Back to work! It’s time FINALLY for the Pompadour French Court Heels PRE-SALE! (big cheer!) I’ve been working on this shoe for what feels like forever, getting the toe just that right…
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V134: That Vintage “New Look” Pink Dress
Okay, I’m back! I have more pictures to share of Lady Carolyn and my be-costumed cruise, though. 🙂 We had two formal dress dinners while on board, and for the second, Carolyn…
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V133: Astoria, Oregon, and Regency Ladies
You know what’s coming … “I’m on a BOAT!” well…sortof…. Ahoy, from Astoria, Oregon! Today Carolyn and I spent a lovely afternoon strolling around this quaint little seaside town, touring the stunning…
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V132: “Mad Women” on a Boat – Vintage 1960s
A couple nights ago was “60s night” here on our floating hotel, so Carolyn and I dressed up in our late 50s/early 60s attire, complete with some BIGASS hair. Carolyn has magical…
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V131: 1912 Ladies, and Alcatraz
Our ship docked at Pier 33, San Francisco Hi again, from the Big Blue! The last two days we’ve been at port in San Francisco, a city I’m familiar with, but oddly…
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V130: Catalina Island, 1940
First off, this… Now, got that out of the way… I’m currently on a cruise with Lady Carolyn, going up the West Coast of America, into Canada. Carolyn is an “onboard speaker,”…
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V129: 18th Century Reds
Imatex – red velvet jacket, bound in blue, 1780-90s. This is a must-someday-make jacket I’m a sucker for red, I’ll admit. My second 18th century gown was red and still love it…
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V128: Interview with Laurie Tavan, “Daze of Laur” Couture
Today’s interview is with a fantastic seamstress, Laurie Tavan, who creates incredible historical garments and custom corsets. Her attention to detail and skill in design and technique are second to none. In…
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V127: Costumer’s Link Love
Here are some costume blogs I’ve found recently, and really enjoy. I hope you enjoy them too!: A Lady of Fashion The Mended Soul Today’s Dandy Serendipitous Stitchery The Button Basket Rococo…
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V126: A Colonial Williamsburg Pocket for Colonial Williamsburg
I’m about to leave on a West Coast cruise for eight days and I thought I’d take along some embroidery. I’m not much of an embroiderer, but it interests me, and I…
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V125: Costume Painting, Week 4, Tudor Peasant Girl
Here is my painting from last night’s historical costume painting class. We had a lovely model dressed as a Tudor peasant. The white shirt and head wrap gave me a lot of…
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V124: How to Measure Your Footsies and Find Your Correct Shoe Size
Hi all! I made a video to show you how to measure your foot and find your proper shoe size. This includes both the length and the width measurements associated with “B”…
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V123: Instant 1930s Shirt
Back in 1930, in Hollywood, the Hays Code determined what was and was not acceptable to show in a motion picture. Things like profanity, drug trafficking, and childbirth couldn’t be shown, but…
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V122: Beginnings of a Polonaise Jacket
Gallerie des Modes, 1780. Dames a la Mode on Tumblr I’ve finally settled on a design for one of my Colonial Williamsburg pieces – a polonaise jacket, inspired by a couple of…
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V121: “The Unsinkables” at Gaskells Titanic Ball
As promised, here are a few photos from Gaskells Ball last Saturday, with our “Unsinkables” group of lovely-attired ladies. I had a fabulous time, and got to see so many people I…
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V120: 1912 Titanic Ball, Hair Stylings
I just got back from The Other Side of the Mountains (Californialand), and my trip down to Gaskells Victorian Ball. It was an amazing evening, full of beautiful 1912 gowns that I…
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V119: Are Sequins Period Accurate?
The Met: toque (hat), 1915 The short answer is YES! I’ve heard this question come up a couple of times, in regard to using sequins on our Titanic gowns. Sequins are not…
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V118: Costume Painting 3 -Scantily Clad Carolyn
Last night was class #3 of Costume Painting at the Nevada Museum of Art. Carolyn modeled for us, in her Victorian skivvies. I’m not totally happy with this painting, except the face.…
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V117: Book Review: “Couture Sewing Techniques” by Claire B. Schaeffer
Couture Sewing Techniques Claire B. Shaeffer (c) 2011 by Claire B. Shaeffer ISBN 978-1-60085-335-7 A great many of us are self-taught seamstresses. We come equipped with a suite of sewing techniques taught…
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V116: Finally, My Almost-Complete Titanic Ball Gown
Okay, so it’s *still* not done, despite the event coming up on Saturday, but hey … it’s a costumer’s life, right? At any rate, it is “very almost” done. Both sleeves are…