Period Threads - Penny Dreadful full Vanessa Commission

Period Threads

Penny Dreadful - full Vanessa Ives Outfit - Aug2016

This commission for a five piece outfit was inspired by the TV Series "Penny Dreadful" - Vanessa Ives gray coat outfit - sized for the Large Bust SID woman.

The gray long "Vanessa Ives" coat was made with gray suedecloth and fully lined in silver polyester. The black details on the lapel, cuffs, and inside collar are black suedecloth. The sewn details along the back of the collar, edge of lapels, and bordering the inset pockets are sewn with a fancy embroidery stitch using black Madeira embroidery thread. The inset pockets are also lined in the silvery gray fabric. The coat back has a split skirt. The coat front has six trims on each side at the waist simulating that on Vanessa's coat, with six jet glass beads functioning as 'buttons'. The coat closes with three hooks and eyes.

The black Victorian skirt has five gores and a fitted waistband. The waistband closes in back with a snap, and another on the placket. The hem has black bias tape inside and is machine sewn with lightweight thread. The back of the skirt has two pleats on either side of the center back seam.

The intricate lace overblouse has the black satin ribbon embellishment as requested in a ladder-like orientation in the front of the blouse. The black ribbon extends to the back and forms part of the reinforcement for the snaps. The long sleeves come to a point over the hand and are made with alternating strips of the bodice lace fabric and black chiffon. The chiffon strips are embellished with pintucks. Chiffon lines both the elbow and wrist. Fancy lace was added at the wrist to make it look more similar to the photos, it was edged with the black satin ribbon to tie it in with the blouse's body. The neckline is black French Cotton lace edged with black narrow silk ribbon. The hem is the fancy edge of the black lace fabric, edged with the satin ribbon. The blouse's back closes with five small snaps.

The black sleeveless under-blouse is made of silkessence fabric, lined with silver silkessence. It is topstitched around the neckline and armseyes. It closes in the back with three small snaps.

A few of the photos were lightened to show the details on the black pieces.

The white batiste Victorian petticoat also has five gores with a yoked waistband. The waistband closes in back with two small snaps. The hem is embellished with wide white lace. A white satin ribbon covers the lace edge with added embroidery above the satin ribbon. The yoked waistband has embroidery on the upper and lower edges as well. The back of the petticoat is gathered and has a train.

My EID Medium Bust Model, Carina ('Bellydancer' in light brown), is modeling the outfit - while wearing the padded bra. She wears heels in all of the photos. My Carina was painted by LynR; she wears 10mm glass eyes and a vintage wig.