Nearly finished cutting out the velveteen for the skirt with only the side front sections to go (and they are shorter). Hoping to start ironing the pieces onto the satin this week.

Not much to update really, just cutting out black velveteen sections. The centre back is now cut out and I have started on one side back piece, then its onto the side front. Everywhere I turn there seems to be small offcuts of black fabric missed by the broom :o).

Skirt front is all cut out and ready to apply to the satin background. I couldnt resist having a look at how it was going to look so I have laid out all the pieces for the centre front skirt onto the satin.

I am reasonably impressed at how it is progressing and a little alarmed at the amount of time it is taking. This is definately not going to be one of my usual 'I need a new dress for the event at the end of the week' dresses.

Now it feels like I am starting to make some progress. The pattern has been applied to all of the velveteen for the skirt and I have started to cut it out. I think it is going to look pretty good. I found a great pair of scissors that have a spring in the handle so it shouldn't be too hard on the hands. Cant wait to have the front of the skirt stuck down and start doing some sewing.

Ok this is going to take a while. I have tracked down the double sided interfacing I wanted to transfer the pattern to the black and gold velveteen (its heavier than vislofex but the shop assistant didn't know what the brand name was). There are five 'pattern widths' required for the skirt. Each one takes up to 3.5 hours to transfer the pattern to the interfacing. So far I am a little over half way through the skirt..... then there are the sleeves and bodice to go. Then its on to cutting out the design and applying it to the ivory satin.

I have also made up a mock up of the dress to check the pattern. I was oringinally going to follow the dress pattern from the Eleanora of Toledo buriel gown as illustrated in Janet Arnold's "Patterns of Fashion" however the gores in ths skirt play havoc with the fabric pattern so I have opted for an ungored skirt which will be either cartridge pleated or box pleated onto the bodice (depending on the weight of the finished skirt).

Enlarged and simplified fabric design.

Hi and welcome to my blog. This is where you can find out what mischief is happening in my sewing room.

My current project is based on the portrait of Eleanor of Toledo. I have just finished the pattern layout and am about to start cutting fabric for the applique. The fabric in the portrait appears to be a cut voided silk or similar, but as I can't find a suitable modern fabric I have decided to applique black and gold velvet onto a background of white delustered satin. It might take a while but it will be worth it.