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 MoreWhen 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 MoreI’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 MoreAnother 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 MoreI've had a bee in my bonnet for dressing up "old-fashioned" style for about as long as I can remember. Now as a grown woman, when my friend says that the Greater Bay Area Costumer's Guild is hosting an 1830's picnic at Ardenwood Farm in June, I can't help but jump at the opportunity. At this point, I've finished some of the undergarments (Shift and Drawers) and started on my Regency Long Stays. In doing some research, I found that during the 1830's, ladies were still wearing their long "stays" or transitioned to slightly curvier long stays and haven't quite evolved into the corsetry of the later 1800's. The pattern for these "stays" came from Redthreaded and the fit is spot on, with very little alteration.
Read MoreIt’s been busy over here at The Sewing Room and finishing this ensemble took some time. I think the blouse was one of my longest running projects in quite sometime. Partially, because of other projects that got in the way and also because I did a LOT of hand finishing.
Read MoreMiss Fisher Con is less than a week away and my wardrobe is getting the finishing touches (even as you read this!). Here is a little sneak peak into the fitting of the evening gown I'll be wearing to the masquerade on the Saturday Evening of the Con.
Read MoreAfter all your wonderful suggestions, I did end up choosing Ladies 1931 Dress from Vintage Pattern Lending Library for my Gatsby Dress. I just can't seem to get enough of those VPLL patterns! More on THAT later. Here is the story of how I came to use a Vintage 1940's dress for my "muslin" prototype....
Read MoreThe Art Deco Society of California's Gatsby Summer Afternoon, is right around the corner. Slated for Sunday, September 10th, this annual event will take place on the majestic grounds of the Dunsmuir Hellman Estate in the Oakland Hills. Hundreds of people enter the grounds dressed to the nines in gorgeous picnic attire....
Read MoreWell, the day of the ball arrived and I was prepared! This year's theme was Death on The Nile (the Agatha Christie Murder Mystery) with a focus on Egyptian Revival of the Art Deco era.
Read MoreHave you seen Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries? It's an Australian TV show based on the Kerry Greenwood Novels. The series highlights the Honorable Miss Fryne Fisher, who is a lady detective in the 1920's, and is played by the brilliant actress, Essie Davis. TheFryne character is the epitome of the strong, sassy, smart woman that I would love to be. AND she has a fantastic wardrobe.....
Read MoreHaving acquired all the materials - wool hat (a la Old Navy), millinery wire, ribbon aplenty and a beautiful feather rose, I was ready to make my hat for the Girl's Inc. Hat's off to Women Who Dare event. Yay! I love decorating hats and making them very special.....
Read MoreThis blog post is about how I drape my gowns in the fashion fabric. This is only just the beginning. It will take me working on the dress in my spare time over the course of the next few weeks to get a final dress.
Read MoreTHE SEWING ROOM Instructor Maria Chenut designs powerful costumes for Marin Shakespeare Company's DON QUIXOTE
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