mandie_rw: (me longwood)
Which, as usual, was more bitching than stitching. ;) We originally planned to have a last tea in vintage at our favorite local tea house, which is closing down, but on their last day they were just having an "open house", no reservations for tea. Which was nice, but very crowded so we didn't stay all that long. After that we hopped over to the antique mall next door, as per usual, and had the owner drag out the bags of squished ($5) hats. They're not really getting any new stock in those, I think we may take a break...

And then proceeded to Robin's to talk and plot Edwardian and watch one of the newer adaptations of Anne of Green Gables which was roundly abused by the fans of the Megan Follows version in the audience. *cough* (It actually isn't bad, the one we had on...Robin and I are just very attached to the 1985 one.) And cut out pattern pieces (there was a Truly Victorian order placed) and maybe even a little sewing! Personally I flat-felled a few seams on my new c1900 chemise. I also did cut out my TV pattern pieces when I got home...

After acknowledging that nobody was going to get any more productive things done, and that Robin's in-laws had arrived home with the potential to be annoying (man I hate that dog. In-laws' yap yap dog, not Robin's dog, who is lovely and fluffy and not yippy), we decided to go out to Applebee's for dinner prior to dispersing. Very vintage.

20190630_191807
Duckface. Also very vintage.

Big fan of these shoes. Robin made the mistake of sharing them before buying and now three of us own them. You're welcome. ;) And yes, I find them quite comfortable for cheap shoes, although I don't generally have problems with said cheap shoes, so proverbial grain of salt. (Also when I bought mine, the colorway I bought was pink in the picture, but called "silver" in the description. Oh, Amazon sellers, you so funny. Happily they did show up to be pink, not silver...)

20190630_191800

We did finally hammer out the day for our Longwood Gardens Edwardian outing (which you'll already know if you're on FB and within invite-able distance): August 11. Which doesn't leave a huge amount of time, but shouldn't really be a problem for the bottom-basic skirt and shirtwaist outfit. And a hat. Gotta make a hat. This is all pretty much so Robin will be able to do some prep work for her P.E.I. trip next summer, for which she needs an entire wardrobe...but I'm perfectly happy to play along as long as I can do that transitional 1898-1901 style!

Musings on what I'm going to make:
Read more... )

yaaawn.

Sep. 3rd, 2017 11:53 pm
mandie_rw: (shoes)
Went to a Fountains and Fireworks show at Longwood Gardens tonight - it was set to Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition/Night on Bald Mountain, and the slightly creepy drifting clouds in front of the bright moon were just too perfect! An autumn moon on a cool evening is very high on my list of enjoyment, and I got that tonight (yes it's still technically summer so there isn't that crispness in the air you get later in the season, but still, so nice! let me read you my love letter to fall weather...).

I wore one of my new pairs WKD of stockings with an old-ish dress, so I had to document it. ;) Fully-fashioned period-correct stockings appeal to the historian in me, but the fun-colored-seams on stretch nylons are half the price, and I've had to tell myself more than once that I don't have to be period-accurate in my everyday clothes if I don't want, sheesh. (Yes, self, it is okay to wear a hairnet with a 1950s outfit if you want, the world will not end. etc. etc.) Pink seams are decidedly not period, but now that I've bought a pair - OMG so fun, I want them in alllllllllllll the colors!
me in front of fountain garden  pink stocking backseams
A shoe aside: yes, I walked all around the gardens in those highly impractical shoes. But it's all paved...! Thus far in my life, I've got feet that have cheerfully worn all manner of cheap heels, for which I am very grateful! These were I think $8 on ebay. (I haven't been buying as many in the past few years, what with working retail so what's the point? but I am totally a Shoe Whore!) Almost always have to have some kind of strap, though, as I have a tendency to walk right out of regular pumps. I learned my lesson after dropping a cute little kitten heel down the stairs one too many times walking up to a second-floor class in college!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I did actually sew today, too; I hand-tacked down all the seam allowances on the chartreuse bodice and sleeves. Except for the side-back seams, because I think I should re-sew them with a sliiiiiiiightly smaller seam allowance, as I think I used a smaller allowance last time I made this pattern. But this silk is so damn fray-ish! Taffeta, my ass - I knew it wasn't taffeta when it showed up in the mail, and in case I had any doubts, my floor is covered in puffs of yellow silk thread to make me doubly sure. I've never met a taffeta that frayed like that! Fabric Mart, you are lying liars who lie. (If I hadn't been so set on the color, it would have gone right back, sale or no sale.)


