Year: 2011

Kerry’s steampunk burlesque bustle

Kerry approached me after the talk on historical underwear I gave back in February, wanting a Steampunk-inspired bustle based on my 1870s bustle petticoat to use in her burlesque performances. After nailing down design ideas, we had lots of fun picking fabric. Because Kerry is using this for performances, and needs to be able to have it cleaned frequently, we went for synthetics instead of natural fibres. Together we found a really nice, heavy, bronze-coloured satin: It is being contrasted with a truly lovely rayon with slightly irregular black and silver stripes: The whole outfit is about contrasts: shiny with matte, stiff with flowy, structured with draping, masculine and feminine. Steampunk is the perfect foil for these contrasts, as steampunk is all about the contrast between modern technology and the less industrial, handmade aesthetic of pre-assembly line days. There are lots of fun things going into the bustle: And as the obvious follow on to that: I hope you enjoyed all the sneak peeks! On Saturday for my finished project I’ll show you the completed …

Rate the Dress: blue plaid in 1878

Published by The Dreamstress

Last week’s 186os child’s party frock created the usual divisions I’ve come to expect with historical children’s clothes: some of you liked it for a child, many of you thought it would be much better on an adult, many of you wanted it for yourself, and a few of you questioned if it was appropriate for a child. But overall, you liked it, and it rated an 8.6 out of 10. I agree, but only if you take off that hideous overskirt. With the overskirt my vote is only 4 out of 10! For this week’s rate the dress my jumping off point is last week’s poll which asked you what your favourite fabric colour was. An overwhelmingly large percentage of you said blue (25 out of 52, compared to 11 out of 52, for green, the next runner up). Now I want to know if this abstract liking of blue fabric translates into liking an actual garment, or at least helps you to like it more. So I present this blue trimmed blue tartan …

A few fabulous things

Published by The Dreamstress

It’s been ages since I’ve done a fabulous things post. So it’s definitely time to show off what I’ve gotten! First off, a riding crop (because every historical costumer who aspires to riding habits needs a riding crop), two gorgeous pieces of china to add to my mix and match tea trios, and a cushion cover in the most fabulous print. The cushion cover needs a better cushion, but I think it is going to become the inspiration for my winter bedroom scheme. It goes beautifully with all the peridot green curtains, but adds new zest. Now I just need some chocolate brown (I’m cursing the impulse that led me to de-stash my chocolate brown cotton velvet a few months ago!), and some turquoise fabric for my other bed cushions. Want to see a close up of the china? I also got another trio, but I think I’ll sell this one on. I love the sophisticated colours, and how modern and non-cutesy it is, but somehow it’s too cool (Victorian cool, e.g. aloof, not modern …