Again With the Planning....

I have been furiously sewing away on my 1916 outfit using Wearing History's 1910s Suit Jacket pattern and am almost done with the outfit.  Just need to complete a petticoat so the skirt will stand out correctly before I photograph the whole ensemble and share it with you.  Oh, and I need to desecrate an antique fur hat to make it more 1916...maybe, we'll see if I can go through with it.

Anyhoo, while I am completing that, I thought I'd share some of the projects I have in the plan/collect all the things/design files for future outfits.  The historical clothing education group I am a part of, We Wear Idaho History (we have changed our name to reflect our love and passion for Idaho!!!) is expanding our fashion show variety to encompass different styles and genres of historical dress.  To that end, I am going to be making outfits that will be useful in the shows, ones that I have had on my "will make before I die" list for quite a long while and darn it!!!  I totally have an "excuse" to make them now.  Like I totally need an excuse!  Bwhahahahahaha!!!!!  I'll also share my Pinterest pages where I get my inspiration! 

1890s Wedding Gown

I was vacillating between making a bustle gown or an 1890s gown, but the '90s won out.  I have some really lovely dark cream silk dupioni that literally shines and I wanted the loveliness of the fabric to not be impeded by pleats and shirring.  Plus, the 1890s just make me smile

Inspiration for the wedding dress...Love the typical '90s sleeves and the sweep of the skirt!!!

Source:  Indianapolis Museum of Art

Pinterest board:  Weddings Old Style

Late 1890s Maternity Gown

For some odd reason, I have always wanted to make a Victorian maternity gown!  Probably because I started making these dresses after my last son was a year old and therefore never got to make a dress for when I was pregnant.  So, I am seriously excited to make one now!  I had been thinking about what era to make the dress...Bustle?  1860s?  A wrapper?  When the solution solved itself for me!  I had purchased a teens era skirt and 1916 dress pattern on eBay and the seller said she would throw in another pattern she had laying around because she wanted to get rid of it.  I said, "Cool with me!" not knowing what pattern she had in mind.  Low and behold, when I opened the package I was gobsmacked to discover what lay in its confines.....A ladies House Jacket pattern that was literally PERFECT for a late 1890s maternity dress!!!  My mind was blown!  I had seen Empress Alexandra's maternity gown from when she was pregnant with Grand Duchess Maria and thought it a lovely confection!!!  I was laughing hysterically at the craziness of it all, and once again I was gifted with worried and quizzical stares from my children... 

Empress Alexandra's maternity gown.  Isn't it gorgeous!  I will be on the look out for some ivory and pink (I could just die from the girliness of it all!!!) fabric and of course the lace.

Source:  Hermitage Twitter

Pinterest Board:  Maternity Clothing of Long Ago

So fabulous pattern that will be used to make Empress Alexnadra's gown!  Sooooooooo excited!!!

1890s Bicycle Outfit

I have wanted to make one of these since I first stared making Victorian clothing, but something else always got in the way.  But NOW, now it will be made.  Probably next year, but it will be made!  I have the fabric and the patterns and so now there is no excuse!  I love the thought of an outfit specially designed for a lady to ride her bicycle!!!  Go lady go!!!!!

I don't remember where I found this particular image, but I do know I have a paper doll book that has the image in it!  I LOVE This dress!  It is so beautiful in its simplicity!!!  Can't wait to make this baby come to life!!!

Edited:  Source:  Museum of Play

Pinterest Board:  Sports: Cycling Costumes of Long Ago

Riding Habit

In the past I have made two riding habits, wore them to have pictures taken, and then for some idiotic reason, sold them.  ACK!!! What was I thinking?  I have no idea.  But after finding some fabulous dark forest green Pendleton wool at a thrift store (on the factory cardboard for heavens sake and for $5.99 for it all!!!) I knew exactly what would be made of it.  The below fabulousness.....

I just love how gorgeous this green riding habit is!  And I already have the hat to go with it!!  Huzzah!!!

Source:  The MET

Pinterest Board:  Riding Habits of Long Ago

1917 Military Inspired Dress

This had been on my "That's really cool, but I have no idea how I am going to make it because there are no patterns available in my size" list for quite a while when Lauren of Wearing History came out with her 1910s jacket pattern.  I knew exactly what I would make when I saw the pattern and my heart got seriously happy that day!!!  I love the tailored look of the whole thing and can't wait to get to it!  I have the fabric ready and waiting.  It was going to be made for Costume College last year and I can't remember why it wasn't.  But soon my pretty...sooooooon.....

