After the Fetes Galantes ball at Versailles was cancelled two years in a row due to the pandemic, I wanted to put my red robe à la française to good use for DragonCon in Atlanta. And my friends Jessi and Paige from Cosplay and Cocktails inspired me to make my own Rococo costume(s) with a geeky […]
historical costuming
A Quick Edwardian Tea Hat
After my first foray into historical costuming the Edwardian era, I couldn’t leave well enough alone. During these quarantimes, I’m working on stash-busting sewing projects, and although I have not had the opportunity to wear my coastal blue walking skirt and boater hat, I’d like the option of a tea outfit as well. So I started […]
My First Foray Into Steampunk
My first foray into steampunk started with boots and a corset. And as I worked my way through items and supplies I already had, patterns I could download and print at home, and playing dress-up on the mannequin, my Steampunk Seamstress was born. Here’s how the outfit came together, with links to previous posts on […]
Steampunk Seamstress: The Utility Belt, etc.
Following my last Steampunk Seamstress on my arm bracers, I’m sharing the so-quick-I-barely-took-any-pictures build for my undercorset utility belt and optional fan holder, parasol holder, and belt bag. I say optional because until I put everything on and head to an event, hopefully Dickens on the Strand in Galveston this December, I won’t really know […]
Steampunk Seamstress: Arm Bracers
More steampunk updates! Following yesterday’s post on my Steampunk Seamstress bowler hat, I’m sharing the build on the arm bracers. In my steampunk research, I found that all or most accessories are usually leather. I’m not particularly great at leatherworking, and I felt like fabric accessories would be more appropriate for a steampunk seamstress (and way more comfortable). […]
Steampunk Seamstress: The Bowler Hat
Following yesterday’s post on my Steampunk Seamstress thread spool bandolier, I’m sharing the build on the bowler hat. The hat presented three challenges: making a child size hat fit and look feminine, using only items from my surplus craft supplies, and honoring the principle that all steampunk accoutrements be functional. With an exception of the hat itself, […]
Steampunk Seamstress: The Bandolier
I’ve never given much thought to costuming in the steampunk realm, until I did. My sewing fairy godmother once told me that steampunk costumes should have a theme or purpose, and while that might not be the rule for all, it stuck with me. So for my steampunk character, what’s the one hobby I’m pretty […]
My First Foray Into the Edwardian Era
Following yesterday’s post on my quick Edwardian boater hat build, I’m sharing the rest of the outfit for my first foray into the historical costuming the Edwardian era…well, whenever I’ll be able to wear it. During these quarantimes, I’m working through my fabric stash with random sewing projects, and in that stash was enough coastal […]
A Quick Edwardian Boater Hat
For my first foray into historical costuming the Edwardian era, I wanted to keep things light and simple. During these quarantimes, I’m working on stash-busting sewing projects, so to match my new coastal blue linen Edwardian walking skirt, I chose a casual look. It’s hot here in Houston, and if/when I wear this anywhere, I […]
DIY Georgian Lover’s Eye
I was first introduced to eye miniatures in season 1 of Outlander when Geillis Duncan wore a Lover’s Eye brooch on her Arisaid at the Gathering. And then diving deeper into 18th century fashion, I started to see them everywhere. When Natasha (Sewcialist Revolution) organized a Hogwarts inspired 18th century quidditch costume group for DragonCon […]