Author: kendra

I’ve been too busy to update my webpage and far too busy to sew! Finally some progress on my 1836 evening gown…

This is only my most ideal shoe in the whole world. Sob.

You know you’re way too into your hobby when you go to college for it. Costume College is just about the coolest thing around for a sewing geek like me. Not only do they have lecture-type classes (eg overview of Regency dress), but also day-long hands-on workshops where you’ll make a corset (or some other semi-difficult item) with a teacher who knows what they’re talking about. This year I’m hoping to take period hair & makeup, Victorian mourning, Dickens caroling bonnet (hands-on workshop), and who knows what else! There’s also costume exhibits and a marketplace full of dealers selling everything from books to patterns to boning to hats to…

Costume College 2002 is July 19-21 in Van Nuys, Calif.

I’ve been redesigning the site for some time now to incorporate my new penchant for blog software. I’ve been particularly impressed by Heather’s site, Sew Hip It Hurts, especially her breakdown of each project into concept, fabric, the result, useful links, etc. So I stole it!

Fabulous costume portrait of the day: Federic de Madrazo Y Kuntz’s Lady Amalia of Llano and Dotres, the Countess of Vilches.

I spent about an hour on Sunday reading the Extreme Beauty exhibit catalog from the Met at Hennessey + Ingalls bookstore in Santa Monica (I love this bookstore! HUGE fashion/costume collection). While most of the book centers on more modern clothing, there is a decent smattering of period clothing, like these corset covers. The coolest thing was a great photo of the arm pads worn under 1830’s and 1890’s sleeves.