Sneak Attack

I just had an idea for a costume sideline me so hard I think it did sneak attack damage.

I was at work, minding my own business, doing my job, when I realized the previously empty Halloween party grid now had things on it. There had been talk of a zombie party at my house, so I went to investigate the new things. I was walking around it, taking it in, when I spotted this:

A Halloween stamp of a lady's skeleton, wearing a spectacular bustle dress with ruffles, and a train, and fringe. And all of a sudden, I knew what I wanted to wear for Halloween (Michaels allows employees to dress up, so I can wear it to work). The main points of the dress, if you can't see the details, is a black bodice with fringe along the bottom edge, pointed in the front but reasonably short in the back. There is the implication of a jabot at the neck. The skirt front has five rows of triple pleated contrast fabric with fringe (or possibly pleats) along the bottom. The bottom most row also has a ruffle. There is a patterned panel (brocade? beaded?) that appears to be piped that separates the front from the back. The skirt back appears to be a darker fabric, with a double ruffle that forms the train. The back is mostly hidden by a large, sweeping overskirt that comes all the way down the top ruffle and is edged in fringe.

I spent the rest of the day thinking about the dress, and didn't I have some black brocade left over from a previous project, and also didn't I buy a ton of soft gold fringe trim for a steal? After investigating the sewing closet, I came back with this:

The red is shot with black polyester that has alternating rows of black lace and a short self ruffle. The black is cotton sateen and may be enough for a bodice, hopefully (it was from JoAnns, and I may need to buy more). The gold fringe is about 12 or 13 yards, bought for the amazing price of 50 cents a yard. And the brocade:

Black on black, with some shine. I am planning on making the underskirt red, with black contrast. I would prefer fringe on the front, assuming there's enough. Failing that I'll do pleats. The brocade will be the piped panels, and may also be the overskirt if I like the look. The jabot will be a red silk I have a remnant of that will match the skirt, and I'll also add some to the cuffs to pull the look together. The second ruffle on the bottom of the back will be left off because there's no way I can have a train that long, but I think I may add buttons or ties so I can add one later.

I can use my combination, corset, and bustle that I already have made, but I'll need a second petticoat for that much skirt. I'm also thinking a bustle pad, just to give me some extra oomph. And before you ask, last year I wore my Dean Winchester bustle outfit for an eight hour shift, and did just fine with it.

More on this crazy scheme, as it develops.