I was lucky enough to be invited to speak to the local branch of Embroidery Canada about a month ago now and it was a grand success.. or at least they seem to really enjoy the 18th c embroidery talk and demonstration that I gave, so I will call it a grand success. In preparation for that particular talk I had decided to complete several long ( Read more... )

Some time back I agreed to give a short talk and show 18th c embroidery items to the local group of Embroidery Canada Association (EAC). The date of March 31 is now fast approaching and that means I really need to get busy and complete several embroidery projects in order to have something to show that night ( Read more... )

Last fall I spent a lot of time making several Regency hats for a number of friends. In essence these are all the same pattern - Timely Tresses "The Camillia" 1790-1810 pattern with variations. In some of the bonnets the brim size or shape was changed, while in others the size or shaping of the crown was changed. Decoration is simply a matter of ( Read more... )

It is ages since I last posted anything here and I promise two new postings will be forthcoming very shortly, but today I am more in the mood to muse a little bit about a potential new time period that I have yet to really explore. It is "modern" compared to most of the things that I do and in fact this time I will likely go more for a "look" ( Read more... )

One would never accuse me of writing often in this blog but occasionally I do like to keep a record what I have been working on ( Read more... )

After talking about it for many years (actually about 14 years) I finally finished the 1906 walking suit!! Yea, another one OFF the project list!


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In creating a period correct "look" for any time period, it will almost always be our choice of accessories and, in particular, head coverings that will complete our outfit. Women, in the modern age, are ill used to have their hair covered except in bad weather but this is a relatively recent development in women's dress. Up until about a century ( Read more... )

This coming fall several of us are planning on taking a trip to Williamsburg. It is a place that has long been on my bucket list and of course I want to visit there for several days, but it does not seem right to me to be visiting such an amazing place and NOT be in proper attire and so what to make.... what to make ( Read more... )

Now that the regency gown is completed it is time to think about what to be doing next. I do have a number of smaller projects such as ( Read more... )

were unable to attend the Queen Charlotte Ball in Toronto (due to illness) I have finally finished my pre War of 1812-14 ball gown ( Read more... )