Christian's thinking of Dickens, too

When we went to HL, my fiance always amuses himself with looking at the pattern books there. He found a pattern I guess I overlooked because I considered it more fantasy than period - the Willy Wonka/Jack the Ripper Simplicity pattern #4083. I'm not too thrilled with something so late and probably fantasy, but I guess it'll have to do. It's an easy vest pattern, and it's cheaper than buying one, which I was thinking of doing.

So we'll need for Vest View B or C (not quite sure yet):

Simplicity 4083 pattern: $9

View B
1 1/8 yd. taffeta, satin, or jacquard
2 3/8 yds. of black lining
14 5/8" wide buttons

View C
7/8 yd. taffeta, satin, or jacquard
2 1/8 yds. of black lining
14 5/8" wide buttons

Not sure what colors he's going to choose, but I'm thinking along the lines of blue or burgundy, unless he chooses a jacquard. Also not sure if he wants the faux shirt (dickey and faux sleeves) that come with the pattern, or if he'll settle with his modern white dress shirt.

He's also thinking of putting even more work on me, and spending more money to boot! He really wants the coat (view A or C - only difference it looks like is the extra button holes on the lapels on C).

List of what will be needed:

A Coat
3 1/8 yds. black broadcloth, velvet or wool
3 1" wide buttons


C Coat - 2 7/8 yds. black broadcloth, velvet or wool
5 1" wide buttons


I put together a list of what he needs using Excel. It's a great but hard-to-figure-out software program which works well for comparing prices of the same product at different stores. Found out from comparing that the Gentleman's Emporium ( www.gentlemansemporium.com ) has actually the best prices overall.

Looks like he will want:

top hat - $80
black gloves - $6.50
pocket watch and chain - $55 & up

We're planning on also getting a fancy cane from Peggy's Victorian Corner in Galveston. She has them for a mere $20 - a good deal.

He also needs a nice pair of lace-up dress shoes (which he can wear in modern times as well as Victorian) and I'll have to make him a simple satin cravat, too.

Looks like I have my work cut out for me this season :-P

progress already!

Just made a list of what I needed today, and actually got to go out and get some of it! Seems like HL has some good prices over Walmart for gimp and other stuff, so it looks like I'll be getting a good amount of the stuff I need at HL.

Spent so far:

10 yards of muslin for mock-ups (also good to keep on hand!): $12
3 yds. of ungathered beatiful 100% white cotton lace for cuffs and collar (looks hand-made!): $3
4 yds. of white cotton (couldn't specifically find batiste - boo!) $9
2 packages of lightweight boning (4 yds. total): $2.50
pattern: $9

On second thought, now that I know how much all this stuff will cost, I think I'll buy a smaller amount of millinery wire, and perhaps invest in a large roll later on in the year...

Dickens for me

Now I gotta think up what I want to add to my outfit this year... I got a beautiful black Battenburg lace fan and matching parasol last year, and now that I have those I decided to add a cameo to my outfit. I just bought it from www.flutterbees.com . It was only $10 - the best price I could find online (OK why do other repros cost so much???) I was also delighted to find that she sells hand-made lilac, rose, and honeysuckle soaps as well! I was very happy with the ordering process of her online store because she actually listed UP FRONT how much shipping costs, and she is VERY reasonable.

Also thinking of making some white flannel pantalets, since last year it was CHILLY. (hey you try wearing a hoop skirt with the wind blowing and see how cold you get!)

Next week I'm definitely planning on buying the corset kit from www.corsetmaking.com because the kit is much cheaper than buying everything separately, and I won't have to shop around anymore. The kit I want is Laughing Moon's Silverado, which offers large cup sizes for the well-endowed lady. Read a lot of good things about it online from different costume-makers. I just hope this corset helps me fit better in my jacket, as last year it just barely fit with the cheap corset...

Would love to buy some really cute period-correct black leather button-up shoes, but looks like it's definitely not happening this year. Someday I'd like to get them though from the sutler www.riverjunction.com .

Also might get some wider black satin ribbon (and this time with wire) as it might keep my bonnet on better and look better, too.

If I have any money left over (haha) I also plan to get some better stockings, from www.riverjunction.com too. The ones I got I think were from www.blockaderunner.com , and they just couldn't stay up worth a darn until I made garters by myself (which they could've told me they needed them. They came with a bit of elastic in them but it got pulled easily out).

hm....Dickens on the Strand

Yikes, almost a month until Dickens! I've been so caught up with TRF, that I totally didn't see it coming! Time to plan for my mom's 1860's dress and jacket, as well as bonnet. (This will be her big Christmas present this year!)

