Holiday Hiatus

Hello readers!

I just wanted to let you know that things are going to get really quiet over here until January... I am working on some labor-intensive but super boring projects, so I won't have any fun pictures to post. The biggest one is hand quilting Mike's quilt for Christmas! I pieced the top last Christmas, so he's had to wait a whole year for this thing... I also hope to finish the embellishment on my wedding gown and be able to move on to actual construction. But once January gets going, I will again have fun historical clothing pics to share. :) 

I know I haven't talked about this here, but I have changed the embellishment for my wedding gown. Embroidering on the silk gauze is just about IMPOSSIBLE, so I had to think of something else if I didn't want to drive myself absolutely bonkers. Inspired by the following 1790s portrait, I am now sewing literally thousands of real silver spangles onto the silk gauze (SO much easier!). Here's also an updated illustration of the gown itself. 

ETA: Plus a picture of Mike's quilt! It's based on this quilt, among others like it: 

http://www.quiltmuseum.org.uk/collections/heritage/all/198-1840/late-18th-century-simple-frame-quilt.html

Gigantic Gettysburg Post!

Hello all! Since this weekend was so huge, I wrote 3 blog posts over at my Livejournal to make the sharing of images and info easier. So here are a couple of pictures to encourage you to check out the original posts.

Post 1: 1860s Mourning Ensemble

Post 2: 1860s Ivory Ball Gown

Post 3: Fun with Friends in Gettysburg!

Once Upon a Time Belle Cosplay!

So... I have a secret...

I'm pretty much addicted to Once Upon a Time. Especially Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold and Belle! They're definitely my favorite couple/story. I started watching the show a couple weeks ago, and it's been an intense love affair. I went through the entire first season on Netflix in a couple days, and have since been tuning in every Sunday to watch the new episodes. Let me explain that I don't watch TV, let alone watch a show on a regular basis on TV! So it's a pretty big deal. ;-)



Since I love Belle so much, I knew I had to make her adorable blue outfit from her episode, "Skin Deep", for Halloween. It went together quickly and well, and I had a blast making something totally not historical! It's such a fun outfit to wear. Very feminine and light and just fun! I'm even giving serious thought to wearing this to faire in May. I'm worried I might miss being my usual noble self, but this outfit would be SO much easier and lighter to pack!! More room for 18th c and Civil War stuff that I will also need. And by faire, I might be able to have shoes like Belle's, which are a silvery-blue t-strap. I'm thinking of getting American Duchess' new 1920s shoes and then painting them. But that's an awful lot of money for something like this... So we'll see. Also, my hair will be longer and will hopefully turn out closer to hers. I think it came out well enough with what little hair I do have!

I really loved making and wearing this. I don't think I can say it enough! There may be more cosplay type stuff in my future!