Tuesday’s Tips & Tricks: Accommodating Bulk When Layering
Accommodating bulk is something everyone knows about in theory, but you might not give it due consideration when sewing. I recently made a Victorian evening suit for a 16” fashion doll: trousers, shirt, waistcoat, tailcoat, bow tie, the works. When I finished the waistcoat’s mockup, it looked good. That is, until I tried it on over the doll’s shirt. I could barely make the front edges meet and the doll looked like a stuffed sausage!
Too-Small Waistcoat
Thursday’s Book Review: Eighteenth Century Embroidery Techniques by Gail Marsh
Eighteenth Century Embroidery Techniques ~ © 2006, Gail Marsh
Rating
5 = Shiny
Sunday’s Someday Projects: Empire Ballgown for the Gene Doll
I recently fell in love with and purchased an evening gown for the 15.5” Gene Marshall doll. It’s a textured copper chiffon with an empire-waist bodice and a princess-seamed skirt with inserted godets that make the skirt very full. The bodice is sequined and beaded and each of the godets has a cluster of sequins and beads at each corner. The outfit came with a matching petticoat, shawl, shoes, and jewelry. Continue reading
Friday’s Fashion Plate: 1913 Day and Evening Dresses
Today we have two dresses from Journal Des Demoiselles, 1913.
Journal Des Demoiselles, 1913
Thursday’s Book Review: A-Z of Silk Ribbon Flowers by Ann Cox
A-Z of Silk Ribbon Flowers ~ © 2009, Search Press
Rating
4 = Satisfactory
Description
If you enjoy silk ribbon embroidery and specifically want to learn how to create flowers, this is the book for you. Continue reading
Why is it necessary to wash your fabrics before starting a new project? In this new tutorial, you’ll learn three reasons why you should always pre-wash your fabric and trims. You’ll also learn tips and tricks for hand-washing fabrics, pressing them once they’re dry, and preparing them for storage.
Tutorial: Pre-Washing Fabric & Trims
Enjoy!
Saturday’s Stash of the Day: Point d’Esprit
Point d’esprit (pronounced pwan deh-spree) is a finely woven net lace. Most often found in black or cream, it resembles a soft tulle, but with dots woven into the mesh. Because it comes in full-size widths, it’s suitable for gowns, shawls, veils, and even formal curtains or tablecloths. Its delicate nature also makes it ideal for custom doll clothes.
Black Point d'Esprit
Tuesday’s Tips & Tricks: Boning Alternatives
Boning is a notion that can be used for many purposes. Corsets and bustiers come to mind first, but strapless bodices are often made with supportive boning, as well. If you’re making a garment that calls for boning, I don’t recommend using the flimsy plastic stuff that’s available from your local fabric shop. It’s cheap, easy to find, and easy to use, but it doesn’t hold up under pressure. The best boning is made of steel: either spiral steel, which is flexible and intended for curved seams, or spring steel, which is meant only for straight seams.
The problem is, corset supplies are neither cheap nor easy to acquire, unless you happen to live in one of the few cities that can boast a corset supply shop, like Farthingales. Most of us have to order our supplies online and that can get expensive, but there are alternatives to consider. Continue reading
