Purple Floral Dress - Phase 1

Whoo hoo!

So I started off really doubting my fabric choice (picked a small purple floral calico because my grandmother said she used those types of fabrics for her dresses - midwesterner ;). Then I hated the pattern because it didn't look like it was going to fit right at all. But I quickly realized it was waaay too big! Took in each side seam about 2-1/2 inches and voila! I actually really like it.

Still left are the detachable collar and cuffs, and I want to add some really cute purple glass buttons down the front.

I'm thinking of using these shoes (I know the heels are horrible) if I can't fond something more suitable by the event day. Do you think they're passable?



Now I just need the perfect hat and gloves and clutch! Yay! Can't wait to start the next one.


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Blue Sheer Madness

So this is the blue cotton sheer dress I started well over a year ago. I typically do not like sheer dresses for myself, but I love the idea, so I keep making them . . . And always end up selling them.

(side note: this picture is awful because the lighting is terrible in my basement and the curtains are a distraction, but I was removing the dress so I could put my 1940s dress on it so thought I'd snap a quick pic in the process.)

Anyway, it's a fabulous fabric. You can't tell in these pictures but it has a tiny woven diamond pattern that probably would show up in the daylight over a nice white petticoat.

I'm thinking of doing a narrow brown trim. I love the contrast. Its just pinned on right now, but you can get the idea. There's a lot left to do and I just lost momentum last year. Not a huge fan of this pattern and the waist it awfully high . . . Well, I should just get it done after the 1940s things and get it over with.

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WWII - The Beginning

So I'm going to attend my first WWII event in two weeks. Yay! I decided to pick out a couple of my grandmother's old patterns and see what I can "whip up".



I'm totally undecided so tonight I cut out this one (on the left) in a purple floral calico.

And this one (again on the left) in a blue pinstripe.



We'll see if I manage to get either one completed! ;)

Wish me luck.


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November Ball 2009

Looks like I never posted the final results of my November Ball Dress! Well here it is!  I was thrilled to death with the final results.  It was a stunning blue silk with a train that could be bustled up in the back or let loose.  The tail was split in the back and fell nicely over the full bustle.  I overlayed the bodice with cotton lace/netting as well as the underskirt.  The accents were royal purple velvet rickrack and bright pink silk roses and satin bows.  A fun time was had by all.

Cedar Creek 2010

Just some miscellaneous pictures I never got around to uploading.  This was my Emily's first camping experience and she LOVED it!  Other than the late night and the sugar "crack" high that hit her around 8pm, we had a very successful weekend.  We are working on getting little Emily a bit more authentic and she is starting to love her new things!  (Although we did revert to a boy's frock and trousers on the last day of the event.)

Yay!  Bangs pulled back and hidden within the bonnet. 

(Which lasted about 15 minutes)

Emily's skirt is made of the left over dress fabric from my dress (being worn at this event by my friend Caitlin).  It features two very deep growth tucks which can easily be let out as Emily grows taller (any fading where the stitches were would be covered with some pretty black velvet ribbon or rouching).  She also wears a full sleeved white cotton bodice (back hook and eye closure) covered by a large black cummerbund rounded at the top and pointed at the waist, topped by a black velvet jacket adorned with frog closures.  Emily is wearing a crinoline petticoat, not a hoop.

My friend Caitlin and the Red/Black Boots

Camp life - Jacket and Bonnet are nowhere to be found . . .

You can see the wide black cummerbund worn over the white cotton bodice.

Food is always a big hit with the little ones.

Here we've at least covered up Emily's bodice and skirt with a simple cotton pinafore.

Back view of Caitlin's Dress - I LOVE this silhouette  

Resting in the tent.  (Have not abandonned the bangs entirely yet.)  What I love about this picture is the the black and grey striped stocking peeking out from under her skirt.  You can see the detail of Emily's white cotton bodice (back closure) and a few of her wooden toys.

Mommy and Emily playing games in camp.