Interview and Giveaway at Grace's Garden Walk

Hi everyone!

I encourage you to visit the lovely blog,  Grace's Garden Walk, where I have the honor to have been featured! 

In this post you can read my interview and and enter a giveaway of a Dress Designer Kit!

Thanks, Grace! :)

Literary Heroine Blog Party

I'm participating in Kellie's lovely Literary Heroine Blog Party!

~ The Questions ~

Compiled by Miss Kellie & Miss Natasha

•What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

Trusting in God, patience even in difficult and frustrating situations, strength and clearness during times of crisis, true loveliness of character, constancy, and modesty. (oh - and a beautiful dress always helps!)

•Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.

Fanny Price of Mansfield Park by J. Austen

Polly Milton of An Old Fashioned Girl by L.M. Alcott

Elnora Comstock of A Girl of the Limberlost by G.S. Porter

Anne Elliot of Persuasion by J. Austen

•Five of your favorite historical novels?

Quentin Durward by Sir Walter Scott

Anne of Gierstien by the same.

Kidnapped by R.L. Stevenson

Mansfield Park by J. Austen

•Out of those five books who is your favorite character and why?

I think it would be a tie between Quentin Durward, Alan Breck Stewart, and Fanny Price.

Why? Quentin Durward is the definition of a hero, Alan Breck makes me laugh, and Fanny is such a real and unique heroine.

•If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?

This is a very hard question for some reason...let see. I would like to attend the Gettysburg reenactment and see the battlefield one day - and it would be lovely to see Scotland sometime.

•What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

I have several favorites:

1860s America

1940s America/Europe

100 Years War - Europe

Jacobite Rebellions, Scotland, 1715-1750

Israel in ancient times especially in the time f Jesus

•You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?

Probably would be me playing the guitar accompanying my brothers who would be on the fiddle.

•If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

Jane Eyre - I've been wanting to make a grey/blue wool 1830s-40s dress for quite a while now....and I think I could easily look the part of a quiet, plain governess.

•What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?

Sundrops (organic M&Ms by Sunspire) and Alambama chocolate  pie are the two most amazing types of chocolate, but I love pretty much all forms of chocolate. (except semi-sweet, ugh.)

•Favorite author(s)?

Sir Walter Scott

Jane Austen

Rober Louis Stevenson

Charlotte Bronte

•As a small, imaginative, red-haired damsel might query; would you rather be divinely beautiful, dazzlingly clever, or angelically good? Why?

Honestly this question has always puzzled me to no end. Can't I just say all the above??

•In which century were most of the books you read written?

19th Century

•In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

Quentin Durward

•Describe your ideal dwelling place.

A two-story rock ranch house - far far out in the country, near a creek, with a lovely yard and garden surrounded by big shady cottonwood trees.

•Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?

hmm.....no. Not that I can remember....

• In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is....

Richard Varney (actually Leicester as well...) from Kenilworth by Scott

•Three favorite Non-fiction books?

The Bible

Sarah Morgan - the Civil War Diary of a Southern Woman

Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans

•Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?

Sewing up a new dress from an old vintage pattern with some scrumptious new white and blue printed voile. Or, being completely absorbed in the latest Scott book (I love reading a new book and not knowing what will happen next!!) or.....driving down to the creek with friends for hiking and a picnic...

•Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

A mid 19th-century straw bonnet trimmed with peachy pink plaid silk ribbon, white daisys, and yellow paper roses. OR - a completely ridiculous edwardian confection, absolutely dripping with flowers, ribbon, lace and feathers, but still very tasteful, of course. :^P 

•Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

Attending the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, going to our first HSA event, meeting new friends, managing a growing sewing business, and hosting a Retro-Themed Homeschool Dance.

•Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

Isaiah 40:10-12 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his fock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry htem in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, an dmeted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the  dust of the earth ina measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

I 've been working on reading through Isaiah lately, and even though I don't always understand the prophecies described, I loved this verse because it's so comforting to be reminded that God is so awesome and bigger than the whole earth, that he can hold the oceans in the palm of his hand, and knows the exact dimentions of space - yet he is caring enough to be completely involved and holding our hand in all our little sorrows and worries....

•And lastly, as I am a rather businesslike hostess, may I ask you your views regarding those adorable little items - namely pin back and mirror back buttons? 1). Where would you choose to display a button badge to best showcase your unique style? 2). What image and/or sentiment would most make you smile were it inscribed on your very own compact mirror?

I think one of those absolutely darling pins would look very nice on my floral book-tote bag.

I'd love to see a mirror with a character/quote from one of my favorite pieces of literature! But I do love the ones you already have - my favorite so far is the 'Cook' one!

