Titanic Memories

Kate Winslet in the movie Titanic

So a friend of mine is getting ready to head over to England for the 100th Anniversary Titanic Memorial Cruise!  I am naturally extremely jealous . . . but the fact that I am terrified of open water, and extremely superstitious are enough to keep me on dry land and live this event vicariously through her. 

I had the opportunity to help "throw together" a few historical pieces for a friend of hers who is also going over for the cruise.   The window was something like, "Can you put SOMEthing together in less than three weeks?"  (Which if you knew these wonderfully creative, last-minute, women, you would not be surprised at the time frame.)   I jumped at the chance because I just LOVE this era, and I always have more fun sewing for others than for myself.

So in a few short days I got to make up a simple linen/cotton day dress (made out of very similar fabric to this classic "Boarding Suit" of the movie Titanic), a seafoam green embroidered high collar coat (to match an already existing skirt "recycled" from a late Victorian outfit she already owns) and a sapphire blue and black iridescent taffeta evening dress with a black lace overlay bodice. 

I don't have pictures to share yet, as I was sewing mostly in the dead of night and the lighting is HORRENDOUS down in my basement sewing room.  But I am hoping they get some really fantastic shots during the crusie that I can share later. 

In the meantime, I'm reposting a few things I made years ago when the movie first came out.  Hard to beleive that was nearly 15 years ago!

ENJOY!

TITANIC BOARDING SUIT

The reproduction was made of a fine cotton shirting fabric with white background and woven royal purple pin stripe. The facings and belt were made of heavy purple satin. The pattern was self-created.

NOTE: The quality of these pictures is unfortunately very low - they were sent via email and very small.

Boarding Suit as a Wedding Ensemble

Customer in my creation

My Little Orphan Annie . . .



Emily Ann as
Little Orphan Annie

Emily showing off her
"Annie Attitude"

Amazing how time flies! 

I recently received a few requests to make Little Orphan Annie costumes for Halloween based off the pictures of my Emily on my website. It feels like just yesterday I was making that Annie costume for Emily. 

Now when I look at the pictures she seems like a totally different little girl.  The same spunk and fire!  But more grown-up.  Hard to beleive she was ever this little - but she made the PERFECT  Little Orphan Annie! 

It's going to be fun to see the costume on some new little girls - can't wait for Halloween!





Titanic - Boarding Suit

The reproduction was made of a fine cotton shirting fabric with white background and woven royal purple pin stripe. The facings and belt were made of heavy purple satin. The pattern was self-created.
NOTE: The quality of these pictures is unfortunately very low - they were sent via email and very small.

Boarding Suit as a Wedding Ensemble

Kate Winslet in the Movie

Customer in my creation

Interview with a Vampire

This custom order included all but a topcoat. The request was to reproduce the outfit worn by Louis as he fled the burning docks. The time period was late 1830s early 1840s. Brown wool pants, white cotton high collared shirt with attached breast ruffle. Brown cravat, reversible waistcoat. The trousers were a straight leg, fall front.

Brad Pitt as Louis Customer in complete outfit
Front Waistcoat

Detail of fabric and buttons

Cravat and Shirt Ruffle

The waist coat was actually made to be reversible. One fabric was the striped effect like the movie, the other was of a darker more solid looking fabric. The same buttons were used on both sides.

Back View

Gone with the Wind

This dress was a custom order back in 2000. It was made in Lilac shades rather than the original green. I have to admit that nine years later I am extremely disappointed in the quality of these pictures. I beleive they were sent to me as attachments in an email back when you had to make pictures very small to do it.

Scarlet at the 12 Oaks Bar-b-Que

The reproduction

A bit more sleeve ruffle detail