mandie_rw: me 1950s green dress (Default)
Pictures of shifts are WILDLY exciting.
18th century shift on a dress dummy
My cross-stitch initials came out HILARIOUSLY large...I don't think I've done any cross-stitch in close to ten years, so I made the initial x's bigger than I should have done, but didn't really realize til I was done the W. And at that point i wasn't about to unpick and redo, so hilariously large initials it is! Also horribly messy, but that should be a given, haha. I copied the letters off this 1760 sampler...mostly because it was hi-res enough to actually see the stitches!
closeup of cross-stitched initial letters
Okay, it looks deranged up close, but I like the overall look! I'll probably take the time to initial my undies from now on...just, uh, with smaller stitches. xD

Unrelated: Cute shoes! For my 1940s summer dress. They're not in pristine shape, but for $10 I really don't care. (Also, they were sold as 7s, while I suspect from the fit that they're actually 7.5 - not marked, so I can't be certain. Still, they're comfortable and the strap precludes any flying shoes, so that's fine.)
red leather peep-toe 1940s-style sandals

mandie_rw: (shoes)
Major accomplishment for the day was opening my American Duchess parcel and trying my new shoesies on. (I didn't say it was an impressive accomplishment...) I bought the Nankeens and the black Stratfords last time she had a big sale, and put them on Easy Pay, so I'd basically completely forgotten about them when I got the shipping email. Yay shoes!

I ordered 7s in both, and they emailed and asked if I wanted to size up as the Stratfords ran small (yes, I did, thank you for noticing because clearly I didn't), and it transpires they sent a 7.5 in both styles. The Stratfords fit perfectly; the Nankeens are a smidge on the roomy side (unsurprisingly, as they aren't supposed to run big), but as they were clearanced out months ago and of course there aren't any left, I'd rather keep them as-is. They're quite adorable! And hey, I can wear thick stockings with them in the winter. ;)

But I loooooove the Stratfords! They're so smart! They make me want to do late 16thc - which I probably won't, but I think they're also reminiscent of some 1930s/40s shoes I've seen (well, vice-versa I guess!), which is really why I bought them, to wear with modern clothes. Massively tempted to acquire a red pair, I won't lie.

It's so awkward trying to take pictures of your own feet...
mandie_rw: (1798 green)
It's too early to sulk about my picnic on Saturday being rained out...but I am obsessively checking the forecast and eyeballing it VERY suspiciously. (Currently 62* and 90% chance of rain, which is...not good, Bob.) Maybe I don't have to worry about finishing the open robe...but too early to call that.

Anyway. I was rather lazy today sewing-wise (although FFC is having a sale on cottons and I might've indulged myself a bit, with vintage dresses in mind! some very pretty cotton-silk voile on there!). I finished sewing the hat together last night, though I still have to finish stitching down the lining. Blocked it by holding it in place with some wine bottles (yes, really...), and we have this:

And I got my Dharma order today, and felt the need to immediately cut the big square of chiffon for the scarf and try it on. And it does look cute if I do say so myself! Although the cheap-ass straw immediately snagged a couple of threads, because of course it did. Also put the first coat of paint on my Payless Regency shoes - I'll probably paint both the kitten heels and the flats this week, although since the heels are fabric, if there's any chance of underfoot squishiness they won't get worn.
mandie_rw: (rose1950s)
No sewing today! I went shoe shopping, and then I went out for an extended late lunch with a college friend.

