Constructing an Elegant Entari (part 4)

This entari is driving me insane. I've become very bored, very quickly, with its curvy shenanigans. So before I continue on with this rant and pictures, I'll give you some nice Ottoman music to listen to while you read.

Tamburi Cemil Bey

Gol Duzi (A Constructive Break from the Entari)

It's been silent far too long here. It's very hard to keep updates on costumes that, well, aren't moving along so fast or are just filled with boring tasks.

The entari has been giving me some trouble. I just have no desire to work on it right now. It's very tedious in a sense because it's very repetitive, but not in a way you can easily "lose" yourself in.

So I'd like to share with you another project that I've undertaken in preparation for some of the other articles of clothing I will be working on later. It's an ancient form of art from Iran, dating back thousands of years, called gol duzi. I believe in English, it may sometimes be called "Rasht work" after the city of Rasht that uses gol duzi to attach felt appliques to garments.

Detail from a panel from Rasht, Gilan, Iran, here

Constructing an Elegant Entari (part 3)

I think this color is absolutely grown on me.....

I was on the fence about it before. In fact, I made an entari out of it because I felt that if I used it for a curaisse dress along with my white&pink shot silk like I had originally planned to about a year ago, I'd never have worn it, the color is that bright, even as "accent" fabric.

And you know, I still think that'd be so. I mean, it's a much stronger "pink" than I'd usually use for Victorian gowns. Though I know the color was around, and was worn, it just wasn't my color for Victorian gowns. With jewel tones I tend to prefer "Paris" greens, purples, blues, reds, teals, and maroons; pinks only make it into my costumes in pastel colors.... not jewel tones.

But this color is perfect for an Ottoman gown. It really is, and that's making me fall for it.

Constructing an Elegant Entari (part 2)

Yay! Progress despite the heat and general mayhem!

It really has been unbearably hot here the past few days, and all the driving we've been doing this weekend for pattern sales, helping our friend find a car, and getting lost in the wilderness looking for wine.... it's been crazy! And that's coming from an LA girl who's used to heat, smog, driving, general mayhem, and whatnot.....

So the Entari now measures 65" long on the lining, 55" long on the silk. The trim is underway, but it's proving difficult. I've managed the sleeves alright, but the curves are tedious and difficult to navigate at times.

Cutting the scallop/wave pattern

Constructing an Elegant Entari (part 1)

So I miscalculated my silk measurement. It was not 5 yards of 45" silk as I thought, but 4 yards of 55" wide silk.

Is it a problem?

The Fuchsia of Doom strikes again! 

Epic Entaris

The Entari is a big part of the Ottoman dress. They're a simple garment made magnificent with luxurious fabrics, beautiful trims, and elaborate needlework.

And they're our next project.

The Fuchsia from Hell

My last choli post mentioned that I was busy this weekend. A few reasons why, but let's discuss the interesting ones.

For this post, let me introduce the next project via its fabric, a huge piece of fabulous fuchsia, and the issues that said fabulous fuchsia caused.

The fabulously and fantastically infuriating fuchsia fabric

Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai? (part 3)

It's been a busy weekend. So busy I haven't had time for pictures, which is a must for this blog, given the whole "costuming" aspect of it.

Even the project itself, costumes excluded, is heavily about aesthetics. So there was no way this post would ever go up without pictures.

So I'll try to pick up where I left off.

Trim, wasn't it?