The Birthday Masquerade – at long last!

Yes, that’s right – photos of my Birthday Masquerade, finally! (And, of course, I was clearly far too optimistic in my last post – if anyone ever tries to tell you that being a teacher is easy, please give them a slap from me.  I’ve never been so exhausted in my life.  I’m loving it, [...]

Read Full Post »

Decisions and Deadlines

Hmm… so, the problem is that I’m a bit behind schedule on my three projects: the PoP: Tamina costume for the Historical Costume Inspiration Festival; my Birthday Masquerade outfit (AKA, Lady Luck Pierrot outfit); and a waistcoat for my young man (for work and for his steampunk outfit for my Birthday Masquerade Party). Prince of [...]

Read Full Post »

Deliveries

I’ve mentioned bits and pieces that I’ve ordered and a something special for the Lady Luck Outfit, and at last it’s time for show and tell, with some things less exciting than others: Fray-stop glue (wooo, exciiiiitiiiiing  ;P  ) and spray-on fabric stiffener – that’s a little more exciting as you can build up the [...]

Read Full Post »

Birthday Masquerade Costume: Inspiration Board

I may or may not have spent most of today messing around on a new toy: Scrapblog*. The other day I realised that the reason I couldn’t find a picture of the 1780s outfit I had seen in my dream because it didn’t exist!   My unconscious mind must have put together elements of different outfits [...]

Read Full Post »

Birthday Masquerade Costume: Question For You – Lucky Symbols?

So, the Birthday Masquerade Party outfit is taking shape in my mind, but for now all I’ll say is that there will be self-covered buttons.  They will be embroidered.  With lucky symbols.  I’m quite a big fan of luck symbolism, whether I believe in it or not (one of my main MA projects was on [...]

Read Full Post »

Birthday Masquerade: Necessary Things

Being the Listophile that I am, I’ve been thinking about the items I need for my masquerade party costume – that is, essentials for a late 18th century pierrot outfit: Shift – I have one that just needs hemming. Stays – I have a half-finished pair, which I’m going to get back to work on [...]

Read Full Post »

Film Costume Love, Part I: The Good Doctor

I can’t believe I forgot to blog about this when I first saw it – clearly I had a lobotmy that week – so here it is now and my gushing about how much I love it: Yep, I said it – I don’t mean her (nothing against Lily Cole, it’s just not her I’m [...]

Read Full Post »

Gone Sailin’ – Things to read while I’m away

I’m going to be away for most of next week – I’m visiting the seaside, and this first-rate ship of the line,* huzzah! - and I didn’t want to leave my lovely readers adrift, so here is some recommended reading: For Readers (AKA everyone!) Want a tip on how to maintain your 18th century love affair?  Lauren over [...]

Read Full Post »

Cockade – fini (mostly)

I’ve just finished my cockade (well the ribbon part, still need to sew on the backing and a brooch pin) – I do rather love it. It would have been even better (and even more nautical) if I’d been able to get hold of blue and white stripe, but I’m still pleased with how it [...]

Read Full Post »

Stays, Stitches and Spectacles

What a weekend! Friday – I got home from work to this yumminess: (They’re a bit creased as I’ve hand-washed them, but haven’t ironed yet.) The photos really don’t do these fabrics justice.  I’ll confess, I’ve been too busy to do a burn test, but from the feel of the fraying threads on the cut [...]

Read Full Post »