Dress Diary: 1890s Belle Epoch Steampunk evening gown - Resources and inspirations

In the planning stages of a Steampunk'd Belle Epoch gown for our Georgetown Loop Excursion later this month.

I'm looking at Worth gowns, and trying to tweak them from straight-ahead Victorian to Steampunk. My usual motif involves trims like buttons and swags of chains... and I decided that the fabrics and accessories would probably be the best way to carry the Steampunk theme.

I don't have the patterns yet, and am headed to Colorado Springs to pick up a set on Friday. (This means that this weekend will be all sewing, all the time.) I'll be using Truly Victorian's 1892 ball gown bodice and 1893 bell skirt; so, a-line skirt with a full train and a pointed bodice with big poufy sleeves. I've done some sketches that look remarkably like Disney princess dresses. Which makes me go "hmmm..."

TV490 1892 Ball Gown bodice

TV292 1893 Bell skirt

I have suitable fabrics in my stash, but as I'm finding not quite enough of any one piece. This will necessitate a trip to Colorado Fabrics to find a couple of suitable complimentary yards. I'll be using the cerise and beige strip that I got from Clare a few months ago, and I have some georgette and ecru/gold embroidered netting for embellishing. Hoping I can find something complimentary to fill out the skirt. I've seen Worth gowns with contrasting gores, so it's not outrageous.

As I was mulling over the design, I started thinking: accessories are where the Steam really happens. I can't do leather belts and holsters and pouches with this one though. But I can do steamy head wear, and pieces for neck and wrist. I think that here is where the Steam happens. (And work on them before I get the patterns!) I have a couple of plaque bracelet to disassemble and then mount the plaques on confections of lace and beads and chain - on for neck and one for right wrist. However, a dive into stash last night revealed lots of Gothique elements, but not enough steamy ones... so another line on my shopping list.

And looking at my project management spread sheet, I was reminded that I have a couple of preliminary things that have to be done - I have a petticoat that needs to be re-assembled with a suitable amount of pouffiness to support the Belle Epoch skirt. Which is good, because I can't start on that dress until I get the patterns on Friday.