Back to Titanic

I'm going to fast forward through our Branson trip. I'll get back to the family reunion later, when I get more photos from my SIL.

TITANIC.

I can't explain it. I get a lump in my throat when I go to these exhibits and museums. I make sure I'm doing something Titanic related every year on April 14th and 15th~ to pause and think about the lives lost and what the passengers endured. Not only the passengers, but their family and friends who were awaiting their arrival.

As you all know, I'm obsessed with costumes. Especially period clothing. The edwardian era is one of my favorites with it's slim lines and empire waists.

Since we were going to be in Branson, I of course had to visit the Titanic Museum again. We went last year for the first time, and I wore the Flying Dress. (And the staff remembered me from last year, I thought that was so cool!!)

This year I was finally lucky enough to find a Sinking dress on eBay that looked presentable. (It is also known as the swim dress or water dress.) I have seen many repros, but most are made using the Simplicity 8399 pattern, which looks like a maternity dress. The fabric should not be gathered at the waist. Doesn't look too bad on the pattern cover, but the dresses I've seen made up really show the puffiness. (Same goes for the Jump dress!!) Here are some repros to compare. My favorite on that site is Jennifer Laconte's.

I'm quite happy with the dress I found, tho I do want to alter it some. For one thing it's too big for me. I've got it rigged up in the back for these photos. I want to change out the lace on top and add some beading. I'd also like to do some ombre dying to the panels, and change out the sash and cumberbun thingie for real tissue silk instead of the polyester. Still, I like mine even better than the J. Peterman reproduction!

All of these things I wanted to do before I went down to Branson this time. But alas, I'm deathly afraid of my new sewing machine. It's two years old and I've never even threaded the thing! I'll tackle it one of these days.

Ok, so without further ado, here I am in my swim dress in front of the museum. This is a crummy pic of me with my eyes shut, but good of the dress, lol

Kate wearing one of the originals for screen tests.

Here is a sketch of how the original swim gown was to be. I really like this version, except for the bust area. I do like the use of pink velvet for the sash tho!

This clip shows the gown made as sketched. Be sure to note how the screen version shown in the actual film flows behind Kate. I LOVE that.
And I wanted you to see how mine flows too! There was a replica of the corridor in the museum, with a mirrored wall on both ends. I wanted to run thru there and watch my dress, lol...I *really* felt like Rose in that little area. Corny, I know.

Here are some photos of my dress, tho this is not me. It's the person I bought the gown from, (I assume!)

Photography is not permited on the *ship*. They will however take your photo in front of a blue screen, and then super-impose you onto the staircase, ect. Then of course they want some $$$. I chose not to buy them as I found out you can view them online.

So here they are~ I asked them to take a pic of my back so it would look like I was walking up the stairs, they looked at me like I was nuts but they did it. I think it turned out pretty well!

We couldn't talk the museum folks into letting me take real photos, but we did twist their arm last year. Only thing was, they took the pics and they all came back blury. I was so disapointed! I still bought them tho, I figured it was all I was going to get.

The museum is really neat, and has some great artifacts. I love being able to see part of the ship they built and to walk up the grand staircase. The feeling is breathtaking.

They will have Rose's Jump dress and sinking coat, along with several hats from the film there until December.

If you are interested in Titanic Era gowns, esp. those from the film, this Titanic Dress group is for you. Speaking of Titanic dresses... I love how Rue's wedding gown looks like Rose's *heaven dress*. And she looks gorgeous in it!