assist lacing when getting into it. I may or may not add some teal raw silk panels to the long, floor length sleeves. The film indicates that there are such panels but I don't really see how they add to the finished dress. I also, like the original designer, made those long draped sleeves removable. It's waaaay easier getting into the dress without them, lol.

Please pardon that in the photos the bust looks odd. The lacings were correctly measured, but I need to find a good garment to wear underneath. Something that lifts up, methinks. I also needed to stitch down those side pleats, hence the funny balloon look. I will fix the issues and next time photos are taken all should be well.

2018 Ophelia Dress Costume Fabric

Swatch next to "motif" fabric

So one swatch arrived! It looks great next to the "motif" fabric, they are practically identical in color. Pardon the funny lighting in my photo, I have very poor light in my room and must make do as I am able.

Pros: Color match and pre-crinkled.

Cons: It's cotton, and rather costly per yard.

I will have to see what the next swatch is like, as it's a crinkle taffeta in teal and I think that light gloss taffeta has would match the shimmer in the "motif".

On a downside, the really lovely sequin teal chiffon I was admiring does not have a swatch option. Do I take the plunge and buy it hoping that it's a match? Or do I not? Decisions, decisions... It's a smaller quantity because it will only be used on the sleeves, but still...

Greetings, wanderer!

Me, from like, a bajillion years ago. 

(actually only three)

“Change is painful, but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” - Mandy Hale

I have no idea who Mandy Hale is, but I feel like that quote has been my life for years now. Who am I? Not a clue. I like to sew, and have a regular 40hr a week job, and I am learning Swedish...which is relevant to nobody, and I have fabric stashes, and I love fantasy.

And no, I've never gated for the Renaissance Festival. But what a cool job that would be!

I HAVE been in the SCA, but not lately. I mean, not for two years, at least. And I really loved my wimple, miss you wimple, dear!

Mostly, I am a not quite young woman who loves costumes and is currently so stressed out that I cannot see the forest for all the trees. I have fabric goals, and dress goals, and want to develop some skills. But sometimes I get blue, and withdrawn, and lonely and I eat chocolate pudding (again, not relevant) and I stop sewing. Except face coverings. There has to be more to life than sewing those. So this journal journey is going to be my accountability to me, to follow through on what I want to sew, darn it!

Feel free to join me, or not, as I embark on this path that hopefully leads to some sanity, and beauty, and dare I say, fun?