Sunday, July 20, 2008

Inspirations

Over the years I have collected inspirational and beautiful Victorian artwork and pictures. These are usually artwork or pictures of fashions from the era (either from museums or other people's recreations). I use these as inspiration for my own pieces. Bellow are some of the artwork pieces that I have fallen in love with.

This was the first picture I ever saw of this collection. I fell in love with the pink gown. There is a very talented seamstress that sells gowns on ebay that actually reproduced this dress. The gown was exquisite and I regret not getting it (although the price was a little high for me around $650)

I always felt that if I could sew my own gowns I would love to make this blue gown. All the ruffles and layers are just wonderful.


I have recently discovered the artist of this collection is James Tissot. And the even better news is he made a bunch of these. Some gowns even show up several times in his art. Below are some more art pieces that I now want to copy into gowns. I am going to be busy. :)

I have added this one to my definitely have to makes. That fabric is going to be hard to match but I love this one.

The infamous black and white stripped dress (also known as the Sleepy Hallow dress). He has this one in several of his pictures as well. There a few talented ladies out there who have successfully recreated this dress. Stripes can be tricky so this one will have to wait for a bit.


James Tissot was a very talented artist. I enjoy having art/pictures from the Victorian era that represent something closer to reality than the many fashion plates out there. Fashion plates are a great resources for ideas but sometimes can be a little stylized in their drawing making it harder to vision or recreate. Tissot has given us more of a window into this era to see what this gowns might have looked on real ladies. If you would like to see more works by Tissot, The Art Renwal Center is a wonderful resource for most of his works.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Dress Diary

Other Projects....

My other sewing projects past, present and future....
Click on any of the pictures below to see details about each piece.




My first complete garment

This is the shirt/blouse made in my sewing class. I am quite proud.
(click on picture for more)

Dress Diary

Undergarments...

Victorian undergarments are a necessity to every proper Victorian outfit. These are my undergarment sewing projects past, present and future.... Click on any of the pictures below to see details about each piece.




Victorian Chemise and Drawers

Current project...
This is my first Victorian piece.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

A class in sewing

So tonight continues my adventures in sewing. As many already know I am in to all things Victorian and at the top of that list is Victorian fashions and ballroom dancing. Over the years I have acquired a few gowns made by others that I have used. But now I think I am ready to strike out on my own and explore making these gorgeous gowns myself. I found a wonderful site in TrulyVictorian.com. They have wonderful patterns that are historically correct and reviewed as being on the easier side. They also have a board of fellow sewers that are wonderfully supportive.

It was from this board that last year I acquired a vintage workhorse of a sewing machine from a lovely lady (Thanks Miss Cindy). I then took a few sewing classes on getting to know my machine and how to read patterns. Unfortunately not long after did i decide to move to North Carolina, so alas the sewing had to be put aside for a bit. Well I am now settled here and ready to pick up where I left off.

So tonight begins the new adventure! I am off to the first of three nights where at the end of it I am promised a finished garment (a button up shirt). My first complete project. I am excited and will post as I go. Wish me luck.

And so it begins......

Ok well.... I'm going to do it. I may be no great writer but I figured a blog would be a good place to document my life, all the wonderful changes coming down the line and my current attempts at becoming a seamstress. So wish me luck....here goes!!