Friday’s Fashion Plates: Archery Outfits, 1831
Today we have two outfits designed for archery from La Belle Assemblée magazine. (Click any image to view it full-size.)
Archery Outfits from La Belle Assemblée, 1831
In 1831, the Romantic Era was just beginning. Waistlines dropped to a more natural placement after the ultra-high empire waists of the Regency period. Shoulders sloped considerably and large puffed sleeves were the height of fashion. Skirts were A-line, yet full. Continue reading
Thursday’s Book Review
Period Costume for Stage and Screen: 1500-1800 by Jean Hunnisett
Period Costume for Stage and Screen ~ Players Press, © 1991
Rating
4 = Satisfactory Continue reading
Monday’s Mish-Mash: Ladies’ Undergarments: Bloomers, Pantaloons, or Drawers?
Women’s drawers have frequently been misidentified. All it takes is a quick search of eBay and you’ll find plenty of Victorian drawers that have been mislabeled. So, what’s the difference between bloomers, pantaloons, pantalets, and drawers? Let’s take a closer look and see what’s what. Continue reading
This new sewing diary chronicles the making of the Hannibal Ballet Costume, one in a series of doll-sized costumes inspired by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, The Phantom of the Opera.
Sewing Diary—The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature: Hannibal Ballet Costume
Enjoy!
In Croquis: Fashion Sketches, Part I and Part II, you learned how to draw fashion sketches. But suppose you want to color your croquis? In this new two-part article, you’ll find detailed instructions on how to scan and clean up your drawing, how to outline and color it, and how to add shadows, highlights, details, and textures. When you’re finished, you’ll have a beautifully colored fashion sketch!
Digital Color: Adding Color to Your Croquis, Part I
Digital Color: Adding Color to Your Croquis, Part II
Enjoy!
Thursday’s Book Review: Victorian Fashion and Costumes From Harper’s Bazar: 1867-1898, by Stella Blum
Victorian Fashions and Costumes From Harper's Bazar, 1867-1898 ~ © Dover Publications, 1974
Rating
5 = Shiny! Continue reading
Sunday’s Someday Project: The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature—White Dressing Gown
Previously, I mentioned my plans to make each of the major costumes from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. First, the Hannibal Ballet costume and the matching “Think of Me” skirt. These are now done and I will be posting their sewing diaries shortly. Meanwhile, I’m planning the next costume: the iconic white dressing gown, which is worn during the title song, while the Phantom takes Christine down to his lair beneath the Opera House.
Fashion Sketch: Christine’s White Dressing Gown ~ © Lisha Vidler, 2013
Friday’s Fashion Plate: 1864 Bathing Dresses
Today we have four bathing dresses, as featured in a fashion plate from July 1864.
Bathing Dresses, July 1864
This was the height of the hoopskirt era, when dresses were full and bell-shaped. You can see the current fashion echoed in some of these bathing dresses. Continue reading
Sunday’s Someday Projects: The Phantom of the Opera in Miniature—Hannibal’s Ballet Costume & Elissa’s Skirt
In October 2011, I attended a live screening of the 25th anniversary performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. It was phenomenal! There were extreme closeups of every actor—and their costumes. It inspired me to the point where I decided to make each and every costume from the show. Unfortunately, some of these costumes are bulky and I simply don’t have the storage room in my house for such an endeavor, so I scaled back my plans. I started making each of my favorite costumes for Gene Marshall, a 15.5″ fashion doll.
First, I purchased a Gene doll with long brown hair that should take a boil perm easily. I’ll do a facial enhancement to make her makeup a little more natural-looking. Continue reading
