Category: events

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Moulin Rouge Party

So I really didn’t much care for Moulin Rouge when it first came out — see my review in which I complain about the seizure-inducing editing and period-esque costumes. But I was talked into attending the 5th annual Moulin Rouge party, mostly because it was held in an amazing Victorian home and because it just sounded like fun. So I hauled out various Victorian undies and my vintage 1920s kimono and off I went — and had a lovely time! The house was stunning in and of itself, and beautifully decorated. Everyone was dressed fabulously, with costumes ranging from Victorian undies to traditional Indian attire. And while it’s still not my favorite movie ever, I have to say a second viewing improved it (maybe it was the champagne?)

I only took a few photos, partly because a professional photographer was there (I’ll cross-post when those images surface) and because I was trying to take natural light photos, so not all turned out. But what did is here.

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Costume College Musings

Got my classes for Costume College – yay! I got into Sleeve Drafting (triple yay) and Blackwork (which were the only ones I wanted), waitlisted for Sally Queen. Oh well, if I don’t get in I’ll take a nap and be well rested for the Thurs. evening festivities (and maybe even have enough energy to dress up!), which brings me to…(warning: boring rambling ahead)

What to wear to Costume College? <– whiny voice. I usually go with what I’ve made the past year, which is very pathetic this year: I made the LOTR dress and the evening bodice to my candy cane 1875 dress (I wore the day version last year). Pathetic! Of course, I have all the half-started/finished projects, like the 1780s jacket, the 1909 suit, and the 1560s Nuremberg dress.

Or I can go with what classes I’m teaching — Saturday I’m doing Venetian Renaissance (so I could wear my courtesan gown, which I wore last year); Sunday is 1830s (at 9am!! I’m so not dressing up for that) and 18th century (I’ll wear my robe a l’anglaise (ex-roundgown, ex-caraco).

So. What to do? I have a yen to crank some things out in time, but then I have all these half-finished projects which irritate me… Hrm. The one thing I do know is I want to make the 1910 Lady Maud Warrender dress for the gala. So that means:

Thurs. night LiveJournal meetup: ??
Friday: ??
Saturday day: ?? (maybe courtesan dress for the class, altho I wore it last year?)
Saturday night (Gala): 1910 Lady Maud dress
Sunday: 1780s robe a l’anglaise (indienne print/current project)

Finished contenders for all the ?? slots include: 1910 Wings of the Dove dress, 1923 Gatsby dress, LOTR dress.
Unfinished contenders include: 1780s jacket (not too hard, fix the fitting issues and maybe make a stomacher), 1909 suit (which I really want to make, but seems like it may take a really long time to complete), 1560s Nuremberg dress (not too bad, just have to find trim for the brustfleck, remake bodice, make sleeves), 1796 dress (which I’ve been really really meaning to make for years), or the 10 yards of black silk satin in my closet that is crying out to be an 1880s afternoon gown or turn-of-the-century ball gown.

Hrm!

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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!

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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!

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Costume College Classes (Mine)

Just got my list of what I’ll be teaching at Costume College. Three overviews of women’s costume: 1830s, late 16th c. venice, and 1750-1780. Yay! Should be fun. The 1830s one I’ve done twice before, so that’s easy. Just did the 18th c. one at Costume Academy; I’ll make some tweaks to that. And the Venice one should be fun as I’ve done way too much research on that, plus it hasn’t been done before at CC to my knowledge.

Now here’s a random question for you Costume College attendees: do you like it better when the instructor wears a costume from the period, so you can see what it looks like on and (hopefully) get inspired? Or would you prefer to have the costume on a hanger/mannequin, so you can look at the construction?

And I guess this helps me determine which costumes I’m hauling to Costume College this year! Although I still need something new and fabulous for the gala… Hmm. I was considering making this 1910 evening dress, but now I have the 18th c. bug! I could wear my caraco and petticoat but I don’t think that will be very showy, or my 1875 evening gown which is very showy, but I wore the day version last year (so maybe it won’t seem very exciting to sort-of wear again. Although it is really cute, imho). Hmm! What do you think?