General Progress Reports

Explorer Dreadlocks
I have started making roving dreadlocks for my explorer falls, so far I have about 15 or various lengths. These will be interspersed with dreadlocks made from fallen hair and I shall do multiple plaits underneath to add bulk and texture. For decoration I have wrapped some in wire and leather thing, others have beads and embroidery thread wraps. I still need more roving, but have to wait til the Textile Workshop gets a delivery in.
felting wool is quite fun, but really hurts my hands and you have to be in a good mood or the locks get creases in, or so it seemed! The creases are really annoying, I'm hoping my felting needle is in the drawers that my grandparents are bringing over.

Corset
The boyfriend drafted the pieces to my size and I have started a first draft with cotton drill (£1.50 a metre!), I don't have any steel bones, so I'm just going to stiffen with cable ties. My boyfriend has bought me a busk and lacing bones for my birthday, and as this corset is more supportive than cinching it should be ok.


Promenade Dress
After reading Norah Waugh's 'The Cut of Women's Clothes' I have found a style of 1911 sleeves I like, haven't decided on the rest of the bodice though.

Embroidery
The embroidery for the venusian pricess smock is going well, all the stones and swqins are on, and I've started sewing on the border trim. I need a clever Idea for the sleeve detail though, as I have run out of green Aida.

Sewing Machine
My grandparents are buying me a sewing machine for my birthday! Very exciting. I think they got tired of lugging the iron one around. >>

Hats! Dresses! Corsets!

One of my livejournal friends reccommended Lynn McMaster's hat patterns, so I'm thinking perhaps a low crowned asymmetrical boater sized hat.

I might have to buy some hat pins, and I really need an antique button hook as the buttons on my gorey girl blouse are awkward.
I have decided that I shall wear a large bow for that outfit rather than bunches.

The university library has Norah Waugh's 'Corsets and Crinolines' and as that seems to contain the only English language 1910s corset pattern I'm going to borrow it.

There is a 1910s corset pattern online, but with instructions in German, I've done a gist translation and might have a go at it.

Ageless Patterns has fascimiles of a old french pattern (Corset Nouveau 1910) for sale, but I'd have to pay.

I've found a new resource for 1910s fashion plates , 100 of them.

http://dressmakingresearch.com/1910s_dress.htm

I've also looked at

http://marquise.de/en/1900/index.shtml

http://www.scottish-wedding-dreams.com/historic-edwardian-gowns.html

and of course googling designers of the period such as Erte, Paquin and Poiret.

Synchronicity!

Just spotted a model for Skeletons in The Closet who has pretty much the hair I am planning on for my explorer outfit, there are a couple of shots of her in pretty steampunk looking attire and in this this shot which I think is also her, she has a lip ring too!

Till now I have never seen anyone with red dreadlocks, but it's nice to see someone rocking the locks ginger style (and it looks just as good as I imagined it)

Edit: The model is Femke van Hilten and it looks like the model with the piercing is not her.

Explorer's Hair

I was washing my hair the other day, and putting on conditioner made me think, if i didn't use it my hair would tangle and eventually become dreadlocks.
So if I were a Victorian Explorer I wouldn't have access to conditioner but i might have dreadlocks.
A lady wouldn't cut off her crowning glory after all ;)

I shall create some dreadlock hair falls from wool roving and dye them with henna to match my natural colour. i might add in some synthetic hair or chunky knitting yarn to add bulk.

I shall probably wrap some of them in leather thonging or wire and decorate them with beads or silver bands, I might even add some lace as if i have ripped some off a petticoat to keep my hair order.
I shall probably hold them in place with some hair sticks.

These are some of the places that have inspired me

Etsy

Layla's Locks

Hair Extensions Forum

Venusian Princess

Currently I am working on a 'Venusian Princess' outfit for a Steampunk ball which is inspired by both Middle Eastern and Indian traditions, as well as the pulp SF of the early 20th Century. I imagine a Venusian Princess as a woman who is sensual yet adventurous, who is proud of her country and traditions, and these are reflected in her richly embroidered clothing which incorporates symbols and elements of Venusian Pride.

I am basing the dress on an Abaya, the long black cloak that is popular in the UAE and Oman. These tend to have richly embroidered yokes and sleeves so I am working on an embroidery that i can use on the abaya I bought.
I have chosen Copper and green as the colour theme to give it a steampunk feel, to add to this I have tried to incorporate metal into the embroidery design.

So far I have decided on a copper toned floss over a green aida (14ct) background. This will be stitched with 2 threads over two holes to give a chunkier feel, and so the pattern does't get swamped. I shall do an eight pointed star pattern, and fill the stars with embroidery, sequins, fake gems, shisha mirrors and chips of copper purl.

I have been quite inspired by a wall hanging (see left) we have in our house which incorporates many different styles of embroidery.

The pictures in this post are some of the panels.

The Headress will be more abstract, but I do know it'll have a copper band and green fabric.