On my list of things to make for our March trip to Williamsburg was a fur muff to keep the hands warm, in case of chilly weather. Mrs. Wilbraham Bootle, 1781 by…
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Accessorizing for Williamsburg, 2014
For once I have a decent number of gowns to wear to a big event, but what I *don’t* have is a selection of accessories to help with what might be quite…
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Returning to Williamsburg in March 2014
Colonial Williamsburg, here we come! I’ll spare you the “squee” (but know that it’s happening) – my dear friend Maggie and I will be attending the Millinery Through Time conference in Colonial…
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Test Driving “18th Century Hair & Wig Styling – The Book”
As all of you 18th century beauties will already know, Kendra Van Cleave, the intrepid costumier and long-time blogger of Demode, has finally produced a how-to book on authentic 18th century coiffures.…
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18th Century Mules in Art
Some of you may be wondering how, when, and where to wear the new “Antoinette” 18th century mules, thinking they look oh-so delicate, and not at all practical for anything. To answer…
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Glorious 18th Century Mules, and some 19th Century Wanna-Be’s
Antoinette mules in French blue Today is the day to celebrate mules, those pretty little backless, heeled slippers that have been gracing the feet of ladies for hundreds of years. In honor…
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More LACMA Sacque-Ma Progress
Yesterday I was worried that I wasn’t going to have enough fabric to do the trimmeries on the LACMA sacque, but today, oddly enough, I think it will all be okay. Here’s…
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Non-Matching Trim Options for Robes a la Francaise
So as I bimble along on this LACMA-Sacque-ma, diligently cutting out all the many pieces, and saving every little scrap, I’m getting the feeling that I’m not going to have enough fabric…
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LACMA Sacque-ma: Beginning the Robe
I’ve finally started in earnest on the LACMA Sacque-ma. For a reminder, because it’s been too long since I posted about this, here’s the original dress: LACMA, 1765 I don’t have any…
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Green Gowns of the 18th Century
I have a house full of people here for The Wedding, so forgive me for being quite absent. It’s all a bit mad here! So in honor of the Historical Sew Fortnightly…
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The Angel Wing Bum, 1785
Save for one tiny bit of stomacher fabric, my wedding gown is DONE! *happy dance* Last week, when sorting out hems and skirt volumes, I decided I needed a new bum. The…
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Weddingote: The Home Stretch
I’m happy to report that my wedding gown is nearing completion. It’s to the point now where I shall tease you with detail shots and save the full “reveal” for later. The…
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Weddingote: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Something…
The whole thing, with the skirt not yet trimmed up. Plus dog. I’ve been in a terrible sewing slump lately, but managed to get a bit done on the wedding gown, now…
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Introducing New “Cavendish” 18th Century Shoe Buckles
I have a new shiny thing to share with you! I’ve been working on a new style of buckle for a bit, fashioned after an original pair I found on eBay quite…
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Weddingote: Starting and Progress
Pad stitching on the lapels. After finding all the little flaws and tweaks in my test garment, I decided to not finish it (primarily because of the alarmingly short waist), but to…
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2013 Costume College, Pt. 3 – The Gala
Merja’s Baroque gown OMG. This wasn’t her Gala dress, but I needed to include a photo of it anyway. Ready for the last set of pics from Costume College? Well, I took…
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Weddingote: Draping and Testing
Now that Costume College has come and gone, it’s time to focus seriously on my wedding gown, which is to be worn in two months time. I’m going to share my progress…
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2013 Costume College, Pt. 2 – Festive Attyre “Curtain Along” Meet Up
Waverly Curtain dresses in chronological order from left to right. Ready for more photos from Costume College? I have tons, so here goes! Saturday, during the day, was the “Curtain Along” meetup…
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2013 Costume College, Pt. 1
I’m back! I’m alive! Costume College was splendid this year. I had SO much fun, met and chatted with so many cool people, and took so…SO…many photos. I’m breaking this up into…
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Loose and Lovely 1790s Locks
Costume College is fast approaching, and while I think I’ve burnt out on trying to get everything done, I *did* fully finish the 1790s Chintz gown. When I started this blog several…