| Cropped Vest Diary: Part 1 | Jul. 13th, 2009 @ 01:06 am |
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This is something new for me, and I admit it's a bit of an intimidating project. I've long admired those cute little women's vests that are more accessories than garments, but it isn't until recently that I've felt comfortable enough to wear something so fitted. A lot of the ones that I've seen for sale have a deep V-neck more in line with traditional menswear; that's fine and dandy, but it's a terrible cut on me. I've also been unable to find one in a fabric I like at a price I can afford.
The conclusion? I'll just have to make one for myself. This is the first time I've made something for everyday wear rather than for a costume, so I'm hoping it comes out well.
Seeing as this is an exercise in frugality as well as fit, I went digging through my pattern stash to see if I had anything suitable. I picked up McCalls 5186 a couple years ago to make a costume for a friend, so I have the pattern packet for her size and not mine. I'm going with view D, which is slightly shorter and has a nice scoop neckline (also, all the pattern pieces were intact as I'd used a different view before ;) ). I traced the pieces onto tracing paper, grading up from a size 12 to a size 20 as best I could. The muslin fit fairly well, all things considered. The side seams were hitting right under my arms, but the curved front seams were too far to the sides, and there was a huge gap at the CF. I added an inch and a half to the side front pieces (though I think a little bit more would have been better), which put the bust shaping at roughly the right place. To check where all the finished edges would be hitting, I turned under and basted the seam allowances down along the front and bottom edges. There's still a bit of a gap at the opening, especially considering it needs to overlap for the buttons, so after these pictures I sliced up the front pattern piece and added about 5/8" which should give me plenty of room.
( Muslin pictures under here... )
Tomorrow I'll go digging through the stash and see if I have anything out of which I'd actually want a vest, and pick up a coordinating lining fabric accordingly. There's a lot of fabric in those bins in the closet, but I'm not sure I have anything appropriate for a "professional" garment. We'll see!
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| MASQUERAAAADE! | Jul. 13th, 2009 @ 09:58 am |
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I've been re-vamping the Masquerade costume (new site address: http://aneafiles.webs.com/starprincess.html ).
When I first started on this costume, I thouht layers and layers of tulle would give me the skirt I wanted. It didn't. It mostly made the skirt too heavy and tube-shaped, I wanted a light and bell-shaped skirt.
When making the underskirt for the Aminta costume, I experimented by making ruffles of semi-stiff netting, and wow what an effect! So I decided to adapt this for the Masquerade skirt. I removed some of the pink tulle layers, and added a blue netting ruffle in one of the bottom layers. What a difference! I've also fixed the hem a bit, cutting rounded "tabs" (using a CD as pattern) in the three top layers. I will eventually decorate the upper layer of tabs with silver sequences or similar. But this was definitely a major step in the right direction.
Y'all know how the colour change when taking pics with flash...? Yup, here too. The skirt isn't nearly as baby pink as it comes off here. It's more a hot pink with a greenish golden layer partly visible, creating a glittering surface with a changing colour. There's also more colour to the beads of the bodice in real life.
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| BIRTHDAY, PART 2 | Jul. 13th, 2009 @ 09:40 am |
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Due to a wonderful family and lovely friends, I celebrated by birthday on July 4.th. As this is both the American constitution day AND the birthday of the Queen of Norway, we figured it was a grand day to throw a party... he-he.
I don't think I've celebrated my birthday this much since... ever. And it was a lovely, lovely day.
The theme was Greece, as illustrated here by "Rickers in da Snickers" in an authentic Greek dress. Apart from decorations, also the music and the food was Greek-styled. Opa!
Three of the people I studied with in Greece (including my lovely room-mate Kari) came. It was SOOO nice to see them again!
A boat sailed me and some other guests to the idyllic place where the celebration took place
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) sneprinsesse danced two cool and very different belly-dances
The main hosts: the equally lovely cousin Gro and sister Illagete
What's a Greek party without grapes on the head?
...seriously...
  
...everybody should wear grapes on their head...
I got so many nice and thoughful presents. Books, wine, oils, creams, teas, concert tickets... So many things I can indulge myself with, which is always a perfect present. Thank you so much to all of you, both for presents, effort in putting this party together, and overall kindness and love. This was a great evening!