So...here's a checklist of what I need:

Bonnet:

McCall's pattern 5169 (view A) - already got it!
60 yards of millinery wire from eBay - $30 (will come in handy for future hats, too)
1 yd. dark blue silk dupioni from eBay - $10
2 1/2 yds. of 4" wide black single-edged scalloped lace - $5
6 yds. of 2 1/4" wide black ribbon - $5
1 3/4 yds. of 2 1/2" black wire-edged ribbon - $3
1 3/4 yds. of Soutache - $2

Dress:

Simplicity pattern 4900 (view A with jacket)
skirt and jacket: 10 yards of navy blue wool (twill) from eBay - $75
blouse and lining: 3 yards white batiste - $5
jacket lining: 3 1/4 yd. muslin - $5
neck and cuffs: 1 1/4 yd. of 1" wide pregathered white lace - $2
flat lace for blouse, sleeves: 4 3/8 yds. of white 1 1/4" wide
white eyelet for blouse, sleeves: 1 1/8" yd. of 3" wide double edge lace
lace for jacket: 7 1/2 yds. of 1" wide black lace - $12
trim for jacket: about 15 yds. of 1/2" gimp - $30
1 package of lightweight boning - $5
3 yd. strip of hooks and eyes - $5
1/2" wide single fold bias tape - $2
5 2" wide black frog closures - $10

one A-line white bridal petticoat from eBay - $25

Looks like it'll be a $200 dress, but I think it will be worth it :)

Double-award-winning professional costumer at TRF!

OK, I got some GREAT news today, so late because I was not able to make it to Pirate Weekend at TRF. I got a call from my clients and I was told that Captain Arrrhhdee won 2nd place (adult competition) and his daughter also scored 2nd place (children's) as well!!! (And this is the BIGGEST ren faire in the U.S.!!!) There was some good competition out there too! OK, I'm usually not the one to brag, but hey, this is the greatest honor that can be bestowed to a costumer, and it is quite a feather in my cap, for sure.

That black and gold frock coat was sure time-consuming, but was very much worth it.... :)

one of my pirate frock coats on eBay

Check out one of my pirate frock coats that is being sold on eBay, new condition:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200165834345&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

It was made on request of my client because we had gotten so much extra fabric, I decided we had enough to make a whole another coat! And just barely, too!

Auction ends in 3 days!!!

My project box is empty...hooray...for now

Feels good to have an empty project box AND a fairly neat sewing corner for a week or so...but I think after that I'm going to get a bit antsy, as I like to keep busy, especially on days when I don't have work. Can't help but be a little excited at the thought of having finished a bunch of very large projects...I think a few small ones might be in order....and maybe some more organization boxes for thread too.

hmmm....Dickens Ball

Been contemplating on going to the Dickens Ball this year. The only thing is, it's another project (I kinda need a vacation after all this!) and it's been taking more time for research than I thought.

I really want a simple yet elegant 1862 cranberry/wine/dark red taffeta ballgown with black trim, black gloves, and fan (two of which I already own). The only thing is, it seems like light colors and white gloves and fans were much more popular, and the only dark red gowns I've found were from modern "reproduction" seamstresses on eBay and such. I really am a big fan of red, and would really like to use it. But I guess it'll have to go if I can't prove otherwise.

I also need a good corset before going, since the other cheap modern eBay one had to be worn with a bra for any amount of decent support. I found an awesome kit using a Laughing Moon Mercantile pattern (very good I hear for the well-endowed lady!) and the kit is only about $85 with s & h from www.corsetmaking.com . And, the best part about the Silverado design is that is is period appropriate and comes in a variety of large sizes. Sure beats $200 and up for someone else to make it, but then if it takes as much effort as I think it does, that might be a fair price.

Also found out what ladies wore for dancing shoes: leather ballet flats, with leather (not rubber) soles for twirling and such. No high heels. This is looking better and better, since I'm a wide width, and it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to find comfortable high heels. Also these are easy to find (I know Payless sells them) and fairly cheap (about $20-$30).

The main thing is talking my fiance into it.

Tickets are $90 a couple. And jeez, it doesn't even include dinner, just light refreshments.

He has a black Ralph Lauren suit to wear, but I'm not sure if everyone wears tuxes or whether people dress in regular suits. It says of course virtually nothing online, and no one evidently talks about it, since it's not very Googleable. I made a chart on Excel listing all the things he needs (e.g. cane, top hat, vest, gloves) and I'm not sure if we can swing so much in so little time, as Ren Faire season ends the day of the ball (Nov 30). Kinda wish Dickens could be pushed forward a week or so. These deadlines are so hard to make with everything going on in the fall.

