Wednesday 6 January 2016

Project: Steampunk Victorian Bustle Dress

Hello everybody! I'm finally sharing the project about this dress here! I couldn't hold myself and started the Project Journal at DoA's last weekend, because I wanted to start working on this ASAP. However, now it is time for sharing it here!

Last year, hubby bought me two fabrics that I thought were perfect for a Steampunk dress! I have loved this style for a lot of time, and I also wanted to try my hand at historical costuming, so... why don't do both of those things in once? It took me a couple months to get matching fabrics *cough* excuse for more fabrics *cough*, some decorations and to do some research on what I wanted.

My goal is to follow the Journal on DoA, take a lot of WIP photos, and then do a video with the "story" of the dress. I have been considering adding voice to "talk" about the project, but I'm still not sure about this. The dress will be for Coco, of course!


Previous Research

I knew I wanted some bustle-era gown, but I couldn't decide exactly on which one. I made a Pinterest board to pin inspiration, tutorials, patterns and links about the project. I have mostly settled on an early bustle design (around 1875), but I've also pinned some ideas from 1880~1885.

I know I won't be aiming for historical accuracy, mostly because the steampunk genre will give me some flexibility. I do, however, want to do proper undergarments and all.


Fabrics and Decorations

Here are two photos of the fabrics I have, and some decorations I have gathered. Of some of them I have more, but put only a few on the photo (like the screws, or the studs).

I also need to thank my mom because she got me most of the decoration, and my dad that dug on his workshop and appeared with those tiny screws xD





To-Do List

This is the list of "parts" I have in mind for the dress. You will note that the more we get close to the bottom of the list, the more unsure I am about what to do.

Undergarments:
  • Socks
  • Drawers (I know they were open in the middle and laced at the waist, but I'm going to cheat, and do them sewn in the middle and with elastic on the waist).
  • Crinoline (I already signed poor hubby on this one, to help me with the wires!).
  • Petticoat. 
I have decided to now do a chemise and/or corset, mostly because I'm sewing for an 1/4 doll, and I don't want to get extra bulky with the fabrics. I do hope to get the right appearance on the fabrics, after all.

Accessories:
  • A hat... I have mostly thought how to make this, what I don't know is how it will look!
  • Maybe and umbrella? A fancy cane? Will see.

Main Dress:
  • I know I want the first skirt on the green fabric, and in a design similar to this. I want it with a train, however.
  • Upper skirt? I want the dress to be big, I know that xD
  • For the top part, I want a coat like this one.
And here I have no clue if I need to make a some-sort-of-shirt before doing the skirt and after the petticoat, or if it goes all together with the coat! Also, the upper skirt is still a doubt, because I have no clue on how to make it. As you see, I also lack of the vocabulary of the parts of the dress (I'm mostly good with the undergarments, though). I will have to research more of this so I can communicate properly.

I also don't know which one will be the "main" fabric of the dress! The stripped one is sort of thick, and I love the flowerish one. So I could maybe use the stripped and plain beige as accents, and the flowerish as main.


Project Journal

Ok, so this is the project! You can find the Project Journal on DoA here: http://bit.ly/SteampunkVictorianDoA

I will probably post some WIPs on Instagram, but I will share the final photos and the Progress video on the blog once I'm done! Since I'm on holidays, I plan to make this my summer project! (yes, it is summer in here now).

I have so far made two updates: socks/drawers and bustle cage. Here are some Instagram pics of them :D

A photo posted by Musume (@musume.desu) on

A photo posted by Musume (@musume.desu) on


Anyways, thank you so much for those who read the post, if you have any ideas, suggestions and advice you are very welcome (also if you want to follow the Journal on DoA)! :D I'm so excited I'm finally doing this dress :3

19 comments :

  1. Oh this is going to be extremely interesting Musume, I'll be watching every post to see your progression. I have made Stempunk millinery already, but have yet to make my dresses. The fabric choices are lovely and the bustle looks great! Good luck with all your sewing.:)
    Hugs,
    X

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    1. Thank you!! So far I'm having so much fun with this project, to be honest! :D
      I will update the blog with the final results, video and photos!

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  2. This is looking great....no... AMAZING!!! I love everything you've done so far and I love the fabric choices

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    1. Thank you!! Happy you like it and thanks for the support and following the project thread!

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  3. Este es un proyecto grandioso!! Las medias me han fascinado, te han quedado muy bien. Las telas que elegiste son hermosas y me encanta la gama de los beiges y marrones. Voy a seguir el proyecto con interés.

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    1. ¡¡Gracias!! :D
      La verdad que estoy muy entusiasmada con el proyecto, me divierte mucho!

      Delete
  4. Oh, Steampunk is something I just discovered! I look forward to seeing what you make, it is looking good! :) And yes to the hat and the umbrella, if you choose that! While you wonder and sew, there is an award for you - here is the tag: http://dollsdolour.blogspot.se/2016/01/liebster-award.html Have a great week! <3

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    1. Thank you so much!! The hat is a must, I'm still deciding on a fancy cane or an umbrella :3
      And thanks for the tag award! I've been tagged twice, I will do it on Saturday :D

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  5. The fabrics and pieces of decorative hardware that you've chosen are perfect - I'm looking forward to seeing how this project progresses!

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    1. Thank you so much!! I'm about to update the Journal on DoA again, hope to do it today! :D

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  6. Wow, the crinoline looks really good! :D I love the little owls and keys you've chosen to add to your outfit. ^^

    I also tagged you ( xD I knew you'd been tagged many times already) I'll come to read yours when you make a post from that. ^^

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    1. Thank you :3 I do hope I manage to include them! I was considering the owl for the hat!

      And about the tag, yes, I got tagged 3 times! But I will try to answer everything! I will post it on Saturday :D

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  7. Ohh I LOVE Victorian and stemepunk, so I am looking forward to seeing this! *V* Those little buttons and details are so awesome too!! Good luck! :D

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    1. Thank you so much!! I'm actually currently working on updating the Project Journal, hope you will see it! :D

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    2. I saw it on your IG!! So beautiful!! <333

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  8. Yay, I'm glad that you shared a bit about your project on your blog since I haven't checked DoA in about 2 weeks, haha! xD

    Everything sounds so interesting so far! I love all the tiny decorations. :D I look forward to see more of your progress and will definitely follow your DoA thread when I finally decide to check my DoA mails! xD

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    1. :D!! Happy you like everything!
      I've been posting small updates on Instagram/Tumblr, but the DoA's thread has so much more info, links and WIPs!

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  9. Hello dearest ;3
    I've tagged you for the Liebster award !
    http://earlgrey-atelier.blogspot.com/2016/01/liebster-award.html

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hello! Thanks for tagging me! I will post the answers tomorrow.
      I also started following you!

      Delete