I found some throwback photos of probably my first BIG costume project! I was in LOVE with the movie The Mask of Zorro (1998), and wanted to copy the gown that Elena wears in the dance scene. I wore it to the Gaskell Ball in October 2009 (ooof that is a long time ago!) and later sold it on eBay.

Looking back I see all kinds of errors and fitting issues, but hey, I was still really new to sewing in general and was quite proud of myself at the time!

 I used Past Patterns Ball gown Bodice #704, and just made the skirt up as I went. The black lace was stolen off of an old lace bed jacket from the 80's! 

 I used an entire can of gold spray paint on the lace, it was black and purchased from Jo-Anns. The bodice and overskirt were made of a polyester taffeta, and the white skirt was muslin.  

Here is a photo of the original gown from the film, worn by the lovely Catherine Zeta Jones.

As you can see I let off the lace sleeves, I felt I didn't need them but I kind of wish I had added them.

SO pretty!

Overall, it was fun to wear and a huge learning curve for me to make! Makes me want to watch this movie again.....

Boulder Airport Swing Dance Ball - Simplicity 8447 Overalls Pattern Review

Awesome Airplanes! 

The car from It's a Wonderful Life! 

Pattern Description:
1940's Overalls and blouse with hood (a hood!?)

Pattern Sizing: Size 14-16

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Mostly! I left off a pocket

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, but having the Crafty Pinup Vlog really helped me!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
They NEED to put finished garment measurements on their pattern envelopes! Also, why no bust measurement?

Fabric Used:
100% Cotton Denim

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
 I left off a pocket

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
 I want to make these again, out of a twill or something, and I have already recommended it to many friends and strangers who liked them!

Conclusion:
 I loved these, wearing them while swing dancing was fun and they were a very comfy, easy to make staple from the 40's! Now I have a Rosie the Riveter Costume :p Sizing was a little tricky, I started with a 14 and ended up more a 16. The crotch is a little baggy but not in a bad way, and the legs are terribly long, even on 5'9" me.
All in all, they took me about two days to make, working on them off and on during work days. I liked the look of the blouse but did not make that yet.

This was a really fun event and I want to go again! 

So excited to finally dress vintage 

                                                          American Duchess Shoes!

Here's the lo-down on Virginia:

• All-leather construction: upper, lining, sole
• T-strap latchets adjust with metal-tipped lacing.
• Period slashing pattern (topical only, does not go all the way through the shoe - keep the dirt out!)
• Slightly square toe
• Period correct for c. 1580 - 1630
• Available in two colors - dark brown oiled leather -or- tan buffed leather

Virginia was developed with the help of Jamestown head costumer Chris D., and input from you, our followers. It's a unisex style that works with a variety of Elizabethan and Jacobean clothing, and will keep you comfortable and looking swell all day.

Pre-Order runs October 17 - November 3. Get a free pair of stockings ($25 value) or a $10 cash discount when you place your order during this time. Pre-orders placed also count for 5 points in our giveaway, which means you could get your pair totally free!

Costume Smorgasbord - Part Two

Second slew of costumes! Trying to play catch-up with myself here.

 Civil War Day Dress - Simplicity 4400

I made this for my younger sister and ended up wearing it myself a few times! Very simple cotton dress, but I left off the puffed sleeves and made the 3/4 long. LOVE this bodice pattern!

                                        Simplicity 4400 Bodice - Sleeves Simplicity 2881

Same story. Needed a simple day dress and wanted shorter sleeves. I saw examples of this type of sleeve for a day dress and loved it! For the neckline, I just kept cutting it bigger till I was happy.

                                                Simplicity 4055 - Regency Muslin Gown

I've made this up three or four times now, it's so easy and quick to sew! I have to make changes, such as lowering the waist an inch and a half, and the skirt could use some more yardage... But it's a lovely dress to dance in, and so easy to make in a fancy or plain style! Now... WHERE is Mr. Darcy?

