A Bollywood Break

NOTE:

This post was meant to be published a few weeks ago. The dress is currently being hemmed, trimmed, and the sleeves finished. That said, the progress is slow, and with only a week until it needs to be worn and finished, any further posts before the presentation are highly unlikely.
However, we will post as soon as the presentation s finished, so stay tuned!

Now, for you're enjoyment, we bring you a Bollywood Break!

A Bollywood Break

Sometimes, I really am lacking the steam to finish a project.... Like, really just bleh about it.

It happens to every costumer. Projects are frustrating, even when you have a pattern and are following it exactly and have all the extra fabric you could ever need.

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 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! 

Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai? (Part Two)

Last post we started off with the choli and ended at the mock-up.

So that's where we'll pick up.

Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai?

For our first post, lets start out with something manageable; the choli.
Well, I hope manageable.

The choli, along with the sari, is probably one of the most recognized pieces of Indian women's clothing.

Madhuri Dixit in Devdas, wearing a Sari and Choli from

This seemingly simple, though often elaborately decorated garment, translated as "blouse" in English serves several functions. Namely though, it helps preserve modesty in covering the breasts while supporting them. In a place where the climate is so varied, but often rife with humidity and heat, yet where modesty is expected, the choli is the perfect piece of clothing for the job.