#adelaidestratton

[keyofmgy]

Adelaide Stratton Costume Diary, Entry 7: . I got all the remaining raw edges on the chemise hemmed. After several false starts (the button hole maker would work correctly for my mother, but not me, for reasons unknown) the button holes on the shoulders were added. I also attempted to get started on adding some of the lace edging to the arm holes, but did a spectacularly crappy job of it, so what you see in the photo will get undone. There is a very, VERY narrow margin for error in getting it sewn down — it wouldn’t be so difficult if we were using a straight stitch, but the pattern recommended a zigzag stitch and both Mom and I are determined to make it work. . Mom ordered some lace beading for the neckline, which came in on Monday; I’m hoping to make it over on Friday to add it, as well as the button beads, the arm hole lace, and another roll of lace edging I bought for the bottom hem because I thought it would look pretty. In addition, I’m planning to browse Etsy for some lace panels or appliqués to add to the front in place of inserts. Then the chemise ought to be finished! . In other news, the search for good pinstriped navy fabric continues. 😖 . #HoudiniAndDoyle #AdelaideStratton #Cosplay #Costuming #HistoricalCostume #HistoricalCosplay #EdwardianCostume #CostumeDiary

[keyofmgy]

Adelaide Stratton Costume Diary, Entry 3: . My first-ever corset. LOOK AT IT. It's so gorgeous I could die. I commissioned it from @kmkdesignsllc at DragonCon last year; it's a custom alteration of one of their base style corsets, hand-made, to my measurements. The price tag was hella steep but absolutely worth it for the incredible quality, as well as an investment for many other period costumes I would like to make in the future. They were great to work with, flexible on payments, and I cannot recommend these ladies enough. . #HoudiniAndDoyle #AdelaideStratton #Cosplay #Costuming #HistoricalCostume #HistoricalCosplay #CostumeDiary

[keyofmgy]

Adelaide Stratton Costume Diary, Entry 8: . This sucker is fiiiiiniiiiiished! (Save for the lace appliqués I want to add to the front.) Tonight I added the lace edging to the front neckline, put the lace trim on the bottom hem, and sewed on the buttons. We rather badly misjudged how big the button holes needed to be, but at least we managed to get the buttons through them. I doubt they’re coming undone again, though. . When I got home I threw on my corset over it — didn’t properly tighten it all the way, but just enough to get an idea of how the chemise looked when worn. (Without the corset, I just look incredibly dumpy in it.) . I’m rather stupidly proud. It isn’t a masterwork in sewing, but I DID do about 97% of it myself, and that’s what I wanted when I started on this project. I’m learning! . Next up: bloomers! . #HoudiniAndDoyle #AdelaideStratton #Cosplay #Costuming #HistoricalCostume #HistoricalCosplay #EdwardianCostume #CostumeDiary

[keyofmgy]

Adelaide Stratton Costume Diary, Entry 5: . Started work today on the chemise from Entry 4! With guidance from my mother, who took the photos of me cutting my first piece of fabric and using a sewing machine for the first time. The pintucks are kind of wonky, but hey, I'm brand new at this. And now I know how to make French seams, which we used to join the front and back pieces together. . Fabric used? Plain cotton sheets from Wal-Mart. Cheaper than buying by the yard. :D . #HoudiniAndDoyle #AdelaideStratton #Cosplay #Costuming #HistoricalCostume #HistoricalCosplay #CostumeDiary

[keyofmgy]

Adelaide Stratton Costume Diary, Entry 4: . Since, as my mother put it, I'm going full bore on this costume, I bought patterns to make a complete ensemble of underthings -- chemise, drawers, corset cover, and petticoat. After a LOT of hemming and hawing over various patterns available online, I finally settled on these. All four are from the FashionArchaeologist shop on Etsy and set me back $40. They're drawn from authentic period patterns. I'm looking forward to learning how to make them. Now if my schedule will just line up with my mother's... . #HoudiniAndDoyle #AdelaideStratton #Cosplay #Costuming #HistoricalCostume #HistoricalCosplay #CostumeDiary

[keyofmgy]

Meet Adelaide, called Addie. Named for one of the strongest people Harry Houdini knows. She can never replace Evie, or fill the hole my Eviebug left in my heart, but she can help the raw edges of that hole start to heal. She can help me be strong, too. #Addiegram #dogsofinstagram #AdelaideStratton #HoudiniAndDoyle

[keyofmgy]

Adelaide Stratton Costume Diary, Entry 2: . Screen-accurate makeup! I adored the natural look created for Adelaide, and really wanted to be able to replicate it -- not just for this costume, but for my own everyday look. (When I have the motivation to put it on, anyway.) So I sucked up my nerve and contacted @jemmaharwood -- one of the makeup artists on Houdini and Doyle -- and asked if she would be able to tell me what products were used. To my delight, she gave me a full list! Here it is: . "Her base was Chanel La Blanc primer with Chanel Vita Lumier foundation then Benefit Benetint on her cheeks and lips, lip balm, then a mixture of MAC tailor grey, stormy pink and quite natural paint pot creme eyeshadow on her eyes, brown mascara, Trish Mackevoy translucent powder where needed." . I was most interested in Adelaide's eyeshadow and lipstick, so I acquired those one item at a time. (They're a bit pricey.) I'm still learning how to apply the cream eyeshadow, and which shades go where. I really like Stormy Pink as a base. And I LOVE the Benetint. Lip stains are my new jam, even though it never seems to stay on my upper lip, and I think I've more or less mastered the art of applying it as a blush. Many, many thanks to Jemma for helping me out. :) . #HoudiniAndDoyle #AdelaideStratton #Cosplay #Costuming #HistoricalCostume #HistoricalCosplay #CostumeDiary