Padme Amidala Padme's Meadow Picnic Dress v4.0

OK, now that I've received all my fabric, I just had a clarifying moment in which I realized I may have misunderstood some grammar when I was researching this. The skirt... everything I am seeing right now says circle skirt. I could have sworn I saw something somewhere where some people were discussing it not being full enough and using 1.5-2 complete circles for the skirt, but now I can't find it. I asked someone about it, and they said yes, two full circles, but I just realized I think they meant two as in "one full circle on top, and one for the underlayer", and now I'm terribly confused. Does anyone remember seeing anywhere that the skirt might be made of more than a full circle? (I may have grossly over-ordered fabric)

 

I originally had mine as a single circle each layer (each layer: 1/2 circle in front, two 1/4 circle in back), but upped it to 1.5 when it didn't look full enough like the original. I wasn't getting those deep gathers of fabric at the hem. So I went and embroidered another full 1/2 circle panel for months.

For comparison, here's what mine looks like at 1.5 circles (1.5 circles for the embroidered layer and 1.5 circles for the yellow/pink tinged lining). I wanted to get the fullness in the skirt as in the first image.


Clearly it needs to be hemmed, but I'm still debating if I want to keep it with a train because I spent the time embroidering it by hand and don't have the heart currently to cut it all off.

 

I found the following drapes at a local thrift shop. Are these the Padme drapes? They were around $13 a set. They had 2 sets. If anyone is interested, let me know. mail at lesawilliams dot com.

http://princess-lesa.livejournal.com/313606.html

 

Curtains were sold. Ugh! I'll keep any eye out for more.

 

I know this thread is kind of old, but I would love to make this dress, and I was wondering if anyone had any idea where I could get the sequins, or if anyone who had extras would be willing to sell me some? The only etsy seller I found who had four-petal ones had the gold, not off-white, and wasn't planning on getting any in stock any time soon.

Walmart is currently selling the vintage rose curtains again with the 1 and 3 rose clusters for about $15-16 dollars: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Vintage-Rose-Sheer-Window-Panel/22991517 I bought one! I'm hunting for the ribbon on the headband and the sequins right now, because those seem to be the hardest parts to find after you have your rose fabric. I bought some of the gold version of the sequins, if nothing else I'll buy out the person I got them from and paint them off-white.

I plan on crocheting my own snoods! I'm happy because I have most of the suggested patterns in my pattern box already!
I'm just happy a bunch of the links still work for this thread, as old as it is! Everyone's stuff looks so nice, from what I could see!

 

Some years ago, I got information on the ribbons from a lady here who had worked at MJ Trims and the colors are pretty spot on. 14 Mm Midori Tape Ribbon in buttercream, eucalyptus, tomatillo, rosebud, ballerina, and caramel. Honestly, I have no idea if they still carry this type of ribbon and/or colors since she sent this to me years ago. Worth looking into though. I always keep these samples in my sewing kit just in case. One day...

 

Ribbons are here http://www.midoriribbon.com/rayon-trimming/

Let me know if you still need sequins. I'm almost positive I have some left.

 

Yes! I would definitely take any extra sequins. Otherwise I'm forced to paint the gold ones I found white, and I'm not sure if that will work long-term. I have paypal, I can pay you through there for shipping and all that.

 

Honest opinions, the Ribbonerie doesn't have the headband ribbon anymore in the right color, as mentioned before, but they have it in the other colors available. (look in Specialty ribbons under collections, on page 4-5) would number 6 be a good alternative?

 

moving along for celebration


blouse is done with the exception of the neckline casing (waiting for final fitting for that). Corset has cutouts and is sewn. Just started the embroidery.

 

Nicely done!

 

Excited to see your progress! It's looking awesome already.

 

Thank you for the encouragement Very slow progress due to summer, but some embroidery.

 

Very nice! How did you do the cut-outs? did you fray-check the edges down?

 

Cut-outs are little "x"s with their corners turned back.
Yup, I fray-checked them and used double sided fusible interfacing to keep the edges down (sewing ended up showing) and attached them to my underlayer as well. Makes my embroidery needle a bit sticky sometimes going through all the layers, but it looks nice.

 

I love it!

 

Hi! Well, I bought the rose fabric back when the movie first came out. It has aged, like fine wine, and I'm finally getting around to tackling the dress that has been on my to-do list for what, 13 years? omg.

I don't suppose anyone still checks this thread, and has any extra sequins or head ribbon to sell?

 

Where do you live? I have extra sequins.