Ok, I also have the pith helmet and shoes!  Squee!!  Cannot WAIT!!!

Source:  Dress Making Research

1920s Aviatrix/Explorer

Several years ago, I acquired a pair of antique Jodhpurs that, at the time, there was not a snowball's chance in the outer reaches on hell I was ever going to get into.  Not even if I lathered myself with butter and olive oil and jumped into them from atop my roof.  Then I lost weight and low and behold.....THEY FIT!!!!!  I scared Rosie dog who was minding her own business, sleeping on my bed with my shriek of sheer happiness!  I have loved jodhpurs ever since I saw Meryl Streep wearing them in "Out of Africa" and then again when I saw the Honorable Phryne Fisher wearing some...I KNEW that I had to fit into mine.  I had considered taking my pair apart and making a pattern out of them because I could not for the life of me find a quality, pattern that really really really looked like old fashioned jodhpurs.  My conscious and my not talented pattern making brain rebelled at the idea of taking the vintage pair apart...thankfully.  I did purchase the Folkwear pattern for the 1920s equestrian jodhpurs but was still not happy.  Thankfully, I can now wear the originals!!!  

I didn't know if I wanted to be an explorer from the late teens/1920s or an Aviatrix when a chance encounter at a thrift store settled the debate.  I found an antique aviator's leather cap for $7.00.  I stood in the store in silence, trying to contain the great WHOOP of excitement attempting to escape my lips.  I think I did a very admirable job as I paid for my cap, a 1940s brown leather purse and a 1950s parasol, keeping my emotions under control!!  Hahahahahaha!!!  

I have been wanting some riding/hiking boots that laced up the front but didn't have a zipper for a long while and wasn't having any success finding some that were in my budget.  Happily, I won the bid on a pair on eBay.  When they came, I donned them along with my shorts and T-shirt and paraded around the house like an idiot, much to the delight of my niece and nephew.  I am so totally fostering the personality of the Eccentric Old Aunt.

I am still on the look out for a bomber jacket, but was consoled with the fact that there are many images of Aviatrix's lady pilots with out them.  

Dorky, excited me taking a selfie to send to my friend Josie...I was seriously ecstatic!!!

I am also loving this image of Lady Edith Crawley's Bicycle outfit....

Source:  fanpop

Pinterest Pages:  Jodhpurs

Aviatrix

Oh!!!  And check out Nabby's Aviatrix Costume!!!  She is pretty rockin' in this get up AND she made her own bomber jacket!!  Huzzah!!

1840s Mourning Gown

Every October, I attempt to make a mourning gown from a different era.  This year, I have decided, thanks in part to all the Jane Eyre movies, to make an 1840s mourning gown!  I am so excited! This will be the outfit I work on next.  A whole new suite of underwear will have to be made to go along with it...darn it!!!  hahahahah!!!  I am so very excited!!  I already have the black wool that I purchased in Vancouver, BC years ago, and the pattern...just need to get started!!!

I love the simple and elegant lines of this dress!

Source:  Dames a la Mode tumblr

1860s Elliptical Hoop 

To add to my " I would really love to have a dress from every era starting with the Regency Era" dreams, I am "needing" to make an elliptical hoop and all that goes along with it.  I found some lovely plaid wool at the thrift store one day and think it would be fabulous with a zouave jacket!  I will have to make an elliptical cage which I am soooooo not looking forward to, but that's totally ok.  I'll get over it!!!

For some reason, this style of dress is really lovely to my eyes!  This outfit, however, is a ways down on my to do list!!!

Source:  The Barrington House

Well, that's all I have in the way of planning so far.  Again, if I write it down for the world wide web to see, it's "out there" and I now have to make it....right?