I did wear my new gathered skirt and took pictures of it though! It is quite obnoxious. I didn't intend it to be worn with a green shirt (since the waistband's green, obvs), but the weather was a little chilly today and I've packed up most of my winter wardrobe so I didn't have much to choose from.

(Also, pretty sure I need a more serious petticoat. This ones alright but I like FLUFF. And that's one thing I flatly refuse to make! Well worth splurging for a nice one. This isn't actually a nice one. $25 or so?)

In other news, shoes! I hit up Payless today because I have holes in my work sneakers and they've needed replacing for a looong time (and because I'm a cheap bastard and my feet are happy with cheap shoes!). To console myself for having to spend more than I wanted on shoes for stupid Joann's, I consoled myself with spending the same amount on Fun Shoes. To wit:

The suede and patent heels also come in white and black on the website, and depending on how comfortable these are after a few wears, the black and white might need to come live with me too. I love a T-strap shoe...clearly. The Regency sandals were hiding all the way down on the bottom shelf in a corner, but I spotted them and got a little squeaky! Because obviously they're Regency sandals! And $19 Regency sandals, too. (The vamp's just a wee bit too low, as is common in 99% of modern flats, but they don't actually show any toe cleavage, so I'm pretty happy.) They only come in beige, which is nice and serviceable and far too boring for me, so I'll be painting them. Some color I can wear modernly too, because they are in fact very cute and seemingly comfortable little shoes. There are a few occasions in which my 3.5" pumps aren't appropriate...a very, very few occasions. xD
mandie_rw: (breakfast outfit)
I sewed two seams today, so not a real big sewing day - bunches of other stuff to do!

Our county Board of Freeholders had their meeting in town tonight, so they came to visit us at the Indian King Tavern beforehand. There were many snackies that were pilfered by us throughout the night, which made it all worthwhile. Anyway, I decided that was as good an excuse as any to try out my new blue hair powder. Verdict: blue hair powder is fun! And rather dusty.

(There is definitely blue powder in my nose right now.)

I think I probably spent more time doing my hair than the Freeholders actually spent in the tavern, but, you know, it's all good. I can always use practice with my big hair!

And shooooes:

With my Fugawee buckles, cause I like them better!
mandie_rw: (pre-raph)
Well, I ended up spending most of the day outside, between walking a package to the post office, and messing about with plant-things. Might as well enjoy spring weather while it's here, right? I planted a coleus that's been in a pot inside for the past year and a half, and has reached a completely ridiculous size to have indoors. I don't care if it dies later (or sooner), I just feel wildly guilty about throwing out a houseplant that isn't totally dead!

Also spent some time dealing with the completely insane rosebush that decided it was going to sprout directly next to the front steps. I have no idea where it came from, and could have sworn it wasn't there last year...except that it must have been, to have gotten to this size. Had a very enjoyable time getting scratched while tying it back (if only my gardening gloves went to the shoulder...), and dug another extremely random rose sprout out of the lawn, so I could replant it in a place it's less likely to get, you know, lawn-mowed. (Where are these things coming from?! The rose fairy?)

I did paint the heel of my 1790s shoes - I was going to paint the heel in contrast and cover the shoe in fabric (and it seemed wiser to do it in that order)...but I may have decided to buy more textile paint and just paint the damn thing. So much easier! It's satin, so it looks fairly legit when painted. I'll have to do a white base first, as it's a very, uh, vigorous print that I need to cover...the black heel was fine with two coats but I don't think a lighter color will be.
mandie_rw: (fort mifflin)
In pictures! Well, a very few pictures.

Saturday was Indian King Tavern in sadly under-trimmed Brunswick. I didn't have time to really get pictures before I went in the morning, and then when I got back the sun had moved into a bad place for pictures anywhere in the yard! I tried.


Read more... )
mandie_rw: (fort mifflin)
Somebody please tell me that I'm not the only one who looks through their online costume blog rather than their actual costume closet when deciding what to wear for an event...

(For Jockey Hollow on Sunday. It's fairly far but the reenactments in North Jersey seem to be better attended than the Philly area ones. Indian King and Brunswick are Saturday.)

