20 replies to this topic

[Metanoia]

I am about to tackle a can can dress because if I don't start now its not going to get anywhere I think and then I will get in trouble.

I would like to do the Urchin from Moulin Rouge, but there are not many photos of her at all. I've got two good ones that are from the DVD making of still shots and I've been trying to work out the best way to do the patchwork.

Would others here just make a couple of panels that are large enough to cut the semi-circles from, or would you do a really large panel that you can cut a waist hole in and zip up or something? I am getting myself into a state trying to work out the best way since it will all be patchwork panels on the outside and it needs some sort of flow with minimal construction lines.

Any help with the best way to go about it would be appreciated as I think the patchwork is going to be one of the longest parts to this costume.

Here are the two photos:

Actress Sitting - You can see what I believe is a join line going lengthwis down the skirt. I don't believe this is a fold.

Dress in Motion - the only other good photo I have, but it shows the back.

I do think I can do the ruffles and a few other bits and pieces by myself though before crying for help again (I'm a newbie afterall *grin*)

Edited by Metanoia, 23 February 2006 - 08:14 PM.

[LadySilverSpider]

Arg picture links denying entry. I do know that the skirts have an amazing amount of material in the ruffles - how wild are you going to go with accuracy?

[Metanoia]

They are the pics from that orange fortune city website. Try This link and scroll down to the thumbnails

At the moment I want to get the over skirt in progress and then make the ruffles to fit, or is it better working the other way.

At this point I think that the ruffle accuracy may have to suffer to get it all done, but we'll see. I have a coule of skirt tutorials for the ruffle part I can follow Its the patchwork that is scaring me

Edited by Metanoia, 23 February 2006 - 08:13 PM.

[mdb]

That's my site;)

I'd go for two half circles. You'd be hard pressed finding a fabric full width anyway;) It also creates a neater and more stable closure as you don't need to cut into the fabric.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/diamonddogs
Some of the folks over there might have some ideas. I'm part of the group as well;)

[Metanoia]

Hi mdb. I have looked that that forum before, but can't seem to work my way around it. Considering how website minded I am that is a bit of an enigma to me I'll do a couple of searches over there.

So you'd make two half circles for the outer skirt as well (baring in mind that material width doesn't matter as I'm making it by patchwork anyway)

[El Presidente]

My 2 cents worth...

Find an old sewing book (1960's would do) and it's bound to have patchwork instructions, or a there's modern books specifically on the subject. Otherwise, I can show you how - it's not really difficult, just time consuming (and being able to be accurate helps - templates work)

I'd agree with everybody else here and go with a circle skirt(s) - you're short like me so you probably could get a full circle out of 150cm, but mdb's right that 2 half circles is slightly more stable and is easier to do the closure.

And I'm just checking my understanding here, everyone's talking about 2 skirts, but just for the construction, right, and then they're joined as one? None of the pictures look like 2 separate skirts to me....

[Metanoia]

And I'm just checking my understanding here, everyone's talking about 2 skirts, but just for the construction, right, and then they're joined as one? None of the pictures look like 2 separate skirts to me....

Thats what I was thinking. The over skirt and the ruffles, then join them together as one skirt. My question is really do I make one large patchwork section and cut a circle or do I make two to be able to cut two half circles (I guess)?

I bought my material today for the patch work and managed to get it home today after the fringe opening and a bit of a drinky drink after work... so forgive me if my typing is bad. I have the hiccups as well. gah! hic

I think I'll make a template for the patchwork so that I can get the same shape throughout and that should make it easier to join from my previous experience of just doing straight lines in patchwork. Will see how I go...

[Metanoia]

yep, I'm going to make the patchwork all one piece. The pictures in my head finally fell into place today and I can see what I need to do and starfirephoenix confirmed my head pictures.

still scary though. I've never done anything like this.

[El Presidente]

Well, good luck with your new skill.

Let us know how you go (pics are good!), and don't forget we're all still here if you need us.

[Metanoia]

Well I've started work on the skirt... Its full steam ahead. Some photos will be on my website soon tonight.

I spent around 5 hours so far just cutting material... the things I do...

[Starfire Phoenix]

Ooooh, excellent. Can't wait to see

[LadySilverSpider]

Damn girl you got me excited too!! Piccies piccies!! please...oh wait a minute..there they are your website
SQUEEEEE!!!

Edited by LadySilverSpider, 04 March 2006 - 10:29 PM.

[Metanoia]

thanks for your support guys.

oh wait a minute..there they are your website

I gotta get you guys to visit my website somehow!! tee hee...

[LadySilverSpider]

Just been checking up on your progress - you should post a link directly to your progress its definitely worth showing off it's INCREDIBLE I am really impressed with the patchwork and ruffles!

[Metanoia]

Thanks

The direct link is straight to article 49 on my website.

As soon as I stop hurting from knee-boarding on sunday I'm going to try and finish off the ruffles. I've done three layers and have enough material prepared for four more at the moment. I decided to do rolled hems on cotton voile so it took me about 5 hours just to mass produce the ruffles

For those that are interested I'm updating my progress page about once a week depending on when I get a chance to do more, so keep checking it.

The tedious parts are nearly over... it is all falling into place. mwa ha ha!


On a side note are there any good patterns, or tips for making the waist cincher? I think thats what it is as opposed to a full corset.

[Cat M]

The tedious parts are nearly over... it is all falling into place. mwa ha ha!
On a side note are there any good patterns, or tips for making the waist cincher? I think thats what it is as opposed to a full corset.

You could try Koshka's Corner (AKA Katherine's Dress Site). She's got a pattern, instructions and photos online for a Swiss Waist. This might be what you're looking for but I'm not sure.

A Swiss Waist <Here

It's looking great, by the way! I'm keeping my eye out for updates!

Edited by Cat M, 23 March 2006 - 11:37 PM.

[El Presidente]

On a side note are there any good patterns, or tips for making the waist cincher? I think thats what it is as opposed to a full corset.

Without seeing a picture, I'm not 100% sure what you're asking for, but I think what you want is a 'waspie' (what it's locally known as, anyway). Basically a corset with the top (bust) cut off. Functions the same as a corset in cinching the waist, but finishes at the ribs so it has no 'lift' for the bust.

This is simplifiying I know, but you basically just cut the top off a corset pattern. If it's not a pattern with gussets for the bust, you probably need to take it in slightly over the ribs so it's nice and snug.

If you can wait til after Festival, Terra Nova 3 and the Guild's WWII event, (lets say, late May) give me a shout and I can show you how to make it. They're really not hard to make, and there's a couple of commercial patterns we can use as a starter so I won't even make you draft your own....

[Metanoia]

Is this sort of what you're talking about? link to photo

That is what I think it might be...

It would be great if you would help me. I have no idea where to start when it comes to this

Or I also found this thing which I thoughe perhaps if I made it tie in the back link to article

[El Presidente]

Yes to both links. The first is the waspie/waist cincher, the second is really a belt - the Victorians called them a 'Swiss belt'. As the website says, the belt (or waist cincher as she calls it) won't reduce your waistline, but the look is the same for both.

I agree you could get away with the second form - assuming you don't want to change the shape of your waist at all. The instructions seem pretty clear at a quick glance.

Otherwise I'm still happy to help you do a waspie. Corsets aren't hard to make at all (it's fitting a comfortable corset that can be tricky)

Hmm, maybe I could do a workshop on this - anyone else interested?

[Starfire Phoenix]

Sure, I would be interested