HSF14 Challenge #9 - Black and White

So I got a little behind after faire season.  It requires some serious unwinding, so I spent more time vegging than I should have.  But although it's belated, I have (mostly) completed the Black and White Challenge.  A few years ago, I spotted some fantastic black and white fabric in the bargain section of my favorite fabric store.  I was unemployed at the time and reluctant to pick up fabric without a project in mind.  So I left it on the shelf.  A few months later, my mother (and fellow fabric hoarder) gave me six yards of it for my birthday.

Then about a year ago, a friend of mine decided she wanted to make a Victorian costume for Dragoncon 2013 and of course I was on board.  I dithered over various fabrics for weeks until I remembered the black and white stripe.  Originally I had planned to make a walking suit, but when I didn't care for the cut of the bodice, I cut it down to a dinner bodice.  Then I decided I didn't like the sleeves, and changed it to a ballgown bodice.  I was pretty happy with the final result.

I still had a good amount of the stripe and black shantung, so for the black and white challenge I decided to make a day bodice for the dress like I'd originally planned.  I used the two-tone cuirass bodice pattern from Period Patterns for Stage and Screen, and the sleeves came from the Truly Victorian 1880 jacket bodice.  I flatlined the fashion fabric with black duck canvas for support, and then bag lined with the black cotton.  I machine stitched the button holes as well.  There just wasn't enough time to do anything else.  I made covered buttons for the front of the bodice out of the striped fabric.

There's still a few pins where I need to tack the lining inside, and not all of the buttons are actually attached.  I also may go back and trim it more when I have time, but for now, here's what I have.  

It looks a little better on a person.

Covered buttons

Cuffs

The Challenge: Black and White

Fabric: Black poly shantung, black and white striped something, black cotton solid, black duck canvas

Pattern:  Period Patterns for Stage and Screen, Two-tone Cuirass Bodice.  Sleeves are Truly Victorian TV428.

Year: 1880's

Notions: Fabric covered buttons

How historically accurate is it? The outer fabrics are poly, and it is all machine sewing.  But I think the silhouette and patterns are pretty accurate.

Hours to complete: 8-10

First worn: Not yet.

Total cost: Under $25 - the main fabrics were leftovers from another project.

HSF14 Challenge #8 - UFO and PHD

I am a bit of a geek (understatement) and one of my fandoms is the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  My girlfriends and I have been known to cosplay particular characters, and my choice is always the same.  My favorite MCU character is Captain America.  Last year, I decided to make an evening gown inspired by Cap 2: Winter Soldier.  Specifically this look:

I dithered about the design, but I had plenty of time before the movie premiered, right?  But as usual, my Ren Faire took over my life, and I never got started on it.  When I signed on to the HSF, I thought about re-interpreting the gown in a more historical way.  After all, the first Cap movie takes place largely during WWII.  Once I decided to go that route, I could see the design much more clearly. 

I selected Simplicity 1052, which had the fitted bodice and square shoulders that I wanted.  I also wanted to add the drapey front peplum that resembled the Victorian Bustle.  I referenced Simplicity 1813 and Simplicity 1637 for that style. 

Once I had mocked up 1052, I didn't care for the waist gathers, so I changed them to waist darts like in 1813.  I also changed the single bust dart to a double one, a feature from another forties pattern that I liked the look of. 

Waist gathers

Waist darts

Changing the single dart to doubles

I had intended to have short sleeves, but they just wouldn't lay in a way I was happy with.  So I added a slight cap and left it at that. 

For the drape, I used the front of my Truly Victorian Waterfall overskirt and extended it to go all the way around my waist.  Typically, these drapes were worn in the front.  But I was twisting it around to pin in place and really liked the way it looked on the side. 

The final touch was to add the Captain America accessories.  I made two stars out of Wonderflex, covered them in glitter, and added a rhinestone star in the middle for accent.  I backed them with extra fabric from the dress and pinned them in place.  The same technique was used for the wings in my hair to match Cap's helmet. 

Overall, I was pretty happy with the look of the dress.  If I did it again, I probably would use different fabric.  I adore the luster of peachskin, but it frays like nobody's business.  The darts are already showing wear where the stitches are, and I've only worn the dress once for any length of time. 

The Challenge: UFO or PHD

Fabric: Navy blue poly peachskin

Pattern:  Simplicity 1052, with some influence from Simplicity 1813

Year: Early 1940's

Notions: Wonderflex, glitter, glue, safety pins, blue invisible zipper (don't judge)

How historically accurate is it? It's made from a vintage 1944 pattern, with some alterations.   The invisible zipper is all wrong, but I have a preference for them.

Hours to complete: No idea

First worn: April 12th, for the Chess Match Cast Party.

Total cost: Probably 50ish

 And just for funsies...my first rendition of Cap (totally not my design - original here):

 Two of my best girls playing Thor (girlbydaylightcosplay.tumblr.com) and Loki (artandrhinos.com)