I didn't want to put this in my diary thread as I think I'm going to be asking a lot of questions along the way! This is very new territory for me.

I'm going to attempt making a winter coat. So far for patterns:
I love this one but it's too big and I don't have any experience grading patterns down. It's exactly what I'm looking for though!
I also like this one and it's only two inches too big on the bust, which should be small enough for me to be able to take it in or it might even fit over thick layers.
Then there's also M7478 which might be easier to sew / fit as it's a modernised reissue, I still like it but it's not as striking as the other two in my opinion. I like the line drawings a lot more than the photos though so it could just be modern models not having the exaggerated tiny waists of the 1950s drawings on the other two patterns.

I would really appreciate any thoughts on pattern choice or if anyone knows of any other similar patterns. I also have a slight problem finding fabric as wool or high % wool mix will probably get eaten by moths so I need something largely synthetic, so I'm trawling the web now.
Excited to get started on this!

That's really striking! I particularly love the lace you've used, it looks beautiful against the denim.

I made the second skirt today, it's self drafted and it went together really easily! It still needs hemming and hook and eyes at the waistband but I was running out of time take photos. I did cheat on this one and put a zip in purely to save time but it's hidden by the pleats.
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

And I got a quick posed photo of both of us together, the shirts and accessories are based off the costumes from the musical.
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

Still no blouse so I've faked the style the best I can with a normal shirt to try to get a good picture of the skirt.

I'm still not happy with the hem but after hanging and pressing it it does look a bit better. I think something went wonky when I was sewing the side seams, there's just something off about them now the hem is stiffened.

Front:
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

Back:
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

Good start!  I'd replace the poppers with a flat hook and bar for strength, and obviously, try to make a fuller petticoat or three asap if you plan to make other outfits.  And a corset- nothing will be quite the way you imagine without one!
For simple Edwardian undies, ie combinations/petticoat and corset, I recommend 'Wearing History' who does simple PDF downloads.
I have made her chemise/combinations and they are very simple [mine are from old sheets]
I have not made an Edwardian corset but still use my late Victorian one for Edwardian styles, it's OK but I need another!
The corset does the job of holding all that skirt weight without it being uncomfortable, so get one as soon as you can

I love the swooosh of edwardian skirts....

This is very helpful thank you so much! I'm wary of corsets but I know I'll have to get over it at some point if I want to carry on with making and wearing earlier styles, I didn't realise that they supported the skirt as well as being for shaping.
I have to admit to doing a lot of twirling and swooshing when I tried the skirt on, I love the way it moves when I walk.

And BrendaP that's a wonderful photo - thank you for sharing it and the history that goes with it. I think I'll have to make a blouse from scratch now to get sleeves like those. I have a 1911 Singer, I've never used it but maybe it would be fun to make something from the same period the machine being used for it is from, if it still works properly.

I've been working on a new costume this week, based off the costumes from a new musical called Sylvia which is based on the life of Sylvia Pankhurst and her role in the suffragette movement. I saw the first half of the show on Monday (unfortunately it was cancelled after the interval due to a cast member being taken ill) and was immediately taken with the costumes. I loved the shape and simplicity of them and how they moved, but also seeing the women being so strong while wearing such feminine outfits.

The pattern I used for my skirt (here) is probably slightly too early, the description calls it Edwardian but also says 1890s and the back does seem quite full for an Edwardian skirt, but I loved the shape of it. I'm really proud of how it has turned out as there were a lot of things I found difficult while making it. I'm not used to working with such vast quantities of fabric or such large pattern pieces! I didn't follow the instructions for the waistband as the satin I chose for contrast was far too thick and didn't hold a crease at all, so I had to topstitch it to give it some degree of sharpness. The back is closed with 7 hook and eyes (the eyes are sewn into the placket seam - a new technique for me) and then a further two hooks and eyes and a pair of poppers at the waistband. It still pulls from the weight of the fabric so I might need to reinforce it somehow. I still have the hem left to do, and maybe adding some decoration with velvet ribbon.

The petticoat is made from an old duvet cover. I should have used multiple gores instead of one gathered panel at the top as there is far too much fabric at the waist and the shape isn't quite right as a result. However, I was working without a pattern or instructions and it still does the job. I've tried pushing the excess gathered fabric to the back as this is where most of the fullness of the skirt is, and this helps the waistband and skirt lie flatter over my stomach.

I've cheated slightly for the blouse and picked up a shirt with a high collar from ebay. I'm going to add lace to the front and maybe some volume at the shoulders as it doesn't have full sleeves. Assuming it arrives that will be tomorrow's job, along with finishing the skirt. I'm going to wait to take a full photo of the whole outift when it is all finished, but I've attached some photos of the details.

I'm not sure if this will interest anyone but I just needed to write it down as thinking about it was taking up so much brain space!

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  
 

Yes, that was concerning me too, but I can't see any way to make the collar smaller. I don't mind the shirt looking a bit big on me, so I wouldn't be taking it right down to a 6/8, I just don't want it to be completely hanging off. I can see my current plan making it look out of proportion with itself though.

jen I absolutely love the idea of doing something like V1542 on the neckline, that's beautiful! I've got plenty of the original fabric left to make embellishments for it.

The prom dress has been put away again until after Christmas to get it finished without a deadline, I really do love the fabric and I agree that it's worth fixing it properly.

I finished the black dress by hand (regretted that slightly with the 3m of hemming but it does look neat) and then found the dress I'd originally been planning to wear but thought I didn't have any more hiding at the back of my wardrobe! At least the black dress is finished though and it's the kind of thing that's always useful to have.

So now it's only my partner's outfit left to get made with a deadline, and then back on to the prom dress.