Simple Elegance: Regency Ball Gown

I've had this fabric in my stash for almost 3 years now. But since we never had any real Regency balls to go to, I never got around to making the gown! However, the local Regency ball returned this year to it's original location in Lansing after a stint in South Bend, Indiana.

I of course had a lot more planned for this gown, but it was a rush job so I ran out of time for the finishing touches. Mainly a pointed belt, bands of trim around the skirt, and buttons on the sleeve turn-backs. It doesn't look bad without those things, though (except maybe the buttons) so I wasn't disappointed with the gown. And I hand sewed the entire thing in less than a week... (AND made an Elizabethan headdress by hand in the middle of the week as well, which is another post.)

The fabric is a lightweight silk and metallic brocaded fabric and the sleeves are cotton voile. The turban is a silk/metallic tissue and the gorgeous ostrich plume headband was a gift from Nicole. I felt very elegant with it!

Someday the gown will get its finishing touches... For now, I enjoy its simple elegance.

I call this my "dancing girl from fashion plate" pose. See?

1770s Meringue Gown

 

*sigh* I did not get nearly as much done for my Wiliamsburg visit as I had hoped... It was one of those instances where life got too busy, and I didn't feel like stressing myself out with sewing. So I finished the gown. I have one mitt done, no muff, and no mantle like I had planned. BUT I had a beautiful, wonderful, fabulous time visiting my fiance and friends. I wouldn't trade all the 18th century accessories in the world for the fun I had. For one thing, my friends threw me a surprise vintage lingerie bridal shower!

So on to the gown... It is entirely hand sewn using 18th century techniques, even all that gauze trim. Previous summer intern Amber made the hat I'm wearing. I'm excited because I have all the stuff in my stash to make one just like it! It matched my gown perfectly! I also worked on the cap last summer during my internship.

Gown Guts!

I did a pretty extensive (well, for me! I rarely do things like this) write-up about the progress on my white silk 18th c gown at my livejournal.

I realize I didn't mention this gown here! Yikes! I'm doing a white silk gown trimmed with white silk gauze for my upcoming visit to CW. Hopefully I will get a black silk gauze mantle done as well... We'll see!

An Oldy but a Goody

First of all... You all must think me the worst blogger ever. I seem to have no time to sew and update recently, and I feel pretty bad for it. But I promise I am still here, and still sewing! Most of my time, though, is divided between finishing school and finishing my wedding gown, leaving me little time for all of the historical things I want to do as well. So bear with me!

In the meantime, I got to have a lot of fun this past weekend demonstrating Federal-era dressmaking and draping. I draped two bodice patterns and one sleeve pattern, and had two hand sewn gowns and my sewing box for people to examine. The weekend was made even better because Katie and I got to spend time with her friend Julie, and we saw lots of friends from the First Regiment. I think Katie and I both returned home very excited for future fun plans with Julie and the First Regiment in the months to come.

I wore my yellow wool dress with all the crazy black trim on it. I did put trim on the long under sleeves, but it got really warm in the room we were in, so I took them off! It's not perfect, but I do like this dress, especially the color. :)

Shaking Things Up

This costume has a really funny story involving me wearing a pillow case, but I'm a little frantic trying to read 200 pages of homework, so here's some brief commentary and a picture dump. At some point, I decided I wanted a 1480s Florentine gamurra. And then Katie said "Hey, wanna go to a wedding in a castle where the couple are Rennies and will be in fun costumes as well?" Um, YES.

So on top of planning to wear this to my university's Renaissance ball in March, I figured I'd knock this out and wear it to the wedding as well. You may have noticed I called this a costume. Because this isn't an era I do regularly (or, EVER), I just wanted something fun and representative of the era. It's not bad, but it's not meticulously researched, either. I wanted a quick and fun project, and this was the result. I think the camicia sleeves are a little ridiculous, and make the sleeves overall look pretty sloppy. I might try to reduce them for March to make it look a little neater. A giornea is also on the drawing table...

One awesome thing about this costume is that EVERYTHING came from the stash, except for the camicia sleeve fabric and lacing rings. You might recognize the silk damask from my 1560s English fitted gown and the velvet from my RPFS court gown.

There are a couple more photos over at my Livejournal. 

Tickled Pink--An Award!!

The wonderfully talented Caroline at Dressed in Time gave me the "One Lovely Blog" Award! Thank you! Time to pass on the love... :)

1. Thank the person who nominated you.

2. Add the ‘One Lovely Blog Award’ image to your post.

3. Share seven things about you. 

4. Pass the award on to seven nominees. 

5. Include this set of rules.  

6. Inform your nominees by posting a comment on their blogs. 

Hmmm... seven things about me?? 

1. I love my goldfish, Lucy/Goldie (a fantail) and Ricky/Blackie (a black moor). I never thought I'd feel so much affection for fish, but I can't imagine my life without them! They have distinct personalities and always make me laugh. But proper care of goldfish is a lot of work, which is why so many goldfish perish soon after you get them from the pet store or county fair. 

2. I'm getting married in July! I have the most amazing fiance and I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with him! 

3. I got a tattoo right after Christmas. "Hapa" means "half" in Hawaiian and has come to mean people of mixed racial heritage.

4. I'm half Chinese. Here's my beautiful family!

5. My birthday is in April. April 4th, to be exact.

6. I was born and raised in California, go to school in Michigan, and will be living in Virginia after my wedding. 

7. I became a Christian on July 18, 2010. I am amazed at the blessings God has poured out on me in just two short years. I hope my life glorifies Him, and that I can be a light to others!

Okay, the seven recipients I choose are.....!

1. Katie Jacobs: I might be a little biased, but Katie is pretty awesome! She has some really helpful tutorials and lists on her blog, along with great costumes. 

2. Gwendolyn Basala: Gwendolyn recently made some truly awesome steampunk ensembles! Plus she is an incredible artist.

3. Sabine: Sabine has some of the most incredible Regency garments I've ever seen. Her construction techniques are flawless and every garment looks like an original!

4. Natalie Garbett: Natalie also makes the most realistic and beautiful Regency garments. A real inspiration to those of us doing this era!

5. One More Stitch: Mostly dedicated to historical KNITTING which is just awesome because it's something I absolutely cannot do but wish I could! Really wonderful historical pieces from original instructions. Sewing is only one aspect of historical clothing and accessories!

6. Sarah Jane Meister: Sarah originally started in Civil War reenacting, but has now branched out to many eras, all of which she does so well! I especially love seeing what she makes for her sweet children.

7. Daisy Viktoria: Absolutely stunning fantasy and medieval gowns! All beautifully photographed, too!

You Know You're a Crazy Costumer When...

You instantly recognize a package of napkins as being based on the famous Eleanor of Toledo gown.

HOLY COW!!!!