My Red-Gold Venetian

My brilliant fiance and I took advantage of the sunny sunny day today and went down to the local native bush reserve for a photoshoot. The aim was to take as many pretty pictures of me in my red-gold handsewn Venetian in the hope that at least some of them would be good enough to use in my application portfolio for a diploma in costume construction course starting next year. I ended up with about forty good shots (as is ones where I don't have a funny expression, don't have my eyes closed in the blinding sun, not blurry etc). Here are a selection.

  

Crazy times

My friends Sancha and Stefano have been planning a Victorian picnic for over a month to celebrate their five year wedding anniversary. Up until now, I have been unable to attend as I didn't want to take the time off work. Until today when I looked at the roster and low and behold, I start work just as the picnic is ending. Shall I go? Yes! Do I have any Victorian/Steampunk clothing? No. How long do I have until the picnic? One week today. 6 days to throw together an outfit, while working full-time. Yay for spontaneous crazy!

In the four hours since I decided this, I have already whipped up a wired bustle, minus the waistband, and cut out the buckram frame for a mid-Victorian bonnet (pattern by Lynn McMasters). Not allowed to go to bed until I have cut out the pieces for a chemise. I'm planning to make an 1870's evening gown out of an old queen duvet set, with a velvet coat and the bonnet. I can do this. Watch this space.

Time flies when you're having fun

Wow it has been a loooong time since I remembered that I had a blog. Almost a year to be exact. New resolution: to write a small entry at least once a month on what I've achieved in my costuming. Since my post last February, I have done plenty of work, not just for myself. Here's a list, mainly to remind myself just how much I have done.

For me:

Re-covered my Elizabethan stays with a sturdier fabric

Embroidered camica

Handsewn Venetian gown with matching lace on sleeves

Flag fan, gold organza veil, pearled corset cover, fur-lined muff

Elizabethan doublet with matching detachable skirt and Spanish sleeves

Underskirt with embroidered forepart

Underkirtle of blue and green taffeta

Black velvet tall hat

Black-worked shift

Partlet

Linen gown with shoulder rolls

For my man: (oh yeah, he asked me to marry him about a month after my last post, I said yes and promptly collapsed into a sobbing mess)

Gold worked shirt

Pirate jacket

Embroidered badges for his rapier guild scarf

Lining for his embroidered cloak

For friends:

Couple of men's shirts

Re-made a shift

Green silk Venetian

Red velvet Tudor

Blue satin Elizabethan stays

Black-worked cuffs

And then there are all the projects that I started but never completed, like the matching brocade covered choppines for my Venetian ensemble and a Svante Sture outfit (with padded codpiece) for hubby-to-be.

Photos will be added as soon as my temperamental computer allows me to post them.