::HSF '14.1:: make do and mend

the challenge: Anyone who has ever been to a Regency-era event with me anytime since the Baltimore CostumeCon knows that my bodiced petticoat was held together by one lone button for years before it became the task of a large safety pin (or two linked together, depending on my weight). Well, I found all 4 buttons and sewed them back on, and made a little filler piece to accommodate the current size of my back. 

fabric: cotton
pattern: none
year: early 1800s
notions: 8 buttons (4 of which I already had)
how historically accurate is it? my new addition is machine sewn (including buttonholes). the rest of the petticoat was put together by machine with all visible stitching and buttonholes done by hand.
hours to complete: once I discovered that there was not one but two compartments in my new-ish Pfaff and that the second compartment contained an automatic buttonhole foot this project took me about 25 minutes. it did take me about six months to find aforementioned compartment, though.
first worn: for this photoshoot 
total cost: $1 (for mending/buttons)

::HSF #6:: Stripes

The Challenge: Regency gold and white striped ballgown

This is to be worn as an undergown. I will be working on the overgrown (an embroidered mauve silk) for the Pretty, Pretty Princess Challenge. I have plans for future sleeve modifications (poufing them, adding undersleeves) that I will try to do after attending balls so that this ensemble will be different each time.

(a close-up to prove that it is actually striped!)

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Materials: Silk/rayon blend from Sewfisticated (only 3 yards!). Cotton twill tape for ties (stash), silk satin ribbon for neckline and sleeve trim, waistband binding.

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Pattern: Folkwear Empire dress

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Date: About 1800.

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Hours to complete: About 15-20. It's all handsewn and neatly finished. The fabric was very slippery and challenging to work with.

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First worn: Not yet!

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Total cost: $18 for fabric plus $2000 for the vet when my kitten, Pip, gobbled up the needle and thread I was using and needed it removed via endoscopy. (He is perfectly fine now.) So probably my most expensive project to date.

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Inspiration: