With cat-like tread...

This is what happens when I have little to do during break - I found this video from the 1983 movie of Pirates of Penzance. I find it highly amusing both for the craziness and energy of the whole thing. I'm getting excited for it :) (even though several of my friends have dropped out). Enjoy!

Black and white and read all over.

I received my copy of Richard Corson's Stage Makeup today! Except I am a bit overwhelmed by all the pictures and information. Now I'm just waiting for my list of materials from my professor so I can purchase those before the 9th.

Blog revamp

If any of you have been reading this for the past year, you will have noticed a lot of changes (or at least within the past couple months). I've been experimenting with backgrounds and such to make my blog much less blah. So I now present to you my beautiful new blog (with help from a couple blog freebie sites - tehe)!

Now if only I could do this to the disaster zone which is my bedroom.

Merry Christmas!

Yes, another year come and gone. I'm done with my first semester of college and I'm nearly 19. Jeez times flies fast. Christmas was very nice this year (if you don't count my awful cold complete with headache and runny nose - I've gone through several tissue boxes in the past couple days and my upper lip is chapped from blowing my nose so often). I received a couple pairs of shoes, some socks, candy, as well as 3 (well 4) new books. One is Nineteenth Century Fashion in Detail by Lucy Johnston, Costume in Detail by Nancy Bradfield, and Patterns of Fashion 1: 1660-1860 by Janet Arnold. I've heard they are all really good books to have in the library for a costumer :) So glad to add them to my collection along with Lucy Barton's Historic Costume for the Stage, James Laver's History of Fashion, Kyoto Costume Institute's Fashion, and Cut My Cote. I'm also waiting for a copy of Stage Makeup by Richard Corson (it's in the mail) for use in my J-term Stage Makeup Course.

I've also been inspired to do something over my break. I still need to finish my corded petticoat (once I find the spool of hemp someplace in my house) and make a new regency chemise (from the remaining batiste from my victorian chemise and drawers). I've been eyeing the JP Ryan stays pattern and kit from Silly Sisters for a while, so I'm planning to order that soon so I have something to work on when I'm back at school in a couple weeks.

Costume 1 Final Designs

I passed in my costume final on Monday and took photos of each of my lovely designs for a Retro 50's-70's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Here they are in all their glory!

 Hermia in a pink spotted circle skirt dress.

Nothing is better

than sitting on the couch at home with two labrador retrievers snuggling at your feet. Yes, I'm finally home!

I finished my finals yesterday morning and the original plan was that Mom was going to pick me up from school today after work. But I finished my finals and called my dad and I went home! The real reason was because my mom just had a big birthday and there was a surprise party last night with the ladies from the neighborhood. Initially I didn't think I'd finish on time, but when I passed in my finals, I knew I had to come home because I knew it would make my mom very happy. So after unloading my stuff out of the car, I stuffed it all in my closet so it looked like it was empty and then went and hid at my neighbor's house. Around 7:30 my mom walked in the door (thinking it was only drinks with my neighbors and maybe the wife's sister) and was completely shocked to find most of the neighborhood in the kitchen. She burst into tears to see everyone, then looked at me and was even more surprised! She thought I was still at school! I guess I get best daughter award :)

So close!

All I have left of Finals is :

- 2 performance reviews

- 1 painting

- Writing resources on all my designs

- 1 redrawing

- 1 director's letter

- Printing my reference images

- 2 math problems

I promise I'll take photos of my designs and post them here before I pass them in tomorrow!

Ok..

So normally I don't post multiple times a day, it's just that I can't wait for my roommate to move out. She has been in bed for the past half-hour and i still want to work. It really prohibits my studying habits. I hope she can get the ok to move during J-term.

So much to do!

I didn't think I'd get around to another blog post before the end of the semester, but I can't focus on work much longer.

I'm relieved to be finished with classes, even if it means I now have to deal with finals (ugh). I'm currently progressing through my only remaining finals: math and costume design. I'm not worried too much about either, but just want to be home. I currently have two problems left on my math final so that should be pretty easy. My costume final is a whole other story: as mentioned last post, I have 8 full on designs for A Midsummer Night's Dream, 10 historical re-drawings, 2 performance reviews and a director's note. I am proud to say I am moving through each fairly decently. I have 6 more re-drawings and 4 design sketches left, as well as both performance reviews and the director's letter. One thing that has really helped me with the drawings is drawing off another person's shape - e.g. I have taken my neighbors, photographed them, drawn them in the poses in the photos, then put my clothing designs on them. It has really helped me with proportions because I have something to look at and I'm not drawing a body from thin air. So if you are reading this blog, who knows, you might be a character in my designs.

On another note, a group of students here has formed a Shakespeare troupe and is performing Romeo and Juliet. Good news: I went to a meeting today and they said I could be a couple of minor parts in it. Bad news: Pirates starts on the 13th of February and R&J will perform late February/early March, meaning I might not be able to do it :( I'm waiting to see if we will get a schedule for Pirates over break so I can decide and tell the director (who is only a first year and seems really on top of things. The exercises we did today were reminiscent of what I did in WHSTE *sigh*). I'm hoping that even if I can't be in it, I can maybe help with costumes.

It's the most wonderful time of the year?

Well it seems to be for most people with holiday shopping and tree decorating, but for college students it means cramming for finals, booking plane and bus tickets, and cramming enough stuff for 3 weeks home into a tiny suitcase. And I am no exception. My last day of classes is in a couple days, then we have "reading period" where we get time to study and finish our finals. I lucked out a bit this semester, with only 2 finals during finals period - a math take-home test and a costume design project. I presented my dance powerpoint about Agnes deMille on Wednesday and I will pass in my Shakespeare paper on Tuesday. So I just have to do 8 full color designs (complete with images and swatches) for characters from A Midsummer Night's Dream, 10 re-drawings of historical clothing, 2 performance reviews of performances I saw this semester and a director's letter about my designs. I guess it could be about 100 times worse, I'm just having trouble motivating my self to work.