Had a very bad case of laziness combined with errands to run, so I have only not-quite-finished the lower sleeves for the Brunswick, and haven't touched the trim yet. Off tomorrow though, so we'll see if I can knuckle down and get it done.

And I finally spent my American Duchess gift certificat that I've had for over a year (I kind of want ALL the shoes, is my problem, and had a hard time deciding which would be most "practical".), and to that end, got the black wool Dunmores in the mail today. Very pleased, as always! I'll reserve final judgement til after I've worn them for a good part of this weekend, but both my Kensies and Renoirs are very comfy so I'd be surprised if these aren't.
mandie_rw: (chemise gown)
Okay, so I didn't make the excessively large fichu, as I determined it would obscure my Very Smart Cutaway FrontTM. I will probably regret this after I get sunburnt on Sunday, but right now it seems like a stellar idea.

Instead I got derailed by a couple of fun-seeming project ideas...involving shoe shopping. And by a super-janky attempt at fixing up my striped 1780s shoes enough to wear them on Sunday, because the soles were in truly crappy shape. If it works I'll show you a couple pics; if not we'll pretend this never happened, haha. Apparently I'm in the mood to recover shoes, which, okay, I can never have too many historical shoes! Probably by the time I win them and/or they're actually shipped to me I won't be in the shoe-recovering mood any more...
mandie_rw: (shoes)
Got my Renoir boots in the mail today, yay! They seem to be very comfortable - although I can't tell for certain because I can't button them without a buttonhook (they were sold out of them when I ordered, and I wasn't terribly excited about paying $20 for a buttonhook anyway. To ye olde Ebay!). Too stiff. But they're very comfy in the toes! Will dye them sometime in the next few days...maybe Sunday. Don't think I'm busy then.

And I did all the machine sewing on the bedgown, which is not that impressive since there are only four seams, and hand-finished the two short seams.
mandie_rw: (shoes)
To console myself for my inevitably busy day at work later, I may have just bought myself the American Duchess Renoir button boots. Um..she had some imperfects and they were therefore a lot cheaper? And I'm going to dye them black because they'll be a lot more practical that way.

(I still pine for the carriage boots but that would have to be a layaway plan. Ummm.)
mandie_rw: (shoes)
Good mail day! I got my striped silk Regency boots today, and they are darling. I've had one on my right foot and one on the table for the past hour (so I could admire it closely, you see). I'm in love! The color doesn't come up great in these shots, as I just took them now and the flash is ick, but they're absolutely that shade of dark cranberry-red that I so admire. And they're very comfortable!

Oh, and I started thinking that the yellow and red and green striped silk I bought yesterday might go very well with these boots, actually... *shifty eyes*
land-boots 001
land-boots 002

And my new friend Tessa from Belvidere took my advice (I love when people listen to me!) and joined LJ. HAH the Jersey girls are growing in number! She's [livejournal.com profile] misspeachum on here.

Shoes

Aug. 27th, 2014 09:29 pm
mandie_rw: (shoes)
ALSO I am a big old copycat, and when [livejournal.com profile] koshka_the_cat mentioned on FB about some totally charming Robert Land Regency booties, that there were only two pairs of, and she'd bought the one in her size...well, look at that, the other one is my size! Um...resist resist resist...nope. MINE.

Striped silk EEEEEEE!
648613_original

There are eight or nine other styles of booties and slippers, all in different sizes and just one of each, so check it out while they're still there!
mandie_rw: (regency winter)
The booties are fully painted, mostly satisfactorily. You can still see a shadow of the original design at a certain angle, but I suspect if I put any more paint on these bastards, they'll start getting stiff, and we don't want that. They do look rather painted (well, they are), and I'm not terribly impressed with them, really...but they're perfectly adequate and eminently wearable, anyway!

