'Tombstone'- Kate's Black Dress

This is a last minute, wallet-friendly costume I put together so that I would have something period-appropriate to wear while Brian is in his Reuben Cogburn at D*C.  I actually really like it now that it's all put together and all the accessories are finished.  Aside from True Grit, Tombstone is my favorite 'western,' and since I am too old to costume as young Mattie Ross and too young to costume as older Mattie, I chose something a little more old-west-femme-fatale.  Kate, Doc Holliday's 'special lady,' wears some beautiful dresses, and since I already had most of the materials, I went with this one.  Plus, it's all black.  Gotta love that.

Fabrics, etc.:  Black casa satin from Joanne's (40% off;), black sequin trim, black lace, jet swarovski bicone beads and faceted rounds, beaded fringe trim, black ostrich plume, black turkey feathers.

Accessories:  Black lace opera-length gloves, jet and pearl earrings (made them!), black beaded/feather fascinator (made it!), necklace created using spare beaded fringe trim

Patterns:  For the skirt, I used view A from McCalls 2851.  This is the only piece I used from this pattern.  For the bodice, I used Simplicity 4092.  Thinking back, I probaly wouldn't use this one again for this type of dress.  However, I liked the shape and it's a pattern I'm familiar with, so it was fairly easy to modify.  And it was modified.  Heavily.  I didn't use a pattern for the 'train'...it was pretty easy to throw together with leftover satin and lace.

Shoes:  Brian gave me a beautiful pair of black Victorian lace-up boots from Oak Tree Farms (for my birthday).  I LOVE them.  Not only are they perfect for this dress, I can also wear them with  my can-can.
These pictures are not very good...we're crammed into my messy sewing room.  I will have better shots after D*C.  And my hair is not styled.  But you'll at least get a look at the dress!