In preparation for Fetes Galantes 2020 (yes, the one the pandemic canceled), I made a robe à la française, or sack-back gown, mock-up to wrap my brain around the confusing construction of this garment that had intimidated me at first sight. I hand stitched, machine stitched, and learned a lot along the way. I ended up finishing […]
stays
Sewing 18th Century Chemise & Stays
Hard to believe a year ago this month I was busy making my 18th century chemise and stays in preparation for Fetes Galantes at Versailles. And then the pandemic happened and I got as far as the mock-up for my robe a la francaise. With no idea when things will normalize, globally, as least I’m […]
Costuming Claire from Outlander: Season 2 (& the Red Shoes)
As a huge fan of Outlander (books and show), I coveted Claire’s red dress from season 2. Having many other unfinished projects in bags just begging for attention, I purchased the red dress from Jessica’s Dress and spent almost a year making the undergarments (stays, pocket hoops, petticoat, etc.) and shoes before I could even wear it […]
Sewing 18th Century Pocket Hoops
As a huge fan of Outlander (books and show), I coveted Claire’s red dress from season 2. Having many other unfinished projects in bags just begging for attention, I purchased the red dress from Jessica’s Dress and spent almost a year making the undergarments (stays, pocket hoops, petticoat, etc.) and shoes before I could even wear it […]
Costuming Claire from Outlander: Season 1 (Additions)
Claire has so many lovely looks in season 1 of Outlander during her time in the Scottish Highlands. I like that most of the outfits worn during this time are *mostly* historically accurate mix and match pieces of 18th century clothing and accessories – from petticoats to stomachers and jackets, to cloaks and crocheted wool […]
Costuming Claire from Outlander: Season 1 (c. 1945)
It’s no secret that I’m a HUGE fan of Outlander (books and show) and a HUGE fan of Claire’s character. So much that I’ve costumed several of her season 1 looks in 18th century Scotland, working on a couple season 2 costumes from her time in Paris, and working on pieces from her versatile season […]
Costuming Outlander Inspired “Cross Creek” Claire
It’s the duvet that keeps on giving. When my dogs attacked my prized Pottery Barn duvet cover in the dead center of it (rendering it completely useless as bed clothes), I cut the bottom lining off to use for other projects and saved the decorative top for…whatever may come up. Turns out I have super […]
Sewing 18th Century Hat Trim
As I work my way through salvaging a dog damaged duvet cover, subsequently building a small 18th century wardrobe with it, I️ had enough scrappy pieces to make hat trim. In fact, the slim scraps I used for the hat trim was part of the discarded side trim where closure buttons were sewn in to […]
Sewing 18th Century Stays
As I work my way through salvaging a dog damaged duvet cover, subsequently building a small 18th century wardrobe with it, I️ had enough scrappy pieces to make a set of 18th century stays. I just LOVE this Indienne pattern. I used to wear an underbust corset underneath the jacket of my Claire costume […]
Costuming Claire from Outlander: Season 3
I love costuming Claire from Outlander. But in Houston (and Atlanta) it’s way too hot to survive in all those layers of wool, knit, crochet, and multiple 18th century undergarments. So when the Entertainment Weekly promotional stills came out just before season 3 started, I jumped at the opportunity to duplicate the look for warmer […]