Semesterly Stuffs

So there is a lot to report since my last post. Urinetown went very well - we sold out Friday and almost sold out on Saturday. All the people who came to see the production really enjoyed themselves. It was definitely a ton of fun. My manliness (ok boyishness) went well and I liked being almost fully disguised under a hat and boy-shirt for once. My favorite part was that I ended up jumping on Bobby's back during Act 1 Finale which made me very happy (see 2nd photo below). What was really nice about the entire production was that everyone got along very well - we had a cast of 15, so we all became really close which is something I've never felt in a cast before. I'm really pleased and can't wait until my next production with this group!

(Top to bottom: the cast, Act 1 Finale, Mr. Cladwell, and Cop Song)

The end of the semester is right around the corner, meaning my costume design and costume shop classes will end soon. I have truly enjoyed the design class - it has been a lot of work, but very insightful and fun in the meantime. I think grade-wise I am doing just fine, I just need to maintain my standards for my final project (which is 12 designs for 2 separate productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream). I know that I want to set one production in the 1950s with the setting in a diner and drive-in movie...I just need to get to work because the drawings are due the 2nd.

I guess one good thing is that I got all my classes for next semester (no acting or costume classes) but I'm excited because I will be taking an American Studies course on New England Material Culture. Can't wait to work with artifacts!!

This will be a quicky

partly because I have little to say and partly because I have a paper and project due tomorrow and tech rehearsals tonight. I've started to play with changing my header. I created a collage with Picasa and put text over it (aren't I so tech savvy?). Planning to change it around later with better images, but this will do for now. More will come later about Urinetown fiascos.

Arrrgh matey!

I received the news last night that was cast in my college's production of The Pirates of Penzance as a pirate/cop! I'm so glad to be in a Gilbert and Sullivan piece! I do have to admit that I would have rather been cast as a daughter of Major General-Stanley, but they sing really high and I can't sing that high. I've always heard that evil (are the pirates and cops evil?) characters are fun to play and I guess that's true. It's also a good thing because I have been cast as a goody-two shoe character for as long as I can remember. We go to a dance rehearsal today and I can't wait to find out what I will be doing!

Also, Urinetown opens 2 weeks from Friday!! We are close to ready (if you don't count finished costumes, props and sets) and I think it will be a good show - not all that fancy, but certainly very silly! We have dress rehearsals starting on the 13th and tickets go on sale that week.

"'I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, sir, because I'm not myself, you see'"

Happy Halloween! Just came back from a fun trip of trick or treating with college friends. We stopped by the president's house, but she wasn't home, but her husband gave us candy. We then went to a couple residential houses - one man opened the door wearing a full skeleton costume, carrying a bowl of candy and a bowl of toothbrushes and toothpaste. I took a toothbrush and piece of candy, but then he stopped me and told me to take a toothpaste! I told him I had plenty of toothpaste and we all moved on. At another house, there was a sign telling visitors to go to number 4. The house contained separate apartments and we went to the second floor and knocked on the door to number 4 and two young men opened the door. They were very nice, but it was a bit strange to get candy this way...My friends and I went a few house more, then Raisa and I turned back to go home and work. Ah yes, lots of fun for college students trick or treating.

I finally finished my costume on friday. It took me three days in the costume shop to finish my wonderful pinafore. As here is the finished costume: *drumroll*

Tah dah! It ended up very cute (and poufy!). 

Also some of my friends and I all dressed up before going out in the cold! (bottom to top: Marilyn Monroe, Glinda the Good Witch, Alice in Wonderland, a cupcake, a Pirate Zombie and a Witch)

Oh google.

Occasionally Google uses different images as their logos. Today, in honor of Halloween, they used a really cool Scooby-Doo logo. For some reason I decided to search this (don't ask why) and I somehow found that a little while ago Google posted a functional PacMan game as their logo. Is that not sick or what?

Alice Costumes

Was just poking around on Youtube and found this. It's the designer Colleen Atwood from the new Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland talking about a couple of the costumes from the movie. I haven't seen it yet, but I love some of (ok, mainly Alice's) the costumes. They are very creative and intricately detailed. I've always wanted to be part of designing amazing costumes. *Sigh* maybe someday.

All in the Golden Afternoon

I'm being Alice in Wonderland for Halloween and my petticoat finally arrived! It's sooo poufy! So much fun! Below are a couple photos of the dress and petticoat. You'll be seeing finished outfit photos a bit later.

 (top to bottom: dress and petticoat, close-up and dress and petticoat hanging on closet door)

He exists!

My college does Big Sib, Little Sib for all the first years in the houses and it has been an awesome week so far. Monday I received a little labrador retriever figurine in a doghouse made of tea on my door. Tuesday I received a sparkly red ornament that was a replica of an 1890's period shoe. Today I received a pretty pink rose in a vase with a card signed by Mr. Darcy. This is enough to make my life!! What other girl has the opportunity to receive a flower from one of her favorite fictional men? And I am now very thankful to have the same name as his romantic partner.


Also, this is my 50th blog post. Huzzah! I feel it right to celebrate with an appropriate quote:

"A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment ~ Jane Austen"

Found this

via my college's twitter site. Pretty interesting considering todays social economy. Click here.

Treasure hunting

I went through my brothers' closet today and found a shirt that will work perfectly for Urinetown. It is a young man's size small with a cream background and a brown check pattern. I tried it on, rolled up the sleeves, pulled back my hair into a cap, and voila! Instant manlitude! Now I just need a pair of pants. I found a pair of brown cords at target in the boys section which I may get if I can't find anything else (I know there is an old pair of khakis that I used in Returning Road my freshman year that are boys sized, so I may try to find those in the depths of my attic).

