Reproduction tiaras

Those of you who know me know I love tiaras.  They just make me so happy!  Not surprisingly, I have a few.  A while ago I came across a seller on Ebay who periodically sells reproductions of authentic tiaras.

The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland:

Available at Seperwar

or in a smaller version:

Prussian Diamond Tiara of 1913

Available at Seperwar

Diamond and pearl tiara of Queen Maud of Norway:

Available at Seperwar

1910 Cartier tiara:

Available at Seperwar

The Swedish Nine Prong Diamond Tiara:

Available at Seperwar

And they also have come out with popular antique tiaras, like these original star tiaras

Available at Seperwar

and even pieces inspired by films, like the Great Gatsby bandeau tiara

A similar design available at Seperwar

They have many more reproduction tiaras that I have not shared here, including the Queen Mary Fringe Tiara, the Belgium Scroll Tiara and Queen Victoria's Oriental Circlet Tiara.  If you do not see them for sale today,  just wait...they reappear for sale!

(Disclaimer:  I am not in any way affiliated with Seperwar of Ebay.   I do not get kickbacks of any sort.  In fact, they probably wish I would stop emailing them with wishes for tiara designs.)

Downton Abbey Costume Exhibit

The Downton Abbey Costume Exhibit is currently in a close neighboring state, so my friends and I made plans to go see it.  Of course I needed a new afternoon outfit to do honor to the collection!

I was inspired by the red, black, and white suit ensemble from 1913

The Jacket:

I remembered seeing a cool suit in the Edwardian Modiste that had a cutaway jacket that I liked, so I used that as my pattern.  I cheated, and the sleeves/cuffs were from the Simplicity 2581.  Red cotton, black poly lining, black soutache trim on collars and cuffs.

The Blouse:  I decided I wanted a blouse instead of a vest.  I used the Laughing Moon #104 guimpe blouse pattern with a striped cotton gauze from Fashion Fabrics Club and some cotton crochet lace on the neck and cuffs.  Underneath the blouse is a nightgown from JC Penny.  Perfect cheat for an edwardian sleeveless chemise!

The Skirt:  I had a cool variated stripe in black and white in my Fabric Stash which was perfect.  I used the Butterick 4092 and added some black linen covered buttons.  I made a belt from wide black grosgrain ribbon and an antique buckle I had on hand.

The cuffs are a combo of soutache I sewed down in a pattern I drew out, and a roll of vintage zig-zag soutache I got at a local "opera house" sale.  I also edged the collar in the vintage soutache: