Originally posted to personal Facebook account on 2/28/2021.
Happy to report that I have started making my dress for Matt Jackson’s elevation.
I have cut the silk… This step is always the hardest for me. So, it’s done now… I’m only making a bliaut, so nothing too difficult.
The body panels are cut to length, maunche sleeves are being pieced together, top 1/2 cut out, bottom piece allotted but not cut to shape, gores allotted for and just need to be cut to shape, and trim cut from the sides of the original Sari. I have a plan to harvest trim from the pallu of the sari for one of the the sleeve seams, and I’ll be able to cut and line the sleeves and make a yoke with matching fabric to Matt’s outfit.
All the basic math and measurements are done, so now I just need to cut along the dotted lines, and piece it together. I’m thinking of doing laces on the side of this one, so I’ll have to sew eyelets, but that shouldn’t be too bad.
Thank you Vika for helping me pick out the right sari from my stash, it really helped me to formulate a plan!
Edited to add sari pictures: Here is a picture of the trim for the sari…the background and main body are a beautiful midnight blue, with gray brocade. Those dots on the main body are peacocks! 🦚
Sari 
Trim 
I am going to harvest a similar motif for the seam on the arms. So I might match the beading there too. As well as a belt. If I fold the trim in 1/2 it makes a geometric border that could be interesting… Just take most of the blue in the middle out, for seam allowance. I can back with linen for structure. 
There is still a lot of work left to do… The sleeves need to be lined, the belt backed and finished, the trim at the bottom sewn on(pinned atm), neckline cut and yoke sewn on. But… It’s looking like a dress! I may just sew the sides vs lacing, but I have to do that too. Once the yoke is in place I figure the two center gray peacocks won’t be visible. Also, the line of peacocks down that gore on the side is mirrored on the opposite side, as well as in a gore on the back. Beyond that, there are random peacocks on the dress… But considering I only have a handful of scraps left except for the pallu? I think that’s damn good use of material! 
While I wait for my gray silk to arrive, I needed to move forward at least a little bit. I went to Michael’s tonight and found some possibilities for beads… Thoughts? Thinking of putting one in each diamond in the rows that have diamonds and X’s… I looked at metal beads, but it wasn’t doing it for me. Next will be a trip to joann’s. As far as sizing goes, 3-4mm seems to be a good size. 
Joann’s trip! So today I went to joann’s to see what they had. I found two possibilities. The first one is glass beads, they have a little shine to them, but are a good color match. They will add texture and slight sparkle. They are very reasonable in cost as a whole hank was 2.99! The second are small 4mm plastic pearls, in an off white color. I think they would be ok. And price wise not bad, as each pack was 1.50. I bought a bunch of both and will have to experiment to see which one I like more actually spaced out on the trim. 
Exciting times over here!!! Also, it might change what I do for beading… My lining fabric came in today!!! And I think it will work nicely! But it may give a more grey appearance then before… 
I really hate necklines… But this one is turning out pretty good! Now for the hand sewing! 
And now… Pre-bling and accessories…. Ta-da!!!! The basic dress is done! 
Latest update… BEADING!!! I decided that I’m going to go subtle with the beading… So far, I have done both sleeves, and the hem. It’s just a glint of sparkles, but I think it will have an overall nice look. I still have the belt and neckline to go. It’s hard to see in the picture, but each of the glass beads has a little flash of silver inside. So while keeping in the same silver tones, it will make it a touch more… Extra. 😉 
In tonight’s episode of “what is she doing now…” I made a new headband/fillet for this dress. 3/8 in wide. 
New hair!!! I just have to figure out the bottoms… Any ideas? Both “braids” are on a headband. Put on my coif, and cover with veil for the right look. *Viola!* 
Saturday was THE day!!! Matt’s elevation! So here are a couple pictures of the whole look! It was very comfortable, but the darn veil seemed to have a life of its own in the wind! Enjoy! Photo credit to Mark H. 
Photo credit to Ellesbeth Donofrey 
And another picture from the elevation video… 
I will eventually get good full length pictures (think photos in the back yard), but I’m thankful for the ones people took 🙂 Then there are selfies!