I had grand plans for my first blog entry to coincide with the first inklings of a plan for a new gown. But I’ve gotten ahead of myself. I’d been drooling over this portrait of Elisabeth of Austria for months when I started to plot.

When drapery fabric was on sale, I bought some lovely brocade from the Christopher Lowell collection. Normally I wouldn’t use poly, but I couldn’t get around it this time.

I purchased a piping foot for my new machine and began there, making bias tape and inserting white cotton cord. Let me just say that I love my Husqvarna, and don’t know how I ever lived without it. To think I used to sew with a machine that had a manual presser foot…

I used my corset to draft a pattern for the bodice and pulled out my trusty duct tape dummy and did a little fitting.

Then came the trouble (a sewing venture is never easy, is it?). I purchased a spiral sleeve pattern from Lynn McMasters, and added a sleeve cap and little tabs.

First, the little pearly things on the sleeves eluded me. I conquered that obstacle when I discovered a vintage Trifari necklace and bracelet. The jewelry is no more, but it is doing nicely as little ouches.

Now I’m agonizing over the partlet. Whatis it made of, anyway? My best guess is beads on wire or cord. Problem is, while pearls are a dime (or a few dollars) a dozen, the black beads are non-existent.