Wash complete!

Aubrey's "Wash Overskirt" was not awash! Whoo hoo! It's gorgeous! I really didn't think I could pull it off, but I did and it's even prettier than I expected it to be. This overskirt design was seen in an 1884 Butterick catalog and can be worn with or without a bustle. I may make a small bustle to wear underneath, to pouf her butt out more. We'll see how it looks when she has all of the undergarments on. The wash has 5 ties sewn underneath, two which are in casings that draw up the skirt and tie, to make the poufs. There is also a tie sewn near the waistband that loops over a button and you can raise or lower the center of the pouf. It sounded so complicated but I figured it out and it works great. The waistband turned out perfectly, with no puckers, and is nice and flat. The trim is very pretty and really adds a lot to the look. I can't wait to start on mine! I still need to buy my wash fabric, although I've had it picked out for months. Jo Ann's still has plenty of it in stock so I'm not worried about not being able to get it. I don't know if I want to start working on Aubrey's corset mock up, or start my underskirt first. I need to do the mock up as I have no idea what size busk to order and won't know until the mock up is finished. The pattern maker lists three corset making suppliers, and I'll be ordering from them very soon. I'd say the thought of making a corset scares me, but dang, it all scares me and I've done alright so far! I'm really glad my patience has increased over the years, or else I would have given up on this months ago.

Two raves and must haves for this project. My dummy and my fantastic sewing machine! If I didn't have the dummy to try the clothes on, Aubrey would be screaming at me by now...lol. It's such a big help! And my Brother sewing machine is so slick. The only issues I've had are operator failure, not the machine..lol. But those have been few and far between :) 

Here are some pictures. Now there are no undergarments underneath, so the underskirt looks rather squished. When it's on Aubrey it will be more full looking. 

Alright, back to work!

Back view

 Side view

 View from the front

 Front view

Close-up of trim

You can't really see it, but there is just a hint of purple in the wash skirt fabric. It's very nice.

Making progress

Two days in a row! I'm surprising myself here. I have the wash cut out, darts sewn in, apron hemmed and now I'm getting ready to sew the sides together. As soon as my hubby gets home from school I'm heading out to Joann Fabrics for apron trim, (maybe, if Aubrey wants it) tie strings and buttons to hook them to for the poufs. I should be outside mowing the lawn, but I'm on a roll :) 

At last

I finally finished Aubrey's underskirt! Pinning the ruffle on was a pain in my ass and scared the hell out of me. Once I finally got the nerve to actually sew it on, it went easy as pie (thanks to my calling on Bridgid for help) I was so worried that I would mess up and the fabric is too delicate and expensive to handle a massive ripping out. I think it turned out really well and the ruffle just adds to the whole look of the skirt. Of course now I have to sew the "wash", which is the overskirt. I'm scared of that one too, but I just need to stop psyching myself out and do it.

I get really weird when I sew. It's like riding a roller coaster for me. I get really wound up, tense, impatient and pace the floor. I make a lot of strange noises, sing, laugh and HAVE to watch comedy on youtube to break the tension. I have bitten off way more than I can chew with this project and I don't want to fail. I've spent way too much money on fabric and patterns to give up or do a shoddy job. I'm proud I've accomplished as much as I have, but I have so much more to do! I CAN do it! I WILL! Aubrey and I will look fabulous and the memories will last a lifetime. Hopefully I'll still have hair on my head or I'll have to buy a weave...lol