Interview with Elizabeth and Abigail

Sisters Elizabeth and Abigail were the winners of the 'Most Creative' category in the Historical Costume Inspiration Festival, so please welcome them for our second interview.

Please indroduce yourself with a brief bio.

 

E; I'm the middle one of five, with only one brother, (next up from me,) in a very creatively talented family, so we were always up to something, either making or plotting it. There were always lots of ideas floating around at our house!

How/why did you first begin sewing?

E; My mom and older sister were always sewing things, and so it was only natural that I would want to get in on the act. I kept asking Mom for something to sew, until she relented.

What was your first-ever project?

E; I hand-sewed a two peiced duck out of dark blue calico, with little red flowers on it. I was five and Mom didn't want me on the sewing machine. I'm not sure she thought I'd actually finish it... But I did, and gave it as a surprise to my younger sister, who was pleased with it dispite it's deformities.

Where do you go when you need inspiration?

E; Ha! I rarely have a problem with that. I've got a 'too-many-projects-in-my-head' condition. Books, art, and movies are always feeding my imagination...

Do you have a favorite historical time period?

E; I do love the pre-industrial eras... Rennaisance, Medeival, even Ancient styles interest me, though I have not done anything from there yet!

 

Favorite fabrics?

E; Definately the Naturals... the most common of course being cotton, but I have worked with wool and do like it lots... Silk is harder to handle, but very beautiful as a finished garment. Linen and hemp fabric are also very much a favorite, and their long wearing is highly attractive, but they are rare-ish here so I haven't done any sewing with straight fabric. (So we've only purchased these fabrics already as garments, second hand.) I know the fabric can be gotten, but the price is prohibitive. I do want to get some, though, and have several projects in mind, but... First to finish the projects that we already have the fabric for! And...that... might take a while.

What are some of your other hobbies/interests?

E; Writing, drawing, painting, gardening, goat keeping. (Though on the farm those last two aren't really hobby-ish!) I love animals, and so working with them is always fun. We also love critiqueing movies, especially period ones, (they have so much nicer costumes). I have noticed I really love 'costume dramas' filmed in the 50's. The sets and wardrobes are amazing, and the color is unbeatable! {In Technicolor!}

What would be your ultimate sewing project?

E; Ooooo. That's a hard one. I guess something truely extravagant, which would mean a dress, (probably a set of them, actually! One for each of us girls!) With oodles of embellishments, such as pearls, metalic lace, and ruffles!

Or a horse costume, like the knights had. Fitted to the horse really well, and gorgeous. That would be a pretty big order.

[Could you define "ultimate"?]

Where do you hope your sewing will take you in the future?

E; I certainly hope it will keep me always able to have the clothes that I'd like to have, no matter what other people are offering. That's an easy one. Other than that... the options are open! A line of historicly inspired clothing, that actually fits, would be terrific. Of course costume design for film or theater productions would be fabulously fun... but who knows?

Interview with Kellie Falconer

Dear readers, please welcome Kellie of A Maiden's Musings! You will remember her as the lovely winner of the 'Best Photoshoot' category in last fall's Historical Costume Inspiration Festival. I have asked each of the three winners to do interviews for my blog, and Kellie is the first. Enjoy!

Please introduce yourself with a brief bio.

A homeschool graduate, ardent bibliophile, and the oldest daughter and second of six children, I am an endlessly blessed farmgirl who loves the Lord God with all of my heart.

I currently live at home with my family in the gorgeous mountains and valleys of rural North Idaho, striving to serve the Lord in every aspect of my life. I love to sew and create beautiful things, and am at present working on expanding my own design business, located at KellieFalconer.com.

How/why did you first begin sewing?

I've loved to create things from quite early on, and my Mother, who is an accomplished seamstress, has taught me most everything I know about this lovely and useful art. She taught herself to sew when she was a girl, and I am so thankful that she has invested so much of her life in patiently imparting her hard-earned knowledge on to her daughters!

What was your first-ever project?

Hmmm. . . looking back, I think it might have been an applique wall hanging I made for my Mother as a birthday surprise. I was seven, with all the sanguine optimism typical in folks that age, but I remember repenting choosing a project that must not benefit from my Mom's help or advice only a few hours into the job! I was inspired by an applique picture that hung on the wall in my parent's room, of two Victorian ladies having tea. I think mine was an enormous tulip done on satin, heavily embellished with beading, embroidery, and a dear little paper birthday message in my seven-year-old scrawl stitched over the whole. Soon after my Mom saw my interest in needlework, she helped me read my first sewing pattern to create a corduroy jumper for myself, which I well remember had the distinction of sporting the most crooked seams in my long carer of them=)

Where do you go when you need inspiration?

