Author: kendra

Posted on

Events – PEERS Fairytale Ball & GBACG Buckram Bonnet Workshop

After being literally tied to my computer for about a month with heinously huge work deadlines (literally!), I’ve finally been able to get out and about!

Two weekends ago I went to the GBACG Victorian bonnet workshop, where I finally learned how to work with buckram. Yay! The class was great, most especially because Frannie and I were very punchy and basically whined (and laughed) through most of it. Lynne is as always such a fabulous teacher (and her work is amazing — you can see her in one of her bonnets here on the right). I was most excited that she brought one of her OWN patterns, so we got to work on a really period 1850-60s bonnet shape, and not the typical “Dickens bonnet.” I was waiting to take some pictures of the bonnet (still in progress), but I’m not 100% sure whether I’m going to stick with my original plan (which doesn’t really work with any of my current or planned outfits). I have plans for a sheer 1860s dress for next summer, so I may redo the bonnet to work with that.

Then last Saturday I went with Katie and Bridget to the PEERS Fairytale Masquerade ball. It was lovely, particularly because only about 1/3 of the number of people I usually see at PEERS balls were there, so there was actually ROOM to move around and dance (gasp!). I wore my courtesan dress with a glinty butterfly mask (I decided I was a princess — that’s fairytale enough!). I had fun dancing, but most especially enjoyed getting to dress up. Yay dress up! Pictures

Now I just have to get back to some sewing (I’ve been working on my 1780s jacket and am actually near to done, but I need to take some pictures so I can update that diary). Then I need to get back to work on my 1770s Paris dress and start thinking about my Costume College gala dress. Phew!

Posted on

Getting Organized

I know it’s boring, but it’s been driving me crazy. The fabric bins were starting to overflow, projects were getting shoved randomly into shovable corners, it wasn’t pretty in there. Earlier this week I cleaned the bedroom (also the sewing room), last night I got organized (mentally and physically).

It’s really been bugging me to have all these half-finished projects, so I really need to start buckling down and completing at least the ones for which I have fabric. Nothing terribly exciting to report, just that I’ve decided to work in this order:

  1. 1780s jacket to wear with ivory petticoat, stripey capote. No more only sewing on BART (although I did finally get coordinating thread and did start sewing this morning on the train!). Just get this one done. 7/15/06 deadline — to wear at the first Lumieres event.
  2. 1910 evening dress over existing undies. 8/4/06 deadline — to wear at the Costume College gala (and misc. balls afterwards).
  3. The Paris dress: 1770s caraco and petticoat over existing undies. 8/20/06 — to wear at the GBACG Let Them Drink Wine event.
  4. 1909 suit, including new fancy embroidered/trimmed undies (specifically, corset cover and petticoat; maybe drawers); make coordinating 1909-10 hat and recover vintage parasol. No deadline — just because I need to finish what I’ve started.

In between all of this, I want to make some modern clothes (esp. a bunch of versions of my favorite below-knee-length A line skirt that I already have patterned), and a repro 1940s princess line coat that is in the beginning stages of assembly (but has been moldering in my closet for about 6 months).

Next year:

  • All I know for sure is I need a sheer 1860-65ish summer dress for a Little Women event I’m thinking about for GBACG, plus I need to finish the coordinating bonnet
  • I have 10 years of black silk duchess satin that needs to be made into something (I’m thinking severe yet smashing 1880s afternoon dress with black beaded appliques adapted from a vintage bodice I got on ebay)
  • And I have this 1890s evening gown all fully mocked up and patterned, but realized I didn’t want to make it out of poly satin… so it’s filed in the back of my mind as waiting for the right fabric
Posted on

Costume College Picks

Yay! Costume College registration packet arrived in the mail yesterday. I’m teaching on Saturday afternoon, first thing Sunday morning (groan), and Sunday late afternoon.

Now, for class picks, I’m doing something different this year. I’ve found that I most enjoy classes where I learn a new technique but am not forced to do the whole thing in one go, and I’ve also found that I really enjoy having time to relax and socialize. Last year I signed up to take a make-something-in-class, which I could easily make at home with all my equipment and room and time, and I didn’t enjoy it at all. Plus lugging down the sewing machine etc. sucks.

So this year I am going easy on the limited classes! I’m asking for (in ranked order): Sleeves – Basic Block to Period Variations (because I’m always making my own sleeve patterns but usually am sort of faking it); Beginning Elizabethan Blackwork Embroidery (because I’ve been really enjoying embroidery and such handwork lately, and now have an opportunity to use blackwork via Bella Donna); and as a backup in case I don’t get into the sleeves class, Fairy Wings (because who doesn’t need a nice set of fairy wings?). Now I have to decide if I want to go down early on Thursday for the Sally Queen informal chat on 18th century costume.

Otherwise, I’m going to focus on teaching my classes, going to some of the unlimited classes (most excited about: Overview of 16th Century Gaelic Clothing [not because I have any plans, but it would be interesting to know what they really wore and not just what’s worn at faire], Ragtime Accessories for Ladies [yay accessories!], Dyeing Straw Hats [millinery!], Women’s Clothing Changes 1910-20 [just because I like the period]). There are some others that sound good but conflict with my teaching. I’m skipping most of the millinery classes because this Sunday I’m taking a buckram hat making class with GBACG, and skipping tambour because GBACG will be doing a workshop on this in November.

Phew!