Belle – Beauty and the Beast

Made for: Dragoncon 2005

Background: Done for a masquerade group with my friends for Dragoncon 2005!

Journal Entries: Read more at my Belle Ballgown tag

Patterns Used: Possibly Simplicity 4900 as a skirt base, I think Simplicity 4731 for the bodice, altered.

Fabric: I was very picky about the shade of yellow I wanted, so I looked for a long time for something that would do. There wasn’t much in the way of yellow fabric – I finally came across a bolt of pale yellow material that I really liked, colour-wise and weight-wise, with a slight pattern to it. I picked a pale yellow organza for the skirt overlay, and shoulder piece.

Bodice: I used a pattern for the bodice, and attached the roll of organza at the top. It is lined, with spiral steel boning, and laces up the back. I originally had a trio of fake jewels at the center neckline, but in 2006 replaced it with roses, and added trim up the side seams.

Skirt: I already had a hoopskirt/petticoat, and used a basic skirt pattern to make the skirt. Made each layer of the overlay and gathered them, and attached them at the waistband of the skirt. I beaded the overlay with glass beads. In 2006 I added new drapes at the bottom, and replaced the jewels at each gather with roses.

Accessories: The gloves I bought and dyed, the shoes were dyed, and I attached rhinestones & sequins to them.

2006 Upgrades: I added a new layer of white and pale yellow organza to the bottom of the overlay, and replaced the rhinestones at each gather on the dress with roses – I bought artificial roses online, and dyed and painted them to match the dress. I added clear, flat sequins to several places on the dress – the skirt overlay, the shoulder sections, and the headband. I bought some white & sequinned trim that I added to the bodice, and I’ve also through 3 different hoopskirts over the years. The one I’m wearing in the white backdrop photos is the latest.

Wig: Bought on ebay. I styled the bangs, and I added the bun and the widows’ peak.

History: This is one of my favourite costumes, I really love it. In 2012, I made a new version, since this one was getting rather fragile, and I wanted to try a different take on it.

                       

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