More Italian Renaissance...

[landwhale]

I especially like Marius's outfit. Such amazing work. I can't sew that small lol. I try. But it takes me forever and a day to make it decent.

[JanetT]

The base pattern I'm using for the guys' doublets and the ladies' gowns (so far) is 2002 McCalls 3628 Barbie/Ken Renaissance Pattern. I do photocopy it at different percentages of reduction, especially for the Obitsu girls.

I've also been watching The Borgias on TV -- those are incredibly wonderful costumes in that show! Also the costumes in the 1969 version of Romeo and Juliet are amazing too. And I look at historical costume books and websites.

Hopefully I'll get some more done this weekend... we'll see!

Thanks for everyone's nice comments!

[JanetT]

Been kind of crazy at my place lately, haven't gotten much done. (Apt. management decided on major building renovations, including replacing ALL the windows and balcony doors, which necessitated packing up a lot of books, dolls, doll stuff, and sewing/craft supplies so we could move the massive book cases and other furniture away from the windows and exterior walls for this to happen...). That part is all done, and the new windows are very nice, but we still haven't gotten everything back in place. I have a feeling it will be months before I find everything again.... argh!

But before I had to box her up, I did get some pictures of Lady Eisabetta, one of the supporting (and scheming) characters:


I was experimenting with the sleeves, trying to get more of a proper renaissance "puffed" look -- very happy with how these sleeves came out. That's the same wide trim that is on the dress, just hand-sewn with thin elastic strips that go around the arm and hold them in lace. Each piece (four separate pieces) is about an inch square, but hemmed by hand to make sure it fits where it needs to go. The trick, I discovered, is to constantly measure, hold it up against the doll with tiny rubber bands, and when ready, slip the outer-sleeve pieces on over the white inner sleeves before I put the outfit actually on the doll!



Her gown is not totally done -- the back seam, fasteners and hem still need doing, and there's supposed to be an over-gown and cap as well, and maybe some jewelry of some kind. But so far she is coming out quite well, and she is VERY happy (but impatient for me to finish, I'm sure).

Of course, Elisabetta still thinks the entire story is about HER...

Next up: The prince and princess, when I can find them and the fabric I already cut out....

Technical notes: Elisabetta is a large-bust Obitsu gal, so I used the 2002 McCalls 3628 Barbie Italian Renaissance pattern with no alterations -- (I shoot it down for the medium bust girls, and even more for the 25cm and 21cm).

Her face-up is by Googly. She even has a few freckles!

[thisstrangeforest]

Etienne looks amazing!

and omigosh that gown!

[maywong]

WOW! your outfits seem to keep getting better.

[KatyaR]

Loving your figures and their backstories. And wow, the gorgeous items you're pulling out of that pattern. Really makes me wish I could sew.

[Geektopian]

I'm just kinda floored, Janet! Your costume work is amazing and the two ladies you've shown here are just too cute.

The faces on many current generation 1/6 scale figures like Hot Toys, DiD and Soldier Story are just amazingly life-like. Oddly enough, I haven't actually purchased any, although I appreciate the effort these companies have put in to their products.

[HelloEssie]

Gosh Janet... your work is to die for! All the clothes I've seen you make are so detailed and perfectly in scale!

[absynthe1972]

Elisabetta is just amazing! Her dress, her face! You're so talented to sew that small! I am in awe!

[Eseme]

Still absolutely amazed! I love your attention to detail, and that does look very authentic.