Claude Faustus' victorian tailcoat under progress

Hi everyone ! :) 



I am currently working on the costume of my best friend's boyfriend. He will be Claude Faustus on their next convention so I was okay to make his victorian tailcoat.

It is still not finished I have to add a few buttons on the sleeves, the back and the front, finish the sleeves and sew a fake pocket in the front. :)  

I have used the M6143 McCall's  pattern in size L as a base, sharpened the tail a bit and changed the bottom of the front pannel.

I haven't bought expenssive fabric, I didn't have the budget for this so I choosed 2 yards of black thick cotton and also 2 yards of pongee to put interfacing in the inside.

I know, the coat looks large especially in the back, but the bust has a woman shape and the coat is obviously for a man !

I hope you'll like it so far ! :)

My first 18th century stays

Hi everyone ! :)

Here it is, finally, my first 18th century stays are (almost) done ! It wasn't as hard as I've expected, of course, it is not perfect at all, but for a first, I am pretty pleased. :)
The inside isn't really pretty that is why I will not show any pictures of it, I will have to do something with that someday, but for the moment I am just happy to be able, finally, to wear it ! :) 
Unfortunately there are no pictures of the progress, I will take step by step pics for all my next projects.

I used really heavy furniture fabric as a base, 2 layers of it and then I found a old fabric I was keeping in my attic since ages, I didn't know what to do with it and I suddenly had the idea to use it. I'm kinda happy to kept it all the time, old fabric is always useful ! ^^
For the boning, I didn't use iron, I ordered everything for it, but the package I was expecting didn't come in time so I decided to choose another way to bone it.
I found out that tie wrap are as good as iron boning, and even less expenssive ! I used really large ones : 9mm X500mm and wow, I am so please with how the corset holds that I've decided to only use this method.
I used these ones :

The wholes in the back are made with golden eyelets (I was too lazy to make all of them by hands, I know it's bad !!!) 
I didn't use any patterns for the false rump, I just sat down and started to draw the basic shape until I was pleased with it. ^^
Finally I will make the chemise to wear under the stays, I have no idea how to make one, so I will have to search for patterns and explanations ! :) There will be worn pictures of the stays when the chemise will be done. ^^

First post

Well here it is, my very first post, so let's start by introuducing myself a little bit !


My name is Patricia, I am 20 years old and I live in Nice, south France. And as a lot of people on blogger, I have as passion historical costuming. Even though I am just a begginer, I really admire those who are able to create and re-create differente era's clothes. I'd say I have a preference for the 16th and 18th century era, but I enjoy as well seeing artisan craft related to earlier and later periods.
This blog will be about these eras, about my artisan craft (mostly women clothes) and as I've mentionned before, I am a begginer so all critics and advices will be welcomed ! :) I hope you willl enjoy this blog and I will add new posts as soon as I'll start some work !


I also have passion for drawing, especially portraits, so if you are curious or you also love drawing, you can find some of the works I've made here : http://mutemouia.deviantart.com/


I wish all a wonderful day !! :)