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 moreRe-Covering a Uniquely You Dress form with a linen Curtain
Apparently I’m a magnet for dress forms. The universe must want me to keep doing what I’m doing because I seem to attract them out of thin air. My first dress form was the adjustable kind. I got it as a gift when I was in high school. That one got rickety pretty fast and then I believe I somehow acquired a display form that I could use for photo shoots maybe 15 years later. My next dress form acquisition was an investment purchase of a model from. I’m not sure that company even exists anymore, but I had started a bridal gown business and needed one for pattern making. Then I found a vintage french couture form at a Paris Flea Market. It was not cheap, but one of my tour companions offered to pack it as luggage on the airplane. I still have her. She is beautiful! Then a few years ago, PGM sent me a dress form because I operated a school and they had a special program for fashion schools at the time. And then last year, a friend texted me that there was a dress form on the corner, so I nabbed that one fast. And most recently…
Read more5 ways to REUSE incomplete Sewing patterns
Bella Cosa Art on Etsy -
Have you ever purchased a pattern at a charity shop, yard sale or even online, then open to find it missing pieces. A lot of people give me old patterns, most of which I find new homes for. However, there are a large amount that are incomplete. I can't sell those on Etsy and I don't really want to chuck them. Some have fantastic vintage imagery contained inside and outside. With this in mind, I set out to find some fun examples of what one can do with these mini pieces of graphic fashion art. So here you go:
Read more1950's Dress Mending and Remodel
This is a quick little post to share with you my most recent garment renovation. Last year, my friend Joy gave me this darling vintage 1950’s turquoise dress. It was stained (on the front bust and neckline) but in decent shape otherwise. It’s been hanging on my rack waiting for a makeover. I knew right away, that it needed a neckline overhaul, so that it what happened after I finally decided to tackle it.
Read moreRemodeling a 1920's Dress to Give it another Life
First, I’ll start out by saying that I believe vintage textiles are special but not necessarily precious. They are something we should treasure but that we should also use. This is a somewhat controversial point of contention between archivists, historians and collectors when it comes to clothing, especially historic clothing that marks an era in time. Some feel that they should be put away for posterity and preserved for history’s sake. Others feel that they should be worn and treasured personally. I’m kind of in both minds about this, , depending on the garment. However, my own line is drawn when a garment will likely go into the landfill, because someone deems it unwearable for whatever reason - in this case, deteriorating and falling apart. I’m SUPER-NOT into the landfill. My hope is that we can re-use parts of garments that are falling apart and that will extend the life of the original textile.
Read moreRegency Men's Upcycle Project - Sewing a Waistcoat and Breeches
Menswear. Hmmm. I do not have a lot of experience with menswear and this was my first foray into it in a long time. For my event, it would be historic menswear and I have even less experience than that. Making something for my husband, well that is a whole other situation. He’s not really into dressing up, but agreed to it for my 50th birthday. Good man. I decided simpler was better. He’s the gent pictured on the right in the photo above, incognito without his requisite gray Levis and zip hoodie. I made the waistcoat and breeches. The shirt, hat and stockings were purchased and I still have a long way to go.
Read moreGetting Ready for my 50th Birthday - Recycled Regency Style
I’m turning 50 so I’m going to party like it’s 1799-1820. Yes! you heard it here. A party like no other, socially distanced, at the park in regency attire. We’ll all be wearing masks and it will be highly civilized. A girl’s got to celebrate half a century, after all.
As a kid, I always wanted to be both older and live in another time. Now I have my wish on both accounts. There is nothing like embracing the age you are in. At 49+ I’m embracing the fact that I LOVE to dress up in costume and that I love making costumes.
Read moreVintage Adventuring - Updating my Tweed Sport Coat, Sewing a Jodhpurs and Finishing a Knit Vest
long for country living. Imagine a pastoral English countryside with sprawling hills surrounding a historic village. There are Corgi’s running around and gobs of standing stones…..well maybe that’s a bit much, but you get the idea, right? A good walk, and maybe some riding (I am wearing Jodhpurs after all) and then back to the lodge for tea or cocktails.
Read moreRevamping a Men's Sport Coat for the Sacramento Tweed Ride - Part 2
After being invited to the Sacramento Tweed Ride, by friends Lisa and Robb, I had only two weeks to get something together. I took my inspiration from vintage hunting/riding/sporting attire and my imaginings of vintage country living. I hope to one day, own a country home. Until that happens, I can just dress as if I do, right?
Read moreVintage Coat Crusade - Re-Fashion & Restoring my Vintage Coat Collection
I've amassed a bit of a coat collection over the last year. Two of these beautiful coats were given to me, one was purchased at a Vintage Fashion Faire and I even made two myself - a Black 1920's Straight Coat & a Red 1930's long swing coat. For the coats, I didn't make some of my favorite acquisitions needed a little freshening up and/or restoration.
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