April 3, 2012

Titanic Memories

Kate Winslet in the movie Titanic
So a friend of mine is getting ready to head over to England for the 100th Anniversary Titanic Memorial Cruise!  I am naturally extremely jealous . . . but the fact that I am terrified of open water, and extremely superstitious are enough to keep me on dry land and live this event vicariously through her. 

I had the opportunity to help "throw together" a few historical pieces for a friend of hers who is also going over for the cruise.   The window was something like, "Can you put SOMEthing together in less than three weeks?"  (Which if you knew these wonderfully creative, last-minute, women, you would not be surprised at the time frame.)   I jumped at the chance because I just LOVE this era, and I always have more fun sewing for others than for myself.

So in a few short days I got to make up a simple linen/cotton day dress (made out of very similar fabric to this classic "Boarding Suit" of the movie Titanic), a seafoam green embroidered high collar coat (to match an already existing skirt "recycled" from a late Victorian outfit she already owns) and a sapphire blue and black iridescent taffeta evening dress with a black lace overlay bodice. 

I don't have pictures to share yet, as I was sewing mostly in the dead of night and the lighting is HORRENDOUS down in my basement sewing room.  But I am hoping they get some really fantastic shots during the crusie that I can share later. 

In the meantime, I'm reposting a few things I made years ago when the movie first came out.  Hard to beleive that was nearly 15 years ago!

ENJOY!

TITANIC BOARDING SUIT

The reproduction was made of a fine cotton shirting fabric with white background and woven royal purple pin stripe. The facings and belt were made of heavy purple satin. The pattern was self-created.
NOTE: The quality of these pictures is unfortunately very low - they were sent via email and very small.
Boarding Suit as a Wedding Ensemble

Customer in my creation