Elizabeth's Gold "Can't Breathe" Gown
Pirates: Curse of the Black Pearl
2.26.07
I am offically delcaring this project started. Mwuahahaha. I know a lot of people have re-made this dress, and while I'm still not quite happy with the fabric I've found, but after let's see - 3 years? of looking for a decent match and not having much luck .. well it's starting to get tiring. And, I'll need something to wear when PotC: At World's End comes out on May 25th ;).

So, with that being said, I've found a fabric that is a pretty decent match ... it's from dallasyardfabrics.com (or something like that). My only complaint is that it's a bit too yellow-ish, and the pattern is still a little too small. I bleached a little corner of it for about 20 minutes, and it looks a lot better (pics to the right). I then proceeded to bleach the whole swatch for a much longer period of time. The first tiny swatch, to say the least, came out much better. the bleach really only had time to lighten the patterned part, and left the background and very gold color. so, the fabric matches most of the exhibit photos, but not so much the movie pics. oh well. you can't have everything.

So, as soon as I get some things taken care of out here at school, I am going to buy a good amount of the fabric (it's only 4$/yd). Then, I'll Still need to buy fabric for the p'coat, and everything for the stomacher (which is going to be a crazy thing in and of itself) and then I need fabric for lining, and possibly a new shift. I don't think that i'll need to make new stays, the ones that I have should work just fine. I'm also going to need to make myself pocket hoops, but this shouldn't be a huge problem. I think i'm worried the most about the stomacher. I should start that, like, now.

And once the gown is done, I'll need the hat. Possbily the fan, and I'll need something similar to her necklace, earrings, and shoes.

Hmm .... well after just reviewing all of detailed stuff that goes into this dress ... wow. i think i'm in over my head now.




.... I still don't know about this. part of me still really reallly reallllly wants to find an exact match ... but in the event that I actually found a match, I dont think I would be able to afford it. so ........ well, we'll see what happens.



6.07.07
Well, this is offically on hold again ... i actually went to order the fabric, and they only had a little left. grrrrrrrrrrr. On the bright side, I have an opportunity to find a better match, possibly something more period accurate. Cause it would be cool if I could make the gown so it is period accurate, means I'll be able to wear it to historical events. sweetness. And I'll be able to get practice using the pattern that I was going to use for this gown (working on my Brown Wool 18th C gown). And, it will also give me more time to save funds aside for this - i want to be able to use good linen/silk? fabric.