Simplicity 1819 (2013)

So after getting some serious bustle envy at my first steampunk outing, I was determined to have something for the next event! There are some fairly ‘popular’ patterns classified as steampunk, and I thought this looked a good start (but bought at least 3 patterns at the time! You can never have too many patterns can you?). I dusted off the sewing machine, dug out the pins and scissors, and cleared some space on the dining room table to cut out and sew.

I basically just followed the instructions in the pattern, step by step, re-reading each instruction carefully. Not really knowing what a front / back cascade was going to look like there was probably a little cursing! I learnt a lot making this skirt…

It took me a long time (I think about 15 hours) and when I look back at it closely now, it isn’t as neat as I would like, but I still love it, love the colour, and wear it for the village ‘Dickensian Day’ too.

At this point, I didn’t have the appropriate ‘undergarments’, so my bum doesn’t really look big enough LOL. Although I had made the bustle pad. Shortly after this I made a basic underskirt with frills on the back to pad it out and support the skirt better.

I have since made the bolero jacket (3 times), which you will see later, and a mini version for my daughter.