Le Modiste: Celebrating the last days of Summer!

Annually, the Art Deco Society of California. http://www.artdecosociety.org/ has their last days of summer picnic at the Dunsmuir House in Oakland California http://www.dunsmuir-hellman.com/.This afternoon is always a fun and celebratory affair where we can dress up in our Deco frocks and hats, linen suits and boaters, then spread out picnic faire and dance the afternoon away!

I didn't go last year and missed it terribly.  This year I pulled out a dress that I started for the event and finished it.  I used a Decade of Style pattern http://www.decadesofstyle.com/, that I have used before with great success.

White linen, lime green vintage buttons, jade-like rings and lace

Everything was from my stash!  Didn't buy one new item.  Even the side zipper was a recycled item.  Anyway, I used a dress weight, white linen for the dress and belt.  The green lace made up the raglan sleeves.  The buttons were vintage ones but the rings were a find at JoAnne Fabrics!  Perfect color match!  The one thing I did that was different from the pattern was add this neck detail:

It is a typical detail for 1930's dresses and blouses to have bound openings and either scarf ends or some sort of fabric bow or tie threaded through the openings.  I tried this and I liked it.  This is how it turned out:

It was a pretty warm day, so the linen was very comfortable!

Aren't the cars fabulous!

On the Wagon as little Violet plays!

 Here are some more pictures of the overall event.  It was a glorious day of champagne, food, dancing and lots a well dressed folks!  Enjoy!

Next up:
Draping a Robe Anglaise, en fourreau (or English back).
Continue working on my Elizabethan embroidery sample
Up-cycle a bustle ball gown with a day bodice jacket
Possible Mid-Victorian Visting ensemble.

Pique-Nique: Bastille Day

A group of friends gathered to commemorate Bastille Day but with the intent of raising a glass of champagne to those departed in the horrifying reign of terror that followed.  Our hopes were to have a beautiful sunny day.  The days before the event were overwhelmingly gloomy and cold, - yes, in July! Yet,  the weather Gods smiled on us and we had a fantastic afternoon of sunshine and warm but not hot temperatures.

We were a small gathering but a good group of like-minded people willing to gather in period fashion with all the trimmings of dining and enjoying each other's company.  Without further ado, here are some highlights from our day.

This wonderful lady has a habadashery shop called:  Renaissance Fabrics.  See link below.

We had a lovely time.  Many of these ladies have created their gowns various lesson learned at Costume College and from the wonderful ladies and gentlemen at Margaret hunter Shop:  Milliners and Mantuamakers in Colonial Williamsburg. http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/do/revolutionary-city/tour-the-city/milliner/  This link is to the CW site explanation of the Milliner site.  On Facebook look up Margaret...as written above.  You will see some of these ladies in the recent posts.

Another Link to share:  http://www.renaissancefabrics.net/

Next up:
Mainly hand sewing projects.  I want to finish my Kannik Korner Womans Cap (http://www.kannikskorner.com/)  that I didn't get done before the party.  I borrowed one of my friends.  I love my friends!  :)  I also plan to play with embroidery and hand sewing techniques for future use.

Dear readers:  I will try to post as often as I can over the next three weeks.  I will be moving over to my parents house in order to help and support my 84 year old Mother who is having her left knee replaced. Therefore it is likely that my postings will dwindle a bit as my focus will be on my mother's recovery and getting ready to return to work - I am a teacher and I need to work on my curriculum for this coming fall.  So, please be patient, check back often and please leave comments!  I love hearing from you all.  Cheers.