The colors have been decided! I have wanted a red dress for a while now. Since I am making this a cold weather dress, I'm using more earthy colors. I like the idea of brick red, chocolate brown, and golds.
I was delighted with the selection of fabrics at Joanne's Fabric. I found a brick red heavy drapery fabric for the skirt, upper sleeves, and bodice back and sides. At 50% off I couldn't even bicker on the cost of the fabric. It came to about 5.00 a yard.
The image in my head adjusted when I discovered the paisley tapestry near by also 50% off. The colors are perfect and blend well with the brick red. I've decided to put this as the center front of my dress. By giving a contrast it will slim my waist. I plan to used this fabric on the under sleeves as well to give a repetition of print.
The underskirt was more difficult. I'm still not sure whether I'm going to be happy with the gold fabric I selected. I may find it too shiny, but I think it is ok. I liked the fact that it has a red undertone to it. I plan to reuse this as well in the lining for the fur sleeves. 
Last but not least I wanted a nice faux fur. This is not easy to find in St. George, UT in the middle of the summer given that it is 105 today. However, I stopped at Target. I remembered that during Christmas they were selling faux mink throws. Sure enough there were two rolls on sale. Yay. It is a beautiful fabric and I knew I wouldn't have the strength to cut into it for the sleeves, so I bought both rolls. One for the dress and one for my couch. :)
As you can see I've also been working with the beading for the pearl lattice that sits over the partlet. I found some small craft beads 4mm and added 1mm rhinestones using bead glue. I strung eye wire through the bead and made a second loop. I attached a jump ring to either end.
Next using eyewire again, I strung six 6mm beads and made another loop on the other end. I attached two of these to each jump ring and connected them together. Voila! I'm 80% sure that this will work really well for the dress. :)
I've also been having problems coming up with the gemstones required for connecting the pucker and slash elements of the dress. If you look at the inspiration portrait, you can see that every pucker is connected with a pearl and rhinestone flower. While I can find pearls ringed by rhinestones, I don't know that I'm up for a $3.00 a button price tag. Once again I headed to the store. This time Roberts craft. There I found these great little beads. Inside each silver casing, is a clear plastic stone. I removed the stone and added a pearl. It works as a reasonable facsimile and I can't beat the price at $2.00 for ten.
The remaining items that I needed to pick up was boning, interfacing, needles, thread, oil for the sewing machine (Important if you want to take care of your machinery), and bias tape. I selected a chocolate brown. though I may break down and make my own if the fabric cooperates.
You may have noticed that I have not yet picked up the material for the partlet or the neck ruff. Since they will be the last elements that I do on this project, I will be holding off buying those items until a bit later.
Next Post: It's bodice time!
The remaining items that I needed to pick up was boning, interfacing, needles, thread, oil for the sewing machine (Important if you want to take care of your machinery), and bias tape. I selected a chocolate brown. though I may break down and make my own if the fabric cooperates.
You may have noticed that I have not yet picked up the material for the partlet or the neck ruff. Since they will be the last elements that I do on this project, I will be holding off buying those items until a bit later.
Next Post: It's bodice time!
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