By the seaside, By the beautiful sea! (Only without the sea) Mrs. Lovett Costume

[graverobbergirl]

I don't live by the ocean, but I still immensely enjoy Mrs. Lovett's red stripe dress from the 'By The Sea' sequence in Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd. Halloween seemed the perfect excuse to indulge my desire to reproduce the costume, and dress up in crazy make-up and have oodles of fun!

What I made:

• Corset & Bustle (I had made these previously for my Steampunk costumes)
• Under bustle petticoat (used Laughing Moon #102)
• Over bustle petticoat (same as the skirt, only done in muslin)
• Skirt (drafted from 'Authentic Victorian Fashion Patterns' book)
• Bodice (drafted using reference photos found here: http://www.costumersguide.com/sweeney5.shtml) With Hand-pleated organza trim on the the cuffs, and hand-pleated organza on the center front, lace sewn onto the centerfront with hand-embroidery chain stitch.
• The Fabric: I noted there were three different stripe patterns (a red candy stripe with one, two and three pink-white center stripe variations) used in the dress, and because I can be obsessive, I decided to try out spoonflower and designed the fabric myself. (I nearly died from joy when I came across this website that allows you to design and upload your own patterns for fabric... finally, when I just can't find that perfect fabric, I'll have an alternative. BTW, not affiliated with them, just find them to be an incredibly useful sewing resource)
  
• The Trim: about fifteen yards of organza strips, picot-edged in white using my overlock serger, ruffled and then sewn onto the top of the sleeve cuffs, along the bodice center front and neckline, the top edges of both skirt ruffles.
• Meat Pies: In miniature... because they're a necessary accessory to any Mrs. Lovett costume! 

What I altered:

• Umbrella: started out as a plain white umbrella, decorated by hand with an acrylic painters pen, and trims with hand-pleated organza

What I didn't make:

• Boots
• Crochet Fingerless Gloves: Got them from an etsy artisan

[Rae-mazing]

Oh my gosh, this is beautiful!!!!! You did a wonderful job!

[Supermutts]

Amazing costume as always. It did however make eating the delicious meat pies at your Halloween extravaganza super creepy, but they were just do darn yummy!

[TwistMySister]

that is fluffing awesome!!!! i love that scene too and his bathers rocked. you did such a good job, i love it and you look amazing!!!!! that would be crazy cool in grey and black stripe too 

[Isididamentri]

don't know the caracter..But it sure is a LOVELY DRESS..

[Aislynn]

This is absolutely fantastic!  You did such a terrific job!

[Jezzebelle]

Wow!  I love the silhouette, the attention to details with the stripes, the makeup and hair.... and especially the meat pie.  A nice touch.

[Split Needles]

This is awesome! I've long admired Mrs. Lovett's outfits and have thought about attempting to make one for Halloween; but I've been too lazy. Yours turned out lovely and I love the photos!

[navycowgirl]

Beautiful job!

[Riechan]

great job! I love the silhouette! You really look like her on the second picture ^^