Oh, there are so many things wherein inspiration dwells! A beautiful song on the piano, my adorable Great-Grandmother's retro photo album, a thrilling tale of past heroic deeds, or the butter-bespattered pages of a favorite cookbook are all mediums in which are harbored the priceless art of everyday life. If we would only look with eyes tuned in to the simple things, there is beauty - and inspiration - to be found in nearly everything!

There are also a multitude of fabulous corners all around cyberspace that I love to visit for a good dose of creative inspiration. Companies such as Cath Kidston, Victorian Trading Co, etc. have some absolutely scrumptious clothing ideas - am I the only one out there who has an "I-wish-I-could-buy-this-so-much-but-it's-too-expensive-so-I'll-make-it-someday-instead" list? =) I also love to watch my favorite movies with a notebook and pencil, making sketches of all of those wonderful gowns donned by the heroines of silver screen and costume dramas - and scribbling down all my favorite movie lines;)

I have just a sampling of all the blogs and websites that inspire me listed here, on my own blog: http://amaidensmusings.plexpedia.com/view-4576

Do you have a favorite historical time period?

Oh, dear... I love the hoops of the Antebellum era, am enthralled with flowing Medieval sleeves and girdles, and have always loved the Regency and Colonial periods for their adorable styles, but when pressed to choose one, I think the Golden era of the 1930s-40s will always be first. Who doesn't love the very words Vintage? Retro? Classic?

  

Favorite fabrics?

I love to work with those lovely, draping fabrics such as wool, wool blends, and linen. Tailoring is so much fun! There are, also, several fabrics that hold inspiration in the very sound of their names for me. Shot silk, for instance. Or sprigged muslin...

What are some of your other hobbies/interests?

I delight in studying God's Word, reading copious amounts of books, working on various entrepreneurial endeavors, working with horses, using far too much butter when baking, foreign accents, gardening with my family, and historical dancing. My family is very close, and we enjoy learning, playing, debating, creating, and most importantly, working together! I have a weakness for old books, tooled leather, fresh cherries, plaid, the color green - and my beloved pith helmet. =) I love to sing and play the piano, as well as the accordion, mountain dulcimer, and ukulele (with more or less success;), and hope to one day soon become a certified piano tuner and teacher. I am also currently studying German and Chinese with my sisters. I enjoy fishing, archery and rifle shooting, am passionate about home education, and am enthralled with all things Scottish - as well as myriads of other things too numerous to mention!

What would be your ultimate sewing project?

I have an ridiculously enormous "to-sew" list - don't we all? Historical costumes from every era (I can dream, right?), a full-sized canvas wall tent, and someday if the Lord wills, my wedding dress feature prominently on my list of dreamed-of monumental sewing projects;) I think my ultimate sewing project would have to be the extravagantly embroidered and beaded, lace-misted, fifteen yard tulle and cream satin gown replete with stunning details that keeps lurking in the back of my mind - the kind of dress dreams are made of. That's why I love the idea of a design business - I could never make something so grand for my own use, but if marketed well, there's always someone who will buy it - paving the way for the next epic project!

Where do you hope your sewing will take you in the future?

I have dreamed of starting my own sewing and design business ever since I was a wee lass, and last spring, shortly after my homeschool graduation, the Lord cleared the way for my first step towards this goal. I have a small online shop, which I am constantly refining and slowly expanding. Besides the ready-made and custom clothing, hand-embroidered kitchen towels, and home decor items that I now offer, I am in future planning to create my own line of sewing and embroidery patterns, vintage e-book downloads, etc! I believe being a faithful daughter and keeper of the home, and perhaps someday a wife and mother, is the most glorious and fulfilling job a woman can have. I also believe that entrepreneurship can be an important part of that job - the Proverbs 31 woman is depicted as a wise steward and entrepreneur. So, although I cannot see the future, I believe that my early love of sewing will prove to be a blessed and productive part of my life for many years to come...

Interview with Annette Hoffman McCaughtry

This summer, I had the pleasure of interviewing Annette McCaughtry, a seamstress, costume and set designer on an impressive list of films.

1.Please introduce yourself with a brief bio.

