Period Threads

SuperGem "Vanessa Ives" Inspired Commission - 9Dec16

This commission was for a "Penny Dreadful" Vanessa Ives inspired outfit for the Soom Super Gem gal. This commission consisted of seven pieces. The customer wished to have a snug fit over the arms, so the coat and long sleeved blouses must have the doll's hands removed to put them on/off.

The long gray Vanessa Ives inspired coat was made with imported lightweight wool fabric. The black details at the collar, lapel and wrist were sewn with black suedecloth. Madiera embroidery thread was used. The coat has working pockets with edging of black embroidery. The coat is fully lined in silver silkessence fabric.

The white blouse was made with batiste fabric and French cotton lace insertion down the center front as well as each slender long sleeve. The stand up collar was finished with a narrow French lace edging. The sleeves have French lace insertion and edging at the cuff. The blouse closes with snaps.

The sleeveless black under-blouse has the dropped neckline. The black silkessence fabric was fully lined in blue silkessence fabric. The back closes with small snaps.

The black over-blouse was made with fabric from a vintage embroidered mesh woman's blouse. Pintucks were sewn into new black chiffon fabric which lines the wrist points. It was unlined and meant to be worn over the black under-blouse. The back closes with small snaps.

The black five gore Victorian skirt was made with peachskin fabric and is unlined. The back of the skirt has two pleats on each side of center. The skirt's waistband closes with a hook and eye and has a small snap on the placket.

The champagne five gore petticoat was made with vintage batiste fabric and lace. The back was gathered and has a train similar to the skirt. The yoked waistband closes with small snaps.

The pantalets were also made with the vintage champagne batiste. French cotton lace insertion was sewn down the side of each leg, with a band of insertion above the seven rows of pintucks. The hem was embellished with wide cluny lace which is slightly gathered. The waistband has a casing with 1/4" elastic for ease of dressing.

My Soom Super Gem Dia, in heels, models the outfit. My Dia is the original Soom SuperGem body.


Vanessa Ives' Inspired outfit for SuperGem

close-up of bodice

close-up of bodice showing pockets

side view

back view

coat front open showing lining

hands off - preparing to remove coat

coat lying on cutting table show interior


White Batiste and Lace Blouse

blouse side view


Black Vintage Mesh Over-Blouse

side view

Blouse - hands must be removed to don

back view


Black Sleeveless Under-Blouse

side view

back view


Black Five Gore Victorian Skirt

side view

back view


Five Gore Victorian Petticoat

side view

back view


Batiste and French Lace Pantalets

just pantalet

other view