The Greater Bay Area Costumer’s Guild puts on many special costuming events. This one, called ‘At home with Josephine at Malmaison’ was an elegant afternoon in Empire (1804-1814) court dress, complete with Champagne, nibbles and Opera. The Oakland Bellevue Club was our glamorous venue and it was fitting indeed.
Read moreSewing a Regency Petticoat
It’s almost time for the GBACG At home with Josephine at Malmaison event at the Bellvue Club. I actually purchased a costume to wear to this Regency event, a few weeks back at the GBACG Bazaar. Turns out the costume I purchased was worn in a BBC costume drama of some sort. More on that later.
But for my event, I needed a petticoat to wear under the dress, that would smooth out the bust area, because my stays made it look a bit lumpy. I think that’s also, ahem, in part because the costume is a tad bit small in that area. I’ve since moved a bunch of hooks and eyes and made it a bit bigger, but have yet to try them on together. I’m still somewhat undecided if I’ll wear it to the event or instead make a gown that is more of an evening gown. depends on time really and if there is enough of it before the event.
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 more2109 Gatsby Summer Afternoon - Making my 1930's Dress
photo by Connie Ricca
Another Year, Another Gatsby Summer Afternoon put on by the Art Deco Society of California. And this one did not disappoint. I think it’s my favorite Vintage event of the year because I get to meet and catch up with other people who have similar interests as myself. That, and it is quite magical to have the estate turned into a giant vintage scene and party. Really, if you get a chance to go, you must. It’s truly fabulous.
We’ll start with a few photos from the event and I’ll talk about my dress at the end.
Read moreBlogging Book Tour - Sew Bags by Hilarie Wakefield Dayton
I have never heard of a Blogging Book tour before. Have you? When my friend & Colleague, Hillary Wakefield Dayton, told me she was having one for her new book, “Sew Bags” The Practical Guide to Making Purses, Totes, Clutches and More, I was intrigued. She sent her book to me to review and make a project from, so now I’m blogging about & you can see inside this awesome creation of hers.
Thumbing through the pages, it was difficult to choose which pattern to pick, but Ultimately, I landed on the Abigail Boxed bottom Tote. I really needed a new & prettier knitting bag, as I’ve been using a cotton canvas grocery bag for the last few years.
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 morePattern Review - Sewing the 1930's Sportwear Set by Jem Vintage Patterns
A few months ago, my neighbor’s daughter brought me this gorgeous fabric (and tons more) when she was cleaning out her dad’s closet. The green corduroy and coordinating floral really caught my eye and I knew I wanted to make a matching set.
Read moreSewing my 4th of July Outfit + a Finished Sweater
During the week of Independence Day, I had the week off from teaching. What better way to celebrate than to get to sewing. I had just found a beautiful 1930’s style floral quilting cotton that coordinated with a blue and white fabric I’de been saving for a blouse. My plan was to re-make the Wearing History Smooth Sailing Blouse with a coordinating from the floral fabric.
Read moreRomantics Era 1830's Picnic - Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild - At Ardenwood Farm
Picnic day with The Greater Bay Area Costumer’s Guild at Ardenwood Farm arrived! Everyone looked magnificent in their 1830’s finery!
Read moreCreating an 1830's Bonnet - Hat making is hard (but fun)- Who knew?
With my 1830’s gown complete, it was time to move on to the Bonnet. Well, that’s not entirely true. I started work on the bonnet while I was still working on the dress. A bonnet promised to be such a fun project I couldn’t wait to get started.
Read moreBuilding an 1830's Dress - My first foray into Historic Costuming
With the impending date of an 1830’s Romantics Era picnic at Ardenwood Farm put on by the Greater Bay Area Costumer’s Guild, I commenced work on my gown. Pinterest was the first place I headed for inspiration. There are so many examples of dresses from the era, it was easy to find several that I could draw from for designs. Finding fabric was next and then building all the undergarments. I never did finish ALL of the undergarments, but I did make a set of stays, a shift, drawers (aka bloomers) and a corded petticoat. And I was also gifted a second petticoat that helped fill out the dress as well. Hard to believe there should be MORE underneath the gown, but there is - Sleeve puffers, some additional petticoats and a bum ruffle. I’ll save that for next time or for the Dicken’s Faire.
Read moreResponsible Fabric - Touring Huston Textile Mill
Last month I had the pleasure and luxury of taking a day off from my regular duties as store owner and teacher, to drive up north, near Sacramento, for a visit to Huston Textiles Fabric Mill. A fabric mill in California? Yes, indeed! That was the thing that really surprised me when I heard about this small company.
Read moreInterview with Liz Gross, Owner of Xtabay Vintage
No trip to Portland is complete, to me, without a trip to Xtabay Vintage. This place is the Bomb! it’s so lovely and special inside and one can’t help but absorb that glamor that oozes from every corner. I was lucky to run into the owner Liz Gross, who was kind enough to grant me an interview. She’s owned & operated Xtabay for quite some time now and the shop (both in person and online) have become a fixture in the vintage clothing community. Read on to meet Liz and find out about this extraordinary business and woman behind it:
Read moreVintage Shopping In Portland Oregon
Every year my daughter & I go to Portland, Oregon, to visit my best friend, Angie and her family. It’s always one of the highlights of my year. Do you have a friend who just “gets” you? Well, Angie is that friend to me and she & her family always welcome us with open arms.
We both LOVE shopping and so does Emma, so it was fun day to be had by all, when Angie mentioned she needed to go buy some mirrors for the winery & tasting room, she and her husband, Matt are building. Their wine is really lovely by the way. Love & Squalor does a fabulous Riesling and they also make very special Pinot Noir for which they are gaining some critical acclaim. Go Love & Squalor!!!
Our first stop was Monticello Antique Marketplace. The building is very large and houses many little booths operated by an eclectic array of vendors with lovely pieces in every one.
Read moreJulie Ann Silverman - On Inspiration & Her Work - Interview with a Fashion Designer - part three
Images: Julie Ann Silverman
Welcome to the Final part of my interview with Designer, Illustrator, Artist and Instructor - Julie Ann Silverman. This multi-faceted creative woman, has shared so much with our community with all her insights and lifetime experience. I hope she inspires you as much as she’s inspired me. Read on for more nuggets!
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 moreJulie Ann Silverman - On the Creative Process - Interview with a Fashion Designer Part Two
Images - Julie Ann Silverman
Welcome to Part 2 of our Interview with Designer and Fashion Illustration Instructor, Julie Ann Silverman. In this part of the interview, we talked a bit about the creative process and how she stays motivated. I think it makes for some inspirational reading and I hope you do too!
Read more2019 Sacramento Tweed Ride - Sport Coat Revamp - Part 1
Tweed Rides have become popular around California and other parts of the US. What is a Tweed Ride you ask? That’s what a lot of people asked me when I told them my plans for that Sunday afternoon. Well, Tweed Rides seem to have a few things in common - Bicycles (mostly vintage), Downtown Streets and a bunch of people wearing Tweed. I’m not sure why all these people do this, but, as you may have realized, I really love an excuse to get dressed up and/or make an outfit for occasions like these.
Read moreJulie Ann Silverman - On Developing Your Own Style - Interview with a Fashion Designer - Part One
I recently had the opportunity to interview our new Fashion Illustration and Design Instructor, for the Fashion Studies Course, Julie Ann Silverman. She comes to us from Southern California where she has been a swimwear designer for the last 20 years. She is amazingly talented, and a wonderful Instructor. I’ll be breaking her interview into several parts as she has revealed so many little diamonds in this one interview, that it is too hard to absorb all at once. I love her take on developing your own style so read on below to find out more.
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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