This is a photo diary of my costuming "travels"; where I've learned and struggled to make historical costumes for myself. They're not always pretty, but always fun, most of the time. And I want to share with others what I learn along the way. **You can find me on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Time-Traveling-in-Costume-640703499399817/ or have my posts delivered to your email by signing up at the lower part of the right column.**



About Me

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HI, my name is Val. I'm a member of Costumer's Guild West in Los Angeles, Dean of 2018 & 2024 Costume College; Past President of the San Diego Costume Guild, member of Orange County Costume Guild, and a representative of the San Diego History Center. I also put on historical fashion shows for various groups. I make my own historical costumes but don't sell any unless I get tired of one.The eras I've made so far are 1770 up to 1918. My favorite is the 1880s bustle.

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Friday, March 12, 2010

A collection of previous costumes Part 2

This is another collection of costumes I've made in the past but also included some updated photos of recent gowns that I didn't have in their own posts.
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In 2005 I made an Edwardian summer gown, using Sense & Sensibility's pattern for the 1914 afternoon gown. I happened to be looking at some sheer curtains at the store one day, and in the Shabby Chic section came across some white embroidered cotton voile one that just spoke Edwardian lingerie dress to me. I used one panel and one short window curtain for the pattern.




















I used the short curtain panel for the sleeves with the embroidered finish on the cuffs, and a portion over the upper bodice. I used the "valance" that came with the panel to do an overskirt. Since the embroidered sections were finished off, I didn't have to hem anything. I change the ribbon belt color occasionally from blue to pink, and it ties in the back.





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In 2008 for that year's Costume College (annual costume convention in Los Angeles), I decided to make two 1795 Empire/Regency open robes using Butterick 4890.


















  I used this photo from the Kyoto book for my inspiration.
The pattern didn't have the bodice close in the front. It just hung open along the sides of the bust, with a belt going around it, so I made an extension on each side just under the bust so I could close it. I made one with this pink upholstery remnant I found in an antique shop. It had a gold fern design on it.












 




I closed the front band on the inside with a hook and bar, and I sewed a pretty bauble purchased at JoAnn's to the front. I machine-stitched a gold flower trim all around the edges, and a stiff lace that stood up along the neckline, and ending just below the shoulders.






























For the other robe I used a periwinkle blue dupioni but don't have a picture of the fabric. I used a different trim on it so it didn't look the same as the pink one.
At the same time I was making a white dress to go under it using a silky peau de soie. I started it using a brand new Reconstructing History pattern but it wasn't graded up correctly so at the last minute I had to trash the bodice and recut it from a LaMode Bagatelle pattern. The skirt portion is a little big since it was a round gound but eventually I plan to take it apart and remove some of the the excess fabric.
I sewed a two-sided lace trim along the neckline and sleeve edges, and at a later date, sewed tiny glass beads onto the trim so it sparkled when the lights hit it. Along the hem line of the dress I handsewed a gold trim that really set it off when the robe opened in the front.
For my headpiece I made my first attempt at a wraparound turban. This was just two long tubes of the peau de soie that I braided, then wrapped around my head loosely and tacked it to hold it together. Later I pinned a very tall white ostrich feather to it with a fancy brooch.

I wore both these gowns to Costume College, but I only had the pink one on for a short time and never got a photo of me in it. I did get quite a few of the blue one, and it was one of my most favorite gowns that I've ever made.









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This is an update photo of my 1918 Armistice Day outfit that I again wore to a Costumed Walkabout at the Del Mar Antique Show.

We came across this fashion print and I noticed the blue bow on the front of the white blouse, so next time I wear this, it will have a blue bow also. And maybe a handsome accessory too.

1 comment:

  1. I LOVE all of them! Especially the blue pelisse outfit - so inspiring!

    ReplyDelete

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