Sewing question

[colliemommie]

Okay, my dream is to not have to wear a separate set of stays under my Italian Ren gown. To this end I am possibly overdosing on interlining.

The main bodice, which is sleeveless and a very low v that covers maybe half my breasts and clasps at the center waist, is made out of fashion fabric, one canvas interlining cut on the grain, one canvas interlining cut on the bias, and the lining. I thought the bias cut interlining was pretty genius, since it will hopefully prevent stretching along the forty degree neckline.

It fits pretty well, but does nothing to give me a period bust. I plan on attaching the stomacher permanently on the left inside bodice, and using hooks and eyes on the right side.

To make it flatten appropriately, I'm thinking of doing fashion fabric, buckram, bias cut canvas, buckram, grain cut canvas, lining. I figured the buckram would add a lot of stiffness without adding much thickness.

Does this sound reasonable, or have the pregnancy hormones taken over?

Also, can I use Venetian lace on the neckline of a Florentine gown, or is that a no-no?

(I feel like this should be tagged "help me starlightmasque, you're my only hope.)

Comments

[colliemommie.livejournal.com]

Annnnd half my comment got eaten.

Like I said, I'm making a Florentine gown, from period patterns 42. Some day I'd love to make a Venetian, but I'm still intimidated. I managed to find pictures of two extant gowns online. There's a blue wool that is knife pleated all the way around, and a red velvet that is cartridge pleated. About half the frescoes from that time seem to show cartridge pleated skirts as well, when you can see the gown waist.

[starlightmasque.livejournal.com]

Well, that makes everything I've said moot. LOL!!!! I've never made one from that far back, so we are talking apples and oranges. I have no idea how stiff they were or what pleating was used-- I'm clueless!

Well, now I am really excited to see what you're making, I'm sure it's going to be spectacular!