Silver Acorns

 I twisted two strands of Super Pearl Purl together and then couched them down for the acorn tops.  Acorn bottoms are of couched Silver Plated Whipped Plate.

 My Tools (in clockwise order):  beeswax, Gütermann thread color 21, tweezers, embroidery scissors, mellor, embroidery needles in sizes 10 and 12, larger embroidery needle threaded with waxed button twist in a loop, size 12 embroidery needle that is bent, and my velvet board.

 In process of embroidering the first final silver leaf!

 Smooth Passing ends plunged to the back.

 After plunging the ends, they are sewn down to protect them and to keep them from loosening.

First silver leaf complete!  Couched smooth passing (90% silver, size 4).

Second leaf completed.  Silver Plated Broad Plate (size 6).

 Working away . . .

Third silver leaf in process.  Smooth Purl (90% silver, size 6) and Super Pearl Purl (silver plated).

Getting Ready to Add the Bling . . .

 Front of the dress with padded flowers sewn down.  I still have to add 3 of the flowers to the front.  I have decided to do applique the pieces that overlap the neckline after they have been embroidered with the silver threads.  I thought this would be the best way to ensure that all the ends are nice and clean.

 A selection of the silver threads. 

 Silver Plated Pearl Purl

 Bright Check, some sizes are 90% silver and some sizes are silver plated

 Silver Plated Rough Purl

 Smooth Purl, , some sizes are 90% silver and some sizes are silver plated

 90% Silver Smooth Passing

 Front spool is Whipped Plate.  Back spool is Broad Plate.

 

Spangles

And Then the Orange Blossoms Began to Bloom . . . continued . . .

 I built up the padding further with felt.

And Then the Orange Blossoms Began to Bloom . . .

 Waxed soft string (or bumpf) finished.

 Carpet Felt, layer 1

  Carpet Felt, layer 2

  Carpet Felt, layer 3

  Carpet Felt, layer 4

Waxed soft string and carpet padding complete.

The Silver Silk Tissue Finally Arrives!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After 6 months waiting for it to come it, being delayed in Great Britain due to snow, being delayed in Belgium, and being delivered to my neighbors, I have received the silver silk tissue for the Duchess Petticoat!!!!!!! 

Facing and Understitching . . .

 

 

 I stitched the seam allowance to the lining using a line of topstitching very close to edge.

 

I clipped the seam allowance making sure not to clip into the seams or the inside edge of the twill tape.   Then the neckline is pressed with the seam allowance to the lining side.

I stitched twill tape to the seam allowance.  This gives the neckline more stability and prevents it from stretching out.

For the facing, I have backed it with the same cotton as the body and hand overcast all the edges to secure the layers together.  The facing is pinned to the body and stitched, making sure to increase the SPI (stitches per inch) at the sweet heart at center front.  After this is stitched, I pinned twill tape to the neckline.