I worked on, and finally finished, something I hate…hand sewing. I hate it doubly because it was on something no one will EVER see! The interior of the bodice was a fury mess from the fabric fraying.
Now it is all pretty! And I have nice little channels for the boning!
Next step is the details on the front, then the boning. After that comes the sleeves. I haven’t had much trouble with the sleeves in the last few projects but I still find I dread them…
I have lots of things to share with you all. First, a completed project.
I have a friend at work that is expecting a baby. I will add this to my contributions for her baby shower.
Spring has sprung around here. I’m loving all the flowers. Late spring is my favorite time of year.
My sweet 4 legged baby loves spring too.
The baby ducks and geese are out now. So cute!
And now finally, something Victorian. Lottie gave me a cabinet card that I want to share with you. I love the detail on the “lapel”. I’m thinking beading and embroidery.
There is quite a bit of writing on the back of the card.
The clearest bit says…
Taken in May 1896.
The next clearest bit says…
With love and best wishes
Janice(?)
What do you think the name says?
There is more writing on the bottom.
All I can make out is “…day I am…”
Can you make any of it out? Sure you can with such blurry photos.
In my last post about all the free fabric I got, I forgot to mention some other items I got-primarily books. I also got a book about fitting pants, which I can’t find right now.
There was several purse handles but I don’t make those often but I couldn’t pass these up.
I went thrifting today. I didn’t buy fabric or wool. Yeah me! I’ve just had a major purge of fabric and heaven knows I DO NOT NEED ANY MORE WOOL! I did find a few games that I think will work well with my seniors and some more books for myself. I’m gonna have a nice little hobby library soon!
I’m really excited about this one!
My girlfriend called to say a friend of hers was emptying her mother’s house and there was a ton of fabric she wanted to give away for free. I said I’d be interested if they were natural(ish) fibers and big pieces because a fluffy girl like me isn’t getting to far with a half meter! She said there were, so I made an appointment to go rummage. Turns out the woman was a fiber artist (a very good one) and she had a collection that makes mine look dainty and sweet. It was all very well organized and labeled so I had no trouble finding things I’d be interested in!
This is the pile shoved into the house…
This is the pile sorted!
This pile, circled in the photo below, is natural fibers but wild colors so I think I will use them to make modern clothes. Hmmm. I wonder how long that will take to get too?
There is a lot of velvet. Some of it is stretchy but such a nice color. Do I use it (with a lot of flat-lining to hide the stretch) or just make plush toys or 1980’s sweat suits?
There is quite a bit of good velvet. One is black and one is a lovely deep purple.
There are small bits of real silk that would be nice for trims or hats and purses.
What am I holding over my head?
I know I’m supposed to make a muslin of a new pattern. I never do. My excuse is I don’t have any and I can’t justify the expense! No excuses now!
The other larger pieces are big enough for at least a skirt if not a full dress. The question will be: do I have a project in mind? if I don’t have a project, what do I do with it? Well, Lottie and Shirley, this is where you come in…I’m going to go through my old hoard and this new batch and anything I can’t see a future for in the next 10 years should probably go to a good home. By our next outing, ladies, I hope to have a pile or two set up for you to pick over for yourselves. You too, shall benefit from my wind fall!
Anything you don’t want, will get offered to a sewing niece and daughter-in-law. If they don’t want it, I will hang onto it. (The woman I got the stuff from, didn’t want to see it end up in the garbage or donation box.) Inspiration is unending!
Recently I received a couple of cabinet cards as a gift (thanks Lottie!) Based on what I can see of the bodice I’d guess this is an 80’s dress. The hair cut stumps me. Side part. Different. Bangs are not frizzy… different but I have seen it before. But if you look by the ears, it looks like the hair is cut, not pulled back. What do you think? An illusion because of the angle? A rebel? Did she cut and sell her hair to raise money for this AMAZING bodice/dress? Were they still shaving heads to battle fevers in the 80’s? Let’s hear your thoughts?
Note the pineapple motif on the shoulder.
Last weekend during Doors Open I ran into a woman with this fabulous opera cape. It was so lovely I had to take a photo or two. While chatting, I discovered she is related to my costume pal Lottie! (Sorry Lottie, I meant to tell you about that but I forgot!)
Have a good week all!
Note the pineapple motif on the shoulder.
Last weekend during Doors Open I ran into a woman with this fabulous opera cape. It was so lovely I had to take a photo or two. While chatting, I discovered she is related to my costume pal Lottie! (Sorry Lottie, I meant to tell you about that but I forgot!)
Have a good week all!
Wanda B Victorian 