“How in the world did I get here?!?” In the middle of a making a costume, do you ever stop and question how you got into this hot mess? “Why am I sewing this project today??” Costuming isn’t just a “thing.” We are “involved.” As in a close relationship. As in, we show love and Read More...
Category: Jen’s Musings
Knitting Myself into a Frenzy
Ah… life with a newborn. It’ll make you re-think your life. Ha! Well, yes and no. As a new, older mom (one they call “Advanced Maternal Age” or what I jokingly referred to as “geriatric mother” 😛 ) I have found that my sewing time has been reduced dramatically* and of course I want to Read More...
What I Learned from NOT Going to Costume College
Costume College 2016 just ended. If you don’t know about it, it is a 3+ day annual conference held in the Los Angeles area and is for all costumers wanting to “up their game” through learning and being challenged by others. I’ve been attending since 2000 and been teaching since 2004. This year, my plans Read More...
Victorian Clothing and the Heat of Summer
It’s summertime for most of us – time to debunk the myth that layers of Victorian costumes are so much hotter than today’s clothing. Read More...
Duplicating Antique Garments – Do you really want it THAT historically accurate?
It’s a most wonderful thing to study antique garments then create your own reproduction based on your research! Our ancestors were wise when it came to sewing up their clothing. But then again…. It was only their clothing. We modern day costumers look at antiques with such reverence. We want to know their secrets. How Read More...
Where do the historical costuming goods & services come from?
A thought that has been on my mind lately is the appreciation (or lack thereof) of those who provide goods and services to the historical costuming community. It’s true we have a small community. But it is growing too – hooray! Sometimes I think we forget that many of those who provide patterns, fabrics, trims, Read More...
Writing Morning Pages
Aside from being a seamstress… a dressmaker, I’m a writer. I wasn’t sure of that title until many years ago my friend mentioned all the writing I do in blog posts and ebooks and sewing instructions. Yeah, ok. I loved writing short stories in junior high and high school English classes too. I’m a writer. Read More...
Book Review: Regency Women’s Dress
This book, Regency Women’s Dress: Techniques and Patterns 1800-1830 by Cassidy Percoco, had been on my radar for a couple months after first stumbling upon it on Amazon last August. I waited for the release date of October 1st only to have it appear as “out of stock.” Sigh…. So when it was available again Read More...