Sewing Scot: 2017 sewing goals

It's that time of year again when we look back on the previous 365 days of 2016 and look forwards to what we want to accomplish in 2017.  Although developing the ability to fly, and travelling the world are off the lists of most people reading this post, sewing goals are most certainly not.

Let's look back to past me, pre-Victorian ball me, the ever-so-slightly-worse sewer than me.  Here's the link to the post I made this time last year, but just to recap (because Lord knows I had to) my goals were:
1.)  1860s Victorian Ball ensemble (chemise, corset, crinoline, petticoat, bodice, skirt).

As everyone knows by now I attended the Victorian Ball with the completed gown.  I made everything on the list apart from the corset, which I bought (what can I say, corset making isn't for everyone).
Status: COMPLETE

2.) Regency day ensemble (including underpinnings)

I actually managed to complete this one, although the Spencer I wanted to make has been put on hold until early 2017.  I actually have made 2 day dresses, the one here, and another I haven't taken pictures of yet.
Status: COMPLETE

3.) 11/12th century dress

Wow......I completely forgot about this one.  Needless to say I haven't done anything remotely towards this.  Why?  Read on.
Status: DROPPED/POSTPONED

I spent the last few months of 2016 knee deep in undergarments.  My first pair of regency short stays wasn't really to my liking, so I started on another one having completed the chemise.  Then I began to make the undergarments for the 2017 Victorian Ball; 2 chemises (1 day, 2 evening), 2 corsets (yes, I tried again, but different patterns), bustle cage, and petticoat.

So, moving onto 2017 goals, not necessarily in chronological order.

1.) First bustle era evening gown and day dress

Yes, my ambition has grown.  Last year, due to various personal circumstances (getting a puppy) I did most of the sewing for the ballgown from January to a few weeks before the ball in May.  Things were slow, the crinoline took the most time, added onto a few weeks off and I didn't really have time to make something for the day, so I didn't.  I didn't particularly want to sit down at breakfast in the crinoline the next morning, it's a bit cumbersome.  However, this year is different, bustle cages aren't heavy, they don't sway when you walk, or render you unable to fit through doorways.  I have more time this year since the puppy is now a dog, and easily tired out by a 2 hour walk in the morning, and I started early.  Undergarments done before Christmas was my last goal of 2016 (status: COMPLETE).This leaves me the first 5 months of the year to complete day and evening outerwear.

I' will use this for the petticoat and underskirt

The only pattern I need to buy

For the evening bodice I want a square neckline that sits just at the shoulders, like the ones below, and I will probably modify the pattern from last year's evening gown bodice.

The one on the right has a square neckline

One on the left, and in the centre

There is an extant example but I currently can't find the picture on my pinterest board.

2.)  Regency ball gown
I'm attending another ball in March, but this time it's a Regency one in Edinburgh, and so this calls for a regency ball gown.  I opted for the much admired white.  I did want a light pastel colour, but couldn't find cotton lawn in a colour I liked, and I don't particular want to do it in silk or cotton (I like flowing materials).  I went for a swiss dotted cotton lawn.

I'm adapting the pattern from the day dress I made, and I'm hoping to make this one a back closure.  A sub-objective under this goal is to make a Spencer Jacket, and the final one is to make an over-robe.

I've already traced this one, and there's so many pieces!

Hopefully I won't have to buy this pattern, but adapt one I already have

3.) Open project
I don't currently have a third objective but there are a few things I can choose from.  I think if you're reading this post you've also watched ITV's Victoria (which I didn't get to finish due to my internet being down for a month).  There was one of her gowns in particular I liked because of how simply beautiful it was (I'm not really one for trims and decoration).

I absolutely love this!  The colour, the shape, the lace on the neckline.  I am aware it's potentially not 100% historically accurate....but...but.....pretty!  Because this dress is meant to be 1840-ish, and this means the much dreaded corded petticoat, which I'm not entirely sure I want to tackle.

Another choice is the postponed 2016 11th/12th century gown with undergarments.  As much as I love Victorian things it might be nice to make something that doesn't require a fitting every time a seam is sewn, boning and waistbands.

Yet another one is to create something completely "fantasy".  I have multiple sketches, and even more unopened simplicity costume patterns of costumes I've thought up over the years for various characters in the stories I write.  One in particular I'm very keen on, so we'll see how it goes.

5.) Something I've read about for the last few years but never participated in because I don't do well with rules is the Dreamstresses Historical sew monthly challenge.  I kind of want to participate in at least one of the twelve months this year.

So these are my 2017 sewing goals.  Will I achieve them?  12 months is a deceptively short time when it comes to sewing, so unfortunately you'll just have to keep reading this blog to find out if 2017 is the year I complete all my goals.