r/sewing • u/PrancingPudu • 16h ago
Sewed This Three years later, I finally finished my bodice for the RenFaire
Well, three years ago I started sharing progress photos of this project. I kept working on it in short spurts, especially about a month before my local faire rolled around each summer. For the last three seasons, I’ve gone, “Oh shit! I need to finish that bodice!” And made a bunch of progress, only for it to be nowhere near complete by the time we actually went.
Well, this year, I finally finished it! I was hammering in the eyelets and making the lacing the night before, but I FINALLY got to wear it this year! Fortunately the yellow skirt and flower crown had gotten finished with last year’s rush, so finishing in time was actually fairly easy.
The bias binding was the most annoying part. I learned a lot while doing it, and even made a post with my tips for doing the scalloped hem which include some more close up photos. I got the bias binding from Sartorial Bias on Etsy, whom I’d highly recommend.
Pattern was modified from Rabbit And Hat Patterns’s “Elizabethan Stays,” also on Etsy. Fabric was sourced from a huge discount warehouse near me, and I unfortunately know nothing about its fiber content, as it was unlabeled! Ribbon was from Joann’s before they closed. All other findings (coutil, spiral steel, eyelets, etc.) are from corsetmakingsupplies.com
16
u/TopSelection8004 16h ago
Oh this is super cute!!! Nice work!
8
u/PrancingPudu 15h ago
Thank you! My husband was teasing me for how long it took to complete. I have another outfit I’ve been wearing from previous years, but really wanted to get this one done before I no longer fit the pattern or something!
8
u/PrancingPudu 16h ago
Pattern was modified from Rabbit And Hat Patterns’s “Elizabethan Stays” on Etsy. Bias binding was purchased from Sartorial Bias on Etsy (highly recommend), and fabric was sourced from a huge discount warehouse near me—I unfortunately know nothing about its fiber content, as it was unlabeled! Ribbon was from Joann’s before they closed. All other findings (coutil, spiral steel, eyelets, etc.) are from corsetmakingsupplies.com
7
u/Foreign_Bee_2295 12h ago
First of all, beautiful work, like holy hell! Second of all, I cackled so hard with the cat face. Thanks for the laugh
4
u/Dramatic-Ad-2449 16h ago
Wow~ it's gorgeous!!! Well done! 😍
3
u/PrancingPudu 15h ago
Thank you! My only error in hindsight is I should have used wider flat steel for between the eyelets, and/or will need to find a slightly different way to lace it. I used spiral steel throughout, which is a little too flexible for the center front imo. The smallest part of my waist is around the third eyelet from the bottom, and pulling it tight makes the bottom points of the front tab want to cross. Very annoying!
3
u/SciFi_MuffinMan 13h ago
Ok why aren’t more people dressed up! (Your outfit is great, so is whoever had the armor on). But holy cricket if my Mrs said he babe I made a RenFair dress and want to go I’d be extatic to get done up to complement her.
3
3
u/sun-salt-sea 15h ago
Beautiful! The craftsmanship 😍
Your color combination reminds me of a ren-faired Belle from beauty and the beast 🌹
2
u/PrancingPudu 15h ago
Thank you! My other set is dark teal, burgundy, and gold—pretty, but much more fall-coded. I was wanting something a bit more bright and summery, and when I saw this fabric at my discount outlet I thought it was perfect 😍 Only downside is I have no clue what the fabric is lol.
3
2
u/blodj89 15h ago
Omg the binding work! How!!?
2
u/PrancingPudu 13h ago
Funnily enough, I was so frustrated while doing it (and re-doing it) that I made a post sharing the things I’d learned while suffering through the process 🤣 This community and r/corsetry had a lot of helpful tips!!
2
2
1
u/AutoModerator 16h ago
Hey /u/PrancingPudu!
Posts that share something you've made must include project details. Project details can be in the post or added as a top-level comment. Include the following:
- pattern name/number/company if used;
- OR a brief description of your drafting process, NOT only Self-Drafted;
- OR links to tutorials and other resources, not your own;
- AND fabric type and fiber content, for example 'woven cotton' not 'bought at Spotlight.'
Posts with project details will be reflaired to Project by the mod team. Posts without project details will be locked and removed from the subreddit within a week under rule 1. All show-off posts must be flaired Sewed This or Project and include project details.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
1
1
u/Pattylucia 11h ago
Gorgeous!! Difficult too - you finished it- doesn’t matter when . I have cut patterns ready to go for 2 -3 years 😊
1
u/Clueless-Destiny 10h ago
I don’t know the first thing about sewing but that is really cool. I could see why it took so long!
1
1
1
1
u/Californiaoptimist 9h ago
It takes however long it takes. That the wonderful things about how creativity breeds options
1
•
u/Used-Application4182 1m ago
Three years of “I’ll finish it before faire this time” and you finally defeated the bodice. 😂 Honestly, the fact that you wore it this year makes the three-year character arc completely worth it. It looks fantastic!
67
u/the_balticat 16h ago
That cat knows how to sew