How to hold a fan when posing for photos in costume
How to hold a fan when someone is taking a photo of the dress you spent weeks making. This way, the fan doesn't cover up your bodice or skirt trim someone is trying to see.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Using The Edwardian Modiste pattern book
Many of us have the beautiful Edwardian Modiste book by Frances Grimble. It's filled with dozens and dozens of lovely patterns...that I had no idea how to enlarge.
Thankfully, when you Google it, a wonderful tutorial by Festive Attyre pops up! She posted a two-part video series explaining how the rulers work and how to draw the patterns.
Here it is:
The Glorious Tutorial by Festive Attyre
So I got out a big roll of brown paper, a clear ruler, a French curve, my carefully chosen rulers (I needed three of them) and set to work.
Eventually all the information pertaining to how to use these patterns will be in one place.
So wish me luck!
Thankfully, when you Google it, a wonderful tutorial by Festive Attyre pops up! She posted a two-part video series explaining how the rulers work and how to draw the patterns.
Here it is:
The Glorious Tutorial by Festive Attyre
So I got out a big roll of brown paper, a clear ruler, a French curve, my carefully chosen rulers (I needed three of them) and set to work.
Ahh, look! I did it!! I made the front piece!
BUT WAIT!
I moved on to the side front piece and noticed something I didn't understand. One seam allowance said "1/2 space" and another said "E-space". I assumed 1/2 space meant half an inch (it didn't...more on that later), but what the heck does "E-space" mean??
I knew the author was a regular over on a FB Edwardian costume community, so I posted my query there. Turns out I wasn't the only one who didn't know, and that made me feel better. But finally someone DID know: Heather McNaughton of the most wonderful patterns I've ever used, Truly Victorian (if you like Victorian costume and haven't used her patterns, buy them all now. You'll save buying in bulk LOL). She explained that "1/2 space" didn't mean 1/2", it meant the first "1/2" marked space on the ruler you are using from the book, not a regular ruler. E-space meant to use the first "E" marked on that same ruler. OOOOOOOOH!!! Now, which ruler?? I needed three for this garment. She said to use the horizontal ruler (bust measure) because my garment uses that for ALL horizontal measurements even though it continues to the floor.
Eventually all the information pertaining to how to use these patterns will be in one place.
So wish me luck!
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Costuming Books
A friend just turned me on to this book by Rachel Pollack called "Sticks In Petticoats". It's all about modern parasol construction and design. Whoo hoo!
"Written as a resource for costumers and propbuilders in the performing arts industry, this reference volume contains a range of in-depth information on the design, construction, and repair of parasols. Chapters include a brief history of the parasol, step-by-step instructions on different patterning methods for parasol canopies, and suggestions for making material and trim choices. Numerous illustrations, diagrams, and photographs augment the text, and appendices include a thorough glossary of parasol component terms. Sticks in Petticoats is an invaluable addition to any costumer or propbuilder's professional library.
This edition contains over a dozen full-color interior photographs by Ryan Jones."
Friday, March 7, 2014
New "new" parasols on the market
Hello everyone! I had posted a little while ago about buying modern made parasols when you don't want to bring a fragile, beloved antique parasol to your event for whatever reason. Maybe you're afraid you'll lay it down at a picnic and it'll get stepped on or even lost. It's happened to the best of us!
I had shared an image of a black lace parasol for which I could no longer find a source, but that's all changed!! Check it out from Old Mill Mercantile on Ebay:
Comes in red, white, or black and has a natural wood handle for only $9.99!
I had shared an image of a black lace parasol for which I could no longer find a source, but that's all changed!! Check it out from Old Mill Mercantile on Ebay:
Here's another I hadn't spotted before.
Comes in red, white, or black and has a natural wood handle for only $9.99!
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
3rd Annual Francaise Dinner
Wow, I had no idea when I helped launch the 1st Francaise Dinner that it would turn into an annual thing. I didn't run it this year (Judy did), but attended as a guest. I wore the same gown the first and second years, so I wanted a new one this year. One that would actually show up in photos, which my lovely black with black trim gown did not.
As usual, I used a commercial pattern. The Simplicity 3637, which is OOP, but not too hard to find on Ebay or Etsy. If you have patience and ask Ebay to email you whenever it pops up, you can get it cheaper than the usual BIN high prices.
I like this pattern a lot. I find it pretty easy to put together as long as I transfer all the markings and follow the directions carefully. The pattern calls for something like 20 yards of fabric, but I used 13-15 yards of 60" fabric to make mine. I could have gotten away with less for two reasons:
1) It's possible to make the back of the petticoat out of a less expensive fabric because no one sees it.
2) I'm 5'5", and I had to cut off like 8" from both the petticoat and the overgown skirt when I hemmed them. I suppose the pattern maker gave directions for the tallest possible person (or the highest heels?). Seriously, all that extra hem fabric could have gone towards sleeve flounces or trim strips.
Things I'll remember for next time:
1) Cut out the big pieces first and then use the scraps to cut out the bodice.
2) The upper sleeve flounce is just a suggested size and shape.
I didn't use the bottom sleeve flounce pattern piece because I used my left over embroidered net lace trim from the Regency bonnet (trim from ejoyce.com)
3) I used almost all of the 24 yards of gold trim I bought to trim the trim.
4) The sleeves are on the small/more fitted side.
Snowbear loves to show off how much her eyes match the fabric
As usual, I used a commercial pattern. The Simplicity 3637, which is OOP, but not too hard to find on Ebay or Etsy. If you have patience and ask Ebay to email you whenever it pops up, you can get it cheaper than the usual BIN high prices.
I like this pattern a lot. I find it pretty easy to put together as long as I transfer all the markings and follow the directions carefully. The pattern calls for something like 20 yards of fabric, but I used 13-15 yards of 60" fabric to make mine. I could have gotten away with less for two reasons:
1) It's possible to make the back of the petticoat out of a less expensive fabric because no one sees it.
2) I'm 5'5", and I had to cut off like 8" from both the petticoat and the overgown skirt when I hemmed them. I suppose the pattern maker gave directions for the tallest possible person (or the highest heels?). Seriously, all that extra hem fabric could have gone towards sleeve flounces or trim strips.
Things I'll remember for next time:
1) Cut out the big pieces first and then use the scraps to cut out the bodice.
2) The upper sleeve flounce is just a suggested size and shape.
I didn't use the bottom sleeve flounce pattern piece because I used my left over embroidered net lace trim from the Regency bonnet (trim from ejoyce.com)
3) I used almost all of the 24 yards of gold trim I bought to trim the trim.
4) The sleeves are on the small/more fitted side.
Snowbear loves to show off how much her eyes match the fabric
I shortened the horizontal length of the petticoat skirt because my hip pockets are not as large as the pattern calls for.
It's together, but not trimmed yet. Hrm...those sleeves need to be rotated!
Almost done! Needs decorations on the stomacher
Here I am at the dinner
It was a truly lovely event! We had prizes and giveaways from American Duchess, Portmanteau Fashions and shopping from The Bohemian Belle, In The Long Run, and Dames a la Mode. The company, however, was priceless!
(photo by Bohemian Belle)
Photo by http://inthelongrun.wordpress.com/
Photo by http://inthelongrun.wordpress.com/
Here are all the photos I took as well as some from a few other guests
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14941369@N07/sets/72157641774366714/
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