For myself, one of the most fun parts of getting ready for The ADSC Gatsby Summer Afternoon is making my outfit. It truly brings me so much joy to plan what I’m wearing from my hat and hair down to my stockings and shoes. Sometimes I have more time than other times to figure it out, so depending on my schedule I can make the experience as simple or as complex as I can handle at the time.
Read moreTransforming a 1980's Pink Lace Gown into a late 1920's style Garden Party Dress
This 1980’s pink lace dress has been hanging in my closet for a couple of years. It was donated by the lovely Art Deco Society Member Cheryl Stanton, who thought I might be interested in turning it into something more Art Deco. I’ve been quite busy, but had a vision of how it might turn out, just this weekend. Sometimes a dress just needs time to simmer for a while.
Read moreFor Tips for Becoming a Flawless Flapper - Getting ready for the Art Deco Preservation Ball
The Art Deco Society of California reached out to me to write a piece that might inspire you to attend the Art Deco Preservation Ball, which is coming up in a few weeks on March 19th at the City Club in San Francisco. The Ball is always a fabulous event and lots of fun. I’ve attended year’s past and have such lovely memories of dancing, people watching and dressing up, which is my favorite part because it helps me feel like I’m living in another era, if only for just a little while.
Read moreThe Frannie Adventure Doll - Designing a Rag Doll
Over the last few months I’ve been hard at work developing a pattern for a Rag Doll. “Why a Rag Doll?” you might ask. Well the truth is that I’ve always loved dolls. I loved my barbies, I loved my china dolls, and I loved hand made rag dolls as well. When I was 8 years old, My Grandma Fran gave me her Bisque Baby Doll that she got when she was 8. I still have that doll. It’s a little worse for wear and needs some attention but I still have it.
I also loved making dolls and made quite a few as a child. It always gave me pleasure and I was infinitely fascinated by the process.
Read moreRecent Vintage Events - One Busy Weekend in Alameda
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of the Downton Abbey Movie as I’m sure some of you have been as well. It just so happens that our local renovated and Historic Alameda Theater was having a special event to celebrate the opening of the Film on Thursday September 19th. And as it happens, there were two other Vintage-y events happening the same weekend.
Setting my hair more than once in a week is unheard of. I usually only do it once a month or so. Ha Ha! I’m a vintage muggle most of the time. In any case, each event was worth it so read on to see and hear how the weekend went. I’ll give you a hint, I had a lot of fun!
Read moreTales of Gatsby Past with Plans for Gatsby Present - Sewing Costumes for Art Deco Events
With the Art Deco Society of California’s Gatsby Summer Afternoon right around the corner, I’ve been planning the outfit I’ll wear this time around. I’ve also been taking a little tour of Gatsby Afternoons I’ve attended in the past. They were filled with friends, fashion and a maybe bit of Champagne. I’ll warn you in advance, some of the photos are a little fuzzy. One can still see how much fun we had, however, so I hope you can enjoy.
Read morePolka Dots Reimagined - My finished 1920's Polka Dot Sweater & Black Cloche Hat
I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to write this post! This project has been lingering for a while now. It wasn’t a particularly difficult project, but for some reason (probably all the little balls of yarn getting twisted up) I haven’t been as committed to getting it finished.
I was recently asked to be a judge for the vintage fashion contest, at the Alameda Vintage Fashion Faire this last weekend and I needed something to wear. Nothing like an event to get one motivated. With a week and a half to finish, I made it happen.
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