Belle – Beauty and the Beast (Library Dress)

Made for: Con Nooga 2008

Background: Because green is my fav colour and Belle is my fav princess 🙂

Journal Entries: Read more at my Belle Library tag

Related Costumes: Belle Ballgown 2005, Belle Village Dress 2012, Winter Belle, Belle Ballgown 2012, 18th Century Belle Library Dress

Patterns Used:

I’m not sure. Possibly McCalls 3636 for the bodice, Butterick 5781 for the sleeve puffs, and sorry – no clue on the skirt.

Bodice:

I picked up a dark green velveteen for the bodice, and ended up using satin for the skirt and sleeves – not exactly what I wanted, but there was really nothing else I liked in our local stores. I used a pattern for the basic bodice, added the boning and a cotton lining layer, and it laces up the back. The only trouble I had with the whole thing was the puff sleeves – I got them to where I thought I liked them, but when I got to the convention and tried it on – the “poofs” were totally lopsided. I didn’t wear it, took it home and started over on them. Took them off the dress and re-sewed them on, and also added some additional straps just in the back to sort of “shore” them up and keep them in the right place.

Skirt:

I made the skirt using a pattern. Not sure which as I said above! It has a hook-and-eye closure in the back on the waistband. I wear one of my old tulle petticoats underneath it.

Accessories:
My wig is just my Belle wig. I made the bow out of my satin, and attached it to a barrette. Shoes are my village Belle shoes (plain brown flats).

History:

I’ve only worn this a handful of times… I’d like to update it one day.

(A sort of update? In 2019 I made my 18th century inspired version of the library dress. I love it, but I do still want to make like a more “accurate” version of the cartoon library dress one day.)

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