Perhaps you’ve been thinking about how to incorporate your love of historical fashion with your everyday lifestyle but find it challenging to wear a bustle dress to your weekly grocery store outing. You are not alone! So many of us in the historical costuming community have – for years! – been trying to add those Read More...
Tag: Silhouette
Podcast 007: The Biggest Challenge in Achieving the Historical Look
No matter how long you’ve been sewing and making historical ensembles, one of the biggest challenges that presents itself with each project is getting the silhouette “correct.” That look you create that identifies your costume as being from a specific fashion era and is recognizable as such. The key is to work with your specific Read More...
1883 Summer Rose Tea Dress
Do you remember your first true historical costume? Did you like it? My first Victorian gown was made specifically for the first Costume College year I attended (in 2000) for the Sunday Fantasy Tea that year. Since I had been making my own clothes from the time I was in junior high (mid-1980s) I knew Read More...
Before Frosting You Must First Bake the Cake!
I’ve been sewing for so long (nearly 30 years!) that all the prep work that goes into a garment seems boring to me. You know… washing, ironing, sewing endless straight seams on underskirts, hems, etc…. Apparently I forget that all the work that goes into creating the foundation of the silhouette IS what’s so important Read More...
Recognizing Excellent Fit with the Untrained Eye
“WOW! That costume is amazing!!” I said out loud, wiping the drool from my keyboard. I don’t know if you’ve come across Merja’s Instagram or her Blogger site, but she is a superbly talented costumer. I think what attracts me most to Merja’s work is the incredible fitting job. Truly stunning! With her projects it’s Read More...
The Purple Silk Edwardian Corset
Made from the same blackberry cream silk I used on my 1873 ruched gown, I can now add Edwardian corset to my list of completed projects. Yay! Last summer Heather over at Truly Victorian came out with the most delicious surprises – she had ventured over the Century mark into the Edwardian Era. Did you Read More...
3 Tips to Prevent the Lampshade Hoopskirt
Successful historical costuming begins with the silhouette (among other things). When the dress is “just not right,” take a look at how it appears. Sometimes the proportions are off. Sometimes the undergarments hang funny. Other times it’s simply the support shape the entire costume is built on. Reproduction hoop skirts from the Mid-Victorian era, the Read More...
Searching for Historical Supplies from Chain Fabric Stores
It seems like every historical costumer’s journey to a closet full of pretty things to wear always includes a trip… or two… or three… to the local fabric store. We inevitably find ourselves on the quick run to grab thread, hook & eyes or even ribbon. But for so many of us (and yes, I Read More...