I also bought a new pair of jazz shoes (mine were completely destroyed) and they are pretty and soft and wonderful (a vast improvement from my other pair). Can't wait to wear the wonderful black leathery goodness with my manly khaki dress socks (thank you Target!!).

Lots of fun stuff

Urinetown is finally up and running (sort of - well at least I have all my assigned roles and costumes pieces to hunt for). The director wants me to wear an Oliver Twist/Newsies like outfit, so I've been watching videos and looking at pictures so I know what to get. Looks like I'll be on the hunt for a patterned button down, straight leg jeans or knickers or something like that, tallish socks, suspenders, and a newsboy cap. I think I'll also get a new pair of jazz shoes because I haven't purchased a new pair in a while (and the ones I have are very destroyed and uncomfortable to dance in).

I also went poking around the downtown and found a brand new alice in wonderland dress! I've wanted one for ages but just didn't find the right fabric and this one fits almost perfect. It just needs a couple darts up the front and a white pinafore - nothing I can't do in more than a few hours. Oh and a giant poofy petticoat (which i have been DYING to purchase for years! Now I will have a reason to wear a 50's dress too!).

In costume lab, I finished the pattern I modified for my partner. Now it is time to just transfer it onto fabric and start pinning and sewing. We are using lots of tools that I have never seen before (like a tracing wheel with little spokey things that are good for marking with wax and through paper). Hopefully I will have photos of my work soon!

Long day.....

I just got back from an excursion to UMass to get art supplies for my costume design class. I needed watercolor brushes and paper, a palette, a pencil sharpener, and a portfolio to keep my works of art in and some of my housemates and I have discovered it is much cheaper to purchase art supplies at the UMass campus store than at the (really awesome) art store in town. So a friend and I went to the art store and purchased all that I needed (except the watercolor paper which I thought there might be a better selection in town). After, we walked back to the bus stop and found a massive crowd of people waiting to get on. We figured we wouldn't be able to get on so we walked the the other stop. Big mistake. We ended up waiting nearly an hour and a half before getting on a bus because every passing bus was filled to the gills! So I'm finally home and completely exhausted, but I do have my awesome art supplies :).

Urinetown rehearsals are good - I had one on Thursday night and we read through the script. I noticed all the really funny parts in the show this time and I guess I better understand all the jokes and such this time around. The dynamic is also very different because the whole cast is women with a few playing guys (myself included!), but I like it a lot. We have a dance "audition" tomorrow so that the choreographer can get a sense of how well we dance and what she can do with us.

The girl across the hall from me is really into anime and watches the Hayao Miyazaki movies which is nice because I have had few people in the past who enjoyed these movies. She also loves cute kitties from icanhascheezburger.com and has converted me. They are absolutely amazingly cute!

We're not sorry now! (bah dap bah dap)

I know I haven't posted in a while, but homework bogs everyone down. So my big news is that I made it into the Leading Ladies production of Urinetown! I'm playing Billy Boy Bill/Dr. Billeaux. I'm really excited to do the show again. I think it will be a lot of fun, plus we only have 15 people in the cast! We have our first read through tonight (and luckily the rehearsal is a stones throw away from my house so I don't have to walk too far in the dark and also won't get soaking wet in this awful rain we are having today.

On another note, I had my first costume shop lab on Monday. I thought I would jump right in to something fun and semi complicated, but no, I was giving a piece of muslin and I learned how to sew a basic seam, a fake felled seam, a real felled seam and a French seam. I've done flat felled seams before, but they turned out a bit messy. This time I felt good because all my seams were very neat and I had little trouble (except for the machine which kept jamming on me. Joy.). I have class on Friday as well and I can't wait to see what is in store.

And this is silly, but I wrote this entire post on my iPod touch while waiting for class to start. Oh the wonders of technology.

T200 - Costume Crew Introduction

I was having a lot of trouble figuring out my schedule for this semester and I've finally figured it it and I am taking 15 credits worth. One of these credits is Theater Production which is where the theater department gets student help for various crew jobs (costumes, lights, props, sets, stage managing, etc.). One caveat is that students are distributed among the jobs and won't necessarily get their first choice. On my contract my choices (in this order) were Costume Shop crew (working in the shop creating the costumes), Dresser (dressing actors for the "Skinny Shakespeare" production of Macbeth this winter), and Box Office/Publicity. I really wanted costume shop crew - and I got it!! I'm really excited! It meets for 4 hours each week, so I'll be spending lots of time in the theater building this semester constructing and learning about costuming (I may even learn how to drape patterns!!!). Stay tuned for more info.

WICKED Costumes

I did more poking around and found a video about the construction of Madame Morrible's costumes from Wicked. It's pretty neat to see such elaborate costumes close up.

Courses and College

Yesterday I underwent the all-important class registration with very few mishaps. At 12:45 I went downstairs to the house common room so I could lay out my alternate schedule (in case I couldn't get my first choices) and eventually I was joined by a few other housemates - all getting anxious about registration. To make a long stoy short, we all pressed submit on our computers and rapidly punched in the CRM's for our courses. After 15 minutes (and lots of slow web pages), I had my courses!! I'm officially registered for Elementary German, Contemporary Dance 1, a first year seminar called "Turning Points" (it's taught by a professor from the Study of Women and Gender major), and.....(drumroll please!).......Costume Design 1!! I'm so glad I got into the course that I have been waiting nearly a year to take! My first class is on Tuesday morning with a lab in the afternoon. I just went to the bookstore to purchase my giant stack of books and am flipping through the interesting ones. I can't wait for the class to start!