My bonnet, proper, was finished this afternoon, and I need to trim it tonight so I can work on the spencer tomorrow! That means I have to finish hemming this horrible endless strip of silk shantung that I'm using because I'm too cheap to buy actual ribbon. Plus I can get much more varied colors and widths when I use silk scraps...but wow, the actual hemming is annoying! This "ribbon" will probably be the extent of my trimmings, as it's a rather brightly-colored bonnet, plus it's early Regency so it doesn't need loads of frou-frou. Maybe a couple of little flowers. We'll see how I feel about it when I'm cross-eyed and judgement-impaired at 2am.
mandie_rw: (regency)
So today it occurred to me that I ought to paint my booties. What booties, I hear no one asking? Well, no one, they were the booties I found on ebay to wear with my birthday Regency outfit - but they had to be painted, and they didn't ship in time to do that. They're a perfect shape with a leather sole (except of course not straight last, haha) and made of a heavyweight cotton(?), so, eminently paint-able. And today I realized that I might like to wear them this weekend, so I should probably paint them today!

So I sat in front of the tv, watched Sense and Sensibility for two hours, and painted booties! They'll need another coat or two tomorrow, and I think even then you'll still be able to discern the pattern (since it's woven not printed, and it does have some texture), but only if you look very hard.
(Painted booties coming soon!)

And I am the absolute worst with this Katherine Parr fabric. I had nearly decided to buy the brown and cream I'd posted the other day (it's even gone 25% off, now!), when I found something else. I'll get swatches of those, and try to shut up posting about it til I make my decision, buy it, and actually have the fabric! The brown and cream's much more economical...but this new find's much closer to portrait-correct! (Also even better to drag around in the dirt, being lighter-colored. *shakes head at self*)
mandie_rw: (naturalform1)
No sewing today, but fun things in the mail! Got both my boots and my Truly Victorian patterns today. The boots fit, which is good; the 1882 tea gown pattern is going to take more futzing than I'd anticipated, which is not as good (seam placement, blah blah blah. More on that when I actually post about the dress design), but the underskirt and petticoat look mostly good.

Although the petticoat pattern does want me to use netting to pad out the back of it, and I'm going BUT BUT BUT I don't WANNA use icky nylon net! Trying to think of something that would be stiff but not nylon.
...Organza? That's stiff.
...I'm not using my silk organza. No.
Oh. Cotton organdy's stiff, huh? I did just learn that.
Okay! Barring any Better Ideas...some kind of organdy nonsense it is!
mandie_rw: (naturalform1)
After three days of laziness and thinking, "Hmmm, I ought to work on that," while looking at my mockup-in-progress for this corset, I finally got it to a place I'm happy with - with the assistance of many many pins. The floor of this new house has now been christened with Random Falling Pins. You know - the pins that you hear tinkle as they hit the floor, but for the life of you can't actually locate.

So with a decent mockup, tonight I cut my paper pattern, and cut allll my pieces out of fabric. I'm using a light blue silk taffeta for the outer layer, and cotton duck for strength. (I've heard you shouldn't use duck to make corsets, but for the life of me I can't remember why; I've never had a problem with it, and years ago I bought five yards of it or something on the cheap, so I see no reason to ever actually spend money on proper corset fabric. Do as I say, not as I do!) And am now in the process of hand-basting the layers together, since I did that with my teens corset and it was a Good Idea.

Still waffling over whether I want to spend the money to get real (i.e. metal) boning for this...I've not yet had an issue with my cable ties, but I am going to be spending all this money on a spoon busk, don't I want to get proper boning and make a nice corset for once? On the other hand...I'm spending all this money on a spoon busk! I should save where I can!

Especially since I just bought some TV patterns today for the dress to go over this corset. And some boots. Because I don't have any decent Victorian footwear, and this dress will show my shoes. Found some Oak Tree Farms boots on ebay, and won them for $36 today...I've been stalking boots on ebay for weeks, so this is my payoff.
mandie_rw: (1780s)
Finally.

And they are...well, done. Feeling very "meh" about the hat in particular, but I don't actively dislike it, so unless some genius idea strikes me, I'm leaving it as-is.

I didn't *mean* to make it a Gibson Girl hat, I swear... )

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