Have a wonderfully blessed day my friends!  I'm off to make a petticoat!!

g

1950 Cherry Print Dress...I'm So Afraid!!!

I don't think I have ever felt this feeling before in my costuming "career".  Since I started following several vintage dress blogs, I have really started falling in love with vintage dresses.  I even found two fabrics that really made my heart happy and the only eras that would fit them were the 1940s and 1950s.  I am still deciding what pattern to use for the 1940s fabric, but I think I decided what pattern to use with the 1950s-esque fabric.  That decision has taken me quite a while to come to.  By quite a while, I mean I struggled with this decision for 4 days.  I know what you're thinking..."That's not a long time you know".  But for me it is a really long time.  I have spent hours pouring over images on Pinterest, the internet, Facebook, Vintage Blogs, and the fashion books in my collection.  Usually, when thinking of what Victorian-1920s dress to make, I have a ready selection of ones that are on my "Will Make Before I Die" list.  However, this new era and venture is causing me a whole lot of anxiety.  I mean a lot.  I really want this dress to be happy as I am so seriously in love with the fabric!!

I purchased the pattern from Antique World Mall in Boise.  It is dated 1950 and I simply adore the scallops and buttons.  I especially adore the scalloped pockets on the skirt.  A fun bonus:  While I was checking over the pattern pieces, I discovered that a whole different pattern was also included in the envelope (Simplicity 4087)!!  There are just the pattern pieces and no instructions, so I am hoping that it is an easy put together!!

Anyhoo, after looking and rejecting all of my 1950s patterns (reproductions) and the few original ones I have, I decided on the pattern below with the scallops.

I am so thrilled that I found this pattern in my size!!  Whoot!!  I have about 10 patterns from this era that are adorable, but the bust measurement is 32.  I don't think I have ever been a bust measurement 32!!!

A month ago, I was at a local craft store, Crafter's Warehouse, and they had flat fold cottons in their quilting department.  This cherry one literally jumped off the table, tackled me to the floor and screamed, "BUY ME AND TURN ME INTO A 1950S DRESS!!!!!!!"  I'm not even kidding you.  Ask the ladies at the cut counter.  I am sure they see this sort of behavior from their fabrics all the time, but for me it was quite disconcerting.  I did some research on fruit/cherry print dresses from the 50s and found quite a few.  Nothing looked like my fabric, but I just fell in love with it and really want the dress to look good!

I bought some cotton curtains at Goodwill that matched the dark part of the cherries exactly and am wanting to do the accents in that.

Again, I can't express how scared, nervous, anxious I am to start this project.  Ridiculous I know.  I have made over 100 dresses/outfits from the Regency Era to the 1920s, and even made a blue and white polka dot 1950s dress for Coco last year, but this dress...

We shall see how silly I feel after the dress is complete!

Blessings to you all and I hope you have a wonderful week!

g

Gangsters to Gatsby Event at the Old Idaho Penitentiary!!!

Ok, yes, I am working on my 1895 sailor dress and it is coming along quite nicely.  I have to do the sleeves and the collar, then it shall be complete!  BUT................

I have to get this down in writing as I am super excited and I DO NOT want to change my mind.  My reasoning is, if I post it here, I will be held accountable in some sort of way, to holding to making this!  Weird, yes I know.

On June 5th, the Friends of the Historical Society and Old Idaho Penitentiary is holding a fund raiser called Gansters to Gatsby, and I am wanting to make a new 1920s dress to wear to it.  While perusing Etsy today while Colton was working on math, a dress literally jumped off the computer screen, grabbed me up by the shirt collar and screamed "MAKE ME!!!!!!"  I said "Yes Mistress!!!!" and knew in an instant what colors and fabrics I would use.  

Two years ago when I was in my "Make all the Phryne Fisher things" mode, I purchased a length of fabric from WalMart in a most fabulous shade of salmon.  (When Josie was here she did a burn test on it and concluded that it is a wool/cotton blend which totally made me deliriously happy as it was only $2.00 a yard and I have like 7+ yards.)  One of the places Josie and I visited on her visit here was the Antique World Mall.  In one of my favorite booths, was a most delicious ribbon that screamed at me "BUY ME!!!!!!"  I said "Yes Mistress!!!!"  I had a sneaking suspicion that it could possibly match my fabric and clung to it like a drowning person to a life preserver!!!  We been looking at all the lovely things for over 2 hours, when we came to one of the very last booths.  Hanging on the wall was a most incredible pair of black 1920s lace-up oxfords.  They screamed "BUY ME!!!!" and I said "mmmmmm....really?"  Josie and I conferred for a bit and she insisted they were in fact 1920s shoes and told me that if I didn't buy them that she would.  I bought them.  We both had doubts that my exceedingly wide hobbit feet wouldn't fit them, but much to my delight and surprise, my feet fit quite nicely!!  

