I was getting ready to go to a con with eldest daughter, and I had fallen in love withe the costumes from the new Cinderella movie. I KNEW I just HAD to be the Fairy Godmother (yeah I know that is a bit of a change from my favorite black of the WickedStepmother or Death at cons... Well, there are the times I did Lwaxanna Troi from Star Trek, but I dirgress. I WANTED that dress- but I am a strictly Victorian girl for the most part. I'm educated enough in general costume history to recognize a totally different corset shape, and structure- So although my fabrics were going to be ever so "Fairy tale modern" my shape was going to be pretty 1780's. SOOO off to search for patterns!
So here is the photo of my dear daughter took in the hallway where my ruff/collar bit is standing up like it should. I had several requests from Cinderellas to have my photo with them. But the best was from a teensy little girl wearing fairy wings who just reached up and took my hand and asked for a photo. "She loves fairies" whispered her mom, "And you are the first one she asked by herself for a photo." *heart smile*
What the item is (and why it was out of your comfort zone):It is a 1780's based version of the Fairy Godmother dress from the new live action Cinderella movie. I did the undergarments for it as well- and it was my first foray into anything from this time period or this shape. I am a strictly Victorian and Edwardian girl- this was SO far out of my time frame.
The Challenge:out of your comfort zone
Fabric: Polyester satin taffeta, polyester iridescent organza, white and silver lace, silver mesh lace, eyelet for petticoat, kona cotton for pocket hoops, canvas and white cotton twill for stays
Pattern: Butterick 4254 (be wary make the next size down), Patterns of Fashion 1- 1770-85 dress, Corsets and Crinoline- Pocket hoops
Year: 1785 ish
Notions: Boning, lots of sparkly crystal things
How historically accurate is it?Maybe 30% the fabrics are terrible but the patterns are pretty good.
Hours to complete:It was finished in a week
First worn: Dallas Fan Expo Comicon May 30, 2015
Total cost: around $200