Usually, accessories are the things we leave until the end of creating our dresses, an afterthought on occasion that we scrabble to get made on the edge of our project deadline. Oddly, however, the hat for my Cherry Blossom Dress is the first item that I have completed for this project. Probably because I got… Continue reading Cherry Blossom Dress: The Hat
Tag: project
1870s Tartan Bustle Project
At the end of last year I came across a cotton tartan shirting from The Fabric Store that I felt really drawn to. I bought several metres of it, with the plan to transform it into an 1870s bustle dress. Unfortunately... I got into a debate with myself and lost to the argument that an… Continue reading 1870s Tartan Bustle Project
Striped Tissot Dress: The Overskirt
After completing the Underskirt for the Striped Tissot Dress it was time to move onto the Overskirt - hopefully with less liberal use of the seam ripper. I decided to use the Truly Victorian Bustled Overskirt (TV305) pattern, which is the same pattern I used for my Pretty Princess Dress. I had shortened the pattern… Continue reading Striped Tissot Dress: The Overskirt
Striped Tissot Dress: The Underskirt
The first part of my Striped Tissot Dress that I made up was the underskirt. This turned out to be a bit more complicated than I expected due to my stubborn perfectionism, and liberal use of the seam ripper as I undid and redid some parts. I used the Truly Victorian 1870s Underskirt pattern (TV201)… Continue reading Striped Tissot Dress: The Underskirt
Striped Tissot Dress: Introduction
Still On Top c.1874 From the first moment I laid my eyes on a picture of James Tissot's painting Still On Top (which is held in storage at the Auckland Art Gallery) I was absolutely smitten with the amazing striped dress featured. I wanted that dress in my wardrobe so badly - and I first… Continue reading Striped Tissot Dress: Introduction
2020 Mid Year Check-In
Is it really June already? I would ask the rhetorical 'where has the year gone?' question but I think everyone living in 2020 knows where the last two or three months have disappeared to. Time has gone a bit wibbly-wobbly because of Covid-19 and the resulting Working From Home, Lockdowns, and other No-Longer-Normal situations. I… Continue reading 2020 Mid Year Check-In
2020 Vision
It's a Brand New Year full of brand new possibilities and potential projects!Because I have a couple of major non-Historical-Costuming events later in the year (my best friend is getting married, and my parents will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary), I am hoping to get ad much of my sewing done earlier on in… Continue reading 2020 Vision
Pretty Princess Dress: The Underskirt
After finishing the petticoats it was time to start working on the underskirt. I fell in love with the Sea Salt silk taffeta from Silk Baron earlier in the year and knew that I wanted to use it. They're not stocking it any more so I'm so happy that I managed to purchase some before… Continue reading Pretty Princess Dress: The Underskirt
Pretty Princess Dress: First, The Foundations
My Big Project for this year is my first foray into the First Bustle Era. I've been wanting to make a new ball dress and to challenge myself by making something 'pretty' (if you've seen my earlier dresses you'll note that I'm not big on frills or froth and opt for colours one might not… Continue reading Pretty Princess Dress: First, The Foundations
Oops, I Did It Again Part I
I got distracted by the 1890s. Actually, let me rephrase that - I fell for the 1890s again. And in a big way. It started out innocently enough, with the decision to dress in the 90s for Easter instead of my original plan which had been utilising my 1880s tartan capsule wardrobe. It should have… Continue reading Oops, I Did It Again Part I
Miss Temby 