All posts filed under: 20th Century

PorcelainToy’s ‘Monsters’ Music Video – my screen debut as a costumer!

Exciting news! The launch of PorcelainToy’s ‘Monsters’ music video was on Sunday, and the film is now available online. Here it is, my screen debut as a costumer! What do you think? Can you tell the difference between my dress and the original? Is it the right mix of pathos and cheesy (just like the original White Zombie)? And isn’t Elizabeth de la Ray as Madge/Madeline gorgeous? Porcelaintoy ‘Monsters’ from Rater/Coder on Vimeo. The launch night was lots of fun. It was held at the newly refurbished Roxy Cinema (my neighborhood cinema!) with a dress code of black and white 1930s Gothic. I wore vintage dress trousers (probably 1940s) and took in Mr D’s vintage dress waistcoat (probably 1930s, with 1950s alterations) to fit me. Alas, nothing would make his vintage tails fit, so I added a late 1930s evening cape as a wrap, and a diamante brooch. I was aiming for “Marlene Dietrich as vampire” look. + = Well, hopefully! I think I need a white tie waistcoat, and a top hat to really …

Terminology: What is a picot hem?

Published by The Dreamstress

If you crochet or knit you are probably familiar with a picot hem, or a picot edge – a series of looped threads along the edge of your knitting or crocheting, which can be used for functional or decorative purposes. A ‘picot’ is a single one of these loops) If you are a really dedicated crafter, you might even know the same term from tatting (which is characterised by its use of picots), or know that some types of lace commonly use picots. Picot edges are less well known in sewing these days, but you should, because 1) they are awesome, and 2) they are a common sewing technique in the 1920s and 30s, worked both by machine, and by hand. In sewing, a picot edge is a rolled hem with a zig zag stitch sewn over the hem to hold it. It is usually worked on very fine, lightweight fabrics such as chiffon. When I first saw a picot edge, I thought it must have been a very simple, cheap, low quality finish, such …

Rate the Dress: Evening ensemble of 1958

Published by The Dreamstress

Last week you did NOT appreciate our 17th century allegory and her very festive frock. You found the colours garish, the headdress decidedly odd, and the neckline, well, just a little too festive (if you take my meaning). Poor astrology needs to do a better job at aligning her wardrobe elements, as she came in at a pitiful 3.2 out of 10, making it the first pre-20th century outfit to rate below a 4. This week I’m sticking with the metallic and red holiday colour scheme, but moving it up three centuries. Are you thinking of holiday parties? Why don’t we rate a holiday party-worthy frock? This silver evening gown comes with its own matching red velvet satin evening coat (good catch Sarah!), lined in the same textured silver fabric as the dress (click through twice on the image to see a large version) What do you think? Just the thing to make a statement, or too matchy matchy? And is the textured dress fabric just divine, or just a bit much? Rate the Dress …