Annette Hoffman McCaughtry, I grew up as a military kid, moving every year to new locations all over the US including Germany and Hawaii. My mom was an actress in high school so she always took us kids to plays and even an Opera when we were in Germany. I attended college in Hawaii where I started out as a Fashion Merchandise Major, but after taking an elective course in Theatrical costuming, I ended up being a Drama Major with an emphasis on Costume construction. I also attended the Univ of Texas in Austin in their Masters program in Theatrical Costuming. I finished my MFA in Costuming at Univ of Hawaii. I spent 11 years designing costumes for theatrical productions then decided to venture into the film industry. I started out as a seamstress on various films, then became a Set Costumer and later a Costume Supervisor. I dabbled in designing costumes for a few commercials, too. I currently have my own Organizing business, but continue to work sporadically throughout the year on films on an "as needed" basis. My favorite jobs have been on period/historical films. I have a specialty in historical costuming and love working with period costumes.

2.How did you get started sewing/costuming?

My grandmother taught me how to make Barbie clothes when I was 6 and my mom did a lot of sewing for me when I was young particularly my Halloween costumes. I loved sewing and by age 10 I was making some of my own clothes.


3.Did you ever dream of being a professional costume designer when you were a little girl?

I always enjoyed coming up with fun Halloween costumes for me, my family and friends, however I always thought I would work in the fashion world. I did some professional modeling while I was in high school and enjoyed the modern fashion experience. Becoming a Fashion Buyer was my dream, but my plans changed in college to theatre. Historical fashions became my passion.


4. Do you have any favorite sources of inspiration that you look to when beginning a project?

 I have my own library of books on History of Fashion & History of Clothing, etc...I love doing research for a particular period of clothing so I poor through my own books and/or I go to the library and poor through their books.

5.Do you draft your own patterns?

Yes after I took a pattern drafting course in college I felt like I could "fly to the moon"!! It opened up my world to unlimited creative projects...because I learned all of the rules of creating what I was sketching and designing.


6.What are your favorite fabrics?

I love 100% cotton and wool to sew on, however the beauty of silk chiffons and silk velvets are so fabulous that I sometimes will tackle the difficulty of working with them for the final gorgeous effect.


7.Do you have any advice for beginning seamstresses?

Keep challenging yourself with new techniques, new fabrics, advanced classes, etc. I was taking "tailoring" in high school because I needed new challenges. I took a bathing suit construction course, a period hat making course...I bought "how to" books to teach myself new techniques. Just practice, practice, practice until you get it right. If you can train with an experienced seamstress that can help tremendously.


8. Did you attend college for or have any type of formal education/classes for designing/sewing/costuming? Do you recommend any of these for aspiring designers?

Yes, definitely seek out a school that has a good specialty or department in theatrical costuming.

9.When creating a particular costume, do you place more emphasis on historical accuracy, the character who will be wearing the costume, or creativity?

All of the above. Costume design courses in college train you in how to juggle all of those aspects into your final design.


Thanks, Annette!!

Conversation with Pauline Loven

I had the oppurtunity to interview the gracious and talented Pauline Loven - an amazing costume designer from the UK. Pauline's work can be seen on such beautiful video projects  as The Lady of Shallot and The Luttrell Psalter. Visit her blog or website to learn more about her current work.

1. Please introduce yourself with a brief bio.


My name is Pauline Loven, I live near Lincoln (UK) and I have been making period costume for over thirty years. I am married with three grown-up children, one of whom is the film-maker that I often work with. I have a first class honours degree in Heritage Studies and I work as a free-lance period costumier working for films and museums.

2. How did you get started sewing/costuming?

I think sewing may have begun at school. I remember being taught to thread a needle (with a limited length of thread so as not to stab the child sitting next to us). At about the same time I recall my mother warning me not to cut a hole in my dress as I sat on the floor sewing – I had in fact sewn the fabric piece to my dress. I was probably no older than five years. I gradually learned the technique of cutting by making dolls clothes. I can recall my excitement when, at the age of eight, I discovered how to cut and set in a sleeve!

3.Did you ever dream of being a professional costume designer when you were a little girl?

Interestingly no, I was much more interested in art, history and archaeology etc. but I did draw a lot, including designing clothes. However, my need to be creative and my love of history came together in a passion for researching and carefully re-creating period clothing. My career took me in one direction and my passion for costume in another.

Lady of Shalott white dress

'The Lady of  Shalott' by J.W. Waterhouse

Lady of Shalott coral dress

'Half Sick of Shadows' by JW Waterhouse

4.Please describe your process when beginning to recreate a dress inspired by a particular source.

For the Lady of Shalott’s dresses we were using two of the John William Waterhouse paintings: The Lady of Shalott (1888) and Half Sick of Shadows (1894). My process was the same as always: thorough research, attention to detail, and being faithful to the period – even though this was a mythological world. The Pre-Raphaelite artists and their followers drew their inspiration from a wide swathe of history – from Anglo-Saxon through to the Renaissance. I looked at this world through their Victorian eyes, and treated their paintings as my primary source. I wanted the work to have the same authenticity as any real period of history and so I made the dresses for the Lady of Shalott true to the paintings and to reflect the cut and construction of both medieval and Victorian clothes.

