Late Victorian Steampunk Gown - With Video!

Back in January I started one of the projects that I had delayed the most: a steampunk dress, using some fabrics hubby had gifted me. I even presented the project and all in the blog. The dress was an ambitious one and, I must confess, the biggest and most detailed I have done until now.

It took me almost two months to finish it, and it went from happiness and enthusiasm, to stress and sadness after the first failed jacket, and then to plain amusement because I still cannot believe that the gown is up to my own expectations.

So, here we are, after that much time. This was one of my yearly goals too, and I had proposed myself to make a video of the work-in-progress, and to add voiceover. I did it! Although I will warn you: I do have an accent, so please don't bash and don't be mean. It was my first time recording myself speaking and I was very nervous which increased my accent. I added English and Spanish subtitles, too.

The photos are under the cut (they are more than in the video), along with some links and other anecdotes from the journey.

Nice Photos

There are a lot of photos (even more than those included in the video), because after so much work, I wanted to capture each detail... although I wasn't sure how to pose Coco, to be honest. I didn't saw the point in doing something with her legs, and did not have a suitable miniature chair either!

Before the pics, and for the history savvy people, I want to say that even though I aimed at a 1875 style, I know there are a lot of things that are not historically accurate (for example the drawers, the lack of corset, the sleeveless shirt, etc.). I took some decisions considering the size of the doll, and others were mostly because this is the first almost-historical costume I have ever made, and some things simply "turned out".

I know I made some shape mistakes (and a jacket of 1880), but oh well. In my eyes, one of the good things of steampunk is that, as a fantasy style, it doesn't have to be perfectly historically accurate. So please, enjoy!

Links & Info

As I mention on the video, I gathered all the tutorials and fashion plates I used as inspiration on this Pinterest board. I used many tutorials from those saved on that board, and I think they will be useful to many people. For example:

• Lobster crinoline cage by AmericanDuchess.
• Apron and bustle drape-ing, by BonesAndLilies.
• Underskirt pattern (although I tweeked it a lot).
• Hat tutorial, by HistoricalSewing.

 There is also the full Project Journal on DoA: http://bit.ly/SteampunkVictorianDoA

I made the pattern for the bag, since I wanted a very specific design, and my mom made use of her awesome miniature-bag-sewing-skills, and made me that cute purse :3 I must confess that the chains straps were a discussion until a sketch made everything clear xD.

The chatelaine (they key chain on the left side) was a suggestion by the awesome Cthulhu on Den of Angels, upon seeing the tiny keys I have bought for the dress.

On a funny note, most of the decorations from the jacket (the chains, the golden parts on the waist, the diamond part on the chatelain, and the flowers near the owl) came from a faux golden bracelet my mom gave me to tear appart for the dress. And I used almost everything, except the hook that was ugly xD.

I said it on the video, but I want to thank to all the people who followed my project on DoA, encourgaing me, giving me suggestions, ideas and more, and to those who commented on my Instagram posts, or even here in my blog. To my mom, who helped me get many of the laces and decorations, and who made the wonderful bag. To hubby, because he is my cinnamon roll and supports me a lot. And thanks to Fantasywoods for the talk upon the video and my accent, when I was so anxious! You were very kind :3

Now, only one doubt remains: how am I going to store such a huge dress one it is out of Coco!!! The skirts are so so big that they take so much space! And the cage! OMG! I totally not considered that when I aimed at a late Victorian dress. Suggestions and ideas will be very much appreciated. Should I buy a box only for the dress? What do I do? =S

Anyways, now I need to make Calina a steampunk dress... I already have ideas for it! But that would be a story for another project and another post. Stay tuned, in case you want to check it out!