In between all the busy moments of the year, unbeknownst to the blogging world, I’ve been industriously sewing my new 18th century stays and silk gown from two different Burnley and Trowbridge workshops.
With both I’ve been trying to finesse the fit, which has slowed down my confidence.
STAYS
Wearing my stays with my chintz floral spray gown for a first-person interpretation workshop and to President’s Day weekend events at Colonial Williamsburg, I experienced a mix of appreciated support for my back which gradually transforms to increasing agony near the armpit.
I’ve lost count of all the hours of fittings and finessing I’ve done to try to alleviate the pain, but my latest fitting of the stays was four days ago.
SILK GOWN AND PETTICOAT
In other free moments I’ve been fitting my silk gown from a different Burnley and Trowbridge workshop.
Needing a proper petticoat, I pulled out my cream silk, which isn’t completely finished because I’ve been saving it for a quilted petticoat!
Not having settled on the color of cream, I’m auditioning all the options before committing.
Although I purchased enough blue slate silk for a petticoat to match the gown, I’m leaning towards using it for a pet en l’air short jacket.
BUM ROLL
Remembering the tailor’s advice to use a bum roll to kick out the skirts of my 18th century gowns, I’ve done various photo shoots combining the three elements to see if I’ve yet attained the proper look.
Numerous fittings with various gowns with the bum roll and a rump pad have achieved thumbs down from the kids.
Lots of finessing and photo shoots along with massive research and looking of pictures of how others wear these garments yielded another photo shoot today, which seems the most hopeful yet.
LATEST PHOTO SHOOT
Trying all the layers on the dress form helps me assess everything before trying everything on myself.
Whether this is spot on or not, I should probably just run with it since I’ve done my best, and the foundation of the draping and beginning assembly was at the workshop.
Not sure if there is anything else I should do at this point beyond finishing it, since some angles look better than others.