Silk stays

5.Of all the costumes and historical clothing you have designed, do you have a favorite?

Now that is a hard one to answer! My favourite period is probably the late 18th century and probably my favourite garment/s would be the 18th century stays.

Queen Catharine Howard Tudor dress

6.I loved your costume creations for the films “Lady of Shallot” and “Luttrell Psalter”. Is it hard work costuming for a movie production? Please describe the process a bit.

There are different issues to consider and it is a completely different approach to creating clothing for the theatre. The clothes have to be real clothes and they have to be completely persuasive close-to. Before I cut a garment we frequently do camera tests to check the fabric doesn’t look odd – some blacks can look red and some patterns can create optical illusions. I also need to know what will happen to the garment on screen – sometimes clothing will be made to be destroyed during a special effect. High Definition also means that in some shots every stitch will show – so attention to detail is essential. Indeed, because the camera can get in very close, and you can never be sure which bit of a costume will be in a close-up shot, every detail (inside and out) has to be perfect!

7.Do you draft your own patterns?

Yes, I draft by the traditional toile method – which is creating a cloth pattern on a tailor’s dummy (padded up to the measurements of the actor). I occasionally flat draft as well, and I always keep paper copies of all the patterns I have created.


8.What are your favorite fabrics?

All the natural ones - silk, linen cotton and wool, though silk velvet can be a bit tricky.

Original drawing of a Titanic era gown 1908-12

9.Do you have any advice for beginning seamstresses?

Learn to handle making mistakes - they are how you progress! It is easy to feel foolish or be put off when you make a mistake, but you generally don’t do them again and you may have inadvertently discovered a new technique. However, once you have made a mistake don’t throw the garment down and flounce off - you probably won’t pick it up again - just unpick the error and then put it down. You can get back to it later when you are feeling more in the mood. The more mistakes you have made the better a seamstress you can become!

When reproducing period clothing learn to really look – so often we look without seeing. Really take something in, ask questions of it (whether it is a garment, painting or sculpture): what is the garment made from, where do the seams lie, how is it fitted, fastened, etc.? A great way to really ‘look’ at something is to draw it – you will be surprised what you learn.


10. Did you attend college for or have any type of formal education/classes for designing/sewing/costuming? Do you recommend any of these for aspiring designers?

No, I did not attend college to study designing/sewing/costuming as such. Years ago I attended a one day course by Suzi Clarke on making toiles, which was brilliant – it liberated me from patterns and I never looked back. Suzi has remained a mentor ever since. I have also attended courses run by Ian Chipperfield, Staymaker, on making corsets and stays. He too has remained a mentor.

I do very much recommend education and courses – we have much to learn from one another and it is not possible to know all there is to know. I frequently visit museums to study garments and I have a library of over 1,000 books. I also attend courses and lectures whenever I can.

Costumes for the Mona Lisa film

11.When creating a particular costume, do you place more emphasis on historical accuracy, the character who will be wearing the costume, or creativity?

Historical accuracy doesn’t always matter – it depends on the production, but being informed and knowing exactly what you are doing, and why, does. I have no patience with idle inaccuracy – it can be as easy to get it right, but there may be a style decision to play with the past. A good example of playful period costuming is that of a recent BBC production of Casanova (2005 with David Tennant and Peter O’Toole). The designer, Jenny Beavan, understood the period perfectly and played with it – and the costumes were brilliant.

If historical accuracy is paramount, then you begin with the character: who they are, what they do, where they come from, where and when they live, their status, gender, age and condition and their function in the plot etc. The creativity just follows on from whatever decisions are made.

I have to mention the elephant in the room though: budgets! I am afraid that we all need to be forgiven for not getting things as accurate as we would like – rarely do budgets allow such perfection!

Examining a gown from the 1770s

12.What are your best sources of inspiration?

My sources include original garments or fragments thereof, textiles, sculptures and effigies, paintings and murals, photographs and film, vintage patterns, and written sources from books to accounts, inventories and diaries. As to what inspires me … hmm, maybe something I haven’t done before. I am currently quite absorbed by late Bronze Age, Mycenaean dress.


--- If you would like to ask Pauline a question - feel free to do so in the comments section!

Featured at Feelin' Feminine

I was asked by the lovely ladies over at Feelin' Feminine to be the Featured Femina for Challenging Feminnity this month. Wow! I was very honored and had fun answering the interview questions!

I also did a Catharine Morland Updo hairstyle tutorial for CF. Fun!