Wow, this was
challenging! There were several
iterations for the bodice, first in paper, then muslin, and then muslin
again. I should have made a fourth, but
I was too lazy. After the third, I
marked a place to make an adjustment on the pattern and then went with it. According to Mr. Burbidge’s article in Doll Reader, his reproduction dress was
of bridal satin of silk/rayon in antique ivory.
The bodice had two layers of lining, one of organdy and one of cotton
gauze.
For my doll, I had
selected silk/satin or charmeuse.
Charmeuse is not a particularly easy fabric with which to work. I also selected beaded and sequined netting
as I did not really want to do all the beading and embroidery of the original
dress or the reproduction dress. Once I had all the pattern pieces for the
bodice and skirt drafted and ready to cut, I started second-guessing all my
decisions. Yes, ALL of them! I was afraid the silk for the slip would
tear, I was afraid I couldn’t do the sewing on the charmeuse as it is a tricky
fabric, and I didn’t know if the beaded net would be too much and look all
wrong. I was at a dead stop.
Two weeks had passed since I wrote the above paragraph. Here is where I am, I used the charmeuse, yes, I did. I would not suggest it unless one has superior sewing skills. I am not that person, but I had to soldier on. I went back to the article to see what Mr. Burgess used and decided to ADD the extra layer of cotton for the bodice. I thought the scale of it would not work, but even in a smaller doll, this is a good idea, using Swiss Batiste, Silk organdy, and silk charmeuse. The pieces were basted together and treated each as one section of the bodice then sewn together on the machine.
I made the skirt
in three pieces as well only joining them at the end at the waistline.
The veil is lace
with attached silk netting. It, too,
will be, or maybe embellished with beads, sequins, and crystals.
Today, as of this
writing. I have not yet completed this
dress. It has lain packed away for a few
years. The truth is that Mr. Burbidge has died but was able to send him
pictures of the dress this far. I have lost all verve for this project. However, the train is completed as a separate
piece, if I pick it up again, will be attached via hooks and loops at the
center back. And then all that is left
is beading, sequins, crystals, and whatever else I want to make it fussier and a
real wedding dress.
Remember my doll
is a doll of the period of the late 1800s, so it is out of context in this 20th
century dress. But the project was fun,
and I was thrilled to be able to work with my sewing idol. He was one of the highlights of my sewing
career.
A special
note. I may be off the blog for a few
weeks as I complete two projects, impossibly with the same deadline. I
appreciate your patience. Hope and joy
to all. Happy Thanksgiving to you,
too.
