Got the basic form cut and sewn last night. Added darts for better shaping this morning in between bouts of “OMG MIGRAINE.” Probably should not have sewn first thing in the morning, more importantly, probably should not have had half a bottle of red wine so late Saturday — that contributed to the sewing frenzy
I think I’d like to make this gown for the SCA 12th Night this year. I can use the same side-laced bodice pattern as the black and grey 1570s gown. If I don’t get it trimmed, I can still wear it plain. So it’s not as super-mega labor-intensive as my initial plan of making the
When I found this red and gold damask, I didn’t immediately know what to make with it. I’d lusted after this fabric for at least a year. It’s from the Christopher Lowell home dec collection at Jo-Ann’s, it’s 100% polyester, and it’s usually $19.99/yard. Now, I am not a fiber snob — I’ll use anything
So much accomplished and it just doesn’t look like it. *sigh* Spent all weekend sewing, and, go figure, it would be the last, icky-hot weekend of summer too. But the result looks like actual clothing and is in a wearable state. First, there was a lot of fussing with the lining. And that darn neckline.
This doublet that’s been giving me such problems isn’t what it seems to be. I’ve had images in my head, but I’ve been using a pattern (well, an idea of a pattern from PoF3, the 1580s doublet) that’s based in the wrong time period. Doh! The neckline and sleeves I’ve been fantasizing about are all
Don’t know if this will actually happen in time for this year’s ADSC Gatsby Summer Afternoon. But I bought a new hat at Convergence 15, a lovely hot pink confection trimmed with big black feathers and a whole bird, made by Caveat Emptor. Which is ’20s-ish in style and makes me reallyreallyreally want a dress
I’ve loved this dress since I first saw the portrait in a book, sometime in the early 1990s. It’s the classic refutation of “pink is not period” for renaissance faire or SCA. It’s super-girly. It’s fantastic! It’s very Pretty Pretty Princess! This has been my dream gown, and dammit, I’m going to make it. So
Ugh, three hours to make one sleeve. Bloody freakin’ hell. Wasn’t even hand-sewn! Just fiddly as all get out. Only took a few teeny breaks to see some of the fights during the Sharks game and relieve my back. Here comes Calgary, should be interesting. Nose back to the grindstone…
I’m staring and staring, and I really think there are 2 full layers of black lace that go all the way up to the waistband. There are falling lines, folds, indicating drape in the lower, longer tier that show *under* the shorter layer. You can see the longer layer of black lace folded under the
This one’s been on my mind for a while. In fact, this portrait was one of my early inspirations for what became the 1580s gown. I love the stripes, of course, and I really love the high, closed doublet front (and I did go for that style in the other gown too). The little ruffs,
Why is it that every time I’m sick at home, Anne of a Thousand Days is always on cable? Of course, I have to watch it. Richard Burton is a kingly, studly Henry, and the movie’s portrayal of Anne Boylen is smart and sympathetic without being too sentimental, even though it’s all a big fat
I better look at Kendra’s book again to make sure what shade of purple/blue my dress is 😉 Oh and lace as accurate as that? Not bloody likely, IMO. Though I hope to do some looking in the LA Garment District at next year’s Costume College. I keep looking at the painting and thinking that
Herein are the chronicles of my little part in the massive, nine-costumer group to recreate the Portrait of the Empress Eugenie Surrounded by her Maids of Honor (1855) by Franz Xaver Winterhalter. We entered the historical masquerade competition at Costume-Con 26 in San Jose, 2008, and won Best in Show. My costume is that of