Early Access // The Cicada Ball Gown Complete!
How can I properly thank you for the opportunities you have given me? If you had asked me back in 2015 if I ever thought I would have a bustle gown, I would have told you I never could have afforded the silk required. You have made my dream gown a reality, and in three different versions! Thank you so much for your help here on Patreon. I could not have made this gown, taken on this giant of a project, delved back into costuming again without your help.
I hope you like the ball bodice and trained overskirt here together and finished at last. I will be showing how to make the matching silk taffeta roses next week, and then it's back into some retro projects again! Before that though I have a sequin jacket to make, so I will see you again soon!
Making a Gothic Victorian Ball Gown // The Cicada Gown (YouTube)
Comments (49)
I have very much enjoyed going on the Cicada Gown journey with you. It has been so fun to see you create all of the variations of this costume. I really hope you enter it in some kind of contest somewhere/somehow. It is worthy of a prize/award!! That rose detail was the perfect addition to the costume. Like, it just added so much pizazz to the costume at the end there. I heard the word "reticule" in your outro. Yes! I would love to see you eke out a reticule out of a fabric scrap, or even in black. I haphazardly threw together a reticule for a costume of mine many moons ago, but I didn't really know what I was doing & I'd love to see your take on it.
Not that anything is wrong with your gorgeous put together outfit, but I'd love to see you wear that with crazy green sparkly eye makeup and a deep lipstick, maybe also a green? which isn't period but who cares? LOL :D Love how this turned out!
Thank you Ingrid! I do own a dark green lipstick, but my picky self would find the shade slightly too blue to wear with this gown 😅 I do have matte black too though, which would work of course 🖤
This is just spectacular honestly. And the roses I am very excited for but don't forget to take some time for you :)
Thank you Wendy! I will take a few days for writing and rest soon so I can recharge 🥰
Wow! The work you put into this Ball Gown shows - it is stunning! I would never have thought to gather lace as you did - I like that effect. I love the chevron effect too. I love the whole ensemble. Lets hope the universe gives you a chance to enjoy this gown 'outside' in a social setting. I'm hoping it does. I just want to also thank you for your videos, tutorials and the time you give to us. You have inspired me to make things I never would have, to 'slash and spread' to create a different bodice/dress, and to 'have a go'. Your inspiration is very much appreciated! 💚💚💚 Take care, stay safe, allow yourself the time to write and enjoy each day. 📚 Sending best wishes from Down Under 🥰💐🇦🇺🇦🇺
Thank you so much Rhonda 💚💚 I have some writing time coming up so I can recharge for another round!
I read all of the comments and agree with each one. The dress in all forms, is simply a masterpiece! I must admit I watched it twice. The first time, I was more tired than I thought and fell asleep and woke up just as you were walking at the beautiful home! So, today, I watched it again and actually saw all of the work and detail that went into this bodice...amazing...just amazing. Congratulations on achieving your dream gown. I hope you feel as good about it as we do for you! Can't wait to see how the roses were made. I have tried and tried and they always look a mess and the ready made ones are not as pretty and cost a fortune! Thanks so much for taking us on this journey with you!!
Thank you Peggy! The silk roses are so fun that I am tempted to make many more of them, I just need to work out other different flowers next too!
Unreal!! So stunning. You’re such a talent, and such a pleasure to watch.
Thank you Marnie! ❤
I love how you used even the scraps of the silk for the flowers! getting every bit of use for it. My heart smiled when i saw your beading. So frikin lovely!
Thank you Niccy! I still have a few odd shaped scraps left, I'm going to make some face masks 😅
Unbelievably stunning. You’ve outdone yourself!
Thank you Susie!
This project is so amazing, and you really deserve a standing ovation for all the meticulous details you've added to it! I also enjoyed this is a robbery, it made me miss New England strangely enough 😅
Thank you Elise! I have never visited New England, though of course I am most tempted to visit in the fall for the best fall leaf situation possible. Fall color, and antiquing, plus some museums? Sounds like a perfect get away to me 🍂
Absolutely stunning! The chevronning and piecing really adds to it, I think. And those roses 🌹. Gorgeous! The day bodice is my favourite because I love high necklines and the cicadas but all of them are gorgeous. Amazing work! 10/10 😁
Thank you Beverley! I think the fit on the day bodice came out the best of the three, and I really love it too! 💚
OMG that train! 0_0 Every version of this dress is beautiful, but something about this one--I dunno, I was almost bouncing in my chair to see it finished. I'm so happy you got to make this dream happen.
Thank you Amber! There is something extra fun about swooshing a train around indeed 🥰
Your work continues to impress and inspire! (Also, I'm with you on the true crime podcasts, just can't do it! If you stray into politics at all, my favorite podcast is Bad Faith)
Thank you Kendall! I'll have to check it out!
It’s absolutely gorgoeus! I am so crazy happy that you did it 😭💚 I can’t wait for the roses tutorial, now I want some too 🤭
Thank you Magda! I am tempted to make a lot more roses now, but I'm also am tempted to invest in the proper fancy flower tools too so I can do all sorts of flowers next time hmm 😅
I’m speechless! This gown is so beautiful.
Thank you Debbie!
It's so beautiful and I'm so glad you were able to do it! 😭💚
Thank you Chae! ❤
The train looks amazing all spread out in the natural light and you are fairly beaming at the end in your wrap-up. Thank you for sharing your passion and expertise! As the song goes, "every colour goes where you do."
Thank you Penny! This silk is even more iridescent in the sunlight, it's so beautiful 😭💚
We are all giving you a standing ovation right now.. The Cicada Gown project is truly remarkable.. Bravo, Bianca..
Thank you Victoria!
This wardrobe turned out so grand, lush, and beautiful. Thanks for taking us along!
Thank you Rob!
That would be perfect at the Vampire Ball in Salem, Massachusetts.
This is the best sewn 15 yards of silk, I have ever seen before. You have truly outdone yourself, the beading, the handmade flowers everything was so beautiful. I'm speechless. Simply gorgeous.
Thank you Verdonda! I think I had been dreaming of this silk for so long that I couldn't help but go all in for this project 💚
My vampire goddess we are not worthy.... but seriously Holy Sh*t!!! The details! The chevron patterning! The huge train like bat wings! You were flying. The beading was delicious and the ROSES!!!!! GASP!!!!!!! Huge applause to what you have achieved with this project. And bless you for really showing us close up details!!! You are sooo creative and your style is so compatible to mine. Love love love this. You should come to the Portland Vampire Masquerade Ball if they hold another one due to the Panini. I have been going for years and the gowns and masks!!
Thank you Thea! I was so happy the roses worked out, I want to make more now 😅 I was supposed to visit Portland for the first time last year, but all plans were canceled due to panini of course. One day, I hear the vintage shopping there is great!
SLAY QUEEN!
I literally gasped 😍
And... thank you for the guidance with all your sewing patterns! I have learnt so much from you!
So beautiful. Thank you for creating a fantasy for us! 💚
Thank you Debra!
Awe. I'm so glad you were able to do something you once thought unattainable! It is absolutely beautiful and you did a fantastic job! Enjoy!! I hope you can continue on with new dream projects and fulfill some fantasies! XOX
Thank you Tracy! It really is my dream costume, every Halloween from now on is going to be very epic 💚
Squee!
Yup, that's still how I feel after watching the video. What a journey! It's been wonderful seeing this project from the beginning and coming to such a fabulous end! I'm a bit sad it's over, but also looking forward to more vintage and (eventually) more costuming.