Ever have that moment when you’re dressing for an event only to put on your bodice and the front doesn’t close? And you’re cinched down in your corset as far as you can go? Yeah, me too. You know the mockup was perfect. You spent hours fine tuning the darts and armhole. Now it Read More...
Tag: Romantic Era
The Drool Fest
What better way to enjoy historical fashion than to look at the real thing! I had the grateful opportunity to visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) over the weekend. Through rain, fog, bright sunshine and a blowing snow storm (complete with police escort!) my husband and I got to gasp, drool and Read More...
1830 Acid Green “Slytherin” Dress
Back in September 2008, the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild (GBACG) held a lovely “Wives and Daughters Picnic” in Berkeley, CA. As the Bay Area Guild always produces fantastic events, I decided to carpool up with a friend for a time period event that is rarely seen. Corded petticoats, here we come! I’d already made Read More...
Costumes Parisiens Chapeaux -1830
Now how lovely are these three head pieces? Those Romantic Era ladies had some design imagination to come up with these large feathered and laced-up toppers. Which one do you like best? Read More...
A Gown for a New Year’s Party
Here’s a pretty gown that would amaze the whole room at a historical fancy dress New Year’s ball. The lace at the neckline is perfect while the skirt hem is tucked like a puffy quilt. Remember to add the rouleaux at the hem to support that heavy puffed trim. Complete the look with tiny arrows in Read More...
5 Questions About Corded Petticoats
From the late 1820s through to the 1860s, there was a structural undergarment that was required in order to get the “proper” bell-shape to your skirt: the Corded Petticoat. It came into fashion right after the Regency era when the waist line was slowly dropping and before the American Civil War when hoop skirts were Read More...