Tuesday’s Tips & Tricks: Threading Your Bobbin
The method of threading your bobbin may vary depending on your sewing machine, so check your manual. Some machines have an automatic bobbin that just pops in place. Others require a bit of fiddling.
Thursday’s Book Review:
The Science of Sexy—Dress to Fit Your Unique Figure With the Style System That Works For Every Shape and Size
by Bradley Bayou
The Science of Sexy
Rating
5 stars = Shiny!
Description
Like the title says, this book sets out to show every woman how to dress for her individual shape and size. You choose your height and weight, and your basic body type (triangle, hourglass, circle, etc.) and it gives advice tailored to your specific needs.
Women have worn petticoats for centuries. We still do, in a manner of speaking. They’re no longer made of cotton (usually) but our modern half-slips are the equivalent of the historic petticoat.
Until the 19th century, a petticoat was simply any skirt worn separate from the dress. At first, petticoats were meant to be seen and thus had a great deal of decoration. Some were quilted or heavily embroidered, while others had edgings of lace. During the Georgian period, petticoats were often made of colored fabric and worn as a skirt beneath an overdress that was polonaised or bustled (pulled up at strategic points to create puffing).
Polonaise With Petticoat, 1775 ~ Source: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Sunday’s Someday Projects: Bedroom Curtains
I need curtains for my bedroom. My new comforter is a warm, dark purple—almost a wine color, but more purple—and my accent colors are lavender, soft gold and dusty green.
Purple Comforter
Saturday’s Stash: Taffeta
Taffeta is a luxury fabric that’s lightweight and crisp. It tends to have a slight sheen to it, and it makes a characteristic rustling sound when it moves. Many taffetas are shot, that is, cross-woven with different colors to produce an iridescent shimmering effect. High-end taffeta is made of silk, while the low-end variant is of acetate. A moderate compromise is polyester. Taffeta is well suited for formal blazers, straight or A-line skirts, and formal dresses. It’s also appropriate for some historic costumes.
Wednesday’s Project
The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature—”Point of No Return”—Completed!
Awhile back I posted about my plans to make a series of outfits for the Gene doll: costumes from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. (Please see the blog post, The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature: “Point of No Return”) I am pleased to report that the first in the series is complete! The doll herself is not yet styled to look like Christine, but the costume worn during “Point of No Return” (aka Aminta’s dress) is done.
Aminta’s Dress—Fashion Sketch
Unheard of in modern times, the balayeuse was a common element of the Victorian woman’s wardrobe. But what exactly is a balayeuse? How does it work? And more importantly, how can you create one? In this new tutorial, you’ll find a guide to sewing two varieties of Victorian dust ruffles.
Tutorial: Making a Balayeuse
Enjoy!
Friday’s Fashion Plates: 1869 Visiting Dresses
Here is a fashion plate from an 1869 issue of The Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine. It contains two visiting dresses, one of which uses a remarkable color combination.
The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine, 1869
Tuesday’s Tips & Tricks: Winding Your Bobbin
The bobbin is the tiny spool of thread that fits in the lower part of your sewing machine. Some pop into the front of the base, while others drop in from above. These bobbins must be wound with thread that matches your main thread. It’s an easy process, but always double-check your manual to be sure you’re doing it right for your machine. Continue reading
Sunday’s Someday Project:
1930s Lingerie for Gene
Simplicity 9527 features several pieces of sexy vintage-style lingerie for the 16” fashion doll Gene. They are all from the 1930s or 1940s: a full slip, tap pants, a teddy, a full coverage bra, garter belt, and stockings.
Fashion Sketch: Vintage Teddy
