For the sewing skilled amongst my flist

[auntiemeesh]

So, the costume eve11 and I are planning for Dragon*Con this fall is from Doctor Who, the tenth Doctor, ep 4x02, Fires of Pompeii.

What I would love your help with is some pointers in the right direction as far as where to find patterns for the outfit below.



We have some good ideas for fabric - both the kind that would look superb and also the kind we can afford ;) - but I'm having some difficulty figuring out the tunic. The sleeves aren't a basic T-tunic pattern, as they're more fitted. Also, the bottom hemline is longer on the sides and back, and shorter in front.

This second picture just shows slightly more detail on the belting, which gives it somewhat of an empire waistline.


The skirt I'm not so worried about. But if you have any suggestions for it, please send them along, as well.

These last two photos give some details of the hood/cowl they wear, although, again, I think I can figure them out on my own if necessary.

Comments

Once more, with corrections

[wishkey.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm...wish I was there to help!

Dress/top: try Simplicity 3831

1) Check out dress patterns with empire waists. Costuming, bridal, even maternity. You can go with a larger size and fold your own pleats at the shoulders, or look for a style that has gathered shoulder seams and fold pleats in the shoulders instead.
2) make the belt detail as a belt and attach it over the front empire seam before sewing the side seams so it gets sewn into the side seams.
3) If you can't find a hem style like that, make the tunic and trim it afterward, carefully. Start at center front while wearing it (this is a 2-person endeavor) and trim to center back. Take it off, fold in half, and trim the other half using the first half as a guide so it's even.
4) It looks like the edge is a lettuce edge (usually used on stretchy fabrics), made by pulling/stretching the fabric while you zigzag stitch tightly over the edge. It's time-consuming but pretty. It may not work on wovens, but some gauzes are stretchy enough.
5) You can always futz with sleeves by making them longer when you cut them out and changing the ends later. you can also switch them out with other patterns, but stay away from pouffy or cap sleeves. the shoulder seams won't match, and them you are getting into theoretical seam geometry and migrains. ;-)

Cowls usually are a giant circle of fabric with a circle cut out for the face/hair. The hole is usually the size of a dinner plate; start small and work larger, and practice on scrap cloth. However, it looks more like a half-circle veil, which i exactly what it sounds like. For variations on either, look around for medieval/SCA cowl instructions. These are often not made from patterns.

The skirt is a basic long skirt. Try Simplicity 2953. Don't use a gathered waist; it would add too much bulk and ruin the silhouette.

Re: Once more, with corrections

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the suggestions. That dress pattern looks like a good place to start, anyway, for the tunic top. I was thinking though that they might not actually have an empire waist built into the tunic, just gathering it with the belt. But it might be easier to just sew it that way.

It's a lot of fun to figure this stuff out, but my lack of technical know-how and vocabulary means I often don't even know where to start when looking for patterns.

Re: Once more, with corrections

[wishkey.livejournal.com]

I'd go for the empire waist, as just gathering it in is going to be lumpy and bulky. They designed the shape of these gowns to be fairly streamlined -- kinda sexy, actually. :D It'll look awesome on you ladies!

Re: Once more, with corrections

[eve11]

you are awesome! Has anyone mentioned that lately, because they should ;) Thanks for the suggestions! :)

Re: Once more, with corrections

[wishkey.livejournal.com]

No problem at all. Except I still can't seem to type worth a damn.

[ani-no-mouse.livejournal.com]

Cool costumes - but way beyond my level of sewing expertise! At least the very interesting face make-up should be easier to manage than the cat masks you did last year.