Inspiration:

Well, I wanted to learn how a Victorian dress/ outfit was constructed (for something different) and also wanted a Steampunk. I also wanted something not Renaissance or SCA for this years CGA Ball in August. Recently I have been watching "League of Extraordinary Gentleman" and saw a doco on Jules Verne.... hmmm.... Steampunk beckoned! Left and Right are some of the pictures taken on the night of the ball. Materials: This is almost entirely made from material stash, as money was a little tight and this was essentially a practice. So much of the design and pattern was based on how much of what types of materials I had in boxes.

Under Layers and Patterns: Another excuse for steampunk: I made a bustle about 10 years or more ago, when Back to the Future III  came out, for the purple dress (the one where she hangs off the train- Right).   I wanted to learn some sewing  and construction techniques for Victorian clothing. Looking at extant items and using Janet Arnolds  Patterns of Fashion. So, though this is an "speculative future outfit", I wanted to try to use fairly accurate methods in making each actual 'victorian' piece. (cos that is the way I am). You could say it is an experimental/practice outfit. To go under the outfit, I finished off a corset and petticoat (Left). This project was 'on a budget' so I could not afford metal boning for this first 'draught'.

Luckily, I had won a metal busk, at the Costumers' Guild Trivia night.... While I was assured that the 'plastic' boning  'more closely resembled' whaleboning, and does support quite well, for a larger lady it does bend and is not satisfactory at the back, waist level. Eventually, I will remake the corset with metal boning.