Colonial Dancing Vest

 

A customer of mine from at least 20 years ago, asked me to copy his old vest that I had originally made for him.  It was fun seeing it again and seeing how my methods have evolved over time.  The new vest is pictured here with Alice.

 

I like the back lacing because it makes it adjustable.

My current machine makes nice eyelets so I used them instead of buttonholes.

English Colonial Ball Gown 1770

Here is a gown I wore at a recent ball. Actually I made it 17 years ago! I do English country dancing from the 1700's.

It is loads of fun! A lot of dancers (me included) wear gowns that are not authentic reproductions. We sew on sewing machines, use modern fabrics and trims and don't wear corsets. We aim for the general look of a time period. It is easier and more comfortable for dancing.

I used a polished cotton and made the trim myself out of a very long strip of fabric gathered in a zigzag pattern. The front flower is an applique taken from the skirt fabric and then I embroidered over top of it. I have a separate chemise underneath, that the lace is attached to so I can wash that without having to launder the whole dress each time. The front panel (stomacher) closes with snaps down one side. Underneath is a lace up section to take the strain off the snaps.

Beaded Carnival Mask

I have been invited to a Canevale di Venezia (Carnival of Venice) dinner/dance! So here is my mask. I took a piece of paper and just started cutting until I had a shape and size that would work. Next I cut out a back and front of fabric and 1 piece of fusible fleece. I fused the fleece to the wrong side of the fabric. I sewed the 2 fabric pieces, right sides together, all around except for the eye holes. I clipped the corners and curves and turned it inside out through the eye holes. Press. As you can see above, I zigzag stitched the eyes. Then I started beading, gaining inspiration from the fabric design. I used a regular needle and thread with seed beads, bugle beads, iridescent sequins and others I had left over from past projects. I had these two organza shoe laces (I knew I would use them someday!) and I sewed them to the edges for ties. I beaded the ends to add weight and color. When I wear it, the short ends will hang down in front and the long ends will tie in back.