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...
Category: Jen’s Costume Projects
1873 Licorice Princess Dress
What is it about black dresses?? Apparently they are very well liked by the general population as I received more compliments on my new evening gown than expected. (Thank you!) And this happens to be, essentially, my first black costume aside from my 1862 cotton mourning dress. So… is it the black, or is it Read More...
Progress on the *Orange* 1838 Persimmon Puff Dress
Ok, so orange was probably the last color I would have expected to sew with. Well… at least make an entire dress out of. But then I came across THIS DRESS over at the Met Museum’s website. O.M.G. I was (and still am) in love!!! So of course I have to reproduce it…. Read More...
How Long Do Reproduction Undergarments Last?
While fitting my latest mockup (an 1838 single dart bodice with back closing), I realized I was choosing to wear my rather old corset made in 2002. This isn’t a bad thing as I love this particular corset – it gives a great shape and is fitted relatively well. My beloved cream cotton brocade Read More...
1844 Striped Summer Dress
Many years ago (like, back in 2007 – why does that sound so long ago?!) I decided to make a 1840s dress for Costume College. The class track was The Crinoline Era so I needed a dress to go over my corded petticoat. In stripes of course! I found a fashion plate to copy, pulled Read More...
1876 Trained & Ruffled Petticoat
Back in 2008 when I was making one of those every-other-year masterpiece costumes, I was insane and had to make all the undergarment layers too. From that detailed project list came the need for a trained petticoat to 1) support the trained silhouette, and 2) keep the underside of my skirt relatively clean (you know Read More...
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...
1905 Lemon Chiffon Dress
We all have those time periods that call strongly to us. Over and over and over. The hats. The dresses. The undergarments. The jewelry…. Then you get an opportunity to make it. Not that you didn’t have one before. But it now takes center stage… The moment has arrived. You grasp it, taking it by Read More...