(and sorry for the lack of pics other than the few above... I took too few pics myself, and haven't gotten any from the other guests yet)
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| Armless | Jul. 12th, 2009 @ 10:39 pm |
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After much procrastination, the trunk hose are finally finished! The last step was putting the lacing holes in at the fly and on the canions. In Janet Arnold, the Grimsthorpe trunk hose (pp 74-77) have two pairs of lacing holes at the front - one on the waistband and one about halfway down the fly opening. The other two pairs fasten with a button fly and with a combination of hooks and eyes and lacing holes. I had previously made a pair of trunk hose that had eyelet holes in the same positioning as the Grimsthorpe ones, and was not completely satisfied with the way they looked when closed, so I did a row of seven lacing holes down each side of the fly and laced them up using spiral lacing with a bar tack at the top and bottom. There is no evidence in Janet Arnold for canions that open at the back (on the Grimsthorpe pair there is a note that the canions may have opened at the side) - this is an adaptation I had to make when a previous pair didn't fit properly, and I used it again because it allows me to tighten the fit of the canions once they are on.
( Pictures! )
The doublet will eventually have sleeves that lace on under the shoulder wings, but first I have to do some retrofitting on my shirts. Earlier in my costuming career I visited the Museum of Costume in Bath and made a few detailed sketches of a shirt that was on display there, then came back and made my own shirt based on the embroidery pattern and what I could see of the construction. I have now decided to make a number of changes based on the patterns in the new Janet Arnold and my experiences wearing the shirt.
( Description and Pictures! )
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| Coalbiting | Jul. 13th, 2009 @ 04:12 pm |
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Saturday was very pleasantly spent with sazabhadri and edm, both giving me cups of tea so that I didn’t have to go back to my icy house for a bit longer. Sunday, I stayed at home, mostly, curled up by the wood stove beside my cat. We jockeyed for the best, right-in-front-of-the-fire spot. Pleasant, but I’ve been doing that for the past two months. I am ready for the willows and kowhai to turn yellow, for the songbirds to come back, to leave the house and not be shocked by the damp, penetrating cold.
Work is having a moment. I’m trying hard to master more of the theory behind the microwave radios that make your mobile phone and your wireless work. As far as the information superhighway goes, it’s about laying down the asphalt and arranging for drainage, not designing the sexy sports cars. Not sexy geek stuff, but it is geek stuff. It’s all math, physics, and acronyms, and I’ve never been stellar at any of that, so I am feeling stupid the week before my performance review. |
| I think this goes under "general nattering" | Jul. 12th, 2009 @ 06:20 pm |
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Hi everyone!
So, last night, I was watching the Emily of New Moon television show (which is very absorbing and great), and I got to wondering who I'd cast as Emily if there was a new adaptation. (If it included all the three novels (Emily of New Moon, Emily Climbs and Emily's Quest I mean.)
Here are my suggestions for who should play what.
It's all just for fun, but I'd love your input.
Thnaks. :) |
| Birfdays! | Jul. 12th, 2009 @ 03:17 pm |
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| Happy Birthday Binky! :-) | Jul. 12th, 2009 @ 11:58 pm |
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( I wish you... )( I wish you... )Current Mood:  cheerful |
| Icon post: Costume drama | Jul. 12th, 2009 @ 09:32 pm |
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I want you to credit if you use any, and I require that you don't hotlink them, but other than that please enjoy!
Wives and Daughters 9
North and South 2
The Piano 5
Cheri 3
Little Dorrit 5
The Young Victoria 2
The Duchess 7
Our Mutual Friend 6
  
ICONS |
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| Beaubatons Dress Diary 3 | Jul. 11th, 2009 @ 11:29 pm |
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another update. i finished these things a few days ago but havent had time to update. so im catching up now :0) here is a link to my progress
so for reference. here is what i am shooting for:  |
| Drabblepalooza Part IV! | Jul. 11th, 2009 @ 04:03 pm |
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( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )Current Mood:  accomplished Current Music: T Rex - Ballrooms of Mars |
| Dis, dat 'n' d'other | Jul. 10th, 2009 @ 11:46 pm |
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| quilted petticoat | Jul. 10th, 2009 @ 11:07 pm |
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So I've recently started a large project, an 18th century hand quilted petticoat. Yeah I know what kinda smartie starts a project involving a layer of wool batting in July...For more adventures in hand sewing...
( In which we discover the hand quilting learning curve )
Current Mood:  mellow |
| BBC's 2009 Emma Trailer | Jul. 10th, 2009 @ 03:12 pm |
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The BBC's website now has a list and trailers of upcoming programs HERE, including the 2009 adaptation of Emma and an interesting-looking 18th century legal drama called Garrow's Law starting Andrew Buchan (Jem Hearn in Cranford, St. John Rivers in Jane Eyre) and Alun Armstrong (Inspector Bucket in Bleak House).
