2011 Year in Review

Here's what I said I wanted to do:

1) a new Robe a la Francaise
2) Something with yellow striped fabric

Both done and combined into the same project!

Sense & Sensibility vest/body

Well, it is terribly far from perfect, but I've mostly finished the little velvet vest or body from Sense & Sensibility. I had both the silk lining and the silk velvet in my stash and they are a great color and matched each other! But I'd also blocked out from my Lord of the Rings days just how hard silk velvet is to work with. Blech. I'm not really happy with the wrinkles and pulls and though I tried to place my darts where the real ones are, they're not really in the right place. Oh well. I had the lace in my stash too - I actually colored the scallops with a Sharpie to imitate the real one.

It's also bag lined, which I so hate doing, especially with velvet.

The pattern was very loosely based on the same Sensibility pattern pieces.

But it's wearable, so we'll see how it looks in pics!

The only thing I have to add is the velvet covered buttons, but I'm waiting for a button blank kit to come in the mail. 

Here's a few pics of mine and of the real one:

Another 18th century pretty...

I bought one of Nicole's (http://mantuadiary.blogspot.com/) paper cutting fashion plates. I was able to frame it today with a frame and mat I had on hand. I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

Regency Pumpkin Tea painting

Look what my Mom painted!  Love it!  She did it from a sketch book she bought from the party hostess.

Love this pic!

That is all!

Montpelier Mansion Costume Exhibit

I saw this costume exhibit in 2002 at the Montpelier Mansion in Laurel, MD.

Thought I would share the pictures here too!

Here's my original page on this exhibit with everything labeled.
http://www.costumersguide.com/montpelier.shtml

Here are a few of the costumes I saw there. More at the link!

Fashion Plates

I've accumulated a bunch of these from antique shows and other places, so I thought I'd share them.


June 1871

A few more holiday tea photos

These are from Isabella:


I bought my cloak from Cindy!


Shoes! I love my yellow Devonshires!

Repro paste buckles from American Duchess

I'm really excited about these! So pretty!

Closely based on antique 18th century shoe buckles, the "Fleur" silver rhinestone buckles are the perfect accessory to keep the latchets on your 18th century shoes closed. Our "Fleur" buckles are delicate, feminine, and lightweight. Add that extra sparkle to your outfit and keep your shoes fastened in the most historically accurate and beautiful way.  Read more about the Fleur buckles here.

"Fleur" buckles come in pairs, and are available to buy  here.

Here is a link to  the other style, Dauphine.

Holiday Tea in Annapolis

I had such a fun time at our holiday tea at the 18th century Reynold's Tavern in Annapolis today! organized it and also present were my mom, , who was in my chemise gown, , , and . Hopefully I typed everyone's LJ name right! Hollie/librarycat is new in the DC area and had offered to return a book she borrowed to me this weekend since she'd be in my general area, which is when it occurred to me that it would be so much more fun if she came to the tea with us instead of just stopping by! So now she knows more east coast costumers and will hopefully be coming to more events!

The foot was really good and really plentiful. It seemed like there were plenty of options for both vegetarians and those with food allergies, so I think we'll definitely go back!

Here are some pics from the tea! Feel free to grab any you like and repost. Full set here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maggie42/sets/72157628269086157/with/6450592653/