My beautiful wool/cotton fabric, divine ribbon (that really does match perfectly but my camera caught the shine of the ribbon and makes it look off) and my crazy cool 1920s shoes!!!!

Super fabulous inspiration came from Etsy (inspiration source).  I LOVE the black french piping and buttons!!!  I have been looking for an inspiration for my salmon dress for a very long time and the moment my eyeballs spotted this dress, my insides leapt for joy as I took in all the delicious details!!  I knew in an instant that the salmon would work if I used black for the french piping!!  I am so excited about this that I am really going to have to force myself to finish the 1895 sailor dress.... 

The dress is very simple, but oh so elegant with its fabulous detailing!!!  Do you see the sweet lipstick pocket on the right side of the drop waist?  Darling!!!  Don't know what to think of the belt buckle and so may leave that off of my dress.

The patterns I plan on using are as follows.....

I am thinking this pattern would be great because of the scoop neck of the bodice.  It will be easy to mutate to my bidding!!!!

The pleated skirt on this pattern will be perfect for the skirt on my dress...and no I didn't pay $15.00 for this pattern!  I'm crazy but not that crazy!!!

Well, I hope by putting this "out there", I will stick to my plan!  I found that now a days, I am severely OCD when it comes to costuming and have many, many "Squirrel!!!" moments....

I either need to become a Time Lord, or locate a Time Turner like Hermione had!!!  Some how, I don't think either of these things is going to happen...

Be blessed my friends!!

g

Spelling Bee Addendum...a Ball Gown Bodice

Well, thanks to Katherine of The Fashionable Past and Kristen of Musings of a Couturiere, I now have a fun new project to attend to after I get the bustling done for the Spelling Bee dress.  She sent me a pin from Pinterest and I loudly squeeled in delight.  I love it when my fellow costuming friends enable my costuming passion!!!  

The image on the pin is of Alva Vanderbilt's sister-in-law, Mrs. William Seward Webb, nee Lila O. Vanderbilt.  She attended Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt's famous Fancy Dress Ball in 1883 dressed as the Hornet.

I LOVE it when there is photographic proof that a dress from a fashion plate was made into reality!  I really like the look of the bodice in this photograph.  It is sweet and lovely and looks like she used star or flower shaped brooches for adornment.  Of course I'll have to find myself an imported, diamond encrusted headdress...Bwahahahahahahaha!!!  Anyhoo, I love this outfit with the ball gown bodice.  Thankfully JoAnn's has in stock the velvet that I used for the underskirt and bodice I have now.  What a fun project this will be!

Thank you Katherine!!!

Source:  MCNY Blog

Be Blessed my friends!

g

Moving the Parents, Juicing Grapes, Starting School and Planning Galore!!!

Oh my goodness gracious!  Where did August go?  I'll tell you were it went!  GONE!!!  I got back from Coco and it took me about a week to recover.  Pretty sad huh?  Well, it doesn't help that I never ever ever ever NEVER wear heals unless it is for a costuming event and I wore heals at Coco 3 out of the 4 days I was there.  Needless to say, my feet were seriously irritated with me.  Then there was the issue of the horrid humidity that was there and of course the not sleeping well cause I was having too much fun!!  Oh yes, and let us mention that I am getting older and am not a party queen anymore (ok, I was never a party queen...).  I'm just a wimp I guess.  I'm not at all complaining, I had an absolute blast...it just takes me longer to recover than in the past.....

So, after the week of recovery, I was thrown into helping my parents move from their 5 acre farm to a 1 acre place.
There was packing and cleaning and moving and driving and packing and cleaning.  I have decided that I never ever want to move from my house again and that if I do, I will only take my costuming stuff with me!  I am a pro at moving, but this one was pretty intensive!  So, that took up about 3 weeks.

Now we have the first few weeks of school for my boys.  They attend the Homeschool Co-Op at my church so I get them on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Things have been going pretty well, which is good since this is Colton's first year at home.  

Thhhhhhheeennnnn....this week was the grape juicing saga.  On Monday Greg and I went to our friends' vineyard and picked grapes.  Holy Monkey.  I have never seen so many grapes in my life!!!  They were delicious.  Not concord grapes like I usually get, but delicious juice grapes none the less.  Spent two days de-stemming and juicing and two days canning and processing.  Let's just say I'm about done in.  BUT!!!  I have 54 quarts of grape juice!!  Awesome! 