 

So, this costume has been dominating my life this summer and it's been a blast!! I'm about to do the corset boning channels and stuff... Oh, and I got the infamous WalMart curtain. People online have talked about dyeing it, and I was wondering how they did that because the curtain is 100% polyester. (I've dyed all my silk with Rit Golden Yellow and Tan.) Is there a dye that works on polyester or did they used to make the curtain in a natural fiber?

 

Aurora--Did you ever get your dye question resolved?

I recently bought the famous "Padmé Curtains" at a local thrift store (wah-hoo!), so I took it as a Sign *looks reverently Heavenward* that it's time to fulfill this pet dream. I'll be making it in light pink (about the same as the lighter pinks in the curtain roses), since I look AWFUL in earthtones, LOL. Does anyone still have extra sequins? I might be interested in taking them off your hands if my budget will allow.

It'll probably be a while before I get this made, but I want to take it slowly and do it right.

 

Forgot to add:

Could someone please help me figure out the skirt? Many costumers use "1 1/2 circle" skirts, yet the movie costume is described as having "no gathering at the top." Call me dense, but I don't see how you can get 1 1/2 circles of fabric around the average waist without gathering. Am I missing something here? Thanks in advance....

 

Wow, I have not visited here in AGES. I'm one of the original picnic girls who helped write up a ton of research info on the dress. So for a skirt that is fuller than a circle skirt - it's a tiny bit tough to explain but when each gore of the skirt is pieced together (your full circle plus on extra half circle) you make sure that the section of the pattern pieces that connect to dropped waist yoke end up equalling a measurement that fits around your dropped waist yoke. If that is for example, 34" - make sure that the upper curves of the gores of your skirt (if you don't know what that means, google skirt gore) that connect at the waist end up equaling 34". Each of the top edges of those gores will be sort of an arch. I measure mine with measuring tape that curves along the top edge I've drafted. Remember to only measure from seam line to seam line, don't include the seam allowances that connect the gores together. Hope that helps! Oh, and you know, you can add some minor "ease" gathers at the waist if you need to. The sort of gathers you don't notice once sewn in. (like how sleeve caps have hidden ease gathers in them).

 

This might be a long shot, but I've finally decided to make the picnic dress and was wondering if anyone had any sequins or ribbons? Or if anyone is interested in selling their costume? I'm particularly interested in the bodice/corset since I don't have experience with those.

 

Realize it's been ages since I've been here. I'm on the cape now and almost done, but wanted to reply to those still looking for ribbons and sequins and fabrics as I don't have any extra. It's so great to see people are still making this amazing costume!


The rayon ribbons the group ordered ages ago are still available. I'm using them and personally think they're gorgeous


can still be purchased at midori. you do need a lot.
http://midoriribbon.com/rayon-trimming-ribbon-ballerina/
http://midoriribbon.com/rayon-trimming-ribbon-rosebud/
http://midoriribbon.com/rayon-trimming-ribbon-tomatillo/
http://midoriribbon.com/rayon-trimming-ribbon-eucalyptus/
http://midoriribbon.com/rayon-trimming-ribbon-marigold/ (slightly darker than butter cream)

Some sequin options
https://www.etsy.com/listing/226290338/new-item-7-g-of-7-mm-4-petals-flower (not sheer but right shape)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/262170838/new-item-7-g-of-7-mm-4-petals-flower (not iridescent but sheer)
That store does have the right iridescence and sheerness, but they're 5 petal.

If you're looking for silk fabrics that are already dyed - best colour options, but pricey
http://www.jrbsilks.com/silk-fabric/silk-dupioni-crinkles/1 for the corset
http://www.jrbsilks.com/silk-fabric/silk-chiffon-crinkles for the skirt and blouse

Less colour options, but really good sales (regular price is higher than the above site). shipping can take time.
https://www.nyfashioncenterfabrics.com/collections/crushed-silk-dupioni-fabric-colors for corset
https://www.nyfashioncenterfabrics.com/collections/silk-crinkle-chiffon-fabric-colors for the skirt and blouse

Also I meant to post my skirt pattern when I sent in the corset pattern to padawansguide, but never got around to it. It's pieced together from exhibit images same as my layered corset pattern, but might be slightly inaccurate now that better images from the new exhibit has come out. I embroidered three of these for my skirt.

 

Hi afaeryschild! Wow, I haven't been here in a long time. It's nice to see your post and this amazing embroidery template for the skirt. I look forward to seeing your costume when it's all done!