Plans for 2014

I always make too many plans - but compared to my past output, what I've done this year is so outstanding that it makes me think I can decide which pieces I need to build a basic and versatile wardrobe, based on the events I've gone to this year (which is, again, an astounding amount compared to how many I attended in previous years, mainly thanks to Julie).

Detail of bodice I sketched at FIT, that sparked my love for the style

- My muslin gown makes me happy enough that I don't feel the need to replace it yet. However, I do feel most comfortable at this point with the 18th century methods of construction and my ability to get a good fit for that sort of bodice, so if I do make the jump from cotton to silk it's likely going to be for a 1780 pleated-back and closed-front gown based on one I've patterned, with plenty of pinked trim. (Must buy pinking shears.)

- What surprises me when I think of it, for some reason, is that Victorian events have been the most frequent this year. And yet, my Victorian wardrobe is sorely lacking. Probably the best place to start would be with remaking my early Victorian bodice so that it is narrower and a little bit longer. I do have some extra fabric, and I'm pretty sure it's still being produced and sold, so that shouldn't be a problem. I'd also like to make sure I have a center front seam, and to pipe the seams, at least the main ones and the armscyes.

Also from FIT; Clara and I dressed it!

- In addition, I'd like to make a second, slightly later bodice with more fitted sleeves. Just because. It won't necessarily look like the above, but the sleeves will probably be similar. Why? Because I get more bodice practice without having to make, or, more importantly, buy the fabric for another skirt.

- To round out my Victorianism, I'd like to also have an 1890s outfit, but I'm not really sure what it should be. My fitting skills are still quite low, which is unfortunate as the 1890s are a very fussy decade, so perhaps it will be a shirtwaist and skirt, or a lingerie dress. Yes, that sounds about my speed.

Costumes Parisiens, Journal des Dames et des Modes, 1814; NYPL 801887

- And, last but not least, a decent Regency gown. I have the one I made for my qualifying paper (technically pre-Regency) and the one I made for Tulipfest (too big, too nightgowny), and I'd like to just start over and make something decent. However, this will probably wait until I've taken some Regency patterns for After the Fashion II: 1800-1849, as I find it easier to sew once I've really thoroughly investigated extant pieces.

And that will be sooner than you may have expected! In 2014, I'm going to start patterning for the next book. I'm probably going to be doing just about everything I can get my hands on, but I was wondering - is there anything in particular that any dear readers have seen in paintings, fashion plates, museums, etc. and wished they had a pattern for? Would you like to see variations on early 1840s evening dress sleeves? Different types of late Regency hem treatments? Wool vs. silk spencers? Please let me know!

And don't forget about the Creating Historical Clothes giveaway, open until midnight (EST) on Friday, December 20!