Life Happens

and all the important stuff like sewing and read inspirational blogs comes to a screeching halt.  Now that life is starting to be a bit nicer, (still some family stuff that needs to be sorted, and the house looks like a 9 year old bomb went off) I'm trying to get caught up on the important stuff.  I have plans to get back to work on the stripey Victorian.  The blouse pattern still needs to be lengthened and a new mock up sewn, then it's on to the bodice.

In the meantime, I've been drooling over a new to me site of the most gorgeous extant clothing for sale. It was posted to the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild yahoo list a couple days ago and I haven't stopped drooling on my keyboard since! (Well, there was that 3 hour period in which the husband was using the computer and picked up a wicked virus that the good folks at Dell had to spend 2 hours scrubbing from the hard drive.  Yikes!)  So many pretties, so little time!  This red silk regency is especially of interest to me.

Take a look at the bib front and it's lining.

                                 1800-1810 silk bib front www.vintagetextile.com
I'm certainly no expert in this area, but the bib front frocks I'm acquainted with have the more typical side front closing lining. It also has bust darts.  Yay!

A pair of these soft wrap stays would be a great thing to have too.  Not needing a lot of support could be a good thing for a change.

                              1810-1820 soft wrap stays www.vintagetextile.com

Looking at the back I can't decide whether the upside down L shaped bit is a separate piece or a facing.  I'm leaning toward facing. But the right side looks like it could have a seam on my monitor.  I can't get a clear enough enlargement to be positive, but based on the description, I think I'd interpret it as a facing.

I'm also deeply in love with this 1870's striped bustle.  Check out the back.

                                         1870's bustle www.vintagetextle.com
I lovelovelove, the solid color back panel!  and the sleeves!!!!

                                           1870's bustle www.vintagetextile.com



Alright, enough computer time for me.  The laundry bell went off an hour ago, and is still waiting for my attention.  And I'm assuming my child would like dinner sometime tonight.

Introduction post

Fashions of the Gilded Age vol. 1st see link at bottom of page.

I have just discovered what a thriving and fun filled place blogger has become for costumers and tatters!  So many talented people willing to share their successes and learning opportunities with the world.  And so much fabulousity!  For that I thank you all!

I've had an lj blog for a few years,  and intend to keep it, (great people there too!), but do to evolving interests, I thought I'd give blogger a go as well.

So, hello blogger! I'm a thirty mumble year old kids who loves to play dress up with my daughter.  So to feed the need, I learned to sew.  My first attempt, while not a disaster exactly, was not all I hoped it would be. Let's just say poly satin and beginning sewers don't mix.  Through a mixture of trial and error, and eventually a few sewing and patterning classes, I've graduated from beginner to improver.  I make most of my own patterns these days, but need to work on my fitting.  In a desire to not make things too small, they always end up a smidge too big.  Also, I've learned never to draft on a frumpy day.  Curves wind up being way to curvy. 

Historical costumes are my love.  Not only are they oohhhh so much more elegant than the lazy clothes of today,  but they help me to understand the social roles of women of the past.  The shaping of the female body is a good indicator of the roles we have played.  The simple elegant styles of the Regency period, reflect the more liberal attitudes of the time.  After hundreds of years of tight fitting stays and heavy fabrics,  to have the option of going without those stays must have been a very free feeling indeed!

More recently, I have picked up tatting.  It's something I've always been fascinated by,  and decided to give it a try.  Run and rewarding!  The ultimate take along project.  In an effort to get my current project finished, I've had to hide my shuttles,  but I can't wait to get back to it.

Anyhow,  I am looking forward to learning from this community and drooling over all the pretties.

The current project is this lovely natural form corselet and blouse from Fashions of the Gilded Age, by Frances Grimble.  And a skirt to go with.   www.lavoltapress.com