One of my new year's resolutions this year was to not to make a highly elaborate frock for the Costume College Gala out of a feeling of perceived obligation or peer pressure. So I gave myself permission to wear a "this old thing" unless I came up with a design I was completely mad about creating and wearing. So in the meantime I came up with lots of clever and lovely ideas but none of them really rocked my world and made me squeal with delight and anticipation... until last weekend.


It was the combination of two things really:
1. The gift of a breath-taking peacock textile from bauhausfrau and
2. Getting to not only see but also try on pastblue's infamous Jump Dress for Less vest.


The minute I felt the weight of the fully beaded vest on my shoulders I was in love - I knew I had to have one of my own! Then I thought instead of making a faithful recreation of the Jump Dress it would be much more fun to make not a peacock-themed version, using bauhausfrau's amazing peacock fabric. *laaa* and the idea just clicked.


After going through my files and Google searches I found a few extant garments that were similar in design to the Jump Dress, with varying combinations of beaded "vests" and bodices. I was particularly drawn to the pale peach creation above though, with it's simple skirt, train and longer sleeves. So my Peacock will be a combination of the two gowns, the beaded vest of the Jump with the underdress and skirt of the peach.


I knew I didn't want to go with the floral motif on the Jump vest and coming up with my own design was a challenge. I didn't want it to be too literal or too complicated and I only wanted to use two colors of beads. Nothing like making it hard on myself! Luckily I had some awesome friends over on Sunday for a crafty day and with their help we were about to come up with a paisley sort of design that resembled a very stylized peacock feather. Thanks Victoria and Ellie!


I am so excited about this project! It’s a completely mad thing to do – a fully beaded bodice in 5 months – but like I said before what is the point of costuming if you don't lose your mind and make something insane every so often? Besides I haven't done a beading project in a while... it's time. *wicked grin*


Invaluable resources so far:
http://costumersguide.com/maggie_costumes/my_titanic.html
http://www.costumersguide.com/jump.shtml
http://www.kartanonrouva.net/couture/restitanicjump.shtml

Tags: z:archive:20th:peacock