So you’ve purchased a pair of pretty silk stockings from my shop, and you love them, but perhaps they are a little big in the foot, or you would like to add…
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V277: Working With Ostrich Feathers: Plumes, Drabs, and Spads
Today I would like to share my experiences with ostriches. … or… at least their feathers. Ostrich feathers are not as straight-forward as one would think. There are three different types of…
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V276: Review: 18th Century Bath Products from Litttle Bits Clothing Company
A little while ago I received some lovely 18th century beauty products from Litttle Bits Clothing Company, and I have had the chance to test out the bath products. I was really…
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V275: How to Take In-Focus Detail Photos With Any Point-and-Shoot Camera
We’ve all seen pictures like this, most frustratingly on eBay and Etsy. Don’t fall victim to the blurry detail shot! Today I’m going to share the secret of taking up-close, in-focus photos.…
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V274: Steampunking at Piper’s Opera House, Virginia City, NV
Last night was our 2nd Annual Victorian Steampunk Ball . It was riotous and epic and wonderful, and despite running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I had a…
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V272: Finished Indienne Print Curtain Gown, 1780
Finally I’ve got all the little bits n’ bobs complete on my Indienne print Curtain-Along dress, and just in time too – we leave for Colonial Williamsburg this coming Wednesday! I’m very…
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V271: First Look at “23Skidoo” 1920s Spectator T-Strap Shoes
Those of you who follow along on Facebook have already seen these, but I wanted to share them here on the blog too. I’m *so* excited about the new “23Skidoo” 1920s t-strap…
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V270: The “Robe Royaliste” at Nevada Museum of Art
Last night I had another opportunity to model for the costume painting class at the Nevada Museum of Art. I wore my new “Robe Royaliste,” a dress I made, erm, a couple…
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V269: A Baby Neckerchief from a Baby Gown
I’m a sucker for fancy embroideries, but I just plain suck at doing them myself, so I look for textiles that already have nice embroideries on them. A tantalizing source is old…
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V267: Bomber Girl Pin-Up Photoshoot
Behind the Scenes at Junkee Yesterday Stephanie and I went down to Junkee Clothing Exchange for a “Bomber Girl” photoshoot. We don’t find out if we’d made the Top 20 for the…
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V265: Vintage Haul of Random Things
I should have known when I popped down to Junkee Clothing Exchange (one of the coolest stores in Reno-Land, choc full of all manner of sweet costumer swag, from hot pink ostrich…
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V263:How To Find Original Image Sources on Google
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…
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V262: Progress on the “Curtain-Along” 1780s Indienne Gown
So far so good – and sleeves that FIT! This project might have been quick if I hadn’t spend whole chunks of days not doing a darn thing. At least when I…
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V261: American Duchess For The Cure – Fundraising For Breast Cancer Research
Hi all! Did you know it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Many of us have been through or have loved ones who have battled breast cancer, myself included. To help raise money for…
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V260: Tasty 18th Century Pomatum For Your Hair
“Maybe she’s born with it…maybe it’s beef grease pomatum.” 1775 (Reynolds) Jane detail This year at Costume College, I attended a wonderful class given by Kendra of Demode, on the social history…
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V259: Starting on the Snowshill 1730-50 Riding Habit
You know when you have tons of stuff to get done for a major costume event or trip, and yet Costume ADD strikes and despite being ridiculously short on time, you simply…
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V258: Small Biz Betties – Your Ready-Made Focus Group
Hi All! It’s been awhile since I’ve done any Small Biz Betties posts, but I’m back, and ready to share more business tips and tricks with you. Today I want to talk…
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V256: My First Shoe
No, this isn’t about baby shoes, but the first shoe I ever designed and made (with my own bare hands!), back in 2001, in my first university art class, Art 100, taught…
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V255: The Festive Attyre 18th Century Curtain-Along
I was so tickled to see that the wonderful Jen, of Festive Attyre, has started an international sewing “curtain-along,” for everyone who is making an 18th century something-or-other from any of the…
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V254: Fitting Mom's JP Ryan Jacket(s)
JP Ryan Jacket in progress Today my lovely Lady Mother came over for help fitting sleevils into two of her Colonial Williamsburg pieces – both swallow-tailed jackets, in different materials, using the…