Completely unrelated to anything costuming

Over the past week I've been prepping to leave for school and it wasn't until right now that it hit me - I'm going to college. I'm living in a dorm with 72 complete strangers. I'm completely and utterly terrified. I think every time someone has to make a big transition, s/he has difficulty until s/he completely understands and feels comfortable in the new surroundings. I know I'm just uber nervous (I mean who isn't slightly apprehensive?) and I hope that I'll feel better in a couple days.

On another note, my puppy is getting really big - Ella is 4 and a half months old! She weighs nearly 40 pounds and I can't pick her up any more without straining my back. She also lost two teeth! She's getting to be so big!

I guess it's worth noting that the student run musical group at my college will be performing Urinetown as the fall musical. I'm hoping to help with costumes or even audition (I know the show really well and I hope to be up for one of the "rebel" roles) if I feel up to it.

Oh and this is my 41st blog post - hooray!

Women and Undergarments

One of the blogs I follow just posted an interesting article about women's fashion through history and it was very interesting. Just figured I'd share it since I haven't posted in a while.

Also on the docket is a corded petticoat that will probably come to college with me (considering I haven't finished yet). Luckily it has 9 cords so I'm not that far behind.

Another Regency dress

I've been planning another regency dress for a while now and I hope to finish it before going to school. However, I'm torn between fabrics:

A pretty purple vine pattern with a cream background or...

A red diagonal dot pattern? I like them both!

Leftovers...

This post talks about the costumes I obtained long before I started the blog. Some are still works in progress, some need updating.

Above are a cap and untrimmed straw hat I purchased in Williamsburg the summer of 2008.

I'm hoping to eventually post some other pieces of, but only once I find or take the appropriate photos!

Continuing projects...

I've been working on a couple projects for a while and am far from finishing them. My corded petticoat for example. It has five cords on it with the sixth in progress. Ideally it should have 12 or so. So then I'd be half done? Maybe not. I just need to put in a lot of cords so it will have a round shape and keep my skirts in the correct silhouette (that is once I've made a dress to wear over it).

Hard at work...

It's a bit much to have two posts in less than 4 hours, but I just had to get it up! I'M IN THE PAPER! THE BOSTON GLOBE!!! LOOKIE!!

By Jov! I think we've done it!

That is On the Razzle has opened (or will tonight). It's been a crazy whirlwind of a week, trying to finish everything for dress rehearsals, but the costumes are all ready to go! I watched from the sudirence last night and everything looked good (except the little boy playing the Ragamuffin needed to be dirtier) for the most part. I'm so glad that it all feel into place.

Now I'm waiting for my college roommate and housing assignment. We were told we would receive them today, but due to technical issues, it won't be for the next few days. Bummer.

Now that Razzle is done, I can get back to my summer projects. I still haven't made a new regency chemise, but I may forgo that for a bodiced petticoat because A) I am too lazy to make stays and a chemise and petticoat and B) a bodiced petticoat would provide the same amount of coverage as the previously mentioned garments. One problem is that I'd also be motivated to make a new regency dress from this fabric. To make a bodiced petticoat, I'd also need to buy this pattern becasue I have a different pattern and it doesn't accomodate the bodiced petticoat.

My corded petticoat is also behind. Oops.

At some point, I'd also like to make an Alice in Wonderland dress for Halloween (complete with poofy skirt and apron) but it's on the same list as a new Regency Spencer, a Cinderella costume, a pair of 1770's stays, Early Nineteenth century stays, and a Titanic era white dress. If only my wallet could afford all of this!

Photographic Updates

I finally found my camera cord, so I can post some photos of some of the various projects I've been up to:

So this is the hideous scotch-brite plaid I mentioned in my last post. I made a skirt out for it for the actress playing the German woman. She also will be wearing a vest left over from Hedda with puffy sleeves made out of the same plaid. I'd like to get a couple photos of the girl in the outfit.

Here is my finally finished chemise (all nicely ironed and hemmed). The hemline is a bit uneven, but that is because the tucks in the back are uneven as well. I'm very proud of my work, just wish I had someplace to wear it!!

Yep - those are baby bibs and burp cloths! A family friend is having a baby in September and I figured I'd make her some bibs and burp cloths for a baby shower gift. There are 4 bibs and 3 cloths in the photo, but I have enough fabric to make at least 6 more bibs. I bought nearly 5 yards of fabric. Oops. I'll probably make some more after the baby is born as I also have another plan for her gift. The site claims these gifts are perfect for baby showers, but you'll have to click this link to find out why :)

Also, my puppy has grown a ton! She's 12 weeks old and nearly 25 pounds!

Corset wishes and scotch-brite plaid

I dream of making way too many costumes. I really want to make an 1830's era dress but I don't have the correct undergarments and am a) not skilled enough to make the patterns on the market, b) too bogged down with other little projects to make them and c) slightly too lazy to make them. Of course the answers to all my prayers comes with a $277 price tag (actually a $220 one because of a sale). The 1805 Patricia corset at Period Corsets is on sale and I have been lusting over it. Except it is really pricey - almost 2 paychecks worth! I have to make up my mind soon because the sale ends on July 4th.

On another note, On the Razzle opens soon and I'm making a bumblebee plaid skirt for one of the actresses. The black and yellow is so hysterical - I can't wait to see it all finished. That's my project for the next couple days.

Lacey Gorgeousness

Did I mention I finished my chemise? It's finally has hand-sewn lace on the hem. It looks really pretty. I also sewed on a snap for the closure and stitched the hanging piece of fabric down so the chemise wouldn't gap or look funny. The batiste is wonderful to wear - I wore it to bed a week ago. Hopefully I will get a photo up soon.

"Unhand my foot, sir!"

