February 3, 2008
This time I am not going to make a victorian gown (for a change, haha), but I want to try a pattern I've had in my pattern-stash for quit some time. It's a robe a la polonaise. My plan is to only make the bodice with the attached skirt, but not the underskirt. The robe itself will be made of red taffeta and the inside of the attached skirt will be black and white stripes. I want to wear a miniskirt under it, so you can see the stripes on the inside of the skirt.
Fabric:
 
Patterns used:
Today I started to cut out the pattern pieces and I am already frustrated. The attached skirt is so wide (it needs 4 times the length of the skirt!), I don't have enough fabric. What to do?
After some coffee I decided to proceed with the pattern anyway, only the skirt will not be as wide. I only have enough red taffeta for 2 times the lengt, so that will have to do.
February 4 , 2008
Today I have cut out the lining and started sewing on the bodice part. Front and back of bodice:
 
I've also cut the skirt-pieces, but as my sewing-machine is behaving badly (I am really frustrated with it right now), I think this is enough frustration for one night.
February 5 , 2008
The skirt sides are sewn together:
Outside, inside and inside folded over outside (this is the effect I'm after):
  
I got a bit frustrated (again) sewing these fabrics, as my machine won't stitch right. I have to do all seams at least three times. Aaargghhh! So I started another project: a miniskirt of black/white stripes. See progress here.
February 6, 2008
Stitched the outside-edges of the overskirt with red tread to make it neater.
 
And started attaching the sleeves to the bodice.
 
February 7, 2008
Overskirt attached to bodice:
  
February 8, 2008
For trimming I am going to make ruches of the red taffeta. I've cut several strips of taffeta, 7 cm wide, folded and sewn together.
Ruching:
Ruches attached to the neckline:
 
I am going to add more ruches. There will also be ruches down the center and on the sleeves.
February 12, 2008
After several days of making the ruches and hand-sewing them the robe a la polonaise is finally finished.
 
 
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