My first ever hand stitched eyelet.

Just a quickie...Here's a couple of pics of my first ever hand stitched eyelet. The holes were made with an awl I bought from the antique shop in katoomba (for probably too much $$. I am impressed that finally I have a tool that does what it is supposed to do, and the holes turned out the way they are supposed to. Woohoo..

The eyelets are on my Regency short stays, the first one I have ever made. (I have made Victorian stays, but this is my first regency stays.

penrith Christmas Spectacular Parade 2010

WE had a fun time. It rained harder than it had all day as we started the walk. But...that didnt matter it is only water and the crowd appreciated the sight.




Thats me next to Kimber...I'm the other bell.





Toy Soldier and Wreath

Christmas Stockings made especially for the parade

KImber 1990 and Craftee

....and now we start planning for next year's parade.....

Lamia from stardust Nov 2010

Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland

Goal: Syd Supa Nova June 18 - 20 2010.


Entry #2 May 23rd 2010

Its been a while...I've been steadily toiling away at this project.
First up, I cut out the front panel of the skirt, seemed the easist thing to do.
I was going to paint the black hearts on, but after a very close up look at Costumers Guide to movie costumes site, I changed my mind and traced on the hearts in chalk then sewed the hearts on in ribbon. Looks rough but it is the effect I wanted. Then I cut out smaller hearts in gold foil lycra and ironed them on with visyfix(?) ...you know what I mean. I still have to stitch them, part of me wants to just stitch them up the middle, but they will just buckle up when washed, so I will finish the edges properly.






For the undersleeves, I've used gold satin with a black net that has velvet spots. the two pieces are sewn together then the sleeve sewn as one. I sewed the red ribbon stripes across the sleeves before sewing the seems, much easier to do then trying to trim a tube. Once the seams were sewn I added the lace and wider red ribbon cuffs.






I used black crushed velvet for the upper sleeves.( I had bought some black normal velvet but misplaced it and as I was ready now to cut out the bodice and sleeves I used what I already had).






Entry #1

I'm using Elizabethan Simplicity pattern 8881 to make this plus the collar of Simplicity 3782. I'll also make a chemisette for the shoulders of Red Queen.
Going out today in search of the remainder of the fabric needed. I already have the fabric for the outerskirt, similar but not exact, but already in my stash; Gold lining for the sleeves and front panel of the bodice.
So my shopping list for today, red underskirt material and probably for her bloomers, red lining for the overskirt, black velvet, velore or crushed velvet for the oversleeves and bodice and also the netting for the undersleeves. Thats my goal today, I can get the trim another day. Also checking for shag fur for her wig.

http://www.costumersguide.com/redQueen.shtml

1872 Vest Basque

http://trulyvictorian.com/catalog/bustlecat.html
Entry #1

So...I started this jacket at the beginning of last week, hoping to wear it as part of my steampunk for Ironfest. Well...the weather forecast was in favour of warmer conditions than expected (judging on last year's very coldness)so I decided as I didnt have the time anyway, I may as well continue at a later date.

As I already have it in store and money a bit tight, the main fabric I am using is purple pinwale corduroy with black (same fabric type) cuffs and collar, and the vest panel in purple shantung. It will be trimmed with purple crushed velvet ribbon. Just looking at the picture, I'd better not forget to find something for the lace cuffs.

For the interlining the pattern suggests something like drill, as money is tight and blah blah blah as before, I'm using a grey with black pinstripe slightly stretchy material...you wont see it and the stretch wont effect the outcome..and the lining I'm using the striped material left over from my Victorian skirt.See previous pictures: Victorian era festival October 09 or Ironfest Apr 2010.

I've already cut out all the fabric, interlining and lining pieces, and nearly all the interlining sewn to the garment pieces.

April 2010...has come and gone (Part 2)

I was glad that Wendy came along this year, it was great to have someone along who also loves to show off her costumes.

On Friday we chose Steam punk as our theme...Wendy chose hers with a touch of oriental flavour.

On Sunday we chose Regency, photos will be downloaded soon.



We also caught up with Jess who was part of the colonial re enactment group as a soldier and I think had a load of fun in the "Battle of Lithgow"

Iron Fest, Lithgow.

April 2010 ....has come and gone

Jane Austen Festival Australia

The Jane Austen festival was a lot of fun...with a full weekend of dressing in Regency.
We joined in a number of workshops which included sewing or discussing Jane Austen books, we dressed Elinor Dashwood and undressed Mr Darcy- ooohlala.

Thursday night we caught up with friends and enjoyed a wine and had a dance lesson and enjoyed a short play.

Friday, was a full day of discussion on different aspects of Jane Austen then the formal dinner Friday evening. Friday after the evening dinner was spent sewing a dress for Meg after a costume malfunction on my part. oooops forgot to measure from shoulder to under her bust when making her dress.

Saturday was basically sewing workshops for me.Then the ball in the evening.

Sunday we all met at Blundell Cottage then promenaded in costume to the Carillion where we had a picnic lunch. It was lovely weather and an excellent chance to show off our costumes to the public.

The first pic with friends shows myself in my blue Regency day dress,spencer and bonnet.

This second one is my Friday formal Evening dress. I had this one in my shop,I made some minor adjustments including taking out the zipper and adding laceups at the back.

My Day dress,spencer and bonnet for Saturday.


Meg's emergency dress for Saturday's Ball.

Myself, Wendy and Sam in our ball finery on Saturday night.


Sunday picnic group and myself and Meg in our promenade finery.