54 Quarts of grape juice from grapes picked at a wonderful friend's vineyard.  Thank you Ken and Suzanne Comontofski!!  Your Dancin' Hill Vineyard is beyond lovely!!

During this time of work and more work, I have been dreaming about and plotting my next costuming endeavors.  I have decided on some projects that have been in the "to do" file for a while.  I hope to complete these during the rest of this year and the beginning of next year.  First I need to bead the wheat motif that my friend Josie Smith has made onto the black court gown...a little bit fearful of that project, but I have every confidence that it will get done...

Here are the projects I have planned for myself and I will stick to this plan!!!!!

Oh yes, these are in no particular order of preference...

The Ruth DeWitt Bukater Boarding Suit

Ruth DeWitt Bukater's fabulous boarding suit

Source:  Movie Screencaps

This beauty has been all alone and lonely all summer.  I had to put it away when the furor over Costume College took root in my creative brain.  Back to the suit we go!

Regency Era Half Mourning Dress

"Afternoon dress, half mourning, The Gallery of Fashion, May issue 1798

Source:  Locutus Regency Mourning Page

Horrible picture, I apologize...the black check is a lovely raw silk found at...a thrift store!!  I got a lot too.  The white is a cotton voile that I discovered in the incredible LA fabric district!!

This outfit will hopefully be a two piece thingy.  The image looks like it is a one piece thingy...but I will make mine like this:  The white will be an 1790s round gown and the black will be a sleeveless, cross over pelisse of sorts...should prove to be interesting!

Kyoto Museum Red Wool Redingote

Image taken from my Kyoto book

The Kyoto Museum Institute

Pinterest Page

Oh ya.  I am going to make this baby.  I fell in love with it years ago when I purchased the Kyoto book at Barnes and Noble.  I wasn't even interested in making Regency anything, as I was still obsessively in love with the late Victorian era.  But, my tastes have...broadened into other eras and now is the time to make this lovely!  And hello!!!  Soutache trim!!  Or something that looks like it.  

I already have purchased a vintage white rabbit coat for the tippet and muff.  I read in the book after I purchased the coat that the tippet and muff are swan's down.  Well, where the heck do you find swan's down anyways, so I'm ok with recycling the coat!

Ack!!  Horrible coloring!  The real color is a much deeper, lovely shade than this.  This is WOW in your face lipstick red.  The real wool is very much like the color of the original.  The verdict is still out on this project anyways.  I only have a little bit over 3 yards of this 60" wool, so may not have enough.  I have laid out the pattern pieces and things look positive as of right now....keep your fingers crossed!

Romantic Era Archery Dress

"Archery Dress, 1831 United Kingdom, La Belle Assemblee

Source:  Old Rags Tumblr

Oh my holy goodhonks!!!  Would you look at that loveliness!!!  Again, waaaaaay back when I wasn't even interested in anything Romantic Era, I fell in love with the white and periwinkle dress.  The color is just so fabulous and of course the ridiculousness of the 30s is just too fun!  My only concern with this project is where to find periwinkle 30s shoes....hhhhmmmmmm......  Oh and did you see that fabulous hat?  Yaaaaa...this will be a fun project!!

Horrible color again, but the periwinkle is pretty spot on.  The silks came from the LA Fabric District!  Thank you Emily and Josie Smith and Tracy Gomez for helping me judge the blue with the fashon plate!  You ladies rock!!!

Romantic Era Fluffy Dress

Picture from my Kyoto book

The Kyoto Costume Institute

Another example of a fabulous floral dress from the FIDM Facebook group

More floral dresses from Revisiting the Romantic Era blog

I also love this dress from the V&A Museum

Ever since I watched Cranford a couple of years ago, I have loved the sweet, fluffy, ethereal looking dresses of the Romantic Era.  The sweet prints on the fabrics, the lace caps and huge pereline collars.  I just never had a place to wear it.  Well, I have kind of grown up in that particular area and have decided that I don't need a place to wear a dress that I really long to make.  I am just going to make it and wear it where I wish!!!

Fabulous cotton print found at...of all places...Walmart!  I love it!  The colors are soooo me!  I know it isn't 100% era correct, but from studying extant dresses, it's pretty darned close!  I can't wait to get started on this project!!  Fluffy dress and silly hat here I come!

