Astrida Schaeffer
(c) 2013 by Astrida Schaeffer
ISBN 978-1-938394-04-1
Many of us have been anticipating Astrida's book "Embellishments" for quite some time. I was happy to receive it for my birthday, and quickly ran off to read every word of it (accompanied by tea and puppies, of course) upon its arrival.
Beautifully put together, with professional photography of garments never before published, "Embellishments" is not only a feast for the eyes, but a useful reference for historical costumers interested in late Victorian fashions.
Celestia's Homemade Dress, pg 5 |
"Embellishments" focuses on details of late 19th century garments the way that The V&A's Nineteenth Century Fashion in Detail
Pg 51 - an example of a diagram showing how to recreate the trim seen in the upper right image |
The Cons:
For the intermediate and advanced costumer, "Embellishments" is much more about gorgeous reference material, and less about the techniques of making the trims. The books covers the basics of knife and box pleating, ruching, bias binding, piping, and braidwork, among a few others, all things that experienced seamstresses will likely already be quite familiar with.
However, the value is in seeing how all of these trims appear and work together on a single gown. The breakdown of each type of embellishment, along with the many detail photos provided, encourages even the most advanced costumer to go the extra mile when trimming a Victorian gown. I know that I am guilty of under-trimming, but after perusing "Embellishments," I feel quite inspired to really go at it with the trims on my next Natural Form attempt.
Conclusion:
"Embellishments" is a great little book that should be on every historical costumer's shelf. It is an independent publication created by one of our very own, and offers both splendid imagery and useful information. You can purchase "Embellishments" directly from Astrida, on her website Schaeffer Arts.
I and American Duchess Company are not affiliated with Schaeffer Arts, nor do I receive any commission for the promotion of "Embellishments"
Mine just arrived on my doorstep! It's gorgeous, and just a smidge intimidating.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and everything you post, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm probably heading to London next summer. Do you know any good laces to visit there to see historical dresses? Victoria&Albert's is already on my list, but do you know any other great places? :)
I love all of these dresses! Especially that blue and red velvet ensemble....
ReplyDeleteI saw everything in person because the exhibit came from the special collections at UNH, where I got my BA! I also worked with Astrida when I was an intern at a nearby museum... all around SQUEE!
There was a wonderful 1870s-does-1770s dress in the exhibit when I saw it - did that make it into the book? I loved it both for its wrong-ness and its attempt at bringing patriotically historic fashions up-to-date!
I've been trying to decide whether to get this book, but the info on contents is fairly scarce. Could someone tell me what period the highlighted dresses cover, specifically? I mostly see photos of that one brown 1870s dress, but are all the dresses bustle eras /natural form? Or do we get to the 1890s, or maybe even Edwardian/teens?
ReplyDeleteThe earliest dress in the book is 1870s. The youngest is 1909.
DeletePerfect. Thank you so much!
Delete