Regency Plans

This post was originally published on 30 August 2012.

I've been really busy with uni so, as usual, I've been procrastinating by making costuming plans without actually doing anything constructive.  Since my 18th century plans are basically made and waiting on me finding time to carry them out, I've mainly been thinking about Regency.

I've got a couple of fabrics put away that I bought because I thought they might make good Regency things. The first is a printed quilting cotton in green and blue.  I think the print is technically Civil War era and I know quilting cotton's a bit heavy, but I think it'll be good for a more practical day dress. I've been thinking that a drop-front gown could be a fun thing to try and it'll make it more practical, so that's the plan.  I like this dress as a fairly plain drop-front with a gathered front and this one has really cool braided trim around the neckline, although it may not look as cool without stripes.

I also bought some white silk chiffon with little woven dots, which I think would make a fantastic evening dress but I'm having trouble coming up with something interesting to do with it.  I'm not really into the super-decorated flouncy things from the later period, but it want it to be more exciting than just a white dress. So I have to think about that, but at least I know that I need to make a petticoat to go under the chiffon (which I could use for some of my other dresses).

Then, I don't remember why, but I was looking through a book I bought in Denmark about Louise Auguste, published by Rosenborg palace, which happens to have some very lovely extant regency-era costumes in it.  In particular, it has two amazing silk velvet dresses. It also has a pattern diagram for one, though sadly it's for the one that I like less, but I'm thinking I could do something that uses the bodice and skirt of the one I like more and the sleeves of the one that has the pattern. It seems like the collection isn't online anywhere so I can't find any pictures except what's in the book... Anyway, I think it would be a really cool project, so we'll see how that goes.

And finally, since it looks like I'll be starting on a reasonable number of Regency projects, I think I might be weakening on the stays front.  I've always been a bit worried about the 'regency stays will make you look like you have no bust' thing, but I'm feeling better after looking at lots of pictures of European royalty looking for pictures of those dresses. And short stays should be reasonably quick to make. And they can't be as slow and painful as the 1780s stays.

Adventures in Patterns

This post was originally published on 24 May 2012.

I've only just started venturing into independent modern pattern companies.  I'd seen the Colette patterns at the local fabric shop but wasn't sure how good they'd look from looking at the illustrations.  Then I saw some pictures online and decided to give them a go.  I even found some perfect fabric (on sale!) to do a Rooibos, but I when went to to the shop the only dress pattern they had was Ceylon.  I decided to try it anyway, which was possibly not the best idea, given how many pieces it has - it probably wasn't going to be that quick to whip up just to see how I like the pattern company.

Ceylon by Colette Patterns

However! All went well.  I love the cute booklet and the clear instructions. The slightly unusual construction of the yoke went together beautifully and the finished product is comfortable and flattering.  I now know which sizes fit me and that I can probably get away with less fabric than the pattern says.

So now I want more! But where to start?

• I already have the fabric for Rooibos

• I have fabric which could be cute for a Chantilly or Parfait

• Macaron looks really  sweet, though it seems like finding a perfect mix of fabrics is hard

• The Beignet skirt looks really versatile and a good change from dresses

• I want some high-waisted shorts like Iris (though I don't need them, having bought 3 pairs of shorts last summer...)

I wasn't that inspired by the Sewaholic patterns - Lonsdale is a bit angular for me, and I'm not that enthused by sewing tops.  But the other day I saw the Cambie dress and I LOVE it, so I'm very willing to be converted.

And on top of those...

I want some lightweight pants for our trip to Turkey, so I should start that.

I also have some Liberty fabric to do a skirt, plus a couple more pieces I haven't decided what to do with.

Plus I love this patttern.

And this dress, which could work with the Burda pattern I've used a few times.

Oh, and this dress.

Not enough time! So many patterns to buy, and make!

18th Century Plans

This post was first published 16 March2011

While in Europe in the second half of last year I made it to as many costume museums as I could (given the rarity of such places in Australia).  I saw lots of gorgeous things, but I found that the period that was appealing to me most was the late 18^th century.  Re-watching The Duchess and Marie Antoinette helped, too.  It's a bit odd, since I previously thought the period was mostly just weird and artificial looking, but now I think it's awesome.  I think it could have a lot to do with pretty fabrics, stripes and ruffles.  At this stage I'm definitely leaning towards the last couple of decades of the century as I haven't been feeling like too much frilliness and panniers, and the construction seems more straightforward.  Well, we'll see how we go, maybe I'll be able to ease myself into the more outlandish styles gradually.

Of the museums I went to, I think I enjoyed the Brede Vaerk Museum in Copenhagen the most - lots of gorgeous costumes, and well displayed.  We managed to fit in a trip to London for 5 days and I was really looking forward to going to the V&A (I'd been before, but before I was really into costuming) only to discover when we arrived that the fashion section was closed for renovation.  Serves me right, I'm sure I could've found that out before we went.  But there were still a couple of gorgeous chintz dresses out.  The Museum of London had a great exhibition on, which I think I'd even read about before we left, with 18th and 19th century garments displayed with modern millinery.  It was very cool, although the display was a bit frustrating since it was quite dark and you couldn't see back views or anything.  Anyway, some of the photos I took are on flickr but I should put more up, too.