1840s Morning Dress

1840-1845 Morning Dress

Source:  The MET

I have grown to love the dresses from the 1840s thanks to the various Jane Eyre movies I have watched (2011,1996, and 2006).  I love the dresses Jane wears.  They look so clean, crisp and simply elegant.  And of course, I got great inspiration from Natalie of Frolicking Frocks.  Take a look at her so fabulous brown wool dress!  I LOVE it!!! 

Oh, and did I mention that I will "have" to make a set of 1840s stays and new corded petticoat to go with this outfit!?  Well, yes I will....there I just mentioned it!  hahahahahahahaha!!!!

Wonderful stripe and floral cotton fabric.  I was on the look out for a squiggley red and ivory fabric and came across this print and fell in love!  I think this will make a really lovely 1840s dress!

1850s or Edwardian Wool Mourning Dress

(Gaaaaaah!!!  I HATE decision making!!!)

Old Rage Tumblr from The Mode Museum

Now here is the tough part...trying to decide what to do with some great black wool I have.  Do I make an 1850s mouring dress or an Edwardian dress?  I just don't know.  When the time comes, I may do a poll of the followers of this blog.  I've never done a thing such as this, but it may prove to be fun!

This is the fabulous Edwaridan Era mouring dress from Present Posse....I just cannot decide

Black wool acquired on a trip to Vancouver, BC. It is really nice and thin and not at all uber thick.  

Teens Era Hat and Coat

Source:  Art Freebies

I WILL make this wonerfully ridiculour, silly, over the top hat.  It is what drew me to the image in the first place.  Still working out how it will be made...

Grrrrrr-ness once again on the inability of my camera to capture the true color of my fabrics.  The burgundy/plum color of the velvet looks very much like the image.  The pale blue linen and that faaaaaabulous ribbon tape trim was found once again at the LA fabric district...I think I need a worm hole to that place...then again, I would financially ruin my family if there were one.

First Bustle Era Spring Lawn Party Gown

The Ornamented Being Tumblr

Stunning first bustle era dress.  I love the look and feel of this whole dress!  I "need" a first era bustle dress because there is a huge gap in my dress collection...from 1863 to the NFE era.  This next year will see this issue solved!  But then I will also have to make a new bustle for this era as well.  Grrrrrrr.....

Delicious silks for the bustle dress.  I have had the embroidered dupioni for about 2 years and found the solid silk online for stupid inexpensive!  Yay for sales on silk!!!! 

Ok, well, there is my list of things that are on the "to be made" table.  It's like if I "say" it outloud on this blog, I will have to make the things because someone out there read it.  Right???!!!! I am hoping that this will help me to stick with what I want to make now and help me not be tempted in the future...I may have to give up Pinterest for a couple of months.  Never mind.  My heart was starting to palpitate and my head start to pound at the mere thought of it.

I guess I will just have to....

STICK WITH THE THINGS ON THIS PAGE!!!!

Well, this does not in any way affect what will be made for Coco next year.....BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Be blessed my friends!

g  

On My "To Do" List...

So, I was going through my fabric boxes today and was just a bit interested by all the "To Do" outfits I have. Here is a partial list of them.  These don't include a few others of mine, nor does it include the outfits I have planed for my mom!  Good heavens.  I would just love to be able to not have to sleep for 8 hours a night!  Can you imagine the outfits I could crank out?  

First off is this awesome archery dress from the movie " Daniel Deronda.  I adore this outfit.  The color combination is fabulous and quite striking!  My costuming group is going to start an archery club that I am so incredibly excited about!  The red fabric came from a store here in town called Home Fabrics.  It has a HUGE selection of really wonderful fabrics.  The ivory dupioni came from Hancock Fabrics.

Daniel Deronda photo from The Costumer's Guide Photo Bucket collection

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i31/costumersguide/Daniel%20Deronda/?action=view&current=daniel11.jpg

Next up is a wonderful late bustle dress that my dear friend Josie and I are doing.  We call these dresses "sister" dresses as similar fabrics are used.  Mine is the one above and Josie's is the plaid with black silk instead of the red.  I can't wait to start on mine!  Josie has already made hers.

