Thanks to Black Friday, I finally managed to buy two acid free boxes from The Container Store, and now all my lovely historical pieces get to rest in comfort! Two 41x19x6" boxes was just enough to hold everything. At this point, my collection consists of a jet-beaded capelet, at least 5 or 6 (I forgot to count) black bodices from between the 1890s ( Read more... )

I got back from CoCo late last night, and have spent much of today recuperating and dreaming about projects. Most particularly, I desperately need a new Victorian corset (or two). I'm aiming to make one from about 1875 first, which will be appropriate to wear with the skating dress and the other winter dress I'm making in my hopes to attend the ( Read more... )

I'm getting a bit more nervous about the bodice deadline now ( Read more... )

I have done almost no sewing since my last post. In fact, I wound up with a massive headache yesterday after work, and fell asleep at about 9:30, which for me is insane. I figured I would probably just wake up early and sew this morning, but I actually managed to sleep for nine hours! I guess I needed it. I did have enough time this morning to ( Read more... )

No, seriously. These are the biggest sleeves I've ever made. They are 30" tall, and 36" across. All of that fabric will be from my elbow to my shoulder. Right now, all I've done is cut them out, but they are going to be ginormous. Just in case you don't believe me, here's a picture of the piece, with my 18" ruler for scale:


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I got a fair amount done on Rapunzel this weekend. I mocked up the pattern, which was a nearly perfect fit. The only thing I had to change was the angle of the straps, so I only had to recut one of the pieces, and everything else from the mockup will be my interlining. I serged all the interlinings to the outer pieces, and sewed them all together. ( Read more... )

I'm really worried about my carriage boots. I've had them for about two years, I think, and in that time, I've kept them on display on top of my bookshelf, along with my Victorian repro boots. They're quilted silk with rabbit fur trim, and they had only a few tears/imperfections when I bought them on ebay. However, when I pulled my Fugawees down ( Read more... )

I'm finally delivering on the pictures of the antique pieces I got earlier this year. All of the pictures I took can be found here, with more information, but here's a few of my favorites ( Read more... )

I was bad, and went garage-saling on my way home today. I didn't buy too much, but I did get a vintage fur coat, and an antique painted silk art piece, both pictured below:

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I think I mentioned a while ago that I found an antique fan at an estate sale. I finally have some pictures to show you!

It's hand-painted, with metal spangles. Carved and gilted wood slats, cloth (presumably silk) fabric. It's a little bit more pink than the pictures show. The only thing throwing me off is that the stoppers on the handle look ( Read more... )