Finding a pattern that you love and picking out just the right fabrics and trims to make it your own is always a creative endeavor, but some people naturally tend to think outside of the box and turn it into a real adventure. Carol Bartlow is one of those kinds of people, and her “out of the box” thinking helped her to win the Miss AGPT (American Girl Play Things) 2014 contest with her imaginative Steampunk ensemble. Pieced together from four different patterns, an assortment of thrifted materials, and a collection of peculiar embellishments, Carol devised a clever and interesting design.
Leave your comment for a chance to win one of these pairs of Stays!
Just for fun, try finding the Thimbles and Acorns pieces that she used in this ensemble before you read on! Leave a comment below, and I will do two random drawings on August 26, 2014 from all of the comments… the winners will get one of the Stays prototypes from our upcoming “18th Century Underpinnings” pattern!
Skirt: Made from Thimbles and Acorns 1870’s Bustle Dress pattern using fabric from a thrifted cranberry Velveteen skirt and another burgundy skirt.
Blouse: Made from Liberty Jane’s Button-Up Shirt pattern with a modified cap sleeve. The fabric was gleaned from a thrifted sheer blouse.
Corset: Made from Thimbles and Acorns Victorian Unmentionables pattern. The Black pleather came from a thrifted skirt and didn’t need boning. It closes with hooks and eyes. (After mistakenly sewing them too far exposed, Carol again thought outside of the box and added an extension behind them, turning a fashion faux pas into a fashion Ta-dah!)
Hat: Made from a modified version of Boujour Teaspoon’s Angelina Jumper Dress and Hannah Top Hat. The fabric was gleaned from a wool felt hat, so getting the pattern pieces out of it was a bit tricky. It was hand sewn together with no seam allowances (butted edges).
Embellishments: Are an assortment of items collected from Michaels Jewelry and Scrapbooking over the past year… waiting in the wings for their time in the spotlight. Almost all of it was attached by tiny brads.
Wristlets: A custom design by Carol herself, made from the same pleather as the corset, secured with Velcro, and embellished to compliment the rest of the outfit.
Congratulations Carol!
Click to learn more about AGPT (American Girl Playthings)
I saw this outfit on AGplaythings, and it is stunning. I voted for her in the final round, a piece of artwork like this deserves to be recognized!
WOW – this looks great! It has just enough embellishment to carry the look and the right amount of real-life clothing to complete the Steampunk feel. Delightful!
Great job!
Thank you, Sheri, for the honor you have given me. I was blown away. I hope this is OK, but I want to be in the running for your giveaway. Your Stays are beautiful.
This is incredible! Carol, how I wish I had your imagination and talent. Beautiful job!
Congratulations Beth and Carol, you each won one of the Stays!