Last week there was some talk about citing sources, particularly image sources, in blog posts, and how it’s not being done enough. On of the reasons is because it’s so dang easy…
-
-
V252: Midnight Vintage Shoe Finds on Etsy
Nothing teaches one the construction and detailing of a vintage or antique shoes as, well, an actual vintage or antique shoe. I was thrilled to find quite a few shoes on Etsy…
-
V249: Georgian Beauty Myths BUSTED!, by Elisa of Isis’ Wardrobe
Glenn Close in “Dangerous Liaisons” Hi all! Today I’d like to turn the floor over to the wonderful Elisa of Madame Isis’ Toilette, and Isis’ Wardrobe, who has been studying historical makeup and…
-
V245: Floral Gowns of the 1770s (and a little 1780s too)
Met – 1770s-80s gown, remodeled from c. 1740s silk Happy Saturday! Chris and I have been working overtime packing up Pompadours and white Kensingtons to ship out, so I’m a bit fried,…
-
V239: Cassell’s Household Guide
There is something so -udderly- wonderful about household guides of the 19th century. And what is even more wonderful is that they are all out of copyright and readily available to peruse…
-
V238: What Is This Style of 18th Century Jacket?
A beautiful image popped up on my Pinterest feed this morning: 1730-60, French manufacture, held in the Digitalt Museum I find this extant ensemble really interesting because, well, it matches. Matching gowns…
-
V234: What Kind of Heel Is That? A Quick Guide to Historical Shoe Heels
Following yesterday’s post about why we no longer have proper French heels on shoes, I thought it would be good to add to and define some of the terminology, and create a…
-
V233: The Death of the French Heel
VandA, 1760-70 Why don’t we have killer French heels, the likes of which were *the* heel style for hundreds of years, on shoes these days? Where did they go? Are they just…
-
V223: 17th Century Infanta Inspiration
Blargh, I hate being sick. I don’t want to sew or do much of anything, really, but it’s just so easy to look at pretty pictures….so I’ll do some of that. Next…
-
V203: New Dress Design: Robe Royaliste
I don’t have enough 18th century gowns. I have jackets and things, and I do love jackets, but when it comes to full gowns, I have, like, one (soon to be two).…
-
V200: Redingote Portraits of Win
I love the 1780s and 90s, particularly the mannish styles, like the Redingote. Something about those big collars and buttons, paired with big-ass Gainsborough hats – YUM! Lady in Light Blue Gown…
-
V191: Matchy – Or Not – Striped 18th Century Gowns
Sometimes it really helps, when you’re in the midst of working on a project, to go back and look at reference images, to see how the seamstresses back in the day did…
-
V179: More Georgian Jackets … Decisions, Decisions
I certainly have a love affair with 18th c. jackets. They’re just so darned cute! Now I get to decide, yet again, what kind of jacket to make from 2 yards of…
-
V164: Vintage Shoe Ads of 1939-1941
Oh how I love shoes, particularly vintage 20th century shoes. They make me swoon! Some of you already know I’m working on a couple 1920s and 30s designs for next year’s American…
-
V161: Pretty Victorian Parasols
Happy Saturday. I’m a bit late with this entry because I was away at the Carson City Rendezvous for most of the day, but better late than never. These are some inspirational…
-
V160: Progress on My 18th c. Pocket…and Then More Pockets!
I’ve been embroidering on and off since early May, on my first Georgian pocket. I originally used a pattern from Costume Close-Up: Clothing Construction and Pattern, 1750-1790, but decided not to follow…
-
V157: Opinions Please – Mid-Victorian Shoe Survey
Hi Ladies! It’s market research time once again, and your invaluable opinions are needed to help us decide on a mid-Victorian style of shoe, for next year’s historical footwear lineup. Please answer…
-
V156: A Start to The Billinghurst Stays, 17??
Rather awhile ago I shared with you some photos of a very interesting, atypical pair of 18th century stays held in our local costume and textile collection. There was much discussion as to…
-
V152: Costume Analytics: Pehr Hilleström, Kitchen Maid
This week on Costume Analytics, we’ll be looking at a wonderful painting by Pehr Hillestrom, entitled “En piga höser såppa utur en kiettel – i en skål,” or something along the lines…
-
V149: Taking Stock of Stockings
Those of you who follow me on Facebook will know I’ve been asking around about stockings. What material, what color you like, etc. Some more questions are to come, but first, let’s…