Ah yes, Vokes has started work on costumes again - and there are 2 and a half weeks until they need to be finished. As I mentioned before, they are doing On the Razzle which has a plot similar to Hello Dolly! only minus the character of Dolly. I went yesterday to help Elizabeth figure things out. We have a cast of roughly fifteen and that means there are a ton of required costumes. One big joke within the show is that Macbeth has just opened so there is a big Scottish craze sweeping Vienna (where the show is set) and thus everyone wants a plaid outfit (which causes confusion and mistaken identities among all the characters). Sadly, plaid is difficult to come by (and hard to match). We have three plaid capes from the last production and so we are trying to match them. If anyone has any extra plaid material, let me know.

Because we need soooo much plaid, I get to help with sewing for this show! Mom fixed her machine last night (phew) and now I can sew again. I'm sewing a kilt for a Scottish man within the next few days. I'll also probably sew a couple skirts for the ladies (the era is 1890's or so). There is so much to do for this show!!

Uh oh.

I may or may not have hurt my mom's nice Bernina. Oops. I was about to sew another cord onto my corded petticoat, but didn't move the needle over and then the needle broke. I think I got rid of all the pieces but for some reason the needle holder is not resetting itself when I turn on the machine. I just hope I won't have to put all my college savings towards paying for its repair.

Now that summer is starting, I need to find a couple sewing projects. I finished my Laughing Moon chemise. I hand sewed the hem (which is slightly uneven) and the lace. Now I'm working on my corded petticoat. It currently has 3 and a half rows (I'm hand sewing on the 4th). Hopefully it will hold out skirts and be really stiff with a lot of starch.

After I finish, I have a couple options - I'd love to make an 1830s/40s dress (it will be good use of the corded petticoat) but I'd need another corset for the 1830's dress. I'm also considering a hoop skirt kit and a new hoop dress. I could also make a bustle and a skirt and bodice to go over top. Hmm...decisions.

I hate change but...

it's time to change this blog around a bit. I love historical costuming and want to continue with this blog, but don't want to create a new blog just for my musings. So I have now changed my blog title a bit and will be posting costume news as well as other news. One big change is the countdown at the top of my page - it's for my college orientation. Now you readers can tell how much longer until my next big step in life! I can't wait until college!

SP: Presenters

I kinda got a photo of my corset and undergarments (with me in them). It's not very good, but it will do for now. I'm on the far right.

What to make next?

Now that I've finished my corset, I've opened up tons of costuming doors. The corset ranges over a 60 year time span, meaning I need to make a skirt support to make a new outfit. But what to make? I'm defintely planning on:

- a new regency chemise
- finishing my corded petticoat
- hemming my chemise

I'd love (if my bank account allows it)
- making a new hoop skirt and petticoats (and then maybe a dress)
- making a bustle
- making a pair of stays and then an 1830's dress

We'll see how the summer goes. I'd also like to get a photo of me wearing my corset so I can post it here.

Oh and I'm also helping with Vokes' "On the Razzle" this summer so stay tuned!

SP: Closing

I presented my corset and undergarments at the presentation last night. I have to admit it was a mad rush to the finish - I worked almost all of yesterday hand sewing the binding, clipping basting stitches, gathering and seaming the corset and chemise (also finishing my slideshow). But now they are all done! The corset looks amazing - practically store bought. I can't believe I assembled it in 4 days!! There are a few blemishes, but that's typical for a first corset. It looks very pretty and is actually fairly comfortable. The chemise and drawers are made out of a lightweight cotton batiste that was a tad annoying to work with but it is so worth it! Batiste is much more comfortable than muslin from Joann's - they feel like pajamas! I want to make another chemise to wear to bed during the summer, but I need to use the remainder to make a new regency chemise. And now the photos (I need to get one of me in the garments, but I'm doing an in-school presentation on Thursday so a friend could take one then):

The Chemise

The Drawers

The Corset

Ella!

We're getting a puppy!! Her name will be Nutella (Ella for short). Here are some photos:

SP: More Goals for the Week

Goals:

- order corset brocade and coutil

- order bone casing, bones, busk, grommets and setter, rubber hammer

- purchase lace for drawers and chemise

- purchase twill tape for corset binding

- trace silverado corset

- cut out and assemble mock-up of silverado corset

- purchase cotton cord or hemp for corded petticoat

- wash batiste for drawers and chemise

- go to Vokes
- make either chemise or drawers

I know, a bit crazy, but the ordering will be done on one order

SP: Chemises, Batiste and Corset Mockups #1

I haven't updated in a while so here's what I did last week:

Monday I ordered fabric for the chemise and drawers. I ordered almost 8 yards, thinking that I could kill two bird with one stone (and pay less shipping) and get enough to make a nicer shift to wear under my regency gown. The one I have currently is a bit too big and awkward fitting. When I finally wash the batiste, I’ll have to make the Victorian drawers and chemise first and then see what material is leftover. After ordering, I set to work tracing the corset pattern onto interfacing. It wasn't all that hard to trace the pattern because I have done this before with the pattern for my Regency Pelisse. Tracing is good because then I can reuse the pattern in the future. After tracing the pattern on interfacing, I cut out the pieces.

