Puttin'on the Ritz in Virginia City

Raining Gentlemen

Saturday was the 1864 Ball in Virginia City once again. It was foggy and rainy all day, which means I was actually comfortable in my dress (and boots, bloomers, petticoats, and corset). We wandered about town in the afternoon and my hem got nice and muddy - very authentic. I think this may have been the most enjoyable Ball yet. I had my three gentlemen with me, so I was happy.

Because I haven't had much time to sew since I've been back, I simply changed the sleeves on a dress from last year and made NL's burgundy tie. I love this dress with short sleeves.

The guys are adorable in this picture. I don't think that's the look they were going for, though.

Just Dance!

I can't help it. Lady GaGa and Civil War Balls go so well together!

1865 Dress Competition

I am a member of an amazing community of historic clothing seamstresses (and 'seamsters') online called www. yourwardrobeunlockd.com. It requires a subscription, but there is so much information on this site that can't be found anywhere else that it's worth a try, at least for a few months. They are currently hosting a competition to recreate an historical garment, and the dress I have pictured is what they finally decided on. You are allowed to recreate as much or as little of the dress as you choose, and there are different categories you can enter it into - I would really like to enter the 'most historically correct' or if that doesn't work 'most inventive'. I have an idea in my head for what I would like to do, and since I must make a couple dresses this summer from this same time period, I might as well give it a try!

The dress has two bodices - an evening and day bodice. I really don't care much for the evening bodice, though it might be simpler to make, so I think I will try to make the bolero jacket. I also love how the day bodice underneath the bolero is a slightly darker shade to enhance the small waist.

I would love to use a fabric in a similar colour, but sometimes that's just not possible because of availability and price. If I don't use tan I think I might settle for a white or off-white/ivory. One can never go wrong with ivory. It was always fashionable and always will be fashionable. And the contrast of a darker trim would be exquisite! And though I would love to use silk, I think it's going to have to be cotton.

nine months later...

I thought I would post some more pictures from the August Ball to make up for my lack of anything new. These are just a few random ones that I liked.

No Needles in Scotland

I know I haven't posted anything on here for many months, but I haven't made anything, and the world of the needle has been far from my thoughts. But I do think about it occasionally. Like right now, sitting in my room going through the good old costuming websites that I used to frequent almost daily. I don't even own a needle now. I've been tempted to start again, but I really don't have time during term. I saw a fabric store in Dundee a few days ago and didn't even go in. It would have been too painful.

Usually I go through short fazes of obsession; I get bored and move on to something else. But sewing seemed to stick and only grow stronger as time went on and my projects became more involved. The most difficult garment I ever made was Marty's 19th century waistcoat, or jacket, as not to confuse the Scottish, which is pictured below. I was working on that thing for three months, and was so proud to see him wearing it. I think I enjoy dressing other people more than myself.

Hm mm. If only I could live every day twice and spend one day sewing and one day going to classes.

The Last Dance

Here are some pictures from the VC Ball we attended yesterday. I am still trying to perfect the "aged" photo look with my computer program. It's harder than it looks!
In attempts to make my part easier I decided to wear a dress from the last ball. But it was impossible for me obstain from making something, so I made some men's clothing instead for MT and JB. I made MT's wool gabardine overcoat, vest, collar, and supplied his hat and shoes (both vintage). I also made JB's black vest and gold paisley silk Osbladestone tie. I showed MT how to use my sewing machine and he made himself the red Ascot tie. He was one the most distinguished gentlemen there - the talk of the town! I thought we were walking tourists attractions last time, but this was more like a "walk back in time".

The pictures that I have aged were taken at the Fairweather Inn in Virginia City.
Besides the extreme heat (inside and out) and the affects of staying up late the night before, it was one of the best balls yet.