I Recycled An Old Opera Costume | La Traviata goes Belle Epoque

You don't always have to make a whole new costume, sometime you can re-cycle, re-purpose or re-use old ones. Like I Recycled An Old Opera Costume from the Opera La Traviata I bought several years ago. This La Traviata bodice is set in the 1850's, but will be repurposed into a Belle Epoque one.
Nederlandse Reis Opera - La Traviata photo by Marco Borggreve
Pockets, Pleats, Waistbands & Closures Playlist
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Intro photo by Jan-Willem Bullee
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Music By Epicdemic sound
So Many Secrets - Gavin Luke
Never Complain, Never Explain - Howard Harper-Barnes
A Sophisticated Affair - Gavin Luke
Horse and Carriage - Etienne Roussel
Snowflakes - Etienne Roussel
A Waltz among the Graves - John Abbot

[@joannakasper5486]

I had never seen that method for thread marking before and had a literal Gasp Out Loud moment. Thank you for this, and the beautiful gown.

[@selkiemorien9006]

That handcrocheted string is a neat trick. I'll have to remember that - and I want to check if my bought evening gown has that as well. It's has an organza overlay as well :)

[@Leeam]

Swing catchers are the best😎

[@annastevens1526]

Had never heard of that technique, but it makes sense - I guess esp. when you have a filmy outer layer with fairly heavy trim, and don't want it thrashing around so much when dancing as to tear under its own weight...?

[@briefisbest]

Thank you for showing some of the theatrical secrets to the garment! Your version of sloppy is close to my pretty decent job, so I hope you didn't take the finish too much to heart.

[@Leeam]

😅

[@annastevens1526]

Agreed! I struggle to sew seams straighter than that even when taking great care, alas 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

[@emilygillespie563]

Beautiful! And speaking of your tutorials for skirts, pleats, pockets, and closures - I used the techniques from these to make my wedding dress. Made my life so much easier and improved the quality of my dress, so thank you for continuing to share your knowledge with us!

[@Leeam]

Oh goodness! What an honor to hear I could be of help to the creating of your wedding dress❤️❤️

[@canucknancy4257]

Gorgeous. No one in a badly lit castle/ballroom/soiree venue would ever notice the slight irregularities in a hem. Thanks for sharing. You look stunning.

[@Leeam]

😅 thank you

[@susanpolastaples9688]

Frankensteined or not, the ballgown is gorgeous and slightly reminiscent of the Worth Black Evening Gown in the Galleria del Costume di Palazzo Pitti. Black is an awesome colour for you. What did Melchior Wear? Also really loved the Mulan (?) PJs.

[@Leeam]

Thank you ☺️ I’ll have to look up that with gown now😅 I think after having to wear black every day for many years when I worked in the theater made me dislike the color 🖤 and you’ll have to wait for the next video to find out what Melchior wore😉

[@sandiemable]

This dress is absolutely gorgeous; you are just stunning! xoxo's Sandie😊

[@Leeam]

Thank you ☺️

[@maudline]

This is so beautiful and I love the addition of the sleeves. Also the little sewing bird was so cute

[@Leeam]

Thank you! ☺️

[@eleanorstrong8315]

You look devine in the dress! I think you look fabulous in black. Your not up to your standards is my wow look what I managed after several tries. Your work is inspiring. Thank you for all of your videos.

[@ThePixiixiq]

This is just lovely! And it feels a bit like the universe send me a friend :) I have been working on a 1910ish frankenpatterned ball gown for the past week and it's quite a lot like yours though with tulip (?) sleves. It was for a larp this weekend but I had to cancel absolutely last moment because my cat sitter woke up sick after close contact. This cheered me up a bit. Thank you for this randomly well timed video

[@Leeam]

Oh no!! I hope you and your cat sitter are safe, and it’s just the seasons sniffels ❤️

[@ThePixiixiq]

@@Leeam Thank you!

[@halfmiledrift3514]

That's gorgeous, and really lovely to see how to make-over an old piece to give it new life :)

[@fayeSigunne]

I love this so much you did an amazing job for having only a little time to do it. You look absolutely delightful. Also, I adore your hairstyle.

[@Leeam]

Thank you ❤️ Myrthe and I both were like, Oke let’s plan 3 hours to do hair, as we where both experimenting with a new style… I think it took 30 min😅 we both succeeded at the first attempt

[@davidmc843]

It’s amazing how we still use the same theatrical techniques today, also an amazing outfit and you look beautiful 💙

[@annbrookens945]

Nice! You did such an excellent transformation!

[@kalieris]

It looks amazing and suits you very well. I like the alterations you made to the bodice - changes the feel completely while maintaining the richness of the original.

[@KenZchameleon]

What is that skirt clip thing?! I want one.

[@egyptianmystery]

Wow! Fabulous update.

[@Leeam]

Thanks!

[@blktauna]

This looks beautiful and beautiful on you as well. That shape of dress suits you too. Great job!

[@annastevens1526]

Congratulations on achieving such an elegant result in such a short time frame! (Maybe its being black is a bonus, as any stitches you aren't 100% happy about are less likely to show up than on more colourful fabrics...? 😉) Loved your teal turban/headscarf at the start too, super-snazzy!! (I'm curious if it is something that one could sew...?)

[@RetroClaude]

You look so elegant Nikki! This entire outfit is a stroke of genius 💚

[@Leeam]

Aw thanks love ❤️

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

My dream Traviata dress would be the one Callas had in Visconti's production, which has a similar style :D

[@Leeam]

It’s a classic!

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

@@Leeam I wish our opera house held costume sales :D I'd buy so much stuff

[@wandagrayson646]

I particularly love the sleeves. Beautiful!

[@jilliedillie]

I hate black too but you look stunning! What is the metal clip-a magnet holding up the train?

[@Leeam]

It’s an antique one specifically for trains, the fabric gets clamped by the weight of the fabric…. If that makes sense

[@Grace_x68]

Oh my word you look stunning.

[@Leeam]

Thank you ☺️

[@ceritat625]

Wow! Just wow! Just beautiful!!!

[@roxiepoe9586]

This is so lovely and suits you so well.

[@Leeam]

Thank you☺️

[@azteclady]

Oh, it is gorgeous! You look magnificent.

[@lisa8a8e]

very beautiful

[@Leeam]

Thank you

[@BoolaHoola]

Beautiful!!

[@sarahlongshore2605]

Absolutely beautiful! !!!

[@Leeam]

Thank you❤️

[@makeda6530]

What a gown, wow~

[@Leeam]

Thanks ☺️

[@estherhadassa1061]

Great job and you look gorgeous... as always.

[@Leeam]

Thank you ☺️

[@teddy-3765]

Beautiful

[@cherylf7333]

Gorgeous! How did you find that "sewing buddy"? I suddenly need one but can't seem to find anything similar?

[@Leeam]

I found it at a local antique shop☺️

[@TracyLynnAP]

Amazing!

[@michellecornum5856]

WOW!

[@charlarp]

💕💕