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.

Fitting Customers

This is a ball gown I made today from some fabric I have had for over a year (and part of a table cloth). I used the La Mode Bagatelle pattern for everything but the sleeves, which are from the Sense & Sensibility "Elegant Lady's Closet" pattern. Yesterday I made a bodiced petticoat from the La Mode pattern. For those who don't know, a bodiced petticoat is a lightly boned corset of the regency period with a skirt attached. I ran out of fabric for the skirt, but I will post pictures of it later when it is complete. The bodiced petticoat is extremely comfortable and really does create the proper empire waist silhouette. The La Mode pattern includes this and patterns for two gowns, a reticule, hat, and embroidery. I wanted to make a ball gown using one of the gown patterns, but I was so impressed with the bodiced petticoat that I decided to make a ball gown using the same pattern with a slightly higher neckline to conceal the undergarments. So the dress you see is actually a corset/stays pattern!

This gown looks wonderful when I put it on. It is quite low-cut, and reminds me somewhat of the green ball gown that Elinor (Emma Thompson) wears in Sense and Sensibility. I also decided to pleat the skirt all the way around, which I really like. One thing I would like to know is how this gown would fit on someone a little more...ahem, "well-endowed" than myself. It is very fitted and flattering on me in that respect, and I wonder if it might be a little too much for others. Any volunteers? I would like to make other versions of this gown to sell on ebay, but I am not very confident with how it might fit potential buyers. If anyone would like to volunteer themselves for a fitting experiment let me know! What I would do is make this gown in your size (with different fabric), and fit it to you. What you get: a lovely gown!

Patterns used: Sense & Sensibility "The Elegant Lady's Closet" http://www.sensibility.com/,

This is a very easy to use pattern for anyone. No previous sewing experience is needed according to all it's reviews. I agree.

La Mode Bagatelle Regency Pattern: http://www.ravenrook.com/bagatelle/

This pattern requires some sewing experience, and fitting knowledge.

Things A Seamstress Can't Live Without

Every seamstress must have a few sewing tools she can't live without. Things she uses so much that they have almost become part of her. Things she automatically reaches for every five seconds. Things she has almost gone to the supermarket still carrying, without realizing it.

For me, this is my wristband pincushion. And yes, I have almost left the house wearing it numerous times. I wear it so often that I hardly even notice it's there. I eat meals with it still on, do my hair and makeup, talk on the phone, email, whatever - that thing is part of me! But recently (today to be exact) I had to make a few changes to it's design. For one thing, the chinky plastic wristband it came with was terribly uncomfortable and scratchy. I don't notice it most of the time, but when I take it off there are red marks on my wrist. Another thing was that it kept falling off. I would be walking around the house doing something and POOF! it was gone. With a quick flick of the wrist it would fall off and maybe even fly quite a distance. I have searched for that thing so many times! So today I broke down and bought a strip of Velcro (I have a particular aversion to Velcro). I cut a strip of the scratchy side, ran it through the loop on the bottom of the cushion, cut a smaller strip of the soft side, attached it to the wrong side of the other strip with stitches on either side, and voila! a wristband that will stay on my wrist comfortably!

I wonder what the other seamstresses can't live without? It would be funny to find out. Sometimes I wish I could watch myself trying to sew without my pincushion. EVERY TIME I take out a pin, I reach for it, whether it's there or not. It might take up to a dozen pins for me to remember that it's not there. I have a wonderfully interesting life!

What is it that you can't live without?