After waiting another week I gave up on my local store restocking the ribbon-threaded lace I had used on the front of the camisole and purchased some ribbon and tiny lace edging to approximate the feel on the original lace. Since I didn't have enough of the original lace to replicate the front I used two uncut handkerchiefs to make the back panel, buttoning the two sides together at the center back with mother of pearl buttons.
I hand stiched the trim onto both sides of the ribbon to make straps, filled in the underarm area with two rows of the lace, and used the small amount of the original trim I had left on the center-back of camisole between the straps.
The additional supplies cost about $6 so the complete project report is now:
The Challenge: #2 - UFO: Un-Finished Object
Fabric: 4 white cotton men's handkerchiefs
Pattern: adapted due to short supplies from one found on line at http://www.tudorlinks.com/treasury/articles/hancamisoles.html
Year: published 1913
Notions: 6 1/2 yards, ribbon-threaded Cluny lace insertion trim. 1 yard ribbon, 3 yards Cluny lace edging
How historically accurate is it? I think my compromises would likely have been made by a period seamstress facing the same shortage in supplies so...pretty accurate! All seams (aside from the original hankie hems) were hand sewn in order to maximize the effect of the lace and I used cotton thread and real mother of pearl buttons. The only thing I would change is the fiber content of the ribbon.
Hours to complete: I just don't track time...at all...but it was finished by the deadline!
First worn: Not yet.
Total cost: Approximately $30.00
OK, it's badly in need of ironing, but it's done!
UPDATE!
Then I got on a roll and finally finished up my lobster tail bustle. It only needed the boning channels closed and a couple pairs of ribbon ties at the waist. DONE! No more safety pins!
The Challenge: #2 - UFO: Un-Finished Object
Fabric: A combination a plain and woven "tucked" cotton fabrics pulled from my stash back in October, 2012
Pattern: Truely Victorian's large lobster tail bustle, adjusted for size
Year: Circa 1885
Notions: metal 'hoop skirt" boning from my stash. 1 yard ribbon left over from the camisole project
How historically accurate is it? The pattern is accurate and the technique but the materials...not so much. I happen to have some 'pin tucked' fabric in my stash and used it for the look without the labor.
Hours to complete: About an hour to complete the bits I hadn't done before Teslacon 3.
First worn: November, 2012
Total cost: Approximately $1.00 to complete
