844-BIG-Z-FAB (244-9322)

Hello everyone! My name is Janelle, AKA Seams.come.true, and I’m honored to be working with Big Z Fabrics to create a Bridgerton-inspired version of Chihiro from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. I’ve been cosplaying and sewing my own clothes for a little over 4 years and love sharing my work with others. I’ll be wearing this ensemble to The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience at the end of August with a group of 10 other ladies also dressed as Studio Ghibli characters. Then, later that week, I’ll wear it again at Dragoncon, which is a pop culture convention in Atlanta, GA.

Atlanta bridgerton and dragoncon
What is the Atlanta Bridgerton Experience and Dragoncon like?

I chose this character for a few reasons. Chihiro grows and evolves from such a stubborn and shy child to a brave and strong girl. She faces her fears and fights for those she loves even when those around her tell her she shouldn’t. The movie itself provides such a rich environment with gorgeous colors and design elements that I want to include into my look.

Chihiro inpspiration
Chihiro inpspiration

This outfit will mimic a Regency court dress. Even though Bridgerton is set in England, the show costuming follows a more French Regency (Napoleon) style which is slender columnar dresses with long trains that fasten around the waist with straps. This means, I’ll be making a dress, a train, gloves and a matching purse (or reticule). 

The dress fit for a Queen's Ball
The dress fit for a Queen’s Ball

The dress will be made with Big Z Fabric’s Dull Bridal Satin in White with their Vintage Italian Floral Beaded Sequins Fabric in Blush over top. I plan to capitalize on its gorgeously embroidered and beaded edges by using them as both the bottom hem and sleeve hems. The combination of the white and pink is meant to mimic Chihiro’s white shirt and pink shorts. I’ll add the green stripe around the torso, as seen on her t-shirt, by making the court train out of this lovely Solid Butter Velvet Drapery Upholstery Fabric in Kiwi and line it with their Floral Rose Jacquard Satin Fabric, also in Kiwi.

The fabric from Big Z Fabric needed to make the dress
The fabric from Big Z Fabric needed to make the dress

The gloves will be made of DuroLast Microfiber Suede Upholstery Fabric in White that nicely mimics lambskin which would have been used at the time. Finally, the “giant dumpling” reticule (purse) will be made of DuroLast Microfiber Suede Upholstery Fabric in Beige and lined with Solid Poly Spandex Satin Fabric in Ivory. The sweet bean paste shown via a bite mark, will be painted and bedazzled with rhinestones.

More inspiring fabrics for the ball / con
More inspiring fabrics for the ball / con

I have just recently made another Bridgerton-Regency style dress so I’ll be using the pattern I drafted for that, with some upgrades! I’m excited to adjust the fit and tailor it even better to myself. If I did not have this existing pattern, I would have used the Butterick B6074 as it is easy to follow and adjust. For the court train, I’ll be altering the skirt pattern I used for my early 19-hundreds butterfly dress which has both a gently gathered waist and long train. I’ll use Vogue pattern V8311, style F,  for the gloves and the purse will be patterned as we go!

Mor#ZMAKER to come and be inspired from
Mor#ZMAKER to come and be inspired from

I have so many ideas for embellishments and a few extra details but for now, I’m going to focus on cutting out and assembling the base dress and train. There will definitely be lots of sparkle and glamor at these events and I’m aiming to be the diamond of the season! 

I hope you continue to follow along both here and on Instagram! Keep an eye on my Instagram stories for works-in-progress shots along the way. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, tips, tricks or just to say hello!

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