Last night was the second session of the costume painting open studio at the Nevada Museum of Art. Our model was Jeff, wearing a “Burning Man/Steampunk/Mardi Gras/Carnie/Jester” outfit. It was colorful, and…
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V110: Pink Jackets of the 18th Century
…I want one. I want it to be patterned taffeta-silky-something. WANT. Inspo…. Okay, I know it’s a polonaise, but let’s just say it counts 🙂 ; 1775, Killerton, Devon, Nat’l Trust 1784…
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V109: Do You Know the Button Trick?
Don’t you just hate decorative shank buttons that are all dangly and wobbly? Wouldn’t it be so much better if they were nice and flat and secure on your garment? Well here’s…
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V108: “Downton Sixby,” on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
A little while ago I got a call from the costume designer at Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, asking if there was any chance they could get ahold of a pair of…
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V107: Where Are Your Pompadour Shoes, 1680-1740?
Pompadour (1680-1740) shoes in black brocade with leather-covered, custom Louis heel, and satin ribbon tie Hi Ladies! I haven’t died, promise. I’m still working on new historical shoes for you, but we…
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V106: Titanic Memorial Tea, Reno
Yesterday, like so many of you, us ladies and gents up here in Reno held our Titanic Memorial Tea at The Isles Tea Shoppe. After many pots of tea, a parade of…
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V105: April 14, 1912
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V104: Costume Painting at Nevada Museum of Art, Class 1
Last night was my first class of the costume painting open studio at the Nevada Museum of Art. I have modeled for previous sessions, and it just looked like so much fun,…
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V103: Plans for 1930s Sailor Pants
I’m on a navy blue kick recently. I’ve had one of those “I MUST MAKE THIS” moments, for a pair of wide-legged, high-waisted sailor trousers, to wear on the cruise coming up…
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V102: A Quick-n-Dirty Regency Spencer
The other day I thought I’d pop down to the thrift store and find a little blazer to cut up and make into a functional, although not historically accurate, Spencer jacket. I…
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V101: How to Make Miniature Portraits
Awhile ago I posted about lovely little 18th century miniature portraits, and what a nice addition to one’s costume they can be. Well here’s how to make them! What You’ll Need: Clear…
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V100: Vintage Girl Scouts – Another 1912/2012 Centennial
Did you know that 2012 is the 100-year centennial not just for the sinking of the Titanic, but the founding of the Girl Scouts? My own Girl Scout adventures aren’t really interesting…
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V99: Happy Easter
Happy Easter Day, everyone. Here’s a creepy vintage Easter image… Now don’t you just feel like dressing in a giant egg suit?
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V98: Yellow Shoes Throughout History
Historic Threads – Colonial Williamsburg Shoes, 1775-85 English, worn in Maryland Easter is tomorrow, and I can’t help thinking of all the pretty pastels Spring dresses and bonnets and stuff. I’ve already…
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V97: New Elizabethan Doublet Progress
Remember Franken-Doublet? What was supposed to be a quick project has turned into the long-and-tedious- project, full of difficult hand sewing and problem solving, yay. It’s time like these that you find…
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V96: The 1780s/1910s Double-Period Hat
A few posts ago I staked lampshade style bonnets of the 1780s against similar chapeaus of the 1910s. My idea was to see if one hat could be used for both periods,…
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V94: The Significance of Color in Revolutionary France
KCI – jacket, 1790 – revolutionary or royalist? These days, many costumers, me included, look to the fashions of the past and select items to make based on, well, their pretty-pretty. I…
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V93: Finding Inspiration Anew
I still really love this 1785 polonaise jacket and matching skirt. 1785 is a bit late for the event we’ll be attending in CW …but maybe I don’t really care? I’m feeling…
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V92: 1920s Sporty Skit at The Auto Museum
Yesterday Lady Carolyn and I finished up our appearances at the Auto Museum’s 1920s Symposium with a silly skit in which well-to-do Mrs. Carpenter (Carolyn) was going camping in Yosemite in one…
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V91: Edwardian Showgirls
It’s another busy day for me – I’m off to the Auto Museum again to play a ditzy maid in my 1920s bathingsuit. I’ll give you a number of cool pictures today,…