Spring Break!

Since the Vernal Equinox the weather has been spring like and just fabulous!  Trees, flowers, et al are blooming in the tepid sun but sun all the same.  Rain looms on the horizon so enjoy these glorious days! 

I haven't been posting for a while because work has been trying and taxing and exhausting and, and, and...enough said.  I just come home and watch a video I have seen a thousand times - well maybe not a thousand, but close, really close.   My old favorites which have become a comforting and well known set of sounds and images that let's me tune-out and detox.

But, with Spring break I am free for a few days to indulge myself with a bit of art, planning future costumes and to try out some recipes as well as have fun with friends.

Plans?  Oh yes, many plans! Here they are! (As ambitious as they sound I am not planning to do them all during spring break but they are plans for the near and distant future):

Knit a pair of 18th century mitts - yep, I am going to give it a go with help from a friend who is an expert at knitting.  Pattern?  http://www.marariley.net/images/Mitts2.jpg  I purchased the pattern from Mara Riley's e-patterns and hope to use those as a 'keep my hands busy' when I go to Stitch n Bitches, or other female gatherings for food, delicious gossip and fun!

I have an Art Deco Ball to attend in May, so an evening gown is in the works.  http://butterick.mccall.com/b5281-products-9615.php?page_id=371&search_control=display&list=search  I want to make this one into a evening dress just lengthening the skirt and jazz it up with some beading.  Probably in black or midnight blue?

Another gown I want to make is an 1840's day dress with matching evening bodice for Dicken's Faire next Christmas season.  This one is on the back burner but a kernel of an idea.

For my 18th century wardrobe, I want to produce the following -(remember this is a wish list) -
A Pierrot bodice jacket and muslin skirt.
A more 'evening' style Robe Anglaise.
A redingote or riding habit.
And a few accessories like a muff, chatelaines, linen caps, Lunardi hat (spelling?) and a cape or capelet.

I am going to be a busy little bee!

In the meantime, I have taken up the challenge presented by Maria at Fushia's 18th Century dress http://fuchsias18thcdress.wordpress.com to put alittle 18th century into our daily fashion:  quote - "I challenge you all to post a picture of your daily selves in your blogs, explaining how you try to bring a little of the 18th century into your 21st century fashion."  I am going to take up the gauntlet as much as I can and put a little wider scope on it for myself - bring a little 18th century into my 21st century life style.  Are you up for it?  I will post when I get the ball rolling.  Please comment and try it yourself and don't forget to share! 

Happy Spring!

More images from Tea with the Duchess

Sally Norton was very generous and shared more great photos from our tea with her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire.

Tea with the Duchess of Devonshire

Spring is on the way and with a little break from all the rain, the Greater Bay Area Costume Guild had a very successful tea at one of the oldest houses in Alameda.  For once, I had something to wear and didn't have to sew right up to the last minute!  How refreshing is that?

As the space at the venue was small and there were 25 of us, if not more, we were given the directive of no panniers, trains or other oversized skirts.  Many of us went for polonaise or robe l'Anglaise.  There were a couple of redingotes, too!

 

 

Our Hostess - Georgina

The weather was tepid but we did get outside to enjoy the sun in the shade and the last of the winter flowers.  Spring is neigh!

I think I am going to work on another wig for myself.  The one I have (see below) I built on a Sweet Heart Wig - model Delihla.  I took a class to develop an 18th century wig at last year's Costume College in Los Angeles.  What I really would like to have is similar to the ones Kiera Knightly wore towards the end of the Duchess.

 

My wig.

It works well, I think but it is beginning to show signs of wear.  Not sure how to re-work it without stripping all the curls, etc.  It is a synthetic wig so it shouldn't loose its curl.  Mmmmmm...in the meantime I really want something like:

Keira Knightly in The Duchess - a Paramount Production

Not sure if I will be able to find something like that for my frame and face.  But as soon as I figure it out I will share.

Next on my 18th century list of garments to put together are:  Mitts or fingerless gloves, a ladies lawn or lace cap, and possibly a cloak of some kind.  Eventually, I would like to add a Redingote, Pierrot and skirt to my wardrobe as well.  I have a corset that works but a wonderful friend is going to build me a new one using the new JP Ryan pattern with shoulder straps.  

At this time I am off to other projects which I will share soon but for now, I am taking a break from historical clothing and want to play around with historical food recipes for up and coming events.  Busy little bee I be!