Open Undersleeves

I've been thinking of doing some open undersleeves for my semi-sheer dress (which is still in the planning stages--Sewing Academy planning thread) so I hopped on some museum sites with collections and this is what I found:

MFA, Shaped, embroidered cuff and band
MFA, straight, embroidered cuff
MFA, straight, embroidered band and large cuff
MFA, open coat, two lace tiers
MET, funnel, two embroidered tiers
MET, straight, embroidered cuff and band
MET, straight, very sheer, embroidered band and larger cuff
MET, shaped with a yoke top, broderie anglaise embroidered
MET, straight, fuller top, two embroidered and scalloped tiers (one over a cuff?)
MET, straight, van dyke edge on tier, cuff
MET, slightly shaped, figured fabric, embroidered band, scalloped cuff edge
MET, shaped, very open sleeve, embroidered edge
MET, slightly shaped, very open, two embroidered tiers

I'm thinking that I'll go with either two tiers of gathered fabric with a slightly shaped...shape? OR I'll go with a gathered-into-band-with-cuff style...

Spring 2011 Sewing List - Update #1

Here's my updated Spring 2011 Sewing To-Do list (original list posted on 3/29) with new updates in red:

Mend N's hat Finished 3/26
Pocket in wool dress skirt Finished 3/26
Corset - I think I've decided to have my sister do Liz's duct tape pattern draft method.
Finish Toile - I really can't finish this until I do the corset...
Wool bodice - I really can't do this until I finish the toile! (This fabric)
Sheer dress - See "wool bodice" ^^. Though, I COULD do the skirt. (This fabric)
Fancy petticoat - Because let's face it, I just need a fancy petticoat to go under my sheer dress and my wrapper! My inspiration image.
Shirt for Tim - He's requested a white shirt. Have pattern, now also have fabric.
Cage - Finished 4/11
E's clothes:
Underclothes? - I think she'll be set with N's old ones Yes. They'll be good.
Dress - I found a double pink at Joann's!!! For $3.99 a yard! YAY! :) So now I have to design it. I think I'm going to do a yoked bodice with bishop sleeves for the long and loose sleeves for the short!
Trim N's old red plaid dress - Maybe ruching? Decided to not do this.

Cage - Finished!

I started my cage project a couple of days ago. I decided that the best and cheapest way for me to get a cage was disassemble my old 120"+ (read TOO BIG) 6 bone bridal hoop and use the plastic covered steels out of it. Of course, I wasn't going to have the plastic covered steel showing, so I bought a 72 yard of heavyweight cotton twill tape. I then hand-whipped the twill tape over the hooping.

I used Elizabeth Stewart-Clark's The Dressmaker's Guide as a guide, but I also used acquired knowledge from Sewing Academy posts from other forum member's who have made their own cages. The major things I changed from Liz's directions was to add a center back tape and to secure the steels in the tapes rather than let them "float" in the tapes. I also had to space the steels closer together than she suggests because I'm only 5'2" and I was using 6 steels instead of her suggested 4-5. Another thing I changed was not to use boning connectors, I just overlapped the steels and sewed through the tapes covering them. I spaced the bottom rungs 3" apart (7/8" channels) and the rest 5". The bottom two rungs are about the same circumference--100", the rest decrease in a very scientific and mathematically "lean" method: "as was pleasing to the eye". :P SOOO, without further ado, pictures!

Cage - In Progress

These pictures were taken yesterday morning. I've still got some steels to secure in the tapes and then finish balancing it on a waistband.




More when I'm finished. :)