Photos from Costume College

Link to my photos -----          Costume College 2011 photo album
I took over 319 photos but had to delete quite a few taken during the Red Carpet walk prior to the Gala. People wouldn't stand still long enough for many of us to take photos. Such a shame. But I still got quite a lot.

Now that the madness is over for another year, all the new ideas are swirling around in my head for new projects. My next costume doesn't need to be done until Nov 1 for the Dia de los Muertos event. So in the meantime I can finally make my much needed corded petticoats for the 1830s & 50s gowns, plus the flounced and plain petticoats that go with them. I bought a ton of cotton organdy in the Garment District for these, at the recommendation of Jennifer Rosbrugh of HistorialSewing.com. Due to the number of petticoats needed, you don't want extra weight of regular cotton. Makes sense to me. And in the meantime it will be a nice change to work on a lot of white fabric instead of all the black.

Did you go to Costume College this year? I did!

If I met you, or you saw me, let me know here!

This is just a quick overview of my four costumes I wore. It will be awhile until I get all my photos resized to put in my album.

The first day I wore my 1872 Purple Polonaise, here with my friend, Cindy. I got a lot of compliments on it, and it remains one of my favorites.

Later that evening at the Ice Cream Social, I wore my 1850s Turquoise Plaid, and here again with my friend, Cindy. Me thinks I need something on top of my head, but not a bonnet.

The next day I wore my new Bloomer gown all day and into the evening for the Gala. Here with friends, Cat & Cindy. I had a couple ladies literally melting into a puddle of jelly when they saw my gown, and are excited to make them too. The pattern is almost ready to market but I was able to take pre-orders so they will get them before they go on the market.

Sunday was my La Belle Epoque Tea and I was completely happy with how it and my gown turned out.

Of course my favorite shot was from the back.

This is Shawn, my thoroughly obnoxious and snooty French Maitre d'.

I took lots of photos of the tea setup, and the greenery I brought into the room really made a difference.

I know I'll come across better shots as people post their photos. Mine don't always turn out well when I hand my camera to someone. But we did have a couple professional photographers there, so I have my hopes.

As I said, if I met you there, and you have photos, feel free to leave a link here so we all can see.

Costume College starts this week!!

I just finished all the last minute details on my two new costumes I'll be wearing to the costume convention in Los Angeles.

 I leave Thursday morning to drive up there, and return Monday night after an all day shopping frenzy in the Garment District. I'm going to be a personal guide to a group of newbies to the GD. Always fun to see the "deer caught in the headlights" look on their faces.

I also finished the flower arrangements and foliage decor I'm using for the Sunday Fantasy Tea there. I have a good feeling how the room is going to look. With the La Belle Epoque posters on the walls, plant stands w/ Boston ferns, music of ragtime playing, and a French Maitre d', I think it will make an elegant presentation.

And I finished cutting up 119 photos of members in their finest costumes from the last year to be displayed at the Caught on Camera display in the costume exhibit there. A lot of them were ones I took but I got a lot more sent in to me this year than last year, which was it's first time. I think it's going to be bigger every year, so I'm going to be jones'ing for a larger display area next time.

The packing marathon begins!