Making a Mint and White Rococo Costume | Part Three

The technique of sandwiching the sleeve between the outer and lining fabric is really clever! I just got back from a class at School of Historical Dress, and the technique we used for the sleeves was really weird. The sleeve gets sewn on right side to right side for the underarm half, and then the upper half gets slapped on without even turning the raw edges under, the raw sleeve cap just sits there. The trim is so wide it covers it, but your version of sloppiness isn't anywhere near the level of sloppiness this original dress was.

I think it's gorgeous.

There’s a thing women do that translates how much we weigh to who we are and what are value is. I have no idea where we all learned that bit of stupidity but let’s let it die a long over due death. I think you’re beautiful Angela. I know it’s harder for you to see that because you know what the scale says; but it’s still true. You’re beautiful!

You look like one of your porcelain figurines! Like you literally stepped down from the shelf. :)

It looks gorgeous! You did a wonderful inspiring job on this where you tried new techniques and added a whole lot of decorations.

This is sooo nice 💖even the colour is nice on you x

I think it's glorious! The stomacher is a very period accurate fix to the size issue, and I so feel you on medication doing Things to your body.

I currently have a simple dress on my form that has been there since June because the fit is awful and I can’t work out how to fix it. Seeing you work through your problems and come up with a very effective and elegant solution has inspired me to have another go at the “lemon dress from hell” so thank you for that. I love the finished gown and if the “errors” were not pointed out to me I would have no idea there was anything amiss! Please don’t be so hard on yourself. We all love what you create and are always excited to see what’s next whether it’s a barber dress or a magnificent ball gown!

It's a beautiful gown and you should be very proud. We are always our own worst critics.

Where did you get your rainbow duckbill scissors? They are gorgeous. The dress is also gorgeous and I think you did a great job.

You look lovely

Angela, I am a perfectionist, so when something doesn't meet my expectations, not only do I want to throw it across the room, I want to burn it! (I never burn it). I echo Stephanie A's comment: it's a beautiful gown! You tried a new stitching/piecing technique and it didn't work out due to the fabric. BIG DEAL. You see a project gone wrong, but what I see is your creativity when things began to go wrong--THAT IS A BIG DEAL. It's one thing to have a gown come out beautifully with no issues. You have done that more times than I can count. It's what you do when things do have issues that really matters. Your stomacher was a great solution, AND it made the bodice more visually interesting. When it comes to Rococo clothing, the phrase "less is more" doesn't exist. You could not add too many ruffles, butterflies, flowers, ribbon, and who knows what else to that bodice--it would still look period appropriate! Same goes for the skirt, too. I appreciate seeing your ingenuity when things don't work out, Angela. Many of us patrons have commented that seeing projects where you're unhappy with the results, or you made a "mistake" (I don't like that term), makes you a human being like the rest of us! You are way too critical of yourself, and like I said, I'm a perfectionist so I totally understand being disappointed in my efforts. I hope you'll at least consider keeping the skirt. Maybe someday you'll feel like re-creating the bodice out of a new complimentary fabric, and salvaging the sleeve ruffles and trimmings. The glued-on butterflies can't be saved, I'm guessing, but you could always get more. I think you did a great job on the whole Gigantic Gown and I look forward to seeing your next project, whichever one it may be. Lots of hugs to you, Angela.

This whole project to me feels like an upgraded, historical version of your fantasy monarch butterfly project. I know you were frustrated with the end of this piece, but reflecting back on how far your skills have come is quite incredible!

I personally think this is a beautiful garment! The butterflies on the bodice make it look very fantastical: with that dress, you could be the queen of the field, or something like that. Either way, still a wonderful job! :-)