Victorian Dresses (by kind request)

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

Originally Posted by Vivisectus

Welcome Kamilah!

You make your own victorian-style dresses? Sounds interesting - do you have any example piccies to put up in the art section?

Lifestyle seemed a better fit. (Hobbies.)

So after many years of internet crossdressing I made the jump to meeting people at a convention. I thought for a moment, should I costume up? ... nah. Then my little voice asked, "Are you really that ashamed of me? "

Well then. So in three weeks and a whole lot of YouTube tutorials and a pile of broadcloth and taffeta, I made a dress. That was 2008, this is from 2013 when I'd fixed up a bunch of things I'd done wrong, or had poor judgment/inexperience:


Huh, that could have been smaller. 850/1200 eh, roll with it.

Genuine paper mache mask (I collect masks) as in the Masquerade, one becomes the mask, no?

And my 3D work, made entirely in Blender. It's since gained a normal map for deeper fabric depth.

Oh, goodie, there's a resize limit to image size.

[livius drusus]

There is nothing that is not brilliant about the white gown, cat mask, lead white face paint and powdered wig. It is truly glorious in every detail. Is the brown trim velvet or fur? It's so lush.

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

There is nothing that is not brilliant about the white gown, cat mask, lead white face paint and powdered wig. It is truly glorious in every detail. Is the brown trim velvet or fur? It's so lush.

It was originally a red edge tape due to inexperience and time constraints, now the trim is faux fur. Face paint is most definitely not lead based (but you knew that, lol). It's a body paint I get from MAC.

[livius drusus]

I did indeed know that, but it's entirely believable as the deadly original. All of the chic, none of the neurological disorders. I know it's Victorian, but between the mask, the wig and the paint, you're serving major Venice carnival AND I DIG IT.

[Ari]

Having recently been learning to sew.
"I made a dress" is a bit of an understatement when it's actually a gown that you can hide the queens royal nuclear bomb or hysteria cure under.

[Vivisectus]

I love the little matching drawstring bag too - awesome. The whole ensemble must have taken ages to put together!

[lisarea]

If I'm not mistaken, that pouch is a reticule, which is a transitional stage in the evolution of pockets to handbags.

That is some gorgeous work, Kamilah Hauptmann, and I would like you on MY side the next time I have a fight with livius drusus.

[thedoc]

For just over a year, while our new house was being built, we lived next door to a civil war reinactor who would dress up in period uniforms and take part in the battle of Gettysburg reinactings. His wife would dress in period gowns that looked a lot like the ones you are creating, very nice.

[Qingdai]

That is some fine work, I had a friend who was in the society for Creative ... um something.
ANYWAY she used to make Tudor and other dresses for the time period they were into, and that is some fine work. Are you interested in tatting lace? I have some Victorian dressing gowns from my Great Grandmother and the lace is fantastic.

[curses]

I have to pop in just to say wow. Fantastic job!

[Ari]

After these opening posts, I expect more photos of dresses I'm unsure how to get in or out of!
Also, the way you hold the bag makes me think you're about to draw a katana and slice someone.

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

Originally Posted by lisarea

If I'm not mistaken, that pouch is a reticule, which is a transitional stage in the evolution of pockets to handbags.

It might be! The pattern it's from is Butterick 4051. The Gone With The Wind 'curtain dress'.

Originally Posted by Qingdai

Are you interested in tatting lace?

I really just take a pattern and adapt it, my knowledge of design and elements is piecemeal at best.

Originally Posted by Ari

After these opening posts, I expect more photos of dresses I'm unsure how to get in or out of!

It takes about an hour to get in, less than to get out. O_o Pro tip, don't attempt these in Tampa in summer.

And oh, okay. Taken at Steam Con 3:


Simplicity pattern 2887

[BrotherMan]

There is nothing not great about that dress.

[JoeP]

Originally Posted by lisarea

and I would like you on MY side the next time I have a fight with livius drusus.

fyi Kamilah, there is no right side, or good side or safe side, to be on when there's a fight between lisarea and livius drusus.

Way outside is probably best.

[Vivisectus]

Originally Posted by lisarea

If I'm not mistaken, that pouch is a reticule, which is a transitional stage in the evolution of pockets to handbags.

That is some gorgeous work, Kamilah Hauptmann, and I would like you on MY side the next time I have a fight with livius drusus.

You know I was wondering if it had a specific name - I even briefly googled for it, but gave up and just went for drawstring. I was looking at the history of pockets, and was joined by Mrs Sectus and the Vivisectette. We played a family game of spot the pocket. It was nauseatingly educational but I rather enjoyed it.

[Ensign Steve]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

I know it's Victorian, but between the mask, the wig and the paint, you're serving major Venice carnival AND I DIG IT.

Between the gown, the wig, and the paint (but not the mask) I was thinking Marie Antoinette. But then, I don't know shit.

Gorgeous, none the less.

[Ensign Steve]

Originally Posted by Qingdai

That is some fine work, I had a friend who was in the society for Creative ... um something.

Anachronism?

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

Originally Posted by JoeP

fyi Kamilah, there is no right side, or good side or safe side, to be on when there's a fight between lisarea and livius drusus.

Way outside is probably best.

Is it like this?

[livius drusus]

Duel to the Death (1898) | BFI National Archive -...

[BrotherMan]

I'm certainly relieved that perfect example is pre-talky. Because the language you two actually use during your discussions hurt my ears.

[lisarea]

Originally Posted by BrotherMan

I'm certainly relieved that perfect example is pre-talky. Because the language you two actually use during your discussions hurt my ears.

Stop pretending you don't love it.

Dwain Esper's MANIAC (1934) Bill Woods - YouTube

[-FX-]

Originally Posted by lisarea

Stop pretending you don't love it.

I enjoyed this thread, because now I have a visual image every time I read the never ending posts of the OP

[-FX-]

Also, very cool dress.