Curtain Along part II, or That’s a really big bum!

So I started the curtain along costume. Since I want to do a 1780/90s outfit, I needed a bum pad. It’s kind of like the 18th century version of a bustle. Those ladies had lots of back!

Here’s a 1791 fashion plate from the Journal des Luxes so you can see what I’m talking about:

(Got the fashion plate from the Dames a la Mode Tumblr blog, by the way.  Lots of eye candy over there.)

You see how the large part of the skirt has moved from the side panniers to the back? I may have a big rear end, but even mine isn’t THAT big.

So I found some online tutorials to make a bum pad.  This costume isn’t for a competition, so I don’t care if it’s period-correct or not.  So I cut some cotton into a crescent shape, added some lace and ties and then stuffed it.

It was just a little bit too poofy, so I then added a line of stitching down the middle of each of the 3 puffed sections. (Didn’t get a pic of that, though)

So I put it on my dress form and took the red curtain to start draping the petticoat. Here’s what I got:

I added a waistband tie and the petticoat is done!

Whoops! and Curtain-Along

Actually, it just recently struck me that I probably shouldn’t be posting tons of pics and info about my dress if I’m going to be competing in it.

D’oh!

Oh well, I’m just learning this blogging thing.

So I won’t be talking about my française just yet. I’ll keep writing entries, I just won’t post any of them until after the competition in May. (sad sigh)

Until then, I’ll be sharing other costumes (completed and in-progress) to fill the gap.

So let me tell you about the Curtain Along!

Jen over at Festive Attyre found a perfect 18th century print on some curtains at Lowe's in 3 different colors. (You can see them on the nifty little badge graphic she created above.) You can also buy the fabric itself at  Joann's craft store, but the curtains are MUCH cheaper for the same material. So she asked if anyone wanted to sew stuff along with her out of the curtains.

I ran out & bought 3 of the cream background & 1 with the red.

I think I'm going to make a late-period polonaise. The red one is going to be used for an alternate petticoat so that I can switch out the look. Of course, I have no idea if a different patterned petticoat is period. (Say that 3 times fast!) I've seen them with contrasting *solid color* petticoats, but not with a contrasting print. Oh well....

This one is just for me, anyway. :)

I'm thinking something like this example from the MET:

Wouldn't this look adorable in the cream with the red petticoat?

Plus it will give me the excuse to play around with a hedgehog style hair-do. I know the pic doesn't have one, but the MET says the dress is from 1780 which would totally allow me to rock a hedgehog!

Fun!