Friday, May 1, 2015

The Great Dickens Christmas Faire... In Costume!

So I do love an excuse to dress up... particularly if said dressing up involves a corset and a hoop skirt.  Because of this love, I left the 2013 Great Dickens Christmas Fair bound and determined to attend in 2014, but this time in period costume!

So after recycling some undergarments from past costumes, I sat down to plan out my own Dickensian dress.  I ended up mixing and matching pattern pieces from a few different sources including:  Simplicity 2881 and 3727.  I also referenced patterns of Fashion 2 by Janet Arnold which provides a great sense of the shape and seam placement.  Some day I'd like to try to scale something from that book up to person size but for now it mostly serves as inspiration for my own (franken)patterns.

So without further ado... my great Dickens Christmas dress!


This thing was both fun and a bit of a chore to wear.  The corset was actually pretty comfortable (who needs abs when you have an exoskeleton!) but the hoop was HUGE.  I had to sit in the back of the car by myself.  (I also didn't get the front of the skirt quite full enough for such a large hoop so I wound up with a little bit of pulling across the front.)  It was just so much fabric!  

That said, wearing that much fabric is somewhat freeing... My actual shape was irrelevant when compared to the overall shape of the dress. Thus, a total lack of self-consciousness. (Welł, other than when we were walking to and from our car that we parked on a random side street in Daly City... That bit felt odd.)


My favorite element is the green shoulder... flaps? This detail was borrowed from 2881 but utilized in a slightly different way as I wanted to make a winters day ensamble rather than a light evening gown.  So I borrowed the shape but used them as a decorative rather than construcural element.  However I thing this shape along with the heavy fringe helps create that sloped Victorian shoulder and the placement and sea lines in the back accentuate the waist.

My only real disappointment is that I didn't have time to construct a bonnet...  I guess I'll have to plan ahead for next year!

Enjoying some Great Lakes Christmas Ale after the fair!
 


13 comments:

  1. Thanks for the share great info, Very useful done great job posted very useful info. A good blog to read! writing skills are awesome. Thanks and good luck keep posting. Are you wondering about Garmin.com/Express? Here are few steps to follow. You can talk to our experienced Garmin professionals to seek step by step guidance.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well done! Nice post! This really helps me to find the answers to my question. Hoping, that you will continue posting blog having lots of useful information. Thanks a lot for providing us that great blog with great information. Know about Garmin.com/Express.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Garmin express is an application for product registration, device updates, pre-loaded map updates, syncing fitness data with compatible products from Garmin connect express. This app is available for windows and mac computers, it cannot be used in a mobile device or tablet.

    ReplyDelete
  4. If you are searching low budget price and relaxed investment. Then NX ONE Mall Noida extension is the perfect spot for fine funding in enterprise area. NX-One is a 2 aspect nook plot covering 25 Acres. Introduced via manner of DAH Group, the improvement is positioned at top area Noida Extension.NX ONE offers Lockable workplaces other than retail areas-without a doubt 5 Minutes electricity from Noida City Centre Metro Station.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Godrej homes launch a new residential project in sector 43 Noida. Godrej sector 43 Noida coming with 3 & 4 BHK Luxury Apartments with Modern facilities, Security System, Immense landscaping greenery & beautifully design kitchen & wardrobes. Godrej Sector 43 Noida will provide the luxury apartments to make your lifestyle batter than ever.

    ReplyDelete
  6. FuboTV is currently available on multiple platforms, including streaming devices, computer browsers, Smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets and many more. We are available 24x7! Nice Post. I read your Post very useful and helpful sites.Thanks for sharing this information. Thanks for sharing! Know about fubo.tv/connect.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Are you unable to activate NFL game pass on Roku ? Looking for helpdesk services for Roku channels activation issues? Call us anytime on our toll-free number or you can chat with our experts anytime through live chat process. Get in touch with us for more information.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Business trips are great because they let you learn about other countries culture and population. A recent business trip to Ukraine makes me think that I have never seen such pretty ladies. My business partner was that beautiful too but she was married. That’s why I decided to look for my bride from Ukraine online when I came home. And SofiaDate helped me fulfil my dream. Thank you so much! online dating

    ReplyDelete
  9. it's become increasingly relevant to events due to the need to engage attendees virtually If done correctly it can be an incredibly effective method. event marketing and thank you letter to speakers at conference

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for sharing this blog here. It seems really very informative. Get solution to activate Youtube TV on Roku using youtube.com/start . Visit us for more uinformation.

    ReplyDelete
  11. FuboTV is the high-quality stay TV streaming provider for various reasons. You have a full choice of plans that covers all of the channels you will need. Live sports activities is included appreciably with matters like the NBA League Pass and the Pac 12 Network and Big Ten network. You additionally get all of the preferred indicates to consist of fact suggests with matters like Bravo, TLC, E and different outstanding channels. fubo Tv activate code

    ReplyDelete
  12. Since we've got observed the listing of eligible gadgets for Amazon Prime Video we also can test out the steps to activate primevideo.Com/mytv in your tool. We simplest need an activation code for the activation process. You can generate the activation code for your tool with the help of Prime Video software. With this information available, you could get a completely unique code and activate their gadgets in much less than one minute.
    primevideo.com/mytv code
    primevideo/mytv code

    ReplyDelete
  13. If you are seeking a low budget price and a relaxed yet lucrative investment opportunity, look no further than NX One Mall in Noida Extension. This exceptional property presents the perfect spot for savvy investors to venture into the thriving enterprise area. Developed by the esteemed DAH Group, NX ONE Mall is strategically situated on a 2-side corner plot, sprawling across an expansive 25 Acres of prime real estate.

    ReplyDelete