[link taken from Pemberley.com] |
| Accessorized and Crystalized | Jul. 10th, 2009 @ 06:11 pm |
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Soooo much work!! I still need to make some minor adjustments to the main dress, and I'm experimentingwith some big ribbon roses, not sure if I'll have time to finish those or not yet though.
As for right now though I have accessories!!! I finished up the fan with a few mounting disasters, made a large head bow, brooch to go on the neckline, and a matching purse!
( Photos under here..... )
This was my first time making a purse, it's really rough, but I learned a lot, so next time will be much better!
I wish I could capture the sparkle from all the crystals, they are really shiny!!!
Still need to finish up the main dress, I don't have long to go so should have the final update soon!
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| Regency spencer diary #1 | Jul. 10th, 2009 @ 05:04 pm |
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So, I've started on the Regency spencer for the Time Travel picnic. I don't really have any aspirations about finishing it today, since it's being finicky, and I only really started it about an hour ago. This is my first try using this pattern, and since I'm not as familiar with the cut of the era, I'm having difficulty figuring out what's expected, and what's not well fitted.
( Read more... )
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| Insuring The Dress | Jul. 10th, 2009 @ 04:43 pm |
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You would not have thought that this was difficult, and yet it has me tearing my hair out. I'm sick of hearing "Oh... um... noooo, we don't do that kind of thing."
My business insurance people have hemmed and hawed for two months and concluded that it's just too unusual a request to spark their interest.
My home insurance people will not touch it because it's business.
Re-enactors' insurance will only cover half its value, and only for a whole year, not a single event, at a cost of over £100 ($160). This might be the nearest thing I can get, however.
Any suggestions? I'd like to avoid insuring it to sit in my closet for 358 days. I've also emailed Angels for advice.Current Mood:  frustrated |
| Elizabethan Dress Progress | Jul. 10th, 2009 @ 10:09 am |
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Dress progress! I was up until 1am last night working. Like a good book, it's hard to put a good project down. I made tons of progress but unfortunately I only have a small smattering of photos of it.
( What there is is under here )
Thanks for looking! (cross posted to my own LJ) Also for anyone who's interested I just noticed it has been exactly one month since I sketched up this design!
Current Mood:  sleepy |
| Costume College teacher question | Jul. 10th, 2009 @ 11:12 am |
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I'm working on my handout. I want to provide a complete guide to binding stays that will potentially be an expanded version of what I can deliver in class time. If time gets short, I can say "It's all in the handout."
Currently this runs to 20 pages, with a heck of a lot of photos. I already have arrangements made so that I don't have to print them here and take them with me, but that's still a lot of paper and a lot of ink if I'm arranging 40 copies.
Is a paper handout necessary/expected? I might be better off providing a CD of it, or a download link so that students can access it afterwards, although I appreciate that it might be useful for students to have something written down to follow in class.
The structure of the class will be demonstration - very low-tech, with giant corset tabs clipped to the flipchart for me to bind. I'm also considering whether to provide bits and pieces for students to try out with.
I know Bess is doing CDs, but are you providing a paper handout too Bess? Any one else have thoughts on this?
ETA: Solved! I've made an abbreviated handout and given drections to get the full version online or by email. Thank you!
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| icon post | Jul. 10th, 2009 @ 08:36 am |
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[24] TV: including Friends, OTH, Southland & others.
[05] Misc
[05] Movies: including Cheri, Grease, Guys and Dolls & others.
[21] Austen adaptations (including banners)
[02] The History Boys (banner & icon set)
Teasers:
  
The rest are here @ ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) laughinatclouds |
| LOTR Event: Pottery | Jul. 10th, 2009 @ 03:24 pm |
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The potter for Lord of the Rings, Mirek Smisek, is having an exhibition of his work at Mahara Gallery in Waikanae. It's on until August 16th. It's free and there's an exhibit catalog for sale.
On studio visits, I've bought items from him as gifts for some of my fandom friends. Here's a cute page with some Mirek photos, though not his delightful pottery - and yes, Mirek is quite the ladies' man. Isn't that right, ithilwen? |
| Apologies if this has been posted before | Jul. 9th, 2009 @ 02:33 pm |
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But there is a 2 minute preview of the BBC's new adaption of 'Emma' here, if you go along the carousel thing and find Emma then you can watch the clip =)
I didn't know that Blake Ritson was in this adaption - now I am excited XD |
| Edwardian walking skirt diary #3 | Jul. 8th, 2009 @ 10:54 pm |
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The skirt is done! I'm so proud of myself. Pictures below the cut, as always.
( Read more... )Current Mood: accomplished |
| By jove I think I'm on to something here... | Jul. 8th, 2009 @ 02:21 pm |
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dorky
busy
Hmmmmm...