Tuesday I went to Joann's to get fabric to make my corset mock-up and also purchased some muslin and yarn to make a corded petticoat. I figured it's a good idea to have the materials because I know at one point I will be waiting for corset supplies or have finished the drawers and chemise, so I’d like to have materials to make something else in the meantime. I browsed the yarn and finally picked a bright blue ombre one. I don't think it will really matter what color I choose because A) it will be sewn into casing in the petticoat and B) it will be under my gown. I figured a brightly colored yarn would be better than a white yarn because otherwise my eyes could strain against the white fabric. I washed the fabric and yarn because every sewing expert always tells you to preshrink anything otherwise when you wash it later, the garment (or whatever you are making) could pucker and misshape. To get it ready, I rolled it out of the prepackaged ball and wrapped in into a loop like a hose. I discovered the best way to do this was wrap it around a book. After rolling 150 yards of yarn, I tied it at four ends and sent it into the washing machine after advancing the fabric. When the fabric was dry, I folded it and advanced the yarn into the dryer. While waiting for the washer and dryer, I watched DVD I purchased about corset making. It was actually really helpful to see the techniques used live and understand the differences between different materials. That night I went and helped at Vokes. I was asked to bring a sewing machine, so my mom gave me a quick rundown of her older machine so I could bring it. When I got to the theater, Elizabeth had me pin down a seam to fit a bodice for the lead actress. Then I sewed the seam down with her machine. It was a bit disconcerting because it moved really fast when I pressed the pedal down. After that, I pinned and cut out a pattern for a skirt. I don’t mind doing this, but my back hurts from sitting on the ground and leaning over. Later the prop master came in and started musing about all the flowers and hurricane lamps and candles and letter carriers they needed for the production. He was actually pretty funny to listen to.

Wednesday I pinned and sewed the corset pieces together to make a mock-up. It looks really good! I finally have a fitted corset mock-up! I just need to order the correct fabric. It fits pretty well. I also started part of my corded petticoat. I think it will be fuller than I thought it would be, but that's okay. I like full petticoats. I also seamed the fabric for the corded petticoat, making a large loop that is about 107” wide and 48” long. I also sewed the placket and it looks very neat. It will come in handy when I finally put on the waistband. I also rolled the yarn I had washed into a nice ball that will make it easier to work with later.

Thursday I changed projects temporarily. Since I finished my corset mock up and needed to order the fabric and other materials for it, I started to work on a corded petticoat. I ordered fabric to make the chemise and the drawers, but it hadn't come yet. When I bought fabric for my corset mock-up, I also purchased some 108" wide cotton muslin for my petticoat. It is fairly light weight, but with cording and some starch, it should stiffen pretty nicely. I found instructions for the petticoat online and started the bottom cord. I have read on zillions of websites that you should do a corded petticoat by machine otherwise you will drive yourself crazy. The instructions said to use a zipper foot on the sewing machine so you could get really close to the cording (which makes the welts in the fabric, allowing it to stand up). So I found the one for my mom's nice machine (aka. $2000 that I'm not allowed to mess up at all) and got all set to sew. When I turned on the machine, I didn't realize that the needle does not automatically adjust itself to the left or right of the foot. So as I started so sew, the needle broke the second it hit the metal foot. Oops. So then I got out the other machine that was more stable (but much older and less complicated). I think it belonged to my grandmother. Anyway, when I looked in the box that stores extra feet and bobbins, I couldn't find it! It must be with a different machine or something. Then when I went back to the nice machine, I couldn't find the right size needles. After I finally found them, I tried putting a new one in, but it just wasn't falling correctly over the foot. I really don't like ruining a nice machine, so I figured I'd sew one cord by hand. Hey, it can't be that bad - yes it will take a while, but at least I'll know what I’m doing when I finally get the machines up and running. So I put on a movie and sewed the first cord of my corded petticoat. I think it looks pretty good, but I may change the color and material of the cording. I like bright blue, but I think many rows of blue cording will look silly (even though they will be under another petticoat and a skirt.) This weekend I will probably purchase some hemp or cotton cord to use in the cording. I don't think that using yarn as cording will be very stable and won't we very stiff (which is very important in a corded petticoat). So two and a half hours (and a lunch break and movie change) later, I finished the one cord on the bottom of my petticoat - yay!

Friday I had finished my hours, but I spent time working on my journal for this week. I also too some pictures and tried to re-fit my corset mock-up to myself, but had difficulty. Next week I may make a mock-up of the other corset pattern in the package because it is more suited to my figure. The one I made this week is a bit low on the bust and has a lot of overlapping fabric when I pin it together. I also want to get some hemp that is sturdier for my petticoat.

SP: Goals for the Week

My goals for this week are to:
- order fabric for the corset and chemise and drawers
- trace the corset pattern
- purchase fabric to make a mock up
- cut out and assemble a mock-up of the corset
- watch the corset making DVD
- go to Vokes
- update blog

That's all.

Trip to Lowell - a fashion (and textile) history

Because of vacation, I went out to the American Textile History Museum to get some ideas and do some research. It was so cool! The museum actually talked about the different types of materials used in clothing and how they have progressed over time. It started with flax and linen, moved through cotton and the labor required (think mills and such), then ended in modern day with polyester and Eco-fabrics (such as polar fleece made of recycled bottles). The museum was well laid out and very informative - plus it had dresses from all the major eras! Here are my findings below:

SP: Speakers and a 20 year old cat

I think that it is quite an adventure every time I go help at Vokes. Yesterday I was there for 2 and a half hours and I saw lots of crazy things. At the beginning of the night, I was sifting through boxes to find appropriate hats. I found 4 that worked, but also found some crazy pointed wool hats and turban-type things. I also found lots of feathers and crazy beading. Yay. my supervisor had me pin a pattern so she could cut it out, but there is hardly enough fabric for the pattern to fit, so the skirt will be not full at all. At one point, a couple actors came down to try on some clothes for us and the stuff we had pulled (*cough* I had pulled, aka. pants) looked amazing. One of the overcoats needed new buttons, so I found 3 matching buttons and after sewing them on, realized they were too big for the holes! Bummer. So next time I head over to the theater, I will have to resew buttons onto the coat.

Now about my title. Vokes has a resident cat named Beatrice (after Beatrice Herford, founder of the theater). This cat is really old and very sad looking. Most of the time she is sleeping on the couch in the green room or hiding in the office upstairs, but yesterday she was walking around the green room and I could swear that the cat is senile. She was just staring into space or looking at things like the drawer-pull on the make-up cabinet. Poor kitty. She also is very thin. I guess one of the women stays there whenever Bea is sick to take care of her :-( I also discovered yesterday that they have this ancient speaker that you can turn on and then hear what is going on onstage. Pretty ingenious. Actually, never mind. Most theaters have those, just Wayland High School is too low budget to do anything of the sort. What was cool about it was how it was like one of those old radios. It buzzed when you turned it on and then faded in and out. I can't wait to see it in action again.

I also just got an email that my corset pattern shipped. Hopefully it will be here soon!

SP: Stubby Man Pants and green houndstooth

So I spent an hour and a half last night at Vokes digging for pants. Yes pants. While my supervisor turned this suit-coat into a vest, I picked through a box to find a pair of gray (or is it spelled grey?) pants, a pair of brown  pants and a pair of black pants. Towards the top of the box I found a couple pants that would work and as I worked to the bottom, I found pants for a very heavy and stout man. The waist measurement was AT LEAST 40 inches in diameter. Yikes. The inseam (taken from the crotch of the pants to the hem) was about 27 or so inches. To compare, I'm about a 30 or 31 inch inseam. And the men's pants were probably supposed to go to the natural waist. I wear my jeans at my high hips. Shows how much some pants (or in my case about a dozen pants in that box) are one size fits one. I then found a pair of brown pants in the next box and they are about the right size for the man we need them for. After last night, I felt very accomplished - I found pants for all three men! I think there are 7 people in the cast and we have costumes for about half of them! It's exciting because they open in a couple weeks (May 6th, I believe). Before I got to work yesterday, I got to watch them in rehearsal again and they were a lot better. They are off book right now and it is cool to watch "real" actors work through a true play. I'm going back tonight to find a hat for the aunt and sew buttons on a coat.

On another note, my corset pattern hasn't shipped yet. I need it for next week otherwise I will be in trouble. I should email the company and ask about my order.

SP: Assistant to the Costume Manager?

I feel like Dwight who constantly tries to change his title from Assistant to the Regional Manager to Assistant Regional Manager. Anyway my first week of the senior project went really well - but it had a slow start. I spent some time at Vokes on Wednesday. I've yet to read the play, but it looks quite interesting. When I arrived, the woman in charge of costuming wasn’t there yet so I sat and watched the actors for about 15 minutes. After being part of acting at the high school, I noticed a huge difference between them and my peers. They were very strong actors and able to drop in emotions at the drop of a hat. I wonder if it was because they had been in rehearsal for so long or if they were just naturally good. It was cool. When the woman arrived, we went downstairs and she gave me a basis for what the costume plot of the show would entail. Hedda Gabler was written in the late 1890’s, but set in the 1860’s (meaning the original production would have had hoop skirts and bustles – something the director didn’t want to deal with). So they are setting their production in the 1890’s. Once I had ideas of what we were looking for (and approximate sizes) I helped pull costumes from their stock (a costume closet that was overstuffed with boxes). At one point the woman left me looking for blouses and I found a couple in a plastic box (with mouse droppings) that would work. We later tried the clothing on the actors and actresses and found which pieces worked and which didn’t. By the end of the night, we had potential costumes for 2 actors. Yay! I'm hoping to go back later this week. I actually really enjoy learning all this stuff.

Crochet a Bag with Plastic bags - awesome!?!

I really wish I knew how to crochet *pokes link below*

http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/how-tuesday-how-to-make-plarn-crochet-an-eco-friendly-tote-b-7773/

SP: Finally!

I finally started the senior project today! YAY! It was supposed to start yesterday, but I was bogged down by third quarter stuff and a 3 block long Macbeth performance. The show went really well, so I am very sad that it is over. Each night was very strong and I didn't hear one bad review. I wish there were more nights. I'm hoping to get a video of the performance so I can watch it and remember my only Shakespeare production in high school. We are doing another show this spring (another original) and I think I'll probably do it so that I'm not crazy anti-social. Because of the senior project, I don't have to go to 80% of my classes and instead I work on my project. So I don't see my friends. Odd. Anyway, I ordered the pattern for my corset today (laughing moon #100) and a DVD that gives instructions on how to fit a corset. This should be here next week when I can finally get to work on the pattern. I also got my dress form and I need to alter the cover that goes on top of it (used to conform to my measurements). This has proved to be difficult thus far, so we'll have to see. Hopefully my mom and I will be able to get it done soon so I can use it to fit my corset.

Something Beautiful

I was poking around on Etsy and found an amazing behind the scenes video of NYC Ballet's costume shop and a woman who works as a draper there. It was just so fantastic. Take a look (the video is the second on the page)

http://www.etsy.com/storque/handmade-life/espalore-the-making-of-a-tutu-7321/

Starting my Collection

Yesterday my Easter basket contained a note saying that the Kyoto Fashion Institute book was in the mail. I really didn't want lots of candy for Easter (for both my sanity and my body's health) - that really didn't work, but hey, I tried. So the book came today - all 730 something pages of full color photos of both historical clothing pieces and reproductions! AHH! It is such bliss to pour over the piles of pages and see the difference between the various headpieces and dresses, corsets and shoes. I don't think I will tire of the book for a long while.

Meanwhile, Macbeth is going quite well - we open on Wednesday. My costume is very simple. A black blazer with black dress pants, black loafers and stockings with a white dress shirt and black patterned tie. I think it looks okay - very masculine. I think I will be the most androgynous character on the stage during the next few days of performances.

SP: Dress Form!!

It came today!! I am so excited! It is really awesome to be able finally look at what my clothing looks like. I put my regency dress and chemise on it to test it out, but it looked funny because the form is currently larger than my measurements. The form is made of polyurethane and the purchaser buys a cotton cover which they them fit to their (skintight!) body measurements. I haven't gotten a chance to do this yet because the instructions are really long! I'm hoping that after rehearsal tomorrow, Mom can help me fit it. Now just to figure out a name and where to store her. Right now, she's living in my family room because I really don't want a dress form watching me sleep!

Dress Form:

 Regency Dress:

Regency Chemise:

It's Official!

(This doesn't really warrant a full post, but I couldn't wait!) I just ordered a dress form! What's awesome is it is foam so when I fit the special cover, it will squish to match my measurements. It will come in a week or so. I can't wait!

Code Name: SP. Topic: Fabric

 I am currently in the process of choosing a fabric for my dress. My options are either a reproduction cotton fabric or a solid silk. I currently don't know of many good fabric stores, so reproduction fabric will be easier to obtain (read - online ordering). The problem with any fabric is making up my mind. I found a site  that has way too many choices. Below are my favorites:

(all images borrowed from the Dargate Collections at Baumtextile.com. No copyright intended)

 

Did you notice that I seem to really like purple? Strange (well I do have two coats, a civil war hoop skirt dress and a prom dress that are all purple).

Score!

I'm into the senior project! YES!! I found out on Friday. All 10 kids who applied made it which is great to see. I am making a dress from 1830 and the correct undergarments to wear underneath - the challenge is making them as historically accurate as I can, meaning most will be hand sewn. Fun.


Right now I'm making the Past Patterns Early-to Mid-Nineteenth Century Stays and 1830-1836 Full High Gown. I'll also make a new shift from my Sense and Sensibility Regency Undergarments pattern (or modify my current one) and a couple muslin petticoats which I will starch like crazy. It will be a cool few months.

Gown (left) 

Stays (right). I'm planning to make the one on the bottom right.

Sirrah, a word with you?

Macbeth opens in exactly 19 days. Wow. It's kinda scary. Our director is ready to start running things, but we are far from finished with all the blocking.

I'm definitely wearing a suit for my Seyton character. I'm also another role (keeping people in suspense!) and I'm in solid black with a mask. This is pretty typical for our director to put us in simple costumes that create spectacle for the audience.

Senior Project?

So this year the high school piloted a new project for seniors that other high schools have. It's called the senior project and during the last five weeks of their senior year, seniors have the opportunity to learn a new skill they haven't had time to before or do an internship. I naturally chose sewing historical costumes. I figured its not a bad time to make something I want to. With the project, we need an outside adviser and I have found many people who I can go to if I need some help with my project. A couple people are local but some are about an hour's drive. One potential adviser is at Framingham State, and I've noticed they have an extensive costume and textile collection. I'd love to get help with fitting from someone there.

I've chosen to do either the Past Patterns Lowell Mill Dress or the Past Patterns 1830's Full High Gown with period undergarments. I find out about if I made the cut for the project on March 29th, so I have to wait until then. I really want to get in!

Macbeth, Macbeth, beware Macduff. Beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.

My high school production of Macbeth is slowly moving off the ground. All the parts have been cast - I'm playing Seyton and the Gentlewoman in a trimmed down version of the play. I currently don't know what my drama teacher is looking for in terms of costuming. When he passed out the cast list, he mentioned that Seyton was a version of Hilary Clinton. I certainly don't want to look like this:

But anyway. He has been saying that the show will be set in a post apocalyptic setting, so my costume may be more difficult than just a plain suit. My gentlewoman costume I'll bet will have to be similar, considering that I have a really quick change back into Seyton, unless our director fiddles with the story and makes it not linear. I just don't understand what a modern day servant to a King or Queen looks like. Hmm.

Update 2/28: The director has consolidated my two parts, so I am Seyton the entire show. That makes things so much easier. I found a of couple dresses and a blazer at Target this weekend, so I'll have to bring them in in a few weeks and see which works best. I think pants and a blazer might work better because of all the movement involved.

Second Regency Dress - Fabric

I found some potential fabric choices for a second regency dress. One problem is that several are white and see-through so we'll see. I already have a blue dress, so I'd rather not choose a pattern with blue in it. It might not be bad to wait and see what other fabrics pop up in the next few weeks.

(images from reproduction fabrics.com)

 

(image borrowed from NauvooQuiltCo's etsy page - no copyright infringement intended)

Possible Costumes in the Future

I'm really indecisive about what I want to make next. Currently lined up is:

- a 1837-1899 corset (http://www.lafnmoon.com/victunder.htm)
- Victorian Undergarments
- another regency dress with long sleeves and maybe a higher neckline
- a bustle?
- a Disney Cinderella dress (bought the pattern, just need fabric). Not sure if I want to make the famous blue one or the pink one that gets ripped to shreds

Seussical - Cindy Lou Who costume

I made this costume from a Butterick poodle skirt pattern. The director asked us for costumes that were reflective of the late 1950's-early 60's. Since my character was so young, I figured the 50's were easier to manage. The skirt and suspenders are made of yellow cotton gingham with a petticoat of tulle. The shirt is a peter-pan collared shirt from Old Navy. Shoes are white keds dyed yellow.

(image borrowed from http://www.fiftiesweb.com/fashion/fashion-wg.htm - no infringement intended)

I modeled my dress after the one on the left.

Early Photo - I hadn't yet finished sewing the buttons on the back

Pre-Production Photo - Taken in full makeup before opening night. Please ignore my Who-like grin.

Me and the other Whos in beautiful yellow.

Regency Chemise

This is a Regency era (1795-1815) chemise, made from white cotton broadcloth. It was sewed completely by machine. It was made from the Sense and Sensibility Regency Undergarments Pattern.

 

The sleeves have a gusset at the armpit, practical for this time period.

The neckline closes with a ribbon drawstring and casing. I had trouble with it and it doesn't look that pretty :) I also had issues with the initial fit because it ran really big. The photos don't show it well, but I had to make the whole chemise narrower with a set of flat felled seams running down the front.

I'd love to make a better chemise eventually, but I have too much to sew!