Author: kendra

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Los Angeles Report

I spent the past weekend in LA, where I got to see the Star Wars costume exhibit at FIDM. It was quite impressive, and I noticed garments and details I hadn’t seen on the screen. The best part were the little kids who were correcting their mothers (ie Mom: “That’s the costume Padme wears when she’s pregnant with a baby!” Little girl: “TWO babies, Mom!”). The Emperor wears an awful lot of leg-o-mutton sleeves, I gotta say. I think my favorites were Queen Apailana of Naboo and Amidala’s Senate gown — and I would just like to share my feeling that pearls are not comfortable to sleep in.

I also, of course, went fabric shopping — and bought nothing! Granted, I had a very specific list of things I was looking for (eg black wool for cheaper than I could get online). I was specifically hoping to price silk duchesse satin, but was disappointed not to find ANY (except for a few of the new dupioni satins coming out — what’s up with that? Yes I want weird little slubs in my satin!). I did see some great striped silk taffetas that would be perfect for 18th c., and even more when I went to the Silk Trading Co. outlet (SMASHING striped silk taffetas for $15/yard, plus a $40 yard red silk damask that was a dead ringer for this portrait and totally out of my price range). But as I have fabric for two 18th c. projects already in my stash, and I’m only planning to accomplish one of those this year, it seemed silly to buy fabric just to buy fabric. So I’m feeling a bit thwarted in the fabric arena.

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19th Century Fashion in Detail – in Detail

Okay, I’m sorry, it just has to be done. I know not everyone is feeling the love for Nineteenth-Century Fashion in Detail but I sooooooooooooo am. If you care to participate, here we go:

Pg. 16, 1885-86 riding jacket: wow, the braiding is outstanding. It looks like it’s continuous all the way down the jacket. Love the pleats at the back hem — I wish we could see them in person.

Pg. 20, 1817-20 lilac walking dress: the piping on this is just so amazing. But even more I am loving the passementerie appliques. Notice the binding on the inside of the collar seam — again, that’s something I would think of as a flaw in my own sewing, but here it is!

pg. 24, 1895 jacket bodice: the velvet! I love that they put the dart into the velvet/trim/thingie.

pg. 26, 1885 brown/orange dress: I am so loving this color scheme — I have 4 yards of a lightweight floral jacquard that is a very similar color. I love the built-in jacket effect, esp. how it’s cut shorter than the “vest.” Again, check out the box pleats at the back hem!

pg 50, yellow striped 1827-29 evening dress: this is SO not me, but I love it.

pg. 52, 1840s evening dress made of 1770s fabric: note wonkiness in the cartridge pleats! If I could find fabric like this…

pg. 64, 1890-93 worth candy cane bodice: WOW. I would sell family members for that fabric.

pg. 84, 1855-60 fan-front bodice: look! It’s pleated, not gathered!

pg. 86, 1865 wedding dress: I WANT. I think it’s mostly the silk duchesse satin that keeps hitting me over the head. Love the huge box pleats at the skirt waistband.

pg. 178, 1855-57 promenade dress: I LOVE the notted fringe.

pg. 200, 1885 day dress: I love the contrast between the bold print and the simple style.