Fluttershy's petticoat and petit bustle

I got around drafting and making Fluttershy's petticoat to a point where I need to try it on the cosplayer and make necessary arrangements for it to fit nicely. Since I have no plans to giving this cosplay away, I also need to make sure that it also fits me.

I used a pattern I found in Period Costume for Stage and Screen: 1800-1909 by Jean Hunnisett. I got a few copies out of it because my copy is from the library, so I cannot make markings on it. I had to insert more room for the waist as the pattern was designed for someone very tall and built like a stick.

I used the same book for the petit bustle. I'm doing everything in the wrong order, because I haven't made her corset yet, but I plan on drafting that this evening and trying to piece it together tomorrow. Then I can finish the petticoat.

Petticoat without bustle on the left and petticoat with bustle on the right. The bustle is small and  about and inch thick, but it gives the petticoat such a nice lift. If you look carefully, you can see how much fabric I had to insert into the side seam to make it fit. Material for the petticoat is cotton.

Fabrics

So, I've been spending on fabrics lately. I found a nice bright yellow cotton for Fluttershy's petticoat and I discarded the original idea of tulle, when I found gorgeus white chiffon on sale.

I also used spoonflower to make the himation fabric for Rainbow Dash. Once it arrives and I review the quality, I'll open it up for sale, so everyone who wants to copy it can get it.

But now, onto the canary yellow petticoat! Whee!

Also, I'll be making the final draws on Rarity today so expect those to upload during the next few days.

Finished plan: Fluttershy

So I finally drew the Fluttershy plans. It's not strictly one period as I couldn't find a style we were comfortable with, so it's made from two time periods.

I feel that I made the yellow in the plan a little too prominent. The underskirt I planned as two layers of tulle to get that soft look on it.  The overskirt will be covered in peacock feathers. I'm regretting this plan already, but it will look magnificent for our birthday girl. The bodice will be lightly boned. I just need to make a petticoat, corset and an undershirt to go under the corset. And of course the wings, as Fluttershy is a pegasus pony.

Here's the inspiration I used for the design. The skirt is from early 1900's and the bodice is around 1909-10. Both are from Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion. Time for material hunting again! Allons-y!

Shoes for Fluttershy are the Astoria's from American Duchess. I'm waiting for them to arrive (and hope to God I got the right size).

Astoria shoe from American Duchess.

Chiton progress for Rainbow Dash

I found 3m of thin linen at a ridiculously low price from our local fabric store. The cosplayer has sensitive skin, so I hope the linen I found is soft enough not to irritate her skin. This is also why we decided against wool. There is soft wool in existence, but linen was a safer choice.

Anyhoo, I have gotten the chiton nearly finished. I ran out of thread and need to get some more.
Here's piccies.

The neckline is rather wide, but looks fabulous. I haven't gotten the proper girdle yet, so cotton cord is shown in the pictures. Also I think I need to think a proper way drape the sleeves to the shoulders for the sleeveless look.

Backview. The draping is in the sides. Also, I had to shorten the chiton a little after the picture was taken.

Another front view and detail of the collar. I kinda like the way it's draping over the bossom.

That's about it until I get more supplies.

I also did a few tests on the decorative border of the himation, but no pictures yet.

I'm not dead!

Just real busy with work, so I haven't managed to update anything... But I have been shopping! Materials and stuff, you know, the nitty gritty. Once they arrive, I'll make a post about it.

I'm still working on this I promise!

Finished plans: Rainbow Dash

So, I got the Rainbow Dash plans ready. Probably because it's the easiest one design wise, but I'm sure I'm going to shoot myself in the hand while doing the decorative border for the himation. I will probably never learn to do this so that I don't put in amazing details that that forever to finish, am I?

Oh well, to the plans.

Here's the finished plan. I might have to fix the himation on better, but this is how it's going to look. I asked the cosplayers of Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash and they wanted the wings so they were added.

Originally I had only thought about wool and linen for the material, but I'm not sure if the cosplayer can wear those materials. I did find a mention from Herbert Norris's book Ancient European Costume and Fashion, that silk and cotton were imported in small amounts after Alexander the Great's conquests and expeditions. There is also mention to samet being imported from which the nobles paid fabulous sums for it. So, if the cosplayer cannot wear wool or linen, I can use cotton or silk and still be period accurate. More or less. Like I could be period accurate of an ancient Grecian fashion in 2014.... How silly of me.

Anyway, back to the topic.

I did two designs for the decorative border. I have to say I like the #1 better than #2. Both I based from actual designs I found in period style books and flew from there. Rainbow Dash's color sceme is repeated on the border with the addition of black in the #1. Which probably makes me like it. And why is this going to drive me nuts? To cover the entire lenght if the himation, I need to make nearly 6 metres of it. I might need to teach one of my little elves embroidery.

Well, as you can see the pattern for the ionic chiton in very simple. Just a rectangle piece of clothing. Nothing much, simple as heck.

On the himation I took a small liberty. Normally himation is a rectangle piece of clothing, but since in the design the himation is shorter on the other end and sort of trails on the floor, I had to make the lower and sloped. I still feel that I might have to make the short end even shorter. Maybe 110cm will suffice, I don't know, I need to adjust it at some point.

That's it for tonight. Nighty night children! Allons-y!

Planning progress

I haven't scanned anything, but I've gotten the design for Rarity together. Cosplayers of Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash have confirmed and accepted the plans, now it's just defining the details and colors, plus hairstyle for Dash and Rarity. Fluttershy is more or less finished and waiting for fabrics.

I'll try and update today or tomorrow. I've been horribly lazy lately and the allergy season is terrible. There's still not that much pollen in the air, but it's just starting here. I might need to double my medication in some point.

I also made some preliminary drafts of Applejack and Twilight Sparkle. As with Pinkie Pie, they are not on the list of dresses that need to be made for the Gala, but I might someday make all ponies and wanted some preliminary plans to start with. Probably another forever project, but it's still a nice though.