The Perfect Touch: An Edwardian Mistress of Evil

Saturday, June 5, 2021

An Edwardian Mistress of Evil - The Plan

Definition of Cubbyhole:

cub·by·hole | \ ˈkə-bē-ˌhōl

: a small snug place (as for hiding or storage)also : a cramped space
The Merriam-Webster definition and also the nickname of my tiny sewing space. And right now it is completely overflowing! There are four costumes and projects in progress as it has been difficult to find the perfect fabrics, perfect colors, perfect trims, and perfect touches, all at the perfect price, to complete each one. There is the 1870s Carriage Gown which has been in progress for months waiting on the silk roses class:

And the Hamilton Spencer awaiting the right shirt pattern and perfect boots to wear with my skirt:

And a 1900 antique parasol awaiting recovering. I've now taken the class and the recovering is almost finished!

The fourth costume is for #historicaldisneycostume, an ongoing collaboration with costumers all over the world. It was just a small step when I finished A Wicked Witch to move to my choice for an historical Disney - Maleficent: The Mistress of Evil. And here is The Plan.

Those glorious sleeves! I was immediately reminded of the Poiret Cocoon Coat with its bat wing sleeves and hobble skirt. I've used the Folkwear Pattern 503 before and love the way the the single piece creates half of both the front and back and sleeve in one beautiful design.

I was inspired by internet images to create the Cocoon Coat design from a fabric called Magic Black Abstract Geometric Burnout Velvet, lined with a Dusty Lilac Crepe Back Satin. The satin is a high luster and I'm imagining it will be a beautiful but subdued backinh to the semi-sheer burnout velvet.

Surrounding the neckband will be a trim of iridescent coque feathers to add just that bit of luminous green.

To create the glorious lavender collar under the Cocoon Coat, I'll be using Depew Patterns 1914 Dress a Corselet #3123. The fabric is a Black Crepe Back Satin, the collar made from the Dusty Lilac Crepe Back Satin, and the corselet from the burnout velvet backed with the lilac satin.

The last part of the costume will be a 1910s Paul Poiret inspired single wrapped turban, View A, from Lynn McMasters' Early 20th Century Turbans pattern.

Those are the patterns, fabrics, trim and design ideas - and, as always, subject to change at a moment's whim. :)

There was a perfect touch that caught my eye and kept me awake at night until I made the purchase. A necklace with peridot stones and a silhouette which reminded of the Maleficent headdress from the movie.