I was at The Idaho Youth Ranch thirst store the other day and came across 6 yards of this marvelous cranberry wool!!  Laaaaaaaaaa!!!  (It is actually darker than the photograph..)  I have been searching for a perfect shade of wool to make a winter Edwardian suit and now I have it!  I am so thrilled.  I already had the patterned velvet that came from Hancocks that I will use for accents.  The pattern came from Rocking Horse Farm pattern company...

http://rockinghorse-farm.com/

Ok, so I have been in love with the Chemise a la Reine since I was a little girl.  I didn't know it was called that at the time though.  My Grandmother Jeanne, had pictures of Pinkie http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinkie_(Lawrence_painting) 

and Blueboy hanging on her wall and I would study Pinkie for hours.  I loved the filmy white dress she wore, the pink sash and her pink hat.  She was so lovely and her dress was so girlie.  Then I grew up and noticed lots of costuming ladies making these lovely dresses and I thought...I think I want one as well!  The white filmy fabric came from the St. Vinent de Paul thrift store here in town and the blue dupioni silk I have had forever.  The image above is of Anna Maria and Thomas Jenkins painted by Angelica Kauffmann...found on wikipedia.  I adore the hat that Anna Maria is wearing!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Anna_Maria_Jenkins;_Thomas_Jenkins_by_Angelica_Kauffmann.jpg

Another thrift store find! Again from The Idaho Youth Ranch is this wonderful raw silk window pane charcoal and black plaid.  I loved it on sight and found that there was 5.5 yards!  Whoo hoo!!!  I think the fashion plate here will be a perfect inspiration to use with the fabric.  My sweet friend Madame Kat send me 3 yards of black silk crape and I think I will use that somewhere on the dress too.  I will most definitely be using it to create a flowerpot hat!!!  Thanks Kat!

Ha!  More thrift store fabrics!  I love my thrift stores!!!  The plum figured taffeta and the plum and green velvet came from Savers.  I had the acid green taffeta for quite a few years.  I brought the thrift store fabrics home and was digging around my stash and discovered that they were meant for each other!  I believe that the dress on the left of the fashion plate will be a wonderful dress made of these fabrics!  The fashion plate came from Cotroceni National Museum.

http://www.muzeulcotroceni.ro/engleza/expozitii_trecut/2010/jurnal_de_moda.html

Guess what?  More thrift store fabric!  Shocker!!!  These both came from St. Paul's.  The window pane fabric is a very light fabric...reminds me of linen.  The black velvet will be the accent and buttons.  I have a black dupioni that will be the solid.  Love this dress and can't wait to make that hat!!!

The solid silk are curtain panels found at the Idaho Youth Ranch.  I love finding silk curtains at thrift stores!!! These came to me for 4 dollars for each panel.  The panels are over 60" wide and 3 yards long.  I won't do the math as I suck at that particular event, but you can guess that that is a great bargain!  The plaid is a cotton as is the burnt out velvet.  I have had this fashion plate so long that I can't remember where I got it from!  Sorry!!!

Oh how I love stripes!  Again the fabric came from Savers.  There is 7 yards to play with.  I would really like this dress to have a steampunk-y feel to it as I just recently found out that there is a steampunk group here in town!  Laaaaaaa!!!  I adore this fashion plate that I found on the Old Rags Tumblr.

http://oldrags.tumblr.com/page/28

I don't know if I will use ivory, black, or a deep red for the accent color....still in the thinking stage.

This lovely red wool came from yet another thrift store.  Can't remember which one and it is actually a deep red and not so bright in real life!  The lace is antique and came from a good friend.  The inspiration dress is fabulous and can be found at the Detroit Historical Museum.

http://dlxs.lib.wayne.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?q1=dress;rgn1=ic_all;op2=And;rgn2=ic_all;op3=And;rgn3=ic_all;op4=And;rgn4=ic_all;xc=1;g=costumegroupic;size=20;c=dhhcc;c=djg;c=hcc;c=hfhcc;back=back1320261383;subview=detail;resnum=8;view=entry;lastview=thumbnail;lasttype=boolean;cc=dhhcc;entryid=x-1950.224.001;viewid=ES01A50_224_1A

Oh how I love pink!  It is so girlie and wonderful!  The fabrics came from JoAnn's, the lace and flowers from an antique store!  I adore this dress.  I have found some lovely antique gold trim at JoAnn's that I think will look rather well with it!  I came across the dress on Pinterest and can't find where it came from originally!  I will keep searching!  Found it!  1910 Powerhouse museum.

Well, that is all for now.  I can't wait until all of these dresses come to "life".  That way I can plan others and find more fabrics!!  I think this stage of the costuming craziness is one of the most fun!