                                               Simplicity 3782 - Elizabethan  Traveling Gown

This gown was made this a size too large, taken apart a year later and started over again. VERY easy to make, and so fun to wear! Next time I want to make it a bit more sumptuous! The hat was made from a pattern given to me by my dear friend Lauren, and trimmed with an antique plume!

                                                           Butterick 5970 - 1900's Skirt

The PEERS picnic in Alameda is always a lovely time, and this year the theme was 1902. This skirt was simple and quick to make! Cotton this time, but I want to make it up again for an evening ensemble.

Part Three coming soon!

Costume Smorgasbord - Part One

Rather than delve back into every single costume I have ever made, I've decided to just throw a few on here with a very basic overview. It's funny (and a little embarrassing) to go back and see where you started!

Outlaw Bustle Gown

Burda 1888. This one was so much fun to wear! No changes made to the pattern except trimmings and fabric choices. Cotton broadcloth and Chinese gimp trim. I even had a small bustle pad that went with it. This dress was made for robbing trains and stage coaches. I have since sold it on eBay. 

 Gold Rush Days

This was the fist accurate (ish) gown I made, for Gold Rush Days in Old Sacramento. The pattern was Simplicity 7212 with Simplicity 4400 sleeves. I remember it being a good pattern, and I really want to get it out and make it again now my skills have improved. Cotton broadcloth, no cartridge pleats. (because those scare me).

Past Pattern #704

LOVE this bodice pattern! No darts, just easy princess seams, and easy to fit. Wore this for a whole year at Gaskells and loved it to death. Shiny/poly fabric, super simple gown. My sister's medieval gown is from the SF Opera, and fit her perfectly!

Blue Ball Gown

This was my first ballgown for my first Gaskell Ball. Past Patterns #704 again, with different sleeves and some slight changes. Blue cotton, because I didn't know what I was doing back then. O.o

Esmeralda Costume at the Fancy Dress Ball

A last-minute idea and just throw together from other costumes. Fun to dance barefoot! (Where's my goat?)

Fancy Dress Ball

Wendy Darling, Stripey Pirate, and Merida. This was Butterick 4827, with sleeves scrambled together by me. I may NEVER sew with knit fabric again. Sold this one one eBay.

Gibson Girls - April 2013 Gaskell Ball

For the April Gaskell Ball, the unofficial theme was "Gibson Girls"! It was a costuming challenge, and we such beautiful results! We were appropriately haughty and broke many hearts, just like a Gibson Girl should.

Very proper

My gown was made up of two patterns and sleeve drafted by my clever friend Elizabeth P. The bodice was Simplicity 2851, and the skirt was Burda 1888, minus the bustle apron.

The fabric was from Triad Plus Fabric; a very pretty blue poly taffeta. it all went together easily, and I ended up cutting off the silly tails that the bodice is supposed to have. I also made it lace up the back. (ANYTHING to avoid hooks and eyes!)

 The best part for me was getting recreate an original drawing by Charles Dana Gibson!

A Little Story. By a Sleeve.

And our version:

Many thanks to Gregory!

Smiles all around

The Unsinkables - 1912 Titanic Evening Gown

To commemorate the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, a few of us Gaskell Ball ladies decided to wear Edwardian Era Gowns to the April 2012 Ball. Here are my efforts.

Thank you, American Duchess!

 I used the Titanic Simplicity Pattern 8389, with a few minor changes. The dress is poly shantung (wrong side, as I liked the shiny factor) and the overlay is Point d'esprit lace. It's all trimmed with strands of sequins and the sleeves are caught up with some sequin trim. (Thanks to my Mum for the idea!) I cheated and used a lapped zipper (thanks again Mum) and it worked really well.

It went together pretty easily, and was fun to wear! I will probably use the pattern again at some point.

"Yes, we DO travel first class, thank you!"

There were so many lovely gowns at the ball, and such an interest in the challenge of creating costumes for a given era, that we did it again for the April 2013 ball. This time we went with "Gibson Girls" theme. (photos to come!)

The End