Retrophile

It is a bit early, but... I have been getting the itch to plan for my Dicken's fair dress. This is partly because I am insane and can't stop myself and partly because I want to be able to hit up summer sales on fabric! Above is this years inspiration pictures. I want to make a similar combo to the one on the left. I love the tiered skirt and the huge fur trimmed jacket. I am not sure of colors or such, but that will come later. Right now I just wanted to get a feel for what it will look like. This will be a 1850's Winter Promenade Gown and Coat. I want to eventually take it up to the snow this winter and take pictures of myself in it. I also want to get some good pics of my other dresses I have made from this era. I currently have two. One is a carriage dress from about 1848, the other is a bustle gown from I believe the 1870's. Below is the pattern I am going to use for my coat. I do want to make few modifications to it though. For one, I am going to make the co...

So, the other day I went pattern shopping! You have to love Hancock's dollar pattern sales. I actually found some non-costume patterns this time. For one I was actually looking for some work clothes patterns and two I pretty much have all of the costume patterns that are worth having right now (from butterick, simplicity and mccall's). Yes I might have an addiction. But my reasoning is, patterns go out of print and you will never know when you will need it. So, its nice to have it on hand already. This week simplicity patterns were on sale. I found a few good ones that I am gonna use for work clothes. Simplicity 3684 I really like the front detailing on this shirt. I don't know about the puffy lower sleeves. We will see how it turns out. Simplicity 2338 Now, you are gonna laugh at why I got this pattern. If you have every seen Julie and Julia, this dress (view B) looks just like the dress that Julia and her sister wear to a party. I absolutely l...

Hello All, So I finally think I have settled on a new look for the blog. I had been meaning to tweak it for a while now. I think this one suits it's mission much better than the other. What do you guys think out there? I would love your input. As for the dress, I do have a quick update for you all. I have finally cut out the pattern pieces. Guess I met all my goals for this week: clean up craft room and cut out pattern pieces. I am going to try and get the rayon cut out today. So far the pattern is looking pretty easy. There aren't really any complicated pieces to it. I think the main challenge is going to be working with the fabric. So wish me luck and I am off to cut out rayon. Happy Sewing everyone.