OK, so perhaps not years, but most certainly months. I have finally completed the 1912 Bottle Green Gown with only 2 weeks to spare!!! Honestly, it sat draped over my manikin for months on end because I was too terrified to do the zipper. Yes, it's true, I have never put in a zipper before. But, to my defense, I have never created a gown that wasn't period, and hence never needed to do one. I thought about going with buttons, or snaps, or clips or some sort, but in the end the zipper made the most sense. So, last week, I finally put the damned thing in. And, honestly, even though I didn't actually follow the directions for the invisible zipper, everything turned out just fine. From there, I decided to layer the netting overskirt by taking a 6 inch tuck and tacked it up underneath the beaded overskirt. That shows off just a bit of the lighter lace and gives the gown a more 1912 look. I also finally took the plunge and wove a ribbon through the beaded netting to pull that up in the same way the original gown was presented. To cover that black ribbon, I took a hair clip a friend of mine made that I had purchased a while ago and looped it through the ribbon. I think it really brings out some of the colors in the netting :) I also put in a clasp at the top of the zipper to ensure the evil thing doesn't decide to unzip during dinner. I sort of make it a thing not to go dress-less in public!!!
Also featured is my little helper, Newton. You can see him inspecting my work, probably asking "Why did you put in so much time on this thing when you could have just been petting the kitties?!?"
Fortunately, the gown fits perfectly (the benefit of making your own stuff!!!), and with a petticoat I already have the skirts look fabulous!!! I purchased a Gibson Girl style wig to go with it, the closest I could get to 1912. It will be a little 'dated' (about 5 years dated) but no one will likely notice.
My husband and I were lucky enough to find a vintage tailcoat at Wear It Again, Sam downtown. I never expected to find one long enough to fit him, but it works pretty well. We also found a tux shirt that fits perfectly!!! A quick trip to the formals place in the mall furnished the cummerbund, bow tie, and shirt and cuff links. He's going to be dashingly handsome!
Since I haven't written in so long, I can't remember if I mentioned the purpose of this little outing. We will be attending a Titanic Ball at the Durango Heritage Festival. We were assigned the personas of 2 actual First-class passengers: Thornton and Orian Davidson. A quick web search provided life details and some pretty nice portraits:
Regarding Mr. Davidson:
"Mr Thornton Davidson was born 17 May 1880 the son of Sir Charles Peers Davidson, Chief Justice of the Quebec Supreme Court. The Davidson's were an indomitable Protestant family of United Empire Loyalists. His older brother Shirley and his fiancée, Eileen Hingston, died in a suicide pact by drowning in 1907 after Judge Davidson refused to allow Shirley to marry Eileen because she was a Roman Catholic.
Thornton Davidson was an accomplished yachtsman, " a sailor of intrepid daring and remarkable skill." He played hockey with the Montreal Victorias, played tennis and was a good horseman. He started as a teller at the Bank of Montreal, represented the Wall Street firm of Charles Head and Son in Montreal, then opened a brokerage house of his own with his partner, Robert Hickson.
He married Orian Hays, the second daughter of the president of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway in Montreal on 3 November 1906.
Since neither of them had been abroad Charles Hays invited them to join him on a business trip to England. They boarded the Titanic at Southampton and occupied Cabin B-71 (Ticket No. F.C. 12750, £52)."
Regarding Mrs. Davidson:
"Mrs Thornton Davidson (Orian Hays), 27, was born November 18, 1884 the daughter of Charles Melville Hays and Clara Jennings Gregg, She and her husband, Thorton Davidson were returning to their home in Montreal after a holiday in Paris. Mr and Mrs Davidson occupied cabin B-71. Mr and Mrs Hays occupied cabin B-69."