So far, I've found out that The Gentleman's Emporium (www.gentlemansemporium.com ) has the best prices overall and the best variety for civilian men's costume, compared to Thickity Creek Sutlery (www.thickitycreek.com ) , River Junction Trade Company (www.riverjunction.com ) , and Fall Creek Sutlery (www.fcsutler.com).

Hope this all works out, because if this is the only thing I got for Christmas, I would be a very happy lady indeed...

Finished both pirate frock coats!!!

I am soooo sooo sooo happy that I finally finished my client's two pirate frock coats. It has been quite a long haul, since I was making them concurrently with other projects for TRF. That being said, they came out FANTASTIC!! I will post pics once they go to TRF this weekend because it is PIRATE WEEKEND!

Wish me (and them!) good luck in the costume contest....this could mean a big break for me if they win 1st or 2nd place...and they do have my business cards :)

OK, maybe I'm a little overly excited...but hey I'm the one who spent 7 hours on Tuesday finishing up the black and gold one. Those gold thread lines coming from the buttons took forever, but it was well worth it.

The other frock coat is from the extra fabric from the first comission I made, so it will be posted on eBay early next week.

Thinking of making a few for PirateCon this spring, since I could easily sell a few on eBay before then.

Thank you Disney for making POTC....

Pictures Posted on my Webshots

Photos taken of my finished costumes (as well as others I found intriguing) can be found on my Webshots:

http://community.webshots.com/user/craftgirl71683

Currently the albums include Dickens on the Strand and The Texas Renaissance Festival. I will be going to the faire again once it cools off (if it ever does!) and I will be sure to take more.

Christian and myself - completed!

All ready for the Faire!!!

I just got the belt that one of my clients made for Christian, and it looks fabulous. The black was a good choice, and he even tooled a straight line that boarders the belt as a little bit of detail. I just finished his chaperone (hat) 2 nights ago, and he loved it!!! (He wouldn't even take it off!)

These items also went well with his poulaines - so almost everything is either red, black, or blue. I'm really liking the color combo.

I made the mistake of thinking the hat could be stuffed with scraps of fabric (which took an hour to cut into strips) but it became much too heavy. Guess that's why they used fluffed wool or "the hair of dead women" as one source claimed! It's meant to be light, not heavy as I had thought - so light that he can put the liripipe over his shoulder and have the chaperone hanging off in the back, just like they did back then when they didn't feel like wearing it.

It was really easy to make (although the instructions on length were wrong in The Medieval Tailor's Assistant) so I had to make 2 tubes, one like 5 inches or so longer than the first because it was too small. It was an easy fix though, and well worth the effort.

Now all he needs is a sword...yes, he's exited about that one. We didn't order one online since he likes to see them in person and handle them first, as quality is a factor in arms and armor. So most likely he will be buying one as well as a scabbard and frog at the faire this weekend. Especially since swords are his undoing, and he never had an excuse to really have one till now.

I also have been working on mom's headdress, which was made from a large square of extra linen from my chemise. It turned out quite nicely, and the fillet works with it pinned on in 3 places. I'll take pics of her final outfit tomorrow.

I also bought a belt at Macy's for my kirtle. Not historically accurate, but it's brown and designer and was on sale! (Can't go too wrong with that one!) I decided I really needed one with the fan and the purse. Pinning them on would just look silly, and if I wanted the fan often, it would be inconvenient as well. Plus, I heard that belts were way overpriced at the faire, so I doubt I could afford one with all the money we'd be spending on food and any small things that would catch our eyes, as well as priceless entertainment, as I always throw something into the hat.

My mom's neighbor found out about my dilemma with the wire on my hennin - should I leave it as is or cover it with something white? (e.g. tape or paint) I was at a loss, since I DEFINITELY did not want to use paint. So he gave me some plasticy stretchy white non-stick tape used for plumbing of all things (ok, I am not a handyman so I forgot its name!) and it worked! Now they can't say that I'm the Roach Queen! The tape makes the "antennae" look a lot less noticeable! Although, I still wonder what the hell they did back then to make the wire less noticeable, but since absolutely no hennins of any type from that period exist today, there is no way of knowing, since artists tended to leave that detail out of their paintings.

Now I'm definitely happy that I chose the silk organza - I was kinda worried lately that it was too see-through.

All I have to do tomorrow is a "dress rehearsal" for mom, take some pictures, and hem Christian's sleeves (the pics we took that night were right after his final fitting).

I'm not all that thrilled with Period Pattern's sleeve pattern for the gown - I must've cut at least a foot off them, and Christian is no pint-sized guy - he's 5'8" and about 180 pounds!