The Full Downton

So a friend and I had been talking about going to the Edwardian Ball. It was this slide show that pushed me over.

So what to wear? I have a teens era corset I bought ages ago for a costume that did not materialize. Might as well go for broke. Of course I have less than 2 weeks. So a testimate to accuracy and sewing skills this will not be. Especially for the Edwardian (Gory) ball.

 Dug around in my books and could not find a pattern I liked that used some lace I had in my stash. So draping it is.

 Looks like a hot mess but there is a dress in there. Promise. With a bit of lace train drape a la 18c gowns. Red lines are necklines and seams. Took lots of fussing. I do not want to cut the lace until I have fitted the bodice. Everything will be adjusted a bit more to get the proportions down.

And here is the lining with the seams marked. It will be the color changing taffeta you can see on the skirt.

So now that I have a pattern I have to cut another muslin and fit it to myself. Which means I need to let my corset out first.

 Yeah, that diet I just started won't be kicking in soon enough.