At The Starting Gate: 2013 Project Possibilities

There are sketchbooks loaded with ideas from over the years taking up a good chunk of space on my bookshelf. They are filled with scribbled down dreams and the shadows of erased pencil strokes beneath a final drawing. Pages and pages of projects involving the creation of garments and other items and props for the burlesque stage. It's like the old saying goes; so much (fill in the blank), so little time.

Well, if I'm going to make any New Years resolutions, here is a list for the sewing half of things.
I was inspired by my friend Cait of Curse Words And Crinolines and her latest post on sewing plans for the new year.
Keep in mind these are *new* projects, not ones I'm currently working on. Some will be out of the pages of those sketchbooks.
Perhaps I will get all or just a choice few completed by the end of 2013, let alone started, so here goes:

A pair of 18th century stays, perhaps two; middle and late century:

A couple of 18th century gowns. A saque, a robe a l'anglaise, and hopefully my 'historically accurate' version of the "It's Turkish!" dress from the film Amadeus:

I have never been a big fan of the early bustle silhouette, but some recent stunning creations by a few colleagues have inspired me to look again at the years between 1873-75 with fresh eyes. It can be done elegantly and you don't need to look like a walking, overly decorated, wedding cake :-)

 The lavender gown on the right is an original at the V&A;

"Day dress, 1873-75. Museum no. T.112 to B-1938. Given by Miss M. Eyre-Poppleton".

A new hoop, and the Laughing Moon Lobster Tail bustle I've been curious about for years. I'll need it for the early bustle gowns pictured above:

A hoop era ballgown, 1850s or 1860s:
And for Dickens this year, the ensemble to the right in the same photo.

A natural form gown of some kind:

An 1830s gown (Cait and I have plans. Fluffy cupcake-like plans, muwaahaha):

Again for Dickens; a mid Victorian military-inspired  ensemble...or two. One has been on the back burner for a while:

A 1930s evening gown design I found ages ago that I've been yearning to recreate, perhaps in time for the Max Raabe show in April.
I'll leave that one a secret for the time being...

Last but not least; a new Victorian corset:

Something basic and sturdily made, yet not bulky, of  plain cotton designed for longer periods of wear (*cough*Dickens Fair*cough*). I'm even considering having this one made for me instead of making it up myself. An investment I shall make sooner rather than later, given the projects I wish to complete.

Stay tuned XOXO!

Wearable Favorites; What's Your Decade?

Of all the eras of fashion I adore, there are some styles which I yearn to wear all the time. This would never be practical however, considering what my daily activities require of me at work. Even at home.

How I long to flounce about in 18th century splendor, decked out in a striped silk Georgian ensemble.
Or glide along the sidewalk in a 1877 promenade gown.



*Le sigh* there are days where these ensembles would be appropriate, but they are sadly few in number.
This is where my love of the 1930s comes in.





As far as "Modern" 20th century fashion is concerned Deco era fashion is still, to this day, ultimately wearable.
While I do love the 1920s, I also love having a defined waistline ;-)
The 40s are great, but my heart really skips a beat then races for the 1930s.
Sure, the 1950s rockabilly retro look is in full swing with some folks these days, who want to capture vintage style. But I'll be honest, it's so "Done". What we see today is a plasticized version of it, thrown in with a more modern tattoo/rock n' roll culture. It's not what it was, although some truly wear it well.

This is why the 1930s styles remain uniquely vintage and a step above the 1950s regurgitation we see today. Designers are constantly drawing inspiration from cuts invented by the likes of Vionnet and Lelong. The idea of sportswear for women may have been invented in the last decade of the 19th century, but it was perfected during the 20s and 30s. And we still return to these concepts today.

But back to the literal wearing of these 30s styles;
If I had to pick a span of 3 years from which I would draw my daily wardrobe, from everyday wear to evening, it would be 1934 to 1937.

For casual cocktails or dinner with friends...


For those blustery days this winter...


For a night at the theater or formal party...