The absinthe skirt continues

Now it's beginning to look like a proper fairy outfit! The net pieces are similar to those on my sisters gorgeous D and G wedding gown, I loved the effect so much I knew I'd have to use it at some point....

I'm not particularly looking forward to hand sewing them all down however....

I've backed all the swag pieces with net now to give them more body, I thought I was going to have to, wish I'd done it at the start and saved myself some unpicking, ho hum...

Starting on the absinthe skirt...

Well, I know it looks a bit of a dogs dinner at the moment, but I'm just draping the fabrics around at the moment to see what should go where,

I've made a basque section from the bottom of the corset pattern and am pinning the upper swag ideas to it, just to get an overall effect...

I also made a lace underskirt base, it's not very nice lace, some cheap stuff I had kicking about the studio, however not much of it will show... I want to show saucy glimpses of the crinoline frame through the lace.

I'm also going to add net pieces under the swags, both to give the skirt a better fairytale shape and to give a shimmering fairy leaf type feel. Lyssa suggested making the bodice and skirt completely separate so I can make a swag and saucy short bustle skirt in the future for less formal occasions... Seeing how huge this crinoline is getting I think that's a very good idea!

It's getting there isn't it?

Absinthe fairy bodice half way!

So, although I've been busy making frocks for pixies (yes I'm looking at you Fuschia:)) I've still continued work on the fairy outfit....

As you can see the main structure of the bodice is complete, it has light plastic boning in taped channels on the cotton lining to give it form. As it's going over a steel boned corset I felt didn't need to over do it!

There is millinery wire stitched into the lining along the top edge of the bodice to keep the shape nicely, but I haven't set in the eyelets yet for the front lacing section.

The sleeves are now attached, although they will probably be further embellished, as will the Bodice front. I like to create my gowns like an artist, choosing trims and fabrics as I go along, I do like the freedom to add to a piece as I go along rather than sticking rigidly to a drawn plan.

Obviously that's something I can only do on my own show pieces, customers always need (and want) to see exactly what their finished garments going to look like!

So, what do you think? Any suggestions for making great steampunk trims to give it that industrial edge? Should I add cogs? Swarovski?

Absinthe bodice!

So, now I've created a toile for the bodice, I decided to let the corset and chemise show a bit too... It gives an illusion of being much saucier than it actually is :) it looks fairly chunky cos all the seams are on the outside for easy fitting....

I've made the front panel in a different colour so I can really see the shape of the piece, like a big heart don't you think?

Sooooo, anyone got any good cocktail absinthe recipes? I love the green stuff!

Absinthe fairy costume day 5...

I had to create other loveliness last week, rather than working on this outfit, including a corset for our favourite pixie, fuschia begonia...

But I did handset all the crinoline hoops in place over the weekend, which is why a good crinoline costs sooo much. Even If you can even convince someone to make it for you in the first place!

But I drew up the bodice pattern too and now have a toile ready to fit over the corset when the lovely Lyssa pops by on Thursday, it's simply impossible to fit a toile on yourself.

Herr doktor has added a uv LED to the wings so they are going to really glow round the edges with proper unearthly absinthe loveliness, I'm so excited!

Elliptical fairy crinoline

Absinthe fairy crinoline cage

Well, Herr Doktor is hard at work on the wings, he assures me they will "flap all day" ! And I've been creating the crinoline cage...
I used the "truly Victorian" 1865 elliptical cage crinoline. Usually I create my own patterns for everything but I wanted to test this out before recommending it to fellow costumers and I have to say it has come out very well with a minimum of puzzlement...

Perhaps not a beginner project but the instructions are fairly straightforward. It does take a lot of bones and tape though so it's quite an expensive thing to make. I've not done the hand sewing of all the tapes yet, saving it for the weekend...