So here’s a fun topic: do you name your costumes? I was asked about this recently (again) about why I name my costumes and particularly, HOW I go about selecting a name. I’ll admit I didn’t do this for years – you know, ’cause “1883 tea dress” worked just fine at the time. For those Read More...
Search Results for: 1873 Blackberry Cream
Picking up the Pieces…
It’s hard to think of sewing and write blog posts when a most beloved family member is taken to her deathbed. My paternal grandmother left us for her eternal heavenly home on April 10th. For the past couple weeks I’ve taken a step back from the usual stresses of life. (Of course, the bills still Read More...
When is Trim Applied to a Garment?
Do you love trim and passementerie? But of course you do! It’s one of the delicious elements that draw us to 19th C. clothing. I mean, gored skirt panels are rather similar no matter what decade you’re studying, but the *trim* is really what sets styles apart. When we are trying to reproduce historical fashions Read More...
The 1905 Bodice Mockup in Real Fabric
I loved this pattern the first time I laid eyes on it. How could you not?! It’s an original McCall’s #9322 that I picked up from the Vintage Pattern Lending Library years ago at one Costume College. Of course, it’s only a copy of the original that I’m sure the VPLL handled quite carefully to Read More...
Costume College 2011 Report
What a great weekend! Seriously! Some Costume Colleges go by as ‘blah.’ This one, although it flew by, was a terrific event! It was a blast to meet up with old friends and meet new ones – including many of you who follow me here and on Facebook. Thanks for introducing yourselves to me! I Read More...
Jennifer’s Costume Portfolio
A few of Jennifer’s sewing creations from 2000 to present. Back to About Jennifer
The Magic of a Drool-Worthy Costume
Most often people come into making historical costumes because they love a particular antique garment they saw in a museum or book, or because they fell in love with some fabulous costuming in a film or TV show. I like to think that we are all striving (at least in some aspects) to make that Read More...
Selecting Color Palettes for Your Historical Costumes
You look fabulous in red. Or purple may make your heart sing. But green is calling to you recently. In all the colors we have to play with in creating our historical costumes, how do you decide what to use? What shades are complimentary to each other? Will they “look period”? And how do you Read More...