Hi, I am pretty new at making costumes myself, and also pretty new at Dickens. I want to make a ball dress to wear at Fezziwigs, and I while I have the pattern/s picked out, I was wondering what kind of fabric would be a good chioce. Is sateen too simple? I do not want to go looking too rich, so silk is out anyway. Did they have shantung? What about taffeta or silk taffeta, or Baroque satin? Im also on a tight budget, but I have a Joann store right by me, with 50% sales etc. What about velveteen? I have looked online and found several beautiful gowns, but it doesnt always say what fabric they are made of. I'm going for historical accuracy as much as I am able to as a beginner seamstress, and I do know quite a bit about the time period in general.
And can you tell me what colors were appropriate for a girl of 23 in that time? (I have red hair, so pink is kind of out, or red.
And can you tell me what colors were appropriate for a girl of 23 in that time? (I have red hair, so pink is kind of out, or red.
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Re: Fabric choices for Ball Gowns
Sat, April 19, 2008 - 12:42 PMThis isn't really an answer to your question, but I ask whether you are a paying patron or a participant.
The Fezziwig's presentation at Dickens Fair is a depiction of old Mr. Fezziwig's Christmas party thrown for the employees of his warehouse. They are primarily clerks, tea sorters and other working lower middle-class types and their families having an impromptu holiday shindig. It isn't a formal ball and what the folks are wearing there are either their work clothes or their Sunday best. Few of them are likely to have much occasion to attend a ball or have access to a ball gown.
If you are a patron, you are welcome to indulge yourself as you wish, and I have no desire to rain on your parade, but if you are concerned about how appropriate your idea is to the occasion, you'll take heed of my former statement.
I'm sure others are able to answer your questions regarding fabric better than I. -
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Re: Fabric choices for Ball Gowns
Sat, April 19, 2008 - 12:50 PMWell that's a relief, because I was not wanting to sew a formal ball gown! Thanks for reminding me it's not a formal ball, now I can just make a sunday best dress! That narrows down my fabric choices as well. To answer your question, I am a paying patron who wants to be appropriate. :D -
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Re: Fabric choices for Ball Gowns
Sat, April 19, 2008 - 9:01 PMA printed cotton would look pretty good and be accurate (depending on the print), and that would be something Joanne's has a lot of. Stay away from synthetic fibers. Plus, cotton is easy to sew for your first time! Look at www.reproductionfabrics.com/lines.php for inspiration. -
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Re: Fabric choices for Ball Gowns
Sun, April 20, 2008 - 5:17 PMAnd if you are looking to use a printed fabric, might I suggest looking at "Dating Fabrics: A Color Guide 1800-1960"
by Eileen Trestain
(www.amazon.com/Dating-Fab.../ref=sr_1_1
It's a great reference work for finding color/pattern combinations that work for specific time periods.
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Re: Fabric choices for Ball Gowns
Sun, April 20, 2008 - 7:37 PMIf you're a beginning sewer, stay away from the silky, or slick fabrics like sateens and satins. Velvets, too, have some special quirks that make them not great for beginning.
If you want a touch of something special; habutais are not too expensive, and not so slick as to be difficult sewing.
I'm going with a cotton! -
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Re: Fabric choices for Ball Gowns
Tue, April 22, 2008 - 1:21 AMThanks for all the tips, I will let you know what I decide on!
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Re: Fabric choices for Ball Gowns
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 12:10 PMWhew! then I don't have to weigh in with my speech that Fezziwigs party is an after work affair and the attendees would be wearing their work clothes or as you have decided, your Sunday best. If you would like to run your pattern choices by me, I'd be glad to help and advise. Also, depending on where you live we are doing construction workshops for Dickens during the summer.
And lastly - check out the GBACG website - there is a fabulous pattern review on it - lot;s of good information,
Liz
Costume Director
DCF
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Re: Fabric choices for Ball Gowns
Wed, May 14, 2008 - 1:54 PMActually, Rydel did a very good job. Fezziwig's party is an after work party, if your character is one of my employees, then you would have gone from working, to clearing away and preparing for the party straight into the party, you would not have had time to change even into just your "Sunday best", if you are a guest (not someone that works for old Mr. F) then yes, you may have left the house wearing something better than your work clothes, but probably not.
High end evening clothes are few and far between at Fezzi's and are allowed for cast members only by special dispensation by the Diector.
on another note, if you are considering being a cast member of Fezziwig's you need to contact the director at, director at fezziwigs dot org to get started with the things both you and he need to know. -
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Re: Fabric choices for Ball Gowns
Thu, May 15, 2008 - 10:19 PMFirst off, thank you all for all the great tips, and I LOVE the Pattern Review!
I'm trying putting together my own pattern from about three different patterns... kind of hard to explain. Nothing fancy, though.
Alas, I'm not a member of Fezziwigs, I just wanted to wear something I could be proud of, and look and feel the part in.
Right now I'm learning to dance the waltz and Polka, and I was actually wondering one thing..... Can ask a man to dance, or should I wait until asked? (I usually get asked, thank goodness, but I was just wondering) -
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Re: Fabric choices for Ball Gowns
Fri, May 16, 2008 - 11:31 PMDear Miss Jenny:
At Fezziwigs, all dances are both ladies AND gentlemen's choice at the request of our host and hostess. Please feel free to ask gentlemen to dance. If they decline your invitation for any other reason than a previous engagement or the necessity to sit out a dance to rest or nurse an injury, then they are not gentlemen!
Don't worry, my dear. You will find plenty of gentlemen at Fezziwigs.
Best regards,
Cathleen Myers, Fezziwig's Dance Mistress
(a.k.a. Lady Jane Digby El Mezrab)
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