Once upon a time I made a mid-Victorian gown that didn’t really fit. So I started to remodel it, and got some of the way along, but then stopped. (How many of…
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V140: New Vintage Camera: No.2 Folding Cartridge Hawk-Eye Model B
While in Astoria, Oregon, Carolyn and I visited many an antique shop. I was delighted to find a whole case full of vintage cameras, many of them folding cartridge styles like this…
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V139: Costume Painting, Week 6 – Lance the Hunter, 1870s
Last night was the last session of costume painting at the Nevada Museum of Art. We had a great model, Lance, a hard-core re-enactor. He talked all about the little authentic bits…
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V138: Early 18th Century Shoes
The met, 1700-1720 Ladies, here is a look at the shoes that inspired “Pompadour.” I spend a lot of time studying extant footwear before we start development on a new historical style,…
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V137: Pompadour Court Shoes Giveaway!
It’s that time again! It’s Pre-Order time for Pompadours and ivory Kensingtons, which means it’s GIVEAWAY time here on le blog. Can’t wait to see if you win them? Order your pair…
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V136: Butchart Gardens, The Empress Hotel, and Costumery in BC
The Sunken Garden at Butchart Gardens, planted 100 years ago in a quarry. The last day of my cruise with Lady Carolyn was spent in gorgeous Victoria, British Columbia. We visited Butchart…
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V135: Pompadour French Court Heels Pre-Order, and MORE
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…