pimpinett | Bodice pattern done.

I made a pattern for the dirndl bodice, at long last, but I can't decide how to solve the front closure issue - buy one of those regular, wimpy busks to put in it, since the heavy-duty ones I generally use for corsets are definitely overkill for this project, or hook-and-eye tape, rely on an actual, functioning button closure, or simply skip the front closure altogether? Having to pull anything corset-like over your head is a pain in the ass, for several reasons, but what with the low-cut front and buttoned shoulder straps on this one it would work, if not as well as a front busk. It feels like a very lazy solution, but I decided that I'm going to have the side panels overlapping the center front panel instead of the other way around, like I first planned, and that complicates things a little. A couple of extra layers of fabric will be needed if I'm putting in a busk, and a lot of extra work.

I'm not sure I have enough of the grey leather for the entire thing, but I was lucky enough to find a matching fabric that I can use for the underarm panels if necessary. I had a look at the local leather shop a few weeks ago, and they had nothing that was even close to the right shade of grey, so it was a relief to find a nice fabric - it's a stiff cotton with a woven stripe, quite similar to that black cotton I used for the Red Cross button corset. One side is a silvery medium grey, the other side is more of a dark taupe, slightly darker than the leather but otherwise quite close in colour, with the same brown undertones. I have enough of it for a skirt, too.

The hat issue is still bothering me as well. I have looked at hundreds of dirndl, tracht and landhausmode pictures without coming up with anything good, and just hair is boring. Any input is appreciated.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What kind of look are you going for? In the sense of traditional vs. maybe a bit edgy? If your hair is long enough, you might try braiding it in 2 braids around your head and maybe weaving something interesting into it. Traditional would be a lot of ribbons and small flowers, but you could get creative. Basically, make a hat out of your hair, know what I mean? :)

Rather far from traditional, but I'm trying to look at the more traditional Tracht costumes for inspiration, rather than the skimpy Oktoberfest versions. It's hard to find older images, but I have managed to track down a few, at least.
This (http://pimpinett.livejournal.com/28314.html) is the current sketch for the outfit. Dark grey leather bodice with edelweiss buttons (that are the reason behind the entire outfit, I fell in love with the buttons and had to think up something to do with them), possibly silver braid too if I can find something good. Pale grey blouse, dark grey skirt, not sure whether I will go for the pencil skirt or add some width to it yet.

My hair is around lower back length at the moment, long enough to wrap one braid around my head, so I will probably do something along those lines with it. I'm just so fond of my garrison caps and other silly little tilt hats that I don't feel properly dressed without them anymore! Beyond basic updos like simple buns I'm not that good at doing interesting things with my hair, either. I'm considering making a very simple cap, just so I can plop something that matches the outfit on my head to cover up any potential hair disasters. Making some kind of oakleaf/edelweiss hair decoration is a possibility, too... Thank you for the ideas!

I'm a Bavarian/American hybrid living in Northern Germany, so for Halloween a few years ago I was an undead Bavarian. (hmmm... That logic might be a bit difficult to follow) Anyway, due to my love of procrastination I didn't end up doing anything overly elaborate with my Dirndl. The dress looks great though, I can see how the buttons were inspiring. Off the cuff, I want to say full skirt, but pencil skirt could add a cool twist to the whole thing. There is some kind of cap-like thing that tends to accompany a lot traditional rural outfits, kind of a Robin Hood-esque hat. Have you come upon anything like that?

What kind of pattern do you use for pencil skirts? I am about to start on my first one.

That sounds like a fun costume. :) I have no German ancestry at all, that I know of, I just have this weak spot for Tyrolean kitsch...

A fuller skirt would be closer to the real thing, of course, but I'm scared of going too girly (not my thing). A slightly flared, but still fitted skirt is the likeliest alternative.

There's something of that nature in some of the photos, yes. I don't count on being able to find what I want in stores, so some sort of hybrid between those little felt hats and a sewn cloth cap is the alternative I'm thinking of.

I make my own patterns - especially skirt patterns are very easy to make based on your own measurements. You just need your waist measurement, upper hip, lower hip (around your butt at the widest point) and the distance of the upper hip and lower hip measurements from your waist to make a skirt block that you can base pretty much any skirt you want to make on. I add 2 cm for ease on the waist and hip measurements.

Bodice pattern done.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject