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.