In this interview we explore the work of Lynn McMasters who is a historic milliner who has been making patterns for hats since 2000. Lynn has over 65 patterns and many “how-to” posts on her website - www.OutOfaPortrait.com . In the US and Europe you can find her patterns at several other websites and from in-person resellers that sell historical patterns and supplies. Her other passions besides hats are fans, purses and feathers.
Read moreBehind the Scenes in SF Opera's Costume Shop - Get ready for The Magic Flute!
Last week I was invited to attend a special behind the scenes event inside the SF Opera’s Costume Shop. Who wouldn’t want to see the inner workings of a costume paradise? It was definitely an invitation I could not refuse. So, so exciting!!
Read moreSewing 18th Century Italian Gowns with my 13 Year old Student Dalia
When My corset obsessed 13 year old student, Dalia, wanted to move onto a new bigger project, she chose the Italian Gown featured in the American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking. What a pretty gown it is! In order to give proper instruction and guidance in the process, I decided to make one myself.
Read moreBook Review: Make, Sew and Mend - Traditional Techniques to Sustainably Maintain and Refashion Your Clothes
I wasn’t sure what to expect but have been eagerly awaiting my own copy of Make, Sew and Mend and it arrived in my hands a couple of weeks ago. Having been a fan of Ms. Banner’s now for a few years, I knew that she had a book in the works. I also knew it would be a sewing guide of some kind.
Read moreThe 2021 Make it With Wool Contest - and my 1930's Tweedy Ensemble
Last November I entered the 2021 California Make it With Wool Contest. The Contest promotes the use of wool as a textile and is supported by the National Wool Industry. For me the California contest is local, here in the San Francisco Bay Area, so it’s fairly easy to attend and participate. I used a fabric I was gifted last year, at the 2020 Contest. It was a beautiful piece of wool in a black and tan tweedy check. Lucky me! We were able to choose our favorites and I chose this one because I knew it would coordinate with pieces I already owned. It felt especially nice to use it in the same contest the following year.
Read moreSewing a 1930's Dress for a Cemetery Picnic
photo - https://www.mementomoda.com/
I stumped when told about our Picnic Inspiration for October - Gothic Cemetery - and our picnic was to be located in a cemetery. The Mountain View Cemetery in Piedmont, to be specific. My daughter Emma had lots of suggestions, but when she told me I should dress like I was going to a funeral, it just clicked.
Read moreMaking a One Hour Dress - Evening Style
At Gatsby, I heard that the Art Deco Society would be holding the Preservation Ball this year in November. A thrilling discovery as it had been cancelled twice last year due to COVID19. With a look toward this Fall Event, I thought to make my own “One Hour Dress”. My friend Jone wore a version of this dress to Gatsby and it was created with so much ease that I thought it would be perfect done up in fancy fabric.
Read moreCreating a 1930's Ensemble for the Gatsby Summer Afternoon
Wow! I can’t believe it actually happened! Gatsby Summer Afternoon was in full swing last Sunday and it was so much fun. There was a collective feeling of joy throughout the event and I couldn’t have had a better time.
Read more1930's Capsule Wardrobe - Sewing Separates
You might remember, from the Fall, when I started working on my capsule wardrobe. At the time, I was able to sew two dresses, a velvet bag and trimmed two hats….
Read moreMaking an 18th Century Bergere and Cap
It’s always exciting to get to the stage in the costume making where I get to make a coordinating hat. And this project was no exception. I decided on a Bergere, which is French for Shepherdess, because, well, Bo Peep! I jest. But really, I do love the whole 18th century shepherdess look. I really chose this style because it was very popular in the 18th Century and it is very pretty as well as easy to wear. The style is also the base hat for two hats in the American Duchess guide to 18th Century Dressmaking which is where I got my inspiration for my 18th Century Italian Gown.
Read moreMaking a 1780's Italian Gown - Part 1
Ever since I was a wee little girl, and while reading The Real Mother Goose, I have loved the “Bo-Peep” look of the 1780’s. I definitely did not equate the look to the Era at the time (because I was a child), but in retrospect, realized that was exactly what I loved about the book. Those dresses are the prettiest!
Read moreSewing Victorian Corsets - Prepping for Dicken's Faire ?
In January or February of 2020 I made it my goal to create Dicken’s Fair outfits for myself, my daughter, her friend and her friend’s mother. We all LOVE going to the Great Dicken’s Christmas Fair together every year and I was determined to go in costume with each of them in costume as well. It’s just so much more fun, in costume. Who knew at the time, that our plans would be derailed by a certain global pandemic.
So, of course, I started with the underpinnings. What one wears beneath the clothing helps create the silhouette and make the look more authentic. I had previously made myself victorian drawers and a shift, that I wore under my 1830’s costume, so the next thing would be a corset.
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 moreRegency Birthday Picnic - a Socially Distanced Celebration
This was a day I will never forget. So civilized and doing everything I love - Spending time with friends & Family, English Tea & Dressing up in Costume. I still can’t believe how wonderfully lucky I am to have friends and family willing to do this for me.
Read moreRegency Birthday Picnic - Sewing my Regency Spencer and Cross Front Gown
I started this whole birthday escapade because I was invited to enter something in the California & National “Make It With Wool” contest. I knew I wanted to make a spencer and and therefore a whole outfit because I didn’t currently have a dress to go with the wool I had chosen. Below I’ll take you through the process of making my gown and eventually, my spencer jacket.
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 moreSewing a 1930's Cotton Summer Dress
It’s been a long hot Summer around here. Well, not that hot really, but the temperature here is starting to rise and it’s time for a new cotton sun dress. August and September are the hottest months around here. I won this blue cotton swiss dot in a raffle at the Greater Bay Area Costumer’s Guild Open House, earlier this year. It’s the perfect weight for a Summer Dress.
Read moreSewing a 1940's Ensemble from head to toe - Brown & Yellow, who would have known?
Well, here we are in week six of our Shelter in Pace assignment. I’ve been very busy over the last few weeks, even though my teaching business has been minimized dramatically and I’ve taken on a whole new way of working. In the midst of this corona-crisis, my way of staying sane, is to sew. It’s really amazing how just focusing on a project, lifts my mood and makes me feel better.
Read moreSewing a Regency Gown and Bonnet
I hope this blog post entertains you and helps you think of pretty, if not somewhat silly things. We all need a little bit more of that right now.
My last post was about constructing a Poke Bonnet for a Regency Costume I had purchased. This is the sister post to that one, as the dress and bonnet, pictured here, were made so that my mother could have a costume for the Sanditon Screening at the Castro Theater.
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