This year, after eight years in the same house (our first one), I find myself having to pack up and move a *stuffed* 8 x 10 ft room full of sewing “stuff” and miscellanea. When I started out, ok… when I started thinking about doing that I froze. I procrastinated. I sighed. How in the Read More...
Category: Jen’s Musings
6 Traits of Accomplished Historical Costumers
We all have those few REALLY good costumers who we look up to and admire. Your list of names may be similar to mine but both contain brilliant, creative people who astound and inspire us. We want to be them when we grow up! No matter the simplicity or detail produced by your sewing heroes, Read More...
Being real. A note from the heart
While listening to a podcast from Steven Furtick last week, a moment of inspiration and conviction came over me to share some thoughts with you. An honest confession of my (costuming) life in the last few months. Most of my readers think of me researching Victorian fashions and prancing around the house in bustle dresses Read More...
Naming Your Costumes
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...
Books obtained at Costume College 2014
Every year in my Costume College budget planning I give myself some spending money for books. Because… BOOKS! Some years are rather dry of good resources to pick up; others – too many to narrow down the purchase. This year I managed to find four that needed to come home with me: one that’s been 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...
Everybody Has Different Goals
Maybe you’ve been there – a new costumer at your first dress-up event. You are so enthusiastic you didn’t even sleep much last night. (Either because you were too excited or you were finishing your costume… just like the rest of us.) But then you experience the horrible occurrence of someone telling you – to your Read More...
How to Sit in a Hoopskirt
Since I posted How to Sit in a Victorian Bustle, I’ve had quite a number of you pipe up that you wanted to see a video on how to sit in a hoopskirt. Well, my dear readers, you’ve asked for it and now it’s here! It’s not as